I'll Be Standing in the Gap

Picking up a case of water and heading to Chayah, the reality that 3/4's of our group leaving today was sinking in.  The kids greeted us like any other day, all smiles and helping us carry every little thing from the van.  Janet had gone to the market for food so we gathered them for bible studies and I sat down to sew sew sew, just barely finishing up the skirts for tomorrow's competition.  We were missing several yards of elastic for the waste bands, but substituted some ribbon to used as draw strings.  Two skirts were just a little short, so a ruffle was added.  All this sewing, to the sound of joyful voices slippin' and slidin' outside again today.

Half past twelve became the moment to begin gathering the whole group, passing out letters from sponsors, some stickers and a sucker for each one.  Words of encouragement and love were spoken and just as we thought we were handling the good bye with such strength, they all stood on the front porch and sang "We'll be standing in the gap for you".  Even Janet had to walk away and our exuberant cook Mary and tender hearted helper Jennifer were wiping their own tears as they waved good bye.  Micah sat in the front seat with his own rain shower as we drove away.  It just hurts to leave people you love and go far away for months.  

Kristen and I headed to the adult Government run hospital.  We had two bags each with baby clothes and a package of newborn diapers and about 50 bars of soap.  We were able to go to the maternity ward where we were welcomed to be in the delivery area as the one patient silently delivered a healthy baby boy.  We joined the nursing trainees as the midwife caught this tiny guy.  Mother and grandmother welcomed us even as this mama was nearing 8-9 cm.  about 5 minutes later, the wait was over.   

The staff had many questions for us about US delivery practices, prenatal care and training requirements.   We found out that here in Uganda, the last two years of high school, students are asked to indicate their desired area of study and adjust their classes accordingly.  If testing indicates that they are incapable of accomplishing their goal, they are redirected to something else.    I guess that does help them enter their university studies with some sense of confidence.

We spent a few minutes in the neonatal room, and among others we saw one little girl born at 24 weeks named Miracle.   After 2 weeks, her name is proving to be prophetic already.

Packing filled the rest of the afternoon and we waved good bye as Chris pulled away from our hotel took them off to the airport in Entebbe.

Janet is asking that I come stay at the house for this week, allowing her a few days away. This seems like a good plan for next week. The internet will be challenging, and maybe spotty so communication will be tricky, but African tea every morning... wonderful!   

I don't know whether to let it slip that  I'm a bit homesick at this point or not.  I guess the reality is that serving solo isn't really serving alone, but it does feel lonely.   Humility is setting in heavily when I realize how confident I was to carry on another week alone.  You wouldn't be wasting your time if you prayed for me to realize my number one companion is God himself and that I'm about to be taught what it means to lean solely on Him.    I do wonder if the enemy is gonna show up in this wilderness and challenge my commitment.   It wouldn't be the first time.   

Tomorrow 19 precious things will be in new skirts and tie dyed t shirts singing for Abundant Life Church and you know I'll be there with my camera like they are my own!

                                     " everyone missing their two front teeth, smile please :) "