Another goodbye...Jan 23rd, 2014

My laptop has been reconfigured so many times here in Uganda so that it will beat the battle of 3rd world internet compatibility, that I don’t know if it will ever be the same.  This last post has been delayed as a result, but in a way it makes the description of the final day ripen like the Ugandan bananas we enjoyed...sweeter than it began.

We packed up most of our hotel rooms preparing for check out and headed to Chayah for our last morning in the house.  Devotions, a few special meetings with the older kids on some pretty poignant adolescent issues and the centers began.   We allowed them much freedom today to roam and wander into whatever activity suited their interests.  The two story chicken coop was finished, locking covers on the computer table installed.  More drama and art out front, computers up and running and every sort of craft they could think of with the extra supplies.  Stopping in town on the way to purchase some plastic containers provided at least some form of organization for the store room.  We brought out the sewing machine for a short project, and tried to clean up after ourselves and all the activity of the last weeks. 

The kids had learned the names of our 7 new faces and two things about each of them.  They proved themselves on day one!  Three of our team stepped up to try to match names with faces and though the kids attempted to confuse with silly expressions or hanging heads, the now weary travelers on the team matched their accomplishment without a hitch! 

Lunch was served and gift bags passed out.  Just about the time a few began to feel the inevitable coming, our swim party plan was revealed which saved us all at least for the moment. 

We left for the hotel, moved all the suitcases et al into two rooms, kept for showering and changed into our own swimming “costumes”.  The team met at the pool and began the arduous job of inflating an assortment of dollar store floating devices.  It might be just me, but it seems like what we save in money at that particular store costs us some stroke causing effort trying to get the air inside the plastic which seems to stick together like glue.

By the time the kids arrived we were organized and each had our stations for life guarding.  To our great pleasure and God’s mercy, 23 arrived and left still breathing.  The older ones are getting more courageous in the big pool, the little ones would claim the same, except that the marks on our team’s shoulders and necks would indicate more than one “death grip”. At least a couple of us may have been seen with 3+ little ones holding tight to the same strong shoulders at the same time. The cooks, Mary and Jennifer enjoy the water as much as anybody and Mary especially is delightfully entertaining with her expressions of thrill and terror...and again, don’t be misled, she can most often be found in the shallowest pool, certainly no more than 3 ft deep.

Swimming was followed by 30 minutes or so on the swings and slides close by and then a small bowl of ice cream was served. 

The moment finally came and somebody had to announce that it was time to wrap up this great trip .  12 Muzungus lined up next to the van and each little one came through and gave each of us a hug or handshake as they piled in to head back to their own home without us.  Tears and waves lasted the full length of the red dirt road leading out of the hotel compound and no one moved until the last head sticking out of the sunroof disappeared around the corner. 

We pray that every little thing we did and every big thing God did over the last few weeks is sealed into those hearts and the rest of the people of Kakira, Jinja and Njeru.  God’s glory was the goal but we are so grateful for the joy we experienced and the changes and challenges on both sides.  It’s not possible to come and not leave different, but it’s not generally an easy thing to describe or quantify.  It feels right to come, it also feels right to go home...somewhere between the two though, there is some sort of wrestling or restlessness in our hearts about how to process the changes God continues to make in us.  “True religion” and taking care of others, doesn’t require a passport or a “mission trip”.  Following Jesus and serving doesn’t require 3rd world circumstances or yellow fever vaccines...it just means being faithful where we are, living with an awareness that people need a savior EVERYWHERE.  I’m not sure you could find more darling faces than the ones who stole our hearts in Uganda, but people are in need anywhere.  So as we close this trip out and anticipate the baggage carousal at LAX and finally a diet coke with ice that proves “we are home” we know it’s only God who could have carried out all of his plans for us in Uganda.  Praise Him with us, he is worthy.

Chicken for dinner!

Today was a long day at Chayah. We went through our daily routine, arriving about 9am, devotions with 4 different groups and then began rotating through the centers.  A lot was accomplished and a few crafts ideas were thrown in at the end of the last session with the extra materials from VBS.  Evan had a recording project to do with the kids and Andrew was asked to help catch and prepare our main dish, chicken.  It's one of those things you do once and I’m so glad he was willing, or it would have been me on the hook. Jennifer the cook, chose the birds, Yoweri went into the coop and caught them and the three oldest boys did the deed, while the oldest girls plucked the feathers. 

 

I don’t know that I ever need to see it again, but it was interesting once, in a gruesome sort of way. 

 

With all the baking this week, we prepared small boxes of treats for the neighbors and headed out in two teams in search of some children.  After walking about an hour in the hot sun, we arrived back at Chayah and announced a swim session in the Nile.  Those tired hot kids sprang into action changing into their swimming costumes and ready for another walk.  We surrounded them like hawks, counting and recounting every few minutes and stayed close enough to pluck one out if need be.  Forty five minutes later, the stress was too much and we called them out and back up the hill. 

 

Back at the house, we caught a hour or so of sitting around and then joined them for worship, praise and bible study time.  Just about the time that ended we realized that our youngest team member was pretty tired and running a bit of a fever.  Dinner was served just about the time the mosquitos arrived, so everyone ate well this evening!  We packed up and headed back to the hotel.  Tomorrow is our last day and we’ll have them all here at the hotel for a swim party in the late afternoon, pack up and head to Kampala for the night.  After two very full weeks, I think we are beginning the “heading home” mind set.  I’m tired tonight, so will include some pictures and shut in down for today.

 

More skills and just plain ol’ fashioned fun!

My creativity is waning and each evening that I sit down to write a post, I plan something brief and to the point, as if each day was the same as the last.  But as I relive the events of the day, my memories of different moments are poignant and the words it takes to recreate them seem to swell my journal entries once again.  Bare with me, I can hardly crop out one single thing.

 

Today though I will let the pictures speak for themselves except for a few notables.  The plumber needed the water turned off for a bit and I don’t know how you do that, but our secret agent just climbed the water tower, in the pouring rain, no less, and was accused of exposing his top secret training.  The computer table is coming along and the builders today graduated from sawing and nailing to using the drill.  Cookie dough that had been the fridge overnight, was less than cold because the power has been very weak for 2 days. But a rolling pin and cookie cutters created the first batch of baked sugar cookies.  The power did not effect the “garage” art studio one bit and the drama center carried on with tricks of the theater industry.  Crafts were a hit, which was great because the low power would not allow the computers to boot up completely.  Devotions were shared among team leaders and a family meeting was held after Uncle Evan’s rehearsed a new song with our kids. 

 

A celebration style lunch was served, dishes were washed and two couples headed off to visit a baby’s home nearby ,that’s when the fun really began.  We divided up into two teams of 15 each and began field day games of every thing we could think of.  Water balloon toss, three legged races, piggy back ride races, water relay’s and finally the slip n slide.  That cheering and celebration you heard back in the states in the middle of your night???  That was us!  Squealing and screaming and running and dancing in victory?  That was only the beginning!  The joy was palpable and we would have carried on into the evening, except that there were a couple of stops to make on the way back to the hotel and dinner waiting for us. 

 

The team, sans board members, headed out for pizza.  Yep, real live Italian style pizza has invaded Jinja, who would have guessed?  If I ever get here and see a Starbucks though, somebody’s gonna pay.  I love a good coffee, but please commercialism stay put and don’t wreck this paradise of simple living.

 

Our board met with our house mom for some heart to heart and encouragement, sharing visions and perspective.  We love her.  God chose her and then he keeps reaffirming it over and over again.  We prayed for strength, a filling of the spirit, perseverance and direction for the future.  I know He’ll lead and strengthen, fill and give endurance.  Its His ministry, His house and His love and purpose. 

 

Get a glimpse at our day...spend some time really staring into the faces you see.  Its hope, redemption and a cause for celebration. 

 

Got Skillz?

We packed up the remaining suitcases of donations and headed to Chayah’s home about 8:30am.  When we arrived we spent a few minutes greeting and setting up stations for the various skill centers on the schedule for today.

 

The group was divided into 4 and devotions began.  Once the last group finished we put name tags with group numbers on everyone and three at a time, they headed out to their areas.  Sanding & hammering were taught at the building area, baking in the kitchen, introduction to computers in the dining room, crafts in the sitting room, drama in the front yard, art in the “garage” and free time with Uncle Evan.  Forty five minutes later we rotated and then again after another 3/4 of an hour.  Several things made me pause and smile...the first group in the kitchen was the three littlest girls with Kristen.  At their age they have yet to have a chance to help with any cooking and their faces looked like they were getting away with something huge!  The computer area with Taelor, was filled with intrigue, smiles and VERY FAST learning.   When three GIRLS got to start sand with an electric sander and nail into boards...whoa...that never happens.  The art department was all concentration, as they got their lesson and practice with Andrew, and Joey had them moving “stage right, stage left” and a bunch more.  Crafts with Karen and Morgan included balloons with glue and tissue paper.  If the rain doesn’t get to them, they may just be lanterns to decorate the house.  All the while, our faithful plumber moved from one plumbing or fixture problem to the next. 

 

Lunch was served on the lawn, followed by some music practice.  The builders and the plumber made a list of a few things they would need for tomorrow and headed to town.  Janet headed to Kakira with some clothing to take to a couple of families and the littlest ones headed into their rooms for a nap.  Their sleep was slow in coming as the rest of us gathered in the “garage” for some talking and a fun dance party.  Once the drums began for the dancing, we could see faces peering out the window of the nap taking room.  We showed them our moves, but mostly they showed us theirs. 

 

We packaged up some clothes for the twins and their siblings who were at church yesterday and headed that direction.  Our good long walk was serenaded by the children in the homes we passed sing-songing “Muzungus, Muzungus”.  We visited for a while and prayed for the family, then continued on to see the bridge where several children have drowned trying to fetch water in their Jeri cans during the rainy season.  With the stream moving swiftly and the tree trunk bridge slippery, they fall in and are quickly carried down and out into the Nile.  Gathering water in the pollution infested stream is part of survival.  Many, many people would have no water at all without this method, because to fill from a well or tap would cost precious shillings that are better spent on food.  Tragedy strikes before anyone knows what has happened.

 

We headed back to the house about 4:30, said our goodbyes, bought 4 more cases of water for the week and will end our day with dinner and sharing the day’s experiences together.  With less than a week left, the days are beginning to be filled with mixed emotions.  Try as we may to stave off the inevitable good-byes, I can feel it coming and that familiar sense of separation I hate so much.

 

Pushing aside our awareness of each passing day, we are challenged to stay in the moment and hang on until the last minute of the last day.  God willing these next few will be filled with a mountain of sweet experiences.

Sunday In The "Garage"

Sunday began with another delicious breakfast, dressing for church and heading to Njeru.  This is a congregation that meets much nearer the house of Chayah.  Last week we heard that since they had been using a classroom to meet and the owner wanted to paint and begin reusing it for school, that this small church ministry of “Abundant Life” church was homeless.  An inquiry was made on another place but the owner wanted more than reasonable rent and was planning to basically charge a per head admission charge...that was excessive.  So the we gathered under the garage, shifting as the sun moved and enjoyed the service so much.  There was probably close to 50 this morning with our 12, Chayah’s 22 and other visitors. 

 

As has been their regular routing, our kids are set up as the program facilitators, keeping to the order of service.  Both Shalom (bigger kids) and Little Angels (smaller ones) lead us and the little ones performed a skit about what street children go through and what happens when they pray.  It was pretty comical and heartwarming at the same time.

 

Olivia & John traded off interpreting and Regina led us in prayer.

 

Visitors were asked to stand and introduce themselves, so we each did along with others.  Pastor Roman taught on the attitude of worship and preparing hearts to enter God’s presence, thanksgiving, praise, worship… We doted on the kids from outside that attended and played with a set of 3 month old twins.

 

Most of the team left soon after to purchase mosquito nets and very small toys to accompany our sugar and soap gifts to be handed out later today at the Children’s hospital malaria ward.  Prayer at each bed is the goal and a little bit of providing for their physical needs. I stayed back at the hotel with the youngest member of the team.  Adults going into an unknown area of germs is one thing...exposing a 7 year old is another.  So with 10 backpacks filled to the brim with supplies, off they went. 

 

On Sunday, doctors take the day off, parents sometimes take their children home since no treatment would be given, so the hallways and front were not as overwhelmingly full as during the week.

 

Upon entering today, three families holding sick little ones were greeted and prayed for, all suffering with Malaria… They sought out the Charge Nurse and handed over the mosquito nets.  Another of the head nurses was occupied in a quarantine area.  The team entered the malaria ward and spread out among the 20 or so patients and families there, praying, handing out sugar, soap and tiny stuffed toys.  One very frail looking boy was reported to be 16 years, though possibly 16 months or 6 years.  Malnutrition and sickness combined with translation issues leaves us in the dark sometimes about the facts.  Another ward contained more malaria cases, and it seems today that about 90 percent were suffering from that same ugly disease. 

 

Making sure we had enough for the sickest of children, they headed to the “Emergency Room” aka Intensive care.  8-10 babies were touched, prayed for and they attempted to bring hope to such a difficult situation.  There is hope, a great hope in our powerful God, but sometimes healing comes with death of the body and not before, leaving a caring family in overwhelming grief. 

 

From there they headed to the malnutrition ward.  One bed contained a tiny little baby who had been found in a duffle bag behind a church.  The 3 month old was taken to this woman who had now stayed in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks.  Not her baby, no milk of her own and no money for formula, it was all she could do to sit with this exceedingly undersized child that someone else had thrown away.   I can’t imagine the circumstances...3 months should have produced some degree of bonding even if there was no way to provide.  We helped as we could to get her through for a bit.

 

There are no pictures from today, it seems disrespectful.  We love to give you both words and photographs to help you share in our journey here, but this kind of circumstance call for hearts and prayer alone. 

 

Tomorrow we head to Chayah house for the first 4 days of teaching, devotional time, playing, laughing, singing, dancing, and who knows what other adventures we may experience.  We’ve set it up in 6 stations, rotating groups of three at a time through each 45 minute time slot...ambitious may be an understatement...but we don’t seem to lack optimism or energy so off we’ll go!

 

Half-way point, the Nile and a day of "rest"

Today marks the half-way point of our teams trip.  It’s a day we planned to have rest and refreshment from a busy, emotional and spiritually taxing week.  Its difficult to describe exactly what happens at this point in this kind of trip. 

Sickness has come to some, and there is a tiredness from the heat and busy schedule, yet at the same time such joy, peace and sense of God’s presence.  Though we planned just a couple of things today and all completely optional, this group has bonded with each other and the culture and don’t seem to want to miss a chance at adventure or ministry. 

Our morning was kept free for sleeping late, and even with our best intentions and closed drapes, most of us were up early as usual.  It seems that our anti-malaria medication may just be messing with our dreams a bit as several of us are reporting some oddities.   Regardless, walks were taken, hiking down to the Nile, visiting again with the family behind the hotel and a small bit of sitting around. 

11:30 came and we left on foot to another hotel about 1/2 a block away, a walk down some steep stairs and into a small covered river boat for a one hour tour of the Nile, Lake Victoria and the animal and bird life in the area.  It was relaxing and beautiful.  Arriving back for our “down day” everyone chose to hop on the Boda Boda’s and head to town.  A quick lunch and some walking tours, a small bit of shopping the local handcrafts and then we headed to the “wholesale” market for supplies for tomorrow’s visit to the children’s hospital. 

We could have waited until tomorrow, but again...this team...why put off work till tomorrow when you can do it today?  So we cut up blocks of soap, bagged about 90 bags of sugar and had just enough time to wash up before our buffet dinner. 

Janet surprised us and stayed to eat with us and then share with us about her life, her heart for hurting children and all that led to Chayah.  We had a question and answer time with her and excused her with a round of hugs.

Our team sat and did some debriefing from the week behind, a little bit of critiquing of VBS and shared prayer requests.  We are already beginning to anticipate our feelings when we leave and were really encouraged to not jump ahead to the difficult day at the end of the week.

We prayed that God would take our offering and continue on in His work, thanking Him for allowing us the opportunity to serve Him this week.

Tomorrow we will go to church again...but things have gotten a little tricky at the building where they have been meeting.  The classroom was painted in preparation for use as a school room again and plan B suddenly became a BIG charge for use situation… so Pastor Roman will be coming to Chayah tomorrow and church will be under the covering of the carport there.  I can’t wait.  The contrast will be fun and probably very sincere and certainly with our kids leading much of the service...very energetic! 

Pray for the bugs among us, for strength and restored health and protection for the rest of the time here.  Tomorrow we change gears again and begin a week of focus on Chayah’s home. 

Love from Uganda!