The Tiger at Chayah-Day 4

Last night we sat around the dinner table later than usual processing what we've seen this trip.  New faces and names, familiar stories and hearts aching to figure out why a caretaker leaves children to fend for themselves.  Mothers, grandmothers...just overwhelmed and somehow feeling the escape is acceptable.  I don't have any idea what they predict will happen to the children left behind.  I don't have any idea how this has be come ok with anybody, but as
widespread as it is...something is terribly broken deep inside of everyone involved.  We see the masses and know it is happening...but to see it up close, with a face and a name and tears...its far too much.  We press on moving as God shows us his next step for us, but our humanness breaks under the weight of what is left undone.  Faith doesn't easily satisfy when it means walking away from a young boy hungry for both food and love.  God help us know our place and part.


About this time in any trip, things change.  Our body clocks are reset to Uganda time, and any awkwardness in the re-entry at Chayah melts away.  Its beauty to our regulars when we see the barriers melt away between the team and the kids.  Both sides are equally anxious to play, work side by side and feel free to talk and wrestle and entertain each other.  

Today's schedule included devotions for 3 groups and then projects.  

 Kristen and Rachel began the first of the sewing projects and found Judith and Sarah to be diligent in watching, learning and hanging in there to get patterns cut.

  Dann, Branden, Janet, Micah and Yoweri headed into town in search of chicken coop supplies including wood, tin, and wire.

Rashid happy to be hanging with man stuff.

Matt, Jonathan & Rashid

Matt stayed back and worked on getting some of our power tools rewired and back in working order, and repairing a lamp light that was broken in Saturday's soccer game. He was shadowed by a very curious Rashid and Jonathan, at one point attempting to use the power sander as some type of head shaver.  

Sarah and Jesca

Chris drew a crowd with art supplies on the front porch and I taught and then helped supervise candle making. 

Dafine, Kwagala, Sharon & Brenda

Maureen pouring "Frankinsence & Myrrh"

Elijay watches the girls

Wax was melted about a pound at a time in a type of double boiler to 180 degrees over a charcoal cooker then set aside to cool to 140 degrees. Each one that was patient enough to sit through the melting and cooling process got to choose a scent and poured  about 4 tea cup candles. 

Kwagala, Doreen, Dafine

A few busied themselves preparing the wicks and we made our way through about 11 lbs of wax today. 

The late afternoon antics were probably the most entertaining and instagram will have to be your source for photos as one of our own dressed up as a tiger and ran around the yard chasing screaming kids...until he started tossing candy and then the roles reversed and the tiger was chased with such excitement everyone stopped to watch the fun.  

Clothes were sorted to be given away and the gang loaded up for a quick visit to Solomon's property.  He and Janet came back to the hotel with us and we were able to hear his story once again.  The compassion of one woman who saw the mistreatment and devalued life of one little boy, and did something.  Solomon is one of the most grateful people I have every met.  

Things are beginning to get a little weary here.  The days begin with enthusiasm, but our energy is running low by days-end and we fall into bed hoping God will refresh us for tomorrow's plans. Its part and parcel of this type of trip.  Every team, every time has the same attitude, to meet every opportunity with hearts willing to give beyond their own strength...giving their all becomes more taxing, and still God provides anew every day.

Tomorrow will be an early morning as we leave the hotel at 8am, drive two hours and participate in a conference.  You wouldn't waste a prayer on us if you have a few minutes to ask God for a message and the filling of the Holy Spirit.  Each of us feels pressed and stretched beyond ourselves in tomorrow's roles as teachers and musicians.    We trust Him...just no confidence in the flesh.  Its the best place to be, but we'll have some anxious moments anyway.

Monday is in the books and the we'll sleep off the activities of today anticipating another long day in Uganda...surrendering everything we have and trusting God for the outcome.

Sharon