The Weekend of Luxuries

I will be reporting on some random things that have been happening both funny and blessed.

Saturday I woke up and asked Esther what was the on agenda for today.  She responded, "Oh, we were all invited to a wedding" so we all went to a wedding.  I was the only white, uninvited, guest.  When I entered people were taking picture of me instead of the bride and entertainment. People started getting out of their seats to let me sit down and all I wanted to do was sink into the back row with the ladies of the house.  I refused their offer: I was aiming for the littlest attention possible.  A little bit later, seats opened up and I was forced to move towards the front, thankfully there was room for Esther and the ladies (Ruth, Mourine, and Kakuru).  As the wedding progressed, a well known pastor started preaching in a language I do not understand, and he talked for a long time.  So Esther and David's baby Daniel started to get fussy in Esther's arms.  She stood up and took him to the back.  One of her nephews took the baby for her so she could sit back down.  A few minutes later her nephew came with Daniel and his little sister Comfort (who is about 1 1/2 yrs old).  Esther now had two fussy babies, so she thought it would be a good idea to let Comfort sit on my lap to comfort her (haha). But, instead this happened to be the worst timing for her introduction to a white face.  She looked at me, with the greatest fear I have seen in a child's face, and SCREAMED bloody murder.  The entire wedding party, guest list, and entertainers turned their eyes to me.  If they weren't aware that I was there to begin with... they knew now.  I was TOTALLY and COMPLETELY humiliated.   I felt so bad for Comfort, but I knew this would be a story I could one day laugh about... one day.  (I won't be offended if you find this funny... because it is.)   As the wedding went on my embarrassment faded in the light of the love between the (nameless to me) bride and groom.  Weddings in Uganda are very different than they are in the states, so it was nice to experience a different culture's tradition.  Three of the boys performed at the wedding too, and that helped my frown turn upside down.  They are so talented and gifted kids, and they could not have made me more proud.  This whole experience, with them and this house, has made me have mommy/baby fever even more than I already had.

Sunday morning I woke up and heard that Keith wasn't feeling well.  I volunteered to stay back from church to hang out with him.  Then the idea of having church on the lawn popped into my mind.  Joseph is a worship leader and a very gifted musician, the kids are really talented at dancing and singing, and someone could give the message (which turned out to be me when David volunteered me, lol!).  Esther drove out and picked up kids from the surrounding area, and it was incredibly powerful.  We started "Joy of Child Children's Church" this Sunday, and we can only hope that it continues.  The JOAC staff and kids took complete ownership of the service.  Devin was the "service director" and had the job of announcing what was next in the program.  Patrick translated, Joseph led worship, Kakuru led the choir, Junior translated for Patrick when he gave a sermonette, and David translated for me.  It was a beautiful morning in Mbarara too, the Lord totally blessed it.  I am looking forward to the Sundays to come.

After the great encouragement that was Sunday morning, I was in the mood for ice cream on the warm sunny day.  David and Joseph both liked the idea, but we later found out it was going to be David's FIRST time having ice cream.  WHAT?!?!  Ice cream is my favorite thing... as most of you probably know.  It was unbelievable to me that he had not even tried it before.  It is a luxury here, so I was happy to get it for the house to share!   Most of the kids had not had it before, either, so when I brought it out they all cheered.  It was fantastic.  There was plenty to go around, with  little even extra at the end.  David and Esther, along with all of the kids, licked their plates clean!  It was humbling for me.  I can have ice cream any day I want to in the states (though I should not), and it is not a luxury but rather something I enjoy quite often. 

Shout out: Happy Memorial day to everyone reading this that has served in the US Armed Forces, especially my dear dear Grandfather, Harry.