New things!

Forgive me for taking a long time to write… my dad reminded me yesterday that it has been awhile.  I spent a lot of time on the computer this weekend working on the biographies of the children and the Ugandan board of Joy of a Child.  So for a few days, the computer repulsed me.  I checked emails briefly, but did not have the patience to sit down and write. 

Saturday: I played with the kids in the morning time.  They had brought their mattresses outside and put them in the shade.  We sat around together, enjoying the Saturday morning.  I love when they’re home!  We danced, sang, and played games.  In the afternoon, Esther took me to Nsikye, a nearby town, for women’s outreach.  We visited some homes, and the women were so welcoming and warm.  I love walking around outside the gates to see what is beyond the compound.  Though I am stared at for the majority of the time, it is nice to get a change of scenery.

Sunday: I love Sundays!  Church here is so encouraging and so fun.  I always feel like a proud “auntie” when I see the kids leading worship, the Sunday school lesson, and sharing time.  They are so adorable.   It warms my heart to watch them mature as leaders in this way.  More and more people are coming to our little church under the sun.  Many of the women that came on Friday were there for the service as well.  After church I spent a lot of timing taking pictures of the kids and the board members for the website.  We were also writing up their biographies as well.  It was a little stressful, but it has mostly come together in the end.  I am looking forward to the end result.  After typing and uploading pictures I walked outside and the boys were dancing in a line.  I joined them! It was so fun J It was nice to be outside, after being inside for far too long.  After playing, the adults and I went on an adventure to find chapati.  We underestimated the time it would take to walk to town and back, so David had to get the car in order for us to get to dinner in time. 

Monday: This morning we sat down and talked about the pending Rwanda trip!  I am getting more and more excited about it as the days go on.  I am very thankful that Danelle will be here by then and that we can go together.  I cannot wait for her arrival.  I have been feeling a little restless in the mornings, so I have decided to volunteer at one of the schools the kids go to.  The head teacher agreed, so I will be working there Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.  I will work in the “baby class” (3-4yr olds) and then in one of the Primary classes.  After getting a tour of the school, I went back to the house.  I decided to fetch water at the well.  I want to preface this story by saying: YOU CAN LAUGH!  So, I have never experienced water running out in the states (I have experienced it in Uganda before and we haven’t had substantial running water since the first day I got here).  BUT, never have I ever had to “fetch” water, so I thought “the kids do this every day, numerous times, it can’t be that hard.” Yeah, well it was.  The walk down to the well was fine and dandy.  There was a lady on the way down that asked Ruth, “Why are you letting the Muzungu (their word for a white person) fetch water?”  I responded, “Because I want to.”  And she said, “No, you are not supposed to.”  Needless to say, I continued on my way.  We reached the well, filled our jerry cans, and started our trek UP the hill.  I needed to take a lot of breaks, and I even experimented with holding the jerry can on my head.  I looked ridiculous, and instead of encouragement all Ruth and Moreen could do was laugh at me.  It was literally one of the hardest things I have ever done. Later in the day, I had a heart to heart with Esther.  The details will remain private, but I was really encouraged by her and I am really thankful for my friendship in Esther.  Afterwards, Katie called me and it was so nice to hear from home.

Tuesday: Today was pretty uneventful.  I went for a run, played the guitar, and taught English and Math.  After my class with the girls I took out the coloring book and crayons I brought along with me.  The kids love to “shade” in the figures.  It was really fun to watch their creativity come alive.

Wednesday: Today I started volunteering at St. Agnes and I really enjoyed it.  I am excited about my new found friendship in one of the teachers, Agatha.  She’s really sweet, and I am excited to get to know her better.  Before I was about to leave, the teachers announced to the kids, “Tomorrow is a holiday, do not come to school!  We will see you Friday.” I LOVE WHEN UGANDA HAS HOLIDAYS!!! That means the boys get to stay home! Tomorrow is “Hero’s Day” (it’s the same as Memorial Day in the states).   When I got back the house lunch was ready.  Then I helped to wash some clothes before going to the well for the second time.  This time was definitely easier than the first, but it was definitely not a walk in the park.  When we got back it was time for our book study.  God really used it to open Moreen’s heart, and she finally felt comfortable to share her story.  I am so encouraged by what God has done her in life, and I cannot wait to see what the comings weeks will do to free her.  She was sexually abused by her uncle when she was left with him after her parents died.  She ran to the police for help, and the police arranged for her to get some physiological help from a woman.  This lady knew of Esther and her ministry to women with these types of stories, and asked Joy of a Child to help.  Moreen has been staying here ever since.  What a beautiful testimony of the freedom found in Christ.  I told her that God grieves with her, and He is so ready to redeem her life and her story.  I am so proud of her! Then the boys came home from school: they make me smile so big.

JOAC started a blog: joacuganda.blogspot.com check it out! It has some photos J