Water Day!!!!!

Today we had an afternoon of fun water games! The kids had a blast! and we all got soaked. This was definitely one of my favorite days!

Acholi Quarters

   
























After Katelemwa on Friday we went to the Acholi Quarters. The Acholi Quarters is a place of refuge over 10,000 displaced Acholi people from the north. War has been in Northern Uganda for the last 20 years and just recently the LRA has moved out of Uganda. But the Acholi people here were all greatly effected by the war and ran away from their homes to find safety. The problem is that life in the Acholi Quarters slums is much much worse than life back in the north. We met with a ministry called Africa Arise whose goal is to relocate the people living in the slums back to their home up north. Africa Arise also does counseling for these people and help them to cope with their horrific pasts. The men in this community are so grateful because for the first time counseling is offered for them and not just for women and children. But they not only  help counsel but offer resources to get the men and women back on their feet with jobs and to give them courage to go back home.

We visited the stone quarries which is the main source of income for people living in this slum. Men, women and children sit all day in the sun breaking rocks into smaller rocks for less than 70 cents a day. Trisha (founder of Africa Arise) hates the stone quarries and hearing the banging on the rocks because she knows the people could be using that energy to farm, build, and educate back in their home land. The Acholi people are reluctant to move back home for a lot of different reasons. Some are simply afraid and don't want to go back to the place that reminds them of what happened to them. A lot of parents don't want to bring their kids back because there aren't many schools or teachers in the north. But over all Trisha thinks the people have to change their mindset. They have just gotten used to the hard life here and are unable to envision the better future they could have.

Our groups split up and went into different homes and prayed for families. It was heartbreaking to see first hand the kind of conditions they live in. The homes were all made of mud and were just one room. I got to pray for a woman named Christine. She was so excited to have guests. The Acholi people feel that having guests is such an honor and you could tell she was so happy to have us. Her husband and 7 children live with her in the small mud house. She is a tailor and sows clothes. The husband is looking for work. When we went inside the children who have been following us around the whole time came inside too and a girl named Patricia sat in my lap as we prayed. It was so sweet. Please pray for Christine and her family.

I love children. They are the same - full of joy and ready to hug and hang on us just like all the other kids are.

My Grandma used to send me secret messages when we would hold hands. She squeezed my hand three times in a row and that meant "I love you." I found myself squeezing the hand of a little girl named Janet three times. She caught on and the entire rest of the day she wouldn't let go of me and we never stopped exchanging I love you's.  These kids don't speak English, they speak Acholi, but I think that somehow she knows what it means. I love her so much.

Janet is in red and Patricia is behind her in the
yellow.

Here we are walking to Christine's house

playing jump rope with some kids

They loved learning the hokey pokey!

I love what Africa Arise is doing. Trisha is Canadian but the rest of the workers are Ugandan. She doesn't want to come in and Westernize the Acholi people. She wants to empower Ugandan's to change Uganda. They are working alongside the government and her vision is enable anyone who wants to go back to their home. Please pray for her ministry. Pray for the staff of Africa Arise. And they are in desperate need of a car right now for transporting people back home and for communicating with people who have already moved back. Right now they are using a public bus which is expensive and takes sometimes 10 hours to get there. So please pray that they can somehow get a car.

Last day at Little Rina

It's my last day scheduled to go to little Rina. Actually I wasn't scheduled for it at all - I traded with Jen! She's so nice! I love teaching at Little Rina school. I think the kids like it so much too because they get a break from the normal copy everything on the board school day. When your in Teacher Jess-ka's class be prepared to dance, read and color! And get stickers! I was in Oscar's class for half the day and then P3 for the rest of the day. I love Little Rina! Maybe I'll sneak in one more day before I leave even though I'm not really planned to.

Me and my P 3 Class showing off our drawings of dolphins, whales, and sharks!

52-play-dough-pick-up

Leaving Katalemwa we had a chance to play a new game called 52 play dough pick up! It’s when you are driving down a road in Africa, hit a pot-hole and the van’s trunk door opens, and the drum along with 50 tubs of play-dough fly out of the car. The goal of the game is to safely pick up all the pieces and get back into the car without getting hit by a boda boda.

 It was really embarrassing! Haha me and Saidel and Richie ran out of the van and everyone was just staring at these crazy Mzugus frantically gathering their things. What made it even better was that a local shop was blaring some upbeat African drum music that went perfectly with our wild frenzy. It was straight out of an ‘I Love Lucy’ episode.

Back to Katalemwa

We got to go back to Katalemwa rehabilitation home this Friday for a half day. Katelemwa was the first outing we got to go to when the team got here and it was very hard. There were so many kids and little staff and a huge range of disabilities. It was very difficult. But I’m so thankful that after two long months we go to go back and see these people again.

We gathered some kids up and Richie read the story of Jesus loving the little children and Moses sang songs while Joseph beat on the drums (as always)! The kids got to play with play dough and color pages of Moses and the burning bush. It was really great. Then we washed some windows for them and I snuck away from the group for a bit to go find my girls.

The last time I was here I changed bandages of maybe 8 girls and a boy. I saw Beatrice, Hope, and Janice from last time! It was so neat. Two months ago I sang praise songs while cleaning their wounds and they remembered! They remembered me and they remembered the songs. They asked me “sing for me the song” it was so neat because I even forgot about singing with them and I forgot which songs I sang but they remembered. They remembered this American song that they only heard once. It was “Lord, I Need You” so we sang songs together and laughed about life and boys. Their legs are healing and their faces seem brighter and happier. Please keep praying for them.

Janice, me and Hope Reunited!

Octopus hats

Today we made octopus hats! So adorable! We got the kids to fold construction paper legs into zig zag pieces then glued and stable them to the hats! (Mom you should totally steal this idea for your class) It was so cute!

We played a fun game while wearing our hats too! One person is the shark and is sent outside the room while all the octopuses sit in a circle. One octopus has the shark’s dinner (a plastic fish) and hides it in his hands and the other octopuses pretend that they are actually the ones with the dinner and hold their hands as if the fish is in them. Then all the octopuses shout “Shark, Shark, Where’s your dinner?!” and the shark comes in and gets 3 guesses to find who has his dinner. 

It was very fun but pretty hilariously confusing for the kids at first. It took three rounds of the game for them to understand not to yell out who has the dinner but that it is a secret. And I still don’t think they understand why to pretend to be holding the dinner if you don’t have it. But at least we got some really cute pictures!

The Elizabeth House

On Tuesday we got to go to the Elizabeth house again! What a blessing! I’m so thankful that we are getting to go back to places we have already been before. I know on Friday we are going back to Katalemua and we have already revisited Sanyu Babies home too. I love that we are going back because it really solidifies the relationships that we made there and it shows that we truly care about them. It’s also awesome to see progress being made and to catch up on things we’ve been praying for.

It was so fun to see all the kids again. And they remembered my name! Ah...it made my heart glow. I got to hug Mary again, laugh with Henry, color with Maurine and giggle with Comfort all over again. Thank you Jesus for bringing me back to this place. The Elizabeth house will forever have a place in my heart. Keep praying for the staff and for the kids. Mary is doing amazing! She was walking a lot! And she is still beautiful as ever.  I love her. I know I will see her again.

We made friendship bracelets!

Ally and Mary meet

Bianca and Mary

Comfort, Mary, and Immaculate and me putting our friendship bracelets together! Mukwano means FRIEND!

Me and Maurine. I love her to death!

This is a boy named Saturday stringing his bracelet

The Go Now team is leaving the 24^th early in the morning.  I’m going to miss them so much.  I still have some time left here but the rotation schedule we’ve been on stops once they leave because I will be mainly at the house with the kids. I’m excited to be alone with the kids again. I know this time won’t be as stressful or overwhelming as when I was alone that first week. I was new to Africa, new to the kids, and hadn’t figured anything out yet so I think that’s why it was so hard my first days here. This time I think it will be easier even though the kids go on holiday from school three days after they leave so it will be all kids all the time haha. Anyway start praying for my last weeks here and for safe travels for the Go Now team.

Today was my last day at the Kireka boarding school for kids with disabilities. I was so sad leaving these sweet kiddos that I have grown so close to. The first part of the day I was by myself in a class with six kids screaming and running around like crazy! But you gotta love ‘em! They are so amazing. Then it was time for PE class which is so fun. We just huddle around in a circle and play clapping games and dancing games along with some jumping jack exercises too.

I'm going to miss these smiles

All of us circled up for PE

Arnold

This is Arnold. He is a big boy! Really really big! haha I love him to death. I tell him I love you every time I see him and his response is always so genuine and sweet. "I oove oo tooo" he says. He is so goofy. He dances saucy-ly when ever he gets the chance and his hugs are so strong and sincere. It was so hard telling him goodbye.

playing with play dough on a mat outside

After lunch I hung out with teacher Justine and Teacher Christine in the sowing class and got to just be with the kids while they sowed. The sowing class has really high functioning kids with disabilities who are so nice and fun to talk to and they really enjoy sowing. They make all sorts of crafts and clothes for the kireka craft store. I cut out yarn strips for their next latch hook craft and got to chat with the teachers about life and the Lord. It was really a great last day. I’m going to miss everyone at Kireka so very much.

Haircuts

I went with the kids to get haircuts! We all walked in a big group to this tiny salon. It is a room painted neon green and it was so HOT! Even though the doors were open there were just so many of us in there and little air flow. But the kids didn’t seem to mind. It was fun watching them. When it was their turn they would proudly sit in the barber’s chair with huge smiles. I think they were excited because I was excited and making a big deal out of how brave they were and taking pictures and telling them how “smart” they were going to look when it was done. I’m sure it’s usually no big deal to them unlike kids in America who cry when their hair is an inch too short (Yes. I was one of those kids). But I was still proud of them. It was fun but it took a really long time! They had 11 heads to shave and only 2 barbers. Carol is growing her hair out but she almost changed her mind right before because all the other girls were going. Haha but I’m glad she didn’t because I think Carol’s hair do’s are so precious! 

Anyway in the middle of cutting hair, one of the barbers left to answer his phone so Moses took over and tried to cut Esther’s…I guess it’s not as easy as it looked because it didn’t turn out so well but the other guy fixed it after his 30 min phone call haha.  

 

Everything takes longer in Africa. I love how Ugandans are so laid back and easy going. Time really does seem to stop here. It’s so neat because if someone is walking somewhere and sees a friend they’ll put down their brief case or shopping back or take the bowl of bananas off their head and just chat with their friend for a while before going on their way. There has been many times when the team was all in the car ready to leave but Joseph stops the car and gets out to greet a friend. I love it because it shows how much Ugandans value relationships. No one was impatient or frustrated when the barber left to talk to his friend on the phone. Haha it seems like no one is in a hurry here…even the ambulances! Haha anyways haircuts were altogether fun to experience. They asked me to take my hair down and I showed them. And they said “it feels like a goat”. They laughed and asked to shave my hair next!

Oscar

Fauziya, Annet, Brenda, and Esther anxiously waiting their turn in the chair! And Jerom is on the end showing off his freshly bald head!

I have a surprise for you!

This Sunday the girls put on new dresses and they looked sooo cute! So we got some pictures with them

 

I’ve probably already said this but the kids love church! It makes me love it even more to see them enjoying it so much!  The ride to church is even fun! Between telling kids to sit back down or keep your head inside the window, we sing songs or practice our verses for the week. It’s fun! Then they go to Sunday school and all the grown-ups go to big church under an outdoor pavilion type thing. There are always a few birds flying around or lizards on the rafters, and lots of babies crying – so sometimes it’s hard for people with ADHD.

 

Anyways church always uplifts my spirit. I think it is one of my favorite times of the week because of how it reenergizes me and I can just relax and remember why I’m here. I also just love the music!

After church while we are gathering everyone together we get to play with the kids for a little bit on top of a steep hill outside the children’s’ building. I love to watch them run up and down giggling and rolling in the grass. I feel so in love seeing them skipping around so happy. Sometimes they bring me sweet surprises. Annet holds her hands behind her back and says “Auntie Jess-ka, I have a surprise for you!’ and then shows me a leaf or blade of grass she picked out for me! The kids know how I love nature and they still bring me all sorts of surprises. I feel so loved even when it is a dead beetle or a chunk of dirt!

Annet and her surprise

Saidel and Emma sliding down the hill

Brenda's surprise!

Carol rolling in the grass

Jerom

Watoto

Ok. Honestly I am so overwhelmed trying to write this post. I don’t even know where to start!

We went to the Watoto orphanage tour and it was so inspiring. I am just completely amazed at what this church is doing for widows and orphans. I literally don’t understand how it could even be possible. Watoto has set up whole villages with homes grouped in clusters of 9 houses and each house has 8 orphans and a house mom who is a widow. The houses are set up in circles with a yard in the middle to encourage community. They have their own schools, church, basketball courts, soccer fields, nurses clinics this place is incredibly huge! And they have 3! Three villages! They care for a total of 2600 orphans. And they’re goal is to raise the next generation of Ugandan leaders. There are no adoptions. They live in the home until they are grown and get a job and even then they can stay if they want to. Blah there is just so much information and so many amazing details that I just can’t put them all down. We also visited 2 Watoto babies homes! Goodness today was incredible! I have to tell you about it in person because there is just so much good that Watoto is doing!  

This is at one of the baby's homes! there were SO MANY
BABIES! I almost died. It was so fun getting to hold and
feed them! and the place was incredibly clean and nice!
There is one nurse to every two babies! how awesome!

My favorite picture of Laura!

I fell in love with this little boy :)

I hung out with a lot of the special needs babies. They were so sweet.

This is the Suubi babies home! It was so nice. I felt so overwhelmed at how nice these places were. Its so incredible.

The view from the Suubi villages!

Here is one of the clusters!

 Visit Laura's blog! She is such a good explainer! haha
http://merrydays.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/baby-watoto/
http://merrydays.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/watoto-childrens-villages/

Interesting day today. Me and Richie and Ally went to Kerika (pronounced CHERRY-KA) to be a helping hand to them. Its the special needs home we go to once a week. We got there and the head teacher said "Well, we were having a teachers meeting today so get all the kids and put them in the dinning hall to watch a movie." So we figue ok easy morning and then after lunch we'll get to help out with classes...Nope! teachers were still in the meeting by the time we left at 4 o'clock. I would hate to be in a meeting that long! Anyways we sang songs, played drums, and watched Ugandan music videos (the DVD player wasn't working) for the morning hours. Then we washed dishes and hung out with the kids outside after lunch. Oh well! At least we got to help out in some way even if it was just more eyes to watch the kids. Also I found out I didn't take many pictures!

Ally and friend :)

PS richie chopped firewood the whole day. That is a lot.

When we got home we were greeted with happy hellos and awesome new jungle sunglasses Bianca brought for the kids!

Annet, Brenda, Fauziya

The MEN!

Emma