Sorry for the lack of updates this week but our team left on Monday so we've had a pretty flexible schedule this week and haven't been as consistent about getting on the Internet at night. I'm going to try to give an overview of what's been going on across the world this week...
The Lord brought Isaiah 61 to my heart his week on numerous occasions as I was reminded that, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations."
My prayer this week has been that all of the relationships that I am building during my time in Uganda and that Sozo is building in the community will just be planting seeds for God to raise up "oaks of righteousness." When I think of oak trees, I think of trees that are grand, fruitful, lasting, and strong. "The planting of The Lord, that He may be glorified."
The interns are off on Mondays which means they aren't around to help with the daily chores. So our team took over the chores this morning. We were already pretty gross from not showering yesterday but we knew that there was no point in getting up and get g clean when we were going to work up a sweat and then go on a Boda ride. After washing clothes with Angela on Friday, we developed quite the relationship so she snagged me to help her mop the floors. And when they mop the floors it actually means to get on hands and knees with a rag to scrub them. We did the dining area, kitchen, entry, and then we scrubbed the back and front porch, because who doesn't mop their outside floors every day?! I had the best time, and the most incredible part was seeing how God can use our willing hearts to serve others, even through these everyday chores, and through that build great relationships. Paige was helping mop part of the time too, and Angela just stood there watching her and laughing. She told me , "She looks Lugandan. You already are!"
We were planning on riding bodas over to Mercy Home, but decided that it would be best to go ahead and run errands and come back to do that. We had a bunch of supplies that Suz had to buy for all of the homes, including buying a new washing machine for House 1 so we wouldn't have to hand wash everything... We started at Game and then we went to Kenjoy, Quality, and several other stores. We ate lunch at Cafe Java, ran a few more errands and headed home.
I also snagged a book I can't wait to read to my class... A Ugandan version of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly.
Tuesday Rebecca, Sarah, and I want with the interns back out to the village. Davis took us to visit Teacher Margaret's school. She is a sweet lady we met briefly last week who feels led to teach so she has started her own preschool. She teaches around 40 kids in a one room mud hut, about a 10x10 space. The youngest child can't be but a year and a half, all the way up to 5 year olds. We met her last week and told her we were teachers and promised that we would come back. As soon as we walked up, she asked us to please teach her kids. As much as I have talked to people about education over here, I have yet to see what it looks like in the schools. When we got there, she was teaching the kids the letter "b" so I just picked up right there and we worked on a few letters and numbers. I don't know how in the world she does it! Margaret had one small chalk board on the wall, but didn't even have any chalk. As I was just holding up a piece of paper showing them the letters, I had two kids putting their hands in my pockets, one climbing on my back, one crawling between my legs, and about 20 pairs of eyes giving me a blank stare... When it came time for them to practice writing their letters, she hand wrote an example in each of their notebooks for them to copy. I started helping her write them while she sharpened pencils with a razor blade. The kids went and sat on the ground and used the five wooden benches as their tables. By the time we were about half way through, the first kids came up to us wanting to show off their work. They called me "Teacher Muzungu!" They were so proud of their work and absolutely loved when I made a big deal about it!
As we were leaving, Teacher Margaret grabbed me for a big bug and said, "Thank you for loving me!" I thanked her for letting us come interrupt her classroom for the day and for giving us the chance to love on her and the kids. Then I told her the reason that we came to love them is because Jesus loves us so much. She immediately responded with, "Yes, and I love Jesus!" I was able to share with her about how I can see the joy of Jesus in her life, and it is evident that God has called her to be a teacher and love on these kids.
As we were leaving and walking through the village, reflecting on that experience, I just couldn't imagine doing her job every day. Rebecca, Davis, and I were talking about how just remembering back to this day will sure put things in perspective when we feel like we are having a bad day at work. It will either make us appreciate our jobs or make us really mad at what the kids are complaining about!!
We went with the team from House 2 to the botanical gardens in Entebbe for a picnic overlooking Lake Victoria and we saw some "enchimas" (aka monkeys) in the park.
Wednesday morning we woke up and started working on the 3rd floor sorting all of the donated shoes and clothes that have been sent over with the interns and teams so far this summer. We went through and Aggie decided who got what and we were able to leave a pile of new stuff on each of the kids' beds for when they get home from school. We found such joy and excitement in being able to bless these children with some cute new stuff!
After we ate lunch we loaded up to go fabric shopping. Daudi's wedding is at the beginning of July and several of the Sozo missionaries that will be here are going to have dresses made for the wedding. We went into downtown Kampala to the market to one of Aggie's friend's store. It was one of those times that just breaks your heart for some of the conditions that you see people in. We were walking down the sidewalk, Aggie leading and Davis bringing up the back, passing children that couldn't have been but 18 months old with their hands cupped, begging for anything. As I walked past, all I could do was offer them a smile and trust that their Creator loves them and has a plan for their lives. I wanted to scoop them up and bring them home to love and care for, but God is sovereign and my prayer is that I will be obedient to His calling to love the least of these (Matthew 25:31-46).
After spending a good bit of time at the fabric store looking through hundreds of patterns, we finally finished up. Suzanne and Caitlin needed some solid fabric for their dresses, so Aggie took them deeper in the market. She didn't want a group larger than 3 going so the rest of the group went back to the van to wait. In that process, I needed a bathroom break so we went into the super market and had quite the experience. First of all, we had to go through security to get in the store. Then the security guard started escorting us to the back corner of the store. We went in a door and started walking up stairs... Four flights of them to be exact. At this point I was very glad Davis was there with me. At the top if the stairs... More security. Checked my bag, got a pat down. Then they unlocked a door with a latrine. So thankful to see that thing... Never did I think that needing to su-su would be such an ordeal! We got stuck in traffic on the way back and it took a good hour and a half at least. There was one point that Alex just turned the car off because it would be 15 minutes before it was our turn to go again. Evidently at the traffic circles the police let one road go for a while and then just shut it down. Needless to say, our day was rather interesting getting to experience so much of the culture!
Thursday our little group decided to take a day to rest and relax. So at 8:00 Suzanne, Caitlin, Rebecca, Aggie, Allen and I loaded up to go to Serena, a resort on Lake Victoria. It was gorgeous, and after about 15 minutes we quickly forgot where we were and I was able to get rejuvenated for the rest of our time here. I spent good, uninterrupted time in the Word, got a good workout, swam in the pool, ate a great lunch, took a nap by the pool, and enjoyed the steam room and an awesome shower. We ended the day drinking tea and cappuccino on the veranda before headed back to House 1.
Fridays are Field Day at Kitende, the primary school where a lot of our Sozo kids attend. As a teacher, I loved getting to see a glimpse of what school is like in Uganda. We walked with the interns over to the school and helped out with the organization of teams and games.
We were immediately attacked by kids who just wanted a little lovin' from some Muzungus. Somehow I found myself walking holding 5 kids hands at one time, while one climbed up my back to hold on.
After a morning that left me completely exhausted, we walked back to the house and had a lazy rest of the day.
Saturdays are pretty laid back. We got up to do some chores and help around the house.
Everyone goes to school on Saturday except the baby class, P1, and P2 so there were only a few kids around. Rebecca and I got out some math games and worked on some basic math skills with a few kids before lunch.
After lunch our group went on a Boda Boda ride over to Mercy Home, the orphanage that a lot of our Sozo kids came from.
We've been trying to get over to House 3 to spend the night for several days now, so we finally got to go over for devotion and dinner. All of us girls spent the night in the girls' room and they were not satisfied until we were completely taken care of. They had our sheets tucked in so tight I wasn't sure if I'd be able to climb in the bed. I loved getting to sit there and just talk "girl talk" with these teenage girls who so desperately need someone to love them and tell them that they are created in God's image and made them unique to accomplish His will. I loved being able to tell them that they can do anything with their lives as long as they are seeking The Lord and seeking Him with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.
We woke up this morning and got ready for church. Since the kids at House 3 are all older, it was a much more laid back morning because they don't need us chasing them around to get them ready and out the door.
Worship at Watoto was amazing again today. I loved being in a tent full of hundreds of people, yet feeling like it was just me standing in the presence of my Father, praising His holy name! We had a great reminder that we are to live a life willing to make sacrifices for our God. And living a life of sacrifice means we will be obedient to His calling.
Father, thank you for my time in Uganda and the daily reminder of your grace and mercy that you have lavished upon me. I pray that as I head in to my last week here that you will not let me forget why I am here. I pray I continue to be obedient to what you have called me to do both here and back home. Lord do not allow me to get so comfortable that I am not sensitive to the Spirit leading me wherever You want to take me.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith-that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21
Pray that God will bless our time at Kitende School tomorrow, so we can learn more about education in Uganda and figure out how we can best partner with the school to help our "Sozo-d" kids with their education.
Pray He will continue to open doors for us to have intentional conversations with our Sozo kids and we can lavish God's love upon them!
