Hi everyone! it was another beautiful day here in Mbale. I hope things are going well for you all at home. I cannot believe that it's almost time to come home! It seems like we just got here, but we have to leave in 4 days. So let me tell you some about the past two days:
On Sunday we worshiped at Covenant Presbyterian, and boy was it terrific! The joy that was on all the faces was glorious. To hear the choir begin singing and watch the children dancing in as they heard them just left me speechless. The singing was full of praise and delight and a little bit of dancing; we did what we could to join in, but we were sadly lacking. The kids crowded in everywhere they could sit or stand--even on our laps. There was a little boy of about 5 named David, and he wanted to sit on my lap, so I picked him up. He was asleep in under 10 minutes. He woke up once when the kids were dismissed; he watched them run tot he playground and start their games; he pondered going out there, but in the end sleep claimed him until the end of the service.
They made a delicious lunch for us (all of the food has been terrific including an omelet bar at the hotel for breakfast) at the church, and we got to eat with everyone. I had a good conversation with a man named Mike who is going to graduate from theological school here in May before he goes to work at a church plant in Kenya. He asked me what I do, and when I told him he said, "you? Really?" It's the common response here, but it led to some great theological conversation about Paul's writings and the role of women in the church. I know he doesn't agree with me, but the fact that we had the conversation was enough.
So we went back to the hotel for an afternoon of relaxation which turned into sorting out boxes and boxes and boxes of stuff to take to the Lulwanda Children's Home today. We had teaching stuff; we had clothes; we had craft projects thanks to you JJ Whiters! And it all had to go. But when we got there today and began seeing the school and the children, it was all worth it. This place is amazing. You have no idea how overwhelming it was to see such wonderful facilities and teachers. The library alone (including McComb school system books!) brought tears to several of us. This home is specifically intended to house and educate orphans, giving them the opportunity to continue their study at secondary school and university. But more than that, they teach the children about God and let them know that they are loved and important. They teach the kids about discipline, as everyone has their chores to do. The older kids help out with the farm animals and garden that supplies some of their food. The school is really working on sustainability, and to that end they are installing solar panels later this summer. They also began accepting students from families in the village, and their tuition money allows the home to take in more orphans. I got to observe the P-3 class, and the kids are incredibly smart and well-behaved. I was amazed at all they were learning, and their teacher just kept going and going, blending language to math to science without the aid of textbooks. What they do with the little they have puts us to shame.
After lunch I led the chapel service where we all sang some songs together, and then we talked about Jesus. After that, it was onto the crafts! And they loved them. Seriously, I have never seen kids so happy to make butterflies and decorate paper bags. It just warms your heart. And after that, some of the women from our group who are school administrators did some training for the teachers, so we had the kids! A group of people went outside and gathered around a tree. Picture 75 kids sitting around 2 adults listening to 5 books being read to them. They were quiet and attentive the whole time.
I was inside with two other ladies getting crafts ready for tomorrow, and some of the kids asked me for coloring sheets (that's what the 3, 4, & 5 year olds did during craft time), and the next thing I knew, there was a deluge of children wanting to color. And when they would finish, they would come show us what they had done. One boy even gave his picture to me. I remarked to one woman with us that I have never seen kids so excited about coloring sheets before, and she reminded me that they don't have disposable resources like we do. Some of these kids didn't know what a coloring sheet was before today. The things we take for granted.
Well it's time to get ready for dinner. I have seen and heard so much, and I cannot wait to come home and talk with everyone about it and show pictures. You'll probably get sick of hearing about Uganda, but I don't care. God has put a love for this place and these people in my heart, and I know that we can help and learn from each other.
Hope everyone is well. Talk to you later.
elizabeth
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