Yohanna

Yohanna 

Baja (2 of 2)

It came on tuesday morning, a week ago exactly. It was a morning of crazy kids and a hectic (but fun!) craft. I found myself without a specific job and took advantage of the time to take a few pictures (surprising, I know.) In the midst of the crowd and noises I saw a small girl, about two years old, with crazy hair who looked like she needed to go to the bathroom. I asked her, “Necesita bano?” She nodded her head yes and I led her to the bathroom. I expected her to need help, because of her size, but to my surprise she went all by herself. After I put her back down to play, but she never seemed to do much. She would simply sit or wander with a blank stare and no smile. I walked over to her and took one of my bobby pins out of my hair and pinned back part of her disheveled hair that was hiding her precious face. I then found myself holding her. She didn’t reach her arms up to me, but she didn’t reject them either.  As she sat contently in my arms, her eyes became heavy like she was falling asleep. I could have sat and held her all day, if she would have let me. 

As I held her I thought about two year olds I know. The ones I know back home run around, play all sorts of games, constantly use the speech they have begun to develop, and rarely stop smiling. I found myself wondering why this girl had said nothing. I knew she understood some words at least, and she had responded to a few yes or no questions by nodding, but why then, when asked her name would she blankly stare? The two year olds I know speak. I next thought of how independent she was in using the bathroom all by herself. Most two year olds I know, need help, and some aren’t even potty trained. Two year olds need help going to the bathroom. I thought of her hair and how it desperately needed to be brushed. Two year olds need someone to brush their hair. As she nodded off, I began to think about naps. The two year olds I know are put down for naps. Two year olds need naps. But she didn’t speak. She didn’t need help. She hadn’t had her hair brushed. And I would guess she doesn’t take many naps. 

A girl, about ten, came up to me a few minutes later, holding a small baby. She explained that the little girl I was holding was her sister, named Yohanna, that she was, indeed, only two, and “no habla,” or she doesn’t speak. It was fairly obvious that this older sister took care of Yohanna and the baby. Although Yohanna was basically still a baby, there was a sibling smaller than her who required more attention. I don’t know Yohanna’s family situation. It could not be a great situation where parents aren’t around. It could be that her parents have to work, and therefor are unable to be around, or I could be wrong and it could be a good situation. Regardless, this little girl needs love. She needs attention. And she belongs to a God who loves her immensely, and wants to show her that! 

I love that this realization came for me in a time of quietness and stillness. Not when I was teaching class, not when I was able to recall and utilize my best spanish, and not when I was doing something premeditated. Instead, it came in a time where I had no assigned job, with a little girl who only needed to go to the bathroom, and couldn’t speak a word to me. How can God’s hand not be in that? I am not saying in this moment something wonderful and world changing happened. I am not saying I even had the smallest effect on this little girls life; but she had effect on mine. Her face is one I will never forget. In her face, I see the workings of God. I see His love for His children; for a twenty-one year old college student with pitiful spanish, and for a sleepy two year old toddler who only nods her head. And the love I know, is only a portion of the grandeur of the reality of His love. As I’m reminded in Jeremiah 31:3 “I have never quit loving you and I never will. Expect love, love, and more love!” (the message) If holding Yohanna was the sole reason I was in Baja, even just for those ten minutes, then I am greatly humbled that I was able to simply cradle a small child who I knew so little about, yet God knows every little thing about. In this little girl, His love abounds! 

Hands

Hands

Baja (1 of 2)

      It’s a typical Tuesday in Huntsville, where I get to drink water from the faucet, flush toilet paper, have cheese dip with my mexican cuisine, and drink DIET coke (not this impostor “coke lite.”)  Despite small comforts, I find myself thinking about Baja. I think about little laughs, little smiles, little shoes, and little hands. Little hands that throw a ball, little hands that hold onto monkey bars, little hands that hold younger siblings, little hands that so desperately need to be washed, and little hands that are brown in the bigger white hands of strangers from America. Today I think of little hands. 

It’s true, I only spent a few days with this children. It’s also true that we speak different languages, and could only understand about ten percent of what the other was saying. But connections aren’t constrained by time or lack of words. There are connections that transcend all barriers, where mutual love bridges the gap all too easily. I cannot pin point a pivotal moment this happened. It wasn’t found in a miraculous event, or an extensive conversation; but between the exchange of smiles, the big bear hugs, the countless pictures, the turning of a jump rope, the pushing of a swing; it was here, somewhere between it all, that connections were made. 

I think of Anita, who doesn’t stop smiling, the precious sisters, Cece and Donna who love posing for pictures, crazy Arturo with his “meep meep” sounds, and adorable Yohanna who I could hold for hours. I think about how clear these faces are in my mind. I think about how I will think of them so often and with such love. I think of how much more God thinks of those sweet faces. I know how much I love them, but God’s love trumps my love a million times over. I know how much I will think of them, but I know God has always been thinking of them, and never ceases! As I’m reminded in Isaiah 49:16, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” How precious are His children to Him who are engraved on His hands! 

What I love about mission trips is the opportunity to co-labor with God (as I talked about in my Africa posts.) It is no secret that God resides in San Quintin and loves His people there, dearly. We weren't there to bring God to the people. God is already with the people. We were simply His hands personified. We had the opportunity to be a physical extension of His overt love. What an invitation we have, not only on mission trips, but every day! I tell you this not as a sermon, but simply sharing what He reminded me of, yet again. 

There is one image that seemed to sum up the week for me. One morning we were handing out snacks to the kids as well as small cups of water. After all the kids got snacks and water we took cups of water to the patients waiting to be seen at the clinic. Seeing the condition of some of the patients, it wasn’t hard to see how grateful some of them were for a few sips of water. What an opportunity, to deliver water to thirsty people! Obviously this is far more than just a physical act. Being Jesus’ hands in quenching spiritual thirst may be one of the greatest opportunities we have. As Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Yes, delivering water that will forever satisfy the thirst of someone and become “a spring of water welling up to eternal life,” is amazing! But what I have been thinking about is the giving of the water. Not that the giver should be glorified, it is not the giver’s water in the first place. The giver should be absolutely humbled. That the God of the universe, the saver of souls, the healer of the broken, the restorer of the world, would GRACIOUSLY ALLOW the giver’s hands to be involved. What an honor! How undeserving am I. These imperfect hands I call my own; these all too often idle hands; the hands that both honor Him and deny Him in all too short of time frames; these are the hands He allows to deliver water. Not because my hands are perfect, it has absolutely nothing to do with my hands, but because His hands are perfect. And it is from His hands that eternal water flows.

I love how David Crowder explains this in the song, “Surely We Can Change”. He sings, “And I don't know what to do with a love like that. And I don’t know how to be a love like that. When all the love in the world Is right here among us and hatred too, so we must choose what our hands will do. Where there is pain, let there be grace. Where there is suffering, bring serenity. For those afraid, help them be brave. Where there is misery, Bring expectancy. And surely we can change something.”

So today I think of hands. Little hands with lots of love to give, loving hands with names forever engraved in the palms, patient hands that graciously partners with unclean hands, and able hands; hands that can do so much, if we so choose. “When all the love in the world Is right here among us and hatred too and so we must choose what our hands will do..”

Reassurrance

Friday 5/25 (part 2)

 

The sweet farewell song from the Mengo girls (above)

 

       We had prepared for a sad night Friday, it being the last night with the boys and girls. Though it was, laughter was also abundant because of the chickens. I am thankful for that. At the end of the night, it did come time to say goodbye, and it was sad as predicted, but it was also a great reminder of the real and sincere relationships we had made and the people we had been blessed by. They uncles opened it up to the kids to say words to us, which were very sweet, and the Mengo girls even had made up a song for us and preformed it! The words to the song were, “Farewell farewell bring me back  in your life May the Lord keep you there until we meet you once again.”
    We then had a chance to tell them just how much they meant to us and how are lives will truly never be the same because of our experiences with them. We sang together and prayed. Many hugs and tears followed, as well as “I love you’s,” smiles, and exchange of notes, drawings, and e-mail addresses. We found “See you soon” seemed to be a better alternative to “goodbye” and that we all truly hope that God brings up back to this sweet boys and girls someday, hopefully sooner rather than later. Spunky Ibra came to the van after I had gotten in and sat down with me. He was all smiles, and looked at me and said, “Don’t cry! We will be here. And you will come back!” He stated this in a very confident manner, assured that this was not goodbye, and therefor, in his mind, there were no need for tears. Just as I had dreamed before the trip of one of Katie Davis’ daughters taking my hand in reassurance in heading to Africa, Ibra now held my hand and reassured me in leaving Africa. I love putting faith in the fact that goodbye isn’t goodbye and there will be another time we meet. As Douglas, our driver put it, “Hopefully we meet again here someday soon, but if our paths do not cross again, I will see you in Heaven.”   
    On Saturday we had breakfast as a team, had some quiet time, and started packing. As we were packing someone yelled, “Visitors!” We went out to the main room to see two of the uncles and Ibra dressed very sharp, or “smart” as they would say in Africa. They had been at the wedding next store and stopped by to say hey! Though we had already said goodbye, it was good to see a few of our new friends again. We sat and talked with them for a few minutes over a shared box of frosted flakes. The uncles told us that they boys had loved their pictures! (We had taken headshots of the boys and girls, had them printed, and split them up to write notes on the back of the pictures to give to them). After a few minutes of talking, Douglas arrived and it was time to head to Entebbe. We loaded the van, and headed out.
    In Entebbe, we ate at a pizza restaurant on the “beach” of Lake Victoria! It was beautiful! We recounted funniest moments of the trip including Meleia having someone spit in her eye to “help” her, eating way to much because the food was “blessed” and we were instructed to finish it all, the chicken extravaganza and many others. We watched the sunset, consumed lots of pizza, and started raving about what a good choice the restaurant was when small white things started falling from the trees. We couldn’t figure out what they were, but as there were more of them we saw they were like small white sticks with sticky tails. They began to swarm the trees and the lights, and soon our table, and then us. It only took about thirty seconds for everyone to be up and running to the van only to leave Jake to handle the check. Of course locals were laughing, what’s new, but we didn’t care. In the van we then decided we would prefer cicadas to the white sticky swarming African bugs.
    After surviving the plague we headed to the airport and parted ways with Douglas. He hugged us all and added a few “Oh my dear’s” or “Oh sister’s,” in his true African accent, which were my favorite Douglas phrases. He then reassured us, once again, we would meet again. We then started out two day traveling journaling back to America.
    Currently I am in Newark airport, sitting at a Duncan Donuts, recharging my computer. Finishing the blog, and looking at pictures with Katie, I have just kept smiling. My nights and days are mixed up, the flights have given us lots of meals at weird times, I have passed my preferred time lapse for showering, and we are stuck in New Jersey for a six hour layover; but it’s a good day. It’s a great day. I have just experienced an incredible two and a half weeks that could not have possibly been more full. Those it was a short time, it was so full and so rich. I’ve seen new places, learned new things, and met dozens of new people. I have been forever blessed. We went to be teachers, but we were taught, We went to love, but we were loved. We went to serve, but we were served, we went to be Jesus, but others were Jesus to us. I can only hope others were blessed because of God, through us, to the measure that I was blessed. I can only hope all of the things we intended to do, were accomplished to the glory of God. Only He knows exactly what was done. However I do know that in Isaiah 55:11 it says, “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish what which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I send it.” I have faith in that. I have faith His name has been glorified. Praise to the Almighty God who, even in our failings, graciously allows us to join what He is doing, and work alongside Him.

Silver Lining

10 Tips to Finding the Silver Lining in Africa:

1. Instead of being surprised when there are lizards, bugs, or mice in your house, think of it as normal. Think of it as a nice surprise when there are none.
2. Think of bug spray as a new favorite perfume.
3. When your skin is stained orange from the dirt, you can at least admire your new chaco “tan” line.
4. Start being a fan of riding windows open. It lessens the smell of those who choose to forgo deodorant.
5. When people point and yell “Mzungu!” Just smile and wave, as it is the closest to celeb status you may every reach.
6. When riding through rural villages, appreciate a small break from the need to capture images on your camera. (Unappreciated “snaps” could result in prison.. or stoning.)
7. When riding in a car, look at the cars on the other side of the street and focus on what would be the diver’s seat in America. Then watch the cars move with “no driver.” This will provide at least five minutes of entertainment at a time.
8. Instead of complaining about the bumpy roads and crazy drivers, think of it as a free mini roller coaster ride. Maybe put your hands up once in a while just for kicks.
9. Instead of being annoyed with the street vendors at your window in traffic, play a game where you talk in different accents, or have starring contests. You will completely forget your in stand still traffic.
10. When bit by a mosquito just think, that mosquito probably needed that blood more than I did. Unless you get Malaria, then there is no silver lining.

More Than Conquerors

    “I remember your faithfulness to Noah, I remember your faithfulness to Moses, I remember your faithfulness to David. I remember your faithfulness to me. You have never left me, Oh Lord.”

    As I brought up in one of my first blogs, God has been revealing to me His name as Rabbi. He has taught me so much and continues to do so! I think back on the trip and one of the things I remember the most is hearing of God’s faithfulness and provision time and time again.
    I remember His faithfulness to Stella, and how she loved going to school, but was unable to go for a few years because of money. A friend took her from her village to Kampala so she could go to school. When this friend’s wife refused to take her in, a friend of theirs took to Stella to Mengo home, where she was provided for and her school fees were paid. Now Stella is one of the most smart and disciplined young women I have ever met, and she is planning to go to University next year.
    I remember His faithfulness to Ibra, and how his parents died when he was younger, but Ibra was not left alone. God had provision for Ibra. His grandparents took care of him, though they faced things like poverty, house fires, and thieves, Ibra and his family were protected and persevered. He was able to come to Bukesa home and is now one of the most joyful, fun loving, precious, spunky boys I know!

Ibra

Douglas

    I remember His faithfulness to Douglas, and though he had been through poverty, being falsely accused, and taken to prison, Douglas did not loose his faith. Douglas ministered to the fellow inmates in prison, and God provided for his family while Douglas was unable to work. Douglas is now a driver who blesses every passenger he drives. He is passionate about the Lord, ministers to everyone around him, is a leader in his church, and is known by so many in Uganda. 
    I remember His faithfulness to Laura and Dana and the path that led them to Africa. In their selling of possessions and her homes, and listening to where God wanted them to go in Africa, they was led to the children’s home where they now live and love so much! In addition, God provided $25,000 through one check by someone hearing their story. Now Laura and Dana are in Africa for two years, with present and worry free minds, as all expenses are paid. They are blessing many!
    I remember His faithfulness to Maggie, and how she, with God, overcame her rough past, being the first thirty years of her life. She decided to change the ending of story, and moved to Africa where she now teaches girls and boys, who have fallen through the cracks of society, skills in the hospitality industry which equip them to obtain a job when they graduate. Maggie is no longer defined by her past, but shares her testimony and helps young men and women not to be defined by their past, but to take ownership of writing the rest of their story as well.
    I remember His faithfulness to me. I remember His faithfulness in my life. I remember His faithfulness to me leading up to this trip and His continued faithfulness to me during this trip. He has never left me. He never will. He will continue to be faithful, and I will continue to hear about His faithfulness to others. Praise God for what He has done and will continue to do!
     I think of all of the people I mentioned, and so many others I have met, as well as myself, and I am simply, yet powerfully reminded, We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.

And Then We Ate Chicken

       Friday 5/25 

      

     Friday night we had planned a bonfire at the boys home and had invited the Mengo girls to come as well. We wanted to get wood for the fire, cokes, and food to cook for everyone. We first went to Bukesa to meet the uncles who were going to take us to the market. We had no idea the turn the night was about to take.

*Disclaimer- If you are into animal rights and such.. You should maybe NOT keep reading.. fair warning.

    We walked about half a mile to an open market. People were selling everything from shoes to bananas to live animals to raw meat. some of the girls waiting outside the market, thinking the boys were grabbing rice. Next thing I know I see Maleia with a live chicken in her hand! As she turns around her facial expression was hilarious; a mix of confusion and shock. As the next ten minutes unfold, more chickens keep coming, as the boys decided to buy SEVEN live chickens! This is about the moment that it clicks we are about to carry our dinner. After the initial realization and slight shock, names started being assigned to the chickens, such as Mr. Cluckles, Mr. Chicken, and Sam. This is also where we realized the reality of the situation and how hilarious it truly was.

     At first, I opted out of carrying a chicken, in which Ibra, one of the eleven year old boys, flapped one in my face and said, “You have fear?” I told him I didn’t but I just preferred not to hold it. But when the youngest Bukesa boy, Abdu, was flapping around two chickens and basically forced one into my hand, it was done. I then had the unique experience of carrying a live chicken, by its feet, back to the home where it would soon meet its end. The boys kept asking, “Will you kill it? You should make the cut! It’s easy!” I told them not a chance. They kept explaining how it worked, how it was a quick death, and how they did it all the time. At this point, I was unsure if I even wanted to watch.     

The egg!

        Back at the house, they uncles prepared the water and the chickens and brought out the knives. Before the first chickens turn, It laid an egg! It just popped out! Of course the boys grabbed it and started tossing it around. When the water was ready and neck feathers were plucked, Abdu and Katie took the honors of the first chicken. Chicken after chicken they went, it was a little bit like watching a train wreck, terrible, but it was hard to look away. I also literally saw a chicken squirming around with its head cut off! I then watched Jake kill one of the chickens, then KEELA! Which was so funny, but she was such a champ. The pictures are great.

    There were then two chickens left, and I have no idea how it happened exactly, but I found myself over a chicken, standing on its wings and one of the boys demonstrating the correct way to cut it. Though the next two minutes, maybe less, was a short time, it was a LONG moment. A little gagging involved as well as some flapping from the chicken, but next thing I knew they were tossing my chicken into the pot. I am not totally sure if I should be proud of this feat or not, but If I’m being honest.. I was proud. A little in shock, a little grossed out, mostly proud. It was a big deal all of us, but the Africans just laughed, even the smallest of the girls, as if killing, cooking, and eating chicken happens at the regular. Once again, hello new culture.

Cooking rice

    The aunts and uncles then cooked the chicken, added spices and tomatoes, then cooked brown seasoned rice with potatoes. By the time it was ready, it was 10:00, aka normal dinner time in Africa, and we all ate around the fire. I had been hesitant about eating the chicken, since I had seen Mr. Cluckles, Fred, and Sam, all alive earlier, but it surprisingly looked good! I had one bit, and it tasted really good! But that was about all I could handle, so I just passed my plate on over to one of the boys.

    Things I did not plan to accomplish in Africa: #1 Killing and eating a chicken. Definitely added to the already long list of things learned this trip. I had prayed for God to teach me knew things these two weeks, as I blogged about a while back. I think it’s fair to say this story is just another testimony to God’s humor.

   

The Last Few Days

Wednesday 5/23
    On Wednesday we went to Jinja! I was so excited because Jinja is how I first heard about Uganda, because that’s where Katie Davis lives! When we got there, we shopped at the craft market for about an hour then ate at Source Cafe. After lunch we headed to a waterfall, about an hour outside of town. We drove through rural villages, and got lost many times, but ended up at some of the rapids of the Nile! We mostly just looked around and took pictures, then headed back to town. 

The source of the Nile!

     Back in Jinja, we went to the source of the Nile! Our tour guide took us out on a boat to where the White Nile (the section of it that is in Uganda) and Lake Victoria meet. Although we all knew it was not the section of the Nile in the Bible, it was still cool and many comments were made about Moses in a basket. It was awesome.
    After the Nile, we decided to eat pizza before we headed back to Kampala. The pizza place was also a guest house, and when we walked in we saw Jared’s cousin! He knew he would be in Africa soon but didn’t know he would be there yet. He was with a group of Rochester and Pepperdine students who were taking a summer course in Africa. Although I did not recognize any of the Pepperdine students, it was neat running into them. We ended up playing a game of Mafia with them, then heading back. It was a good day! 

The Nile!

Thursday 5/24

Art supplies for the boys!

    On Thursday we took all of the aunts and uncles to lunch. We were introduced to a new drink called Novida, which is a carbonated pineapple juice! At the lunch we got to spend some good time with the aunts and uncles and give them attention while the kids were in school. What is inspiring to me is that the aunts and uncles ages range from 19-26, so around my age, and they are doing so much! My only job now is to go to school and work a part time job. The aunts and uncles typically attend university, as well as living at the homes with the kids, basically being their parents. All of the aunts and uncles are wonderful! They are also hardworking, caring, educated, driven, and smart! They love God and they have a passion for the kids they take care of, and their futures.     

Deo painting

         After eating we all took turns thanking them, and then they took turns thanking us. One of the uncles, Peter, started his words by saying, “Why is it that great moments only last for a short time?” He then explained how when we are there, the boys behave better, their grades go up, and they are more joyful! Peter, Geoffrey, Sam, Jackie, and Sarah were all so thankful, but we were truly thankful for them! First for all they do at the homes and for the kids. Second for welcoming us and becoming our friends! Before arriving I felt like it would be hard to connect with the aunts and uncles, but I was proven wrong. They have all been such a blessing!
    Thursday afternoon we headed to Bukesa, stocked with art supplies we had pack with us. We arrived at the home before the boys had gotten home from school and we set up the art supplies as well as books, stickers, candy, soda, and balloons! It was such a fun afternoon painting and coloring with the boys as well as reading with them. Uncle Peter had explained to me earlier that reading is not encouraged in Uganda like it is in America. It is good to read, but it is not pushed or by no means a focal point. This was surprising to me after this semester’s education classes, knowing how central reading is to any curriculum. It did make me glad, though, when the boys had requested new children’s books. The Bukesa boys love to read! They were more excited about the new books then even the paint or sodas. That night, David, the boy who gave me an ornament, handed me a note. Earlier in the week I had told him that my dad’s name was David, and he was so excited and said, “I am very happy because I have a namesake.” So in the note he had added, please greet Mr. David for me back in America. Which I thought was so precious that he remembered, and wanted to tell him hello. 

The boys loved the books we brought!

Friday 5/25 (part 1)

Wednesday 5/23
    On Wednesday we went to Jinja! I was so excited because Jinja is how I first heard about Uganda, because that’s where Katie Davis lives! When we got there, we shopped at the craft market for about an hour then ate at Source Cafe. After lunch we headed to a waterfall, about an hour outside of town. We drove through rural villages, and got lost many times, but ended up at some of the rapids of the Nile! We mostly just looked around and took pictures, then headed back to town. 

The source of the Nile!

     Back in Jinja, we went to the source of the Nile! Our tour guide took us out on a boat to where the White Nile (the section of it that is in Uganda) and Lake Victoria meet. Although we all knew it was not the section of the Nile in the Bible, it was still cool and many comments were made about Moses in a basket. It was awesome.
    After the Nile, we decided to eat pizza before we headed back to Kampala. The pizza place was also a guest house, and when we walked in we saw Jared’s cousin! He knew he would be in Africa soon but didn’t know he would be there yet. He was with a group of Rochester and Pepperdine students who were taking a summer course in Africa. Although I did not recognize any of the Pepperdine students, it was neat running into them. We ended up playing a game of Mafia with them, then heading back. It was a good day! 

The Nile!

Thursday 5/24

Art supplies for the boys!

    On Thursday we took all of the aunts and uncles to lunch. We were introduced to a new drink called Novida, which is a carbonated pineapple juice! At the lunch we got to spend some good time with the aunts and uncles and give them attention while the kids were in school. What is inspiring to me is that the aunts and uncles ages range from 19-26, so around my age, and they are doing so much! My only job now is to go to school and work a part time job. The aunts and uncles typically attend university, as well as living at the homes with the kids, basically being their parents. All of the aunts and uncles are wonderful! They are also hardworking, caring, educated, driven, and smart! They love God and they have a passion for the kids they take care of, and their futures.     

Deo painting

         After eating we all took turns thanking them, and then they took turns thanking us. One of the uncles, Peter, started his words by saying, “Why is it that great moments only last for a short time?” He then explained how when we are there, the boys behave better, their grades go up, and they are more joyful! Peter, Geoffrey, Sam, Jackie, and Sarah were all so thankful, but we were truly thankful for them! First for all they do at the homes and for the kids. Second for welcoming us and becoming our friends! Before arriving I felt like it would be hard to connect with the aunts and uncles, but I was proven wrong. They have all been such a blessing!
    Thursday afternoon we headed to Bukesa, stocked with art supplies we had pack with us. We arrived at the home before the boys had gotten home from school and we set up the art supplies as well as books, stickers, candy, soda, and balloons! It was such a fun afternoon painting and coloring with the boys as well as reading with them. Uncle Peter had explained to me earlier that reading is not encouraged in Uganda like it is in America. It is good to read, but it is not pushed or by no means a focal point. This was surprising to me after this semester’s education classes, knowing how central reading is to any curriculum. It did make me glad, though, when the boys had requested new children’s books. The Bukesa boys love to read! They were more excited about the new books then even the paint or sodas. That night, David, the boy who gave me an ornament, handed me a note. Earlier in the week I had told him that my dad’s name was David, and he was so excited and said, “I am very happy because I have a namesake.” So in the note he had added, please greet Mr. David for me back in America. Which I thought was so precious that he remembered, and wanted to tell him hello. 

The boys loved the books we brought!

Friday 5/25 (part 1)

    Friday morning the girls went to Sseko. Sseko is a sandal making factory just outside of Kampala. Many girls working at Sseko graduated from the Cornerstone’s female version of CLA, that I mentioned earlier. In Uganda, There is a ten month break between finishing high school and starting university. Sseko hires girls during this time to work for ten months, in which time they start a savings account for them, which they cannot access until they graduate university. They also give them a paycheck of half of the money they make to pay expenses, and help them save the other half to pay for their first full year at university! Sseko recently started hiring widows and other women in addition as full time staff. Sseko’s are sold in Africa, but also in some small boutiques in America, like Philanthropy in Franklin, Tn. The shoes are very fun, with leather souls and different pattern straps that you can change out and tie so many different ways! They are great though, because they profit goes toward the girls!
    After Sseko we went to Kampala Church of Christ to visit some friends of Katie. Her church back in Indiana started KCC and supports it so that they can give 100% of their contribution back to the community. We met with the preacher, Isaac, and three college students who were working with KCC doing Let’s Start Talking. The students were actually from Pepperdine! It was so crazy to run into Pepperdine students in Africa for the second day in a row in a completely different city.
    The rest of Friday is in the next post. Actually Friday night is split into two posts. One being the chicken story. The second being about goodbyes. Completely opposite from one another, yet they, together, composed a great and eventful last night in Uganda.

http://ssekodesigns.com/  

    Friday morning the girls went to Sseko. Sseko is a sandal making factory just outside of Kampala. Many girls working at Sseko graduated from the Cornerstone’s female version of CLA, that I mentioned earlier. In Uganda, There is a ten month break between finishing high school and starting university. Sseko hires girls during this time to work for ten months, in which time they start a savings account for them, which they cannot access until they graduate university. They also give them a paycheck of half of the money they make to pay expenses, and help them save the other half to pay for their first full year at university! Sseko recently started hiring widows and other women in addition as full time staff. Sseko’s are sold in Africa, but also in some small boutiques in America, like Philanthropy in Franklin, Tn. The shoes are very fun, with leather souls and different pattern straps that you can change out and tie so many different ways! They are great though, because they profit goes toward the girls!
    After Sseko we went to Kampala Church of Christ to visit some friends of Katie. Her church back in Indiana started KCC and supports it so that they can give 100% of their contribution back to the community. We met with the preacher, Isaac, and three college students who were working with KCC doing Let’s Start Talking. The students were actually from Pepperdine! It was so crazy to run into Pepperdine students in Africa for the second day in a row in a completely different city.
    The rest of Friday is in the next post. Actually Friday night is split into two posts. One being the chicken story. The second being about goodbyes. Completely opposite from one another, yet they, together, composed a great and eventful last night in Uganda.
http://ssekodesigns.com/