Made It!

the internet is too slow and I'm the only one still awake.  I'll upload some pictures soon...

A wave of children rushed the bus as we drove on to the Caanan Children’s Home property this afternoon.  I had just traveled nearly 24 straight hours.  I was tired, my ankles were swollen and I desperately needed a shower.   But all of my gripes went out the window as I locked eyes with several children and reached out to shake their hand.  Every one of them were so happy to see us, to welcome us to their home.  One particular little girl in a red and white polka dot dress caught my attention.  She pointed to me and I saw her say something but not knowing the language I couldn’t make it out.  As I touched her dirty little fingers through the open window she gave me biggest two-front-teeth-missing smile.  It was precious.  I stepped off the bus, surrounded by many other children and before I could even get one foot on Ugandan red soil, there she was smiling again at me.  She quickly grabbed my hand and I gave her a hug.  Just then another young boy came up to me and grabbed my other hand.  He was 10 years old and spoke English very well.  I asked him his name (actually I had to ask him several times and I still can’t get it right).  Both of them kept a hold of my hands as I walked on.  I asked the boy who red polka dot dress girl’s name was.  Her name was Sara.  I saw her name written out on a wooden toy car she was carrying.  It was a beautifully spelled name and I could tell Sara was her nickname.  In the midst of a place some people from the USA would call filth, I only saw beauty.  All of a sudden the smells, the red dirty ground, the tattered clothing the children were wearing all seemed beautiful to me.  We were greeted by the older women who care for these children.  Each one so gracious we were here calling out “Welcome Mama” as they gave me a warm hug.  The welcome reception was overwhelming.  Here we were, coming to bless these children and they had already blessed us with their love. 

We spent the next several hours hanging out getting to know some of the children.  Each one of the 23 members on our trip had many children hanging on them.  Gaster (the 10 year old that I think I still have butchered his name here) had the cutest accent and showed me around his home.  Sara and her friend followed along glued to my hand.  We saw where they live, where the little kids have school, where their kitchen, chapel and playground were.  There was a mix of Luanda and English being spoken all around me. 

I eventually sat on the grass with some of the children and got out my camera and starting taking pictures.  The kids loved to see themselves.  I attracted quite the crowd videotaping Victor and his friends dancing and just having fun on camera.  I would record them and immediately play it back to them.  Each time I would play a video clip back I had about 10 kids rush to look over my shoulder to see it.  We did this for well over an hour.  I even let Victor take some photos.  He could be quite the photographer some day! 

Gaster taught me a song in Luganda (and the English version).  A couple other children joined in and it was beautiful.  Will definitely try to get it on video next time. 

It was an awesome afternoon.  I can’t wait until tomorrow to see the kids again and spend the day with Home Again ministries visiting the women in the Karamajong Tribe and a baby cottage in the area that houses about 50 orphans ages 0-3. 

Good Night from Uganda!