monday, june 14...beds and barbara...

wow. where to begin? after sunday with the kids and arriving safely back, we were fed a meal here at the adonai house. this place is much like a christian hostel (or maybe even more like a minimal bed and breakast). they feed us breakfast and dinner daily. it is very clean and safe. there is a 10 foot concrete wall with wire curled a the top. the staff is very courteous and kind. each time we arrive they say "welcome back". ugandans say "you are welcome" as if we had said "thank you" but it is their greeting..."you are welcome here". the first night of sleep, when we could actually lay horizontally to rest, was wonderful! our beds are covered by a mosquito net that reminds me of a black and white movie from back when. we have a fan that runs all night. it is very relaxing. our sleeping conditions are quite charming. we fell asleep around 10 and woke up at 6:30. we have to be dressed for breakfast by 7:30 and loaded on the bus by 8:30. our first full day with the kids was such an experience. it was HOT and the sun was fully shining! we first taught them some of our vbs type songs with motions and they LOVED them, especially "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." we do a muscle man pose and say "Grrrr" when we say strength. that is one they want to do often. we then made tissue paper flowers with them. even the little ones loved this even though it was difficult and my team partner and i ended up doing more of it than them. but they were so incredibly patient. these kids are very respectful and cooperative. they carried these flowers around all day and some even hooked them to their new beds!! and speaking of that, after lunch a truck arrived with all of the mattresses. then again running, they greeted the truck. (the bed frames had already been delivered that morning before we got there). they just automatically begin to help. it's interesting that the boys step up to work and the girls know they are not to. we unloaded that truck in no time. we had already put the frames in the rooms. it was great to see the kids going into their rooms and pulling out those old stinky mats and blankets and piling them up in preparation for the new ones. each frame got a mattress. some were bunk beds and we even had about 10 triple bunks. they ot to go pick up their sheets and took them to their bed. we all helped put the sheets on. some were so meticulous and wanted it perfect. others just couldn't wait and just wanted to hurry and get it done. then they went to get their blankets and mosquito nets. a full complete bed! your support has helped give these beds to these sweet children. so this day was more or less devoted to bed building. i can't explain the poverty here. it is more than you can even begin to imagine. as we drove in yesterday from the airport and as we drive the long and windy, hilly, extremely bumpy, DUSTY road each day to blessed hope, we are slapped in the face with the deplorable conditions these people live in and the type of life they lead. i hope my pictures will help in some way depict this. there are a zillion plantains sold on the side of the roads as well as pineapple, sugar cane, roasted corn, pork stands, chickens in cages, eggs, shoes, coal and lumber. i will say their work ethic is unmatched to any i have seen. their life is full of busy-ness. constant moving. just think there is no refrigeration or air conditioning. they have to go daily to the market to replenish what they need. little by little each day. the kids at the orphanage are fed three meals a day. they go to their rooms and get their primary colored plastic cups or bowls (color based on their grade level). the morning meal is a purplish tinted porridge of millet. lunch is maize mush and sometimes they get beans. at dinner they get beans and maize again. the head teacher is irene. she and i have struck up a relationship and i have asked her many questions to which she honestly answers. of course i am very concerned with these kids and their health and malnutrition. some of their little bellies are protruding with either a worm condition or lack of proper nourishment. irene said they get a treat on sundays and are fed meat for dinner. when they have extra money the kids get rice!! oh, how i wish we could send money for rice. this really bothers me because "mama" (a real african queen complete with the attire and headdress) and olivia honor us each day with a hot meal served under a tent. i feel really badly taking the food and eating when the kids can clearly see us but it is disrespectful to not eat what has been offered to you. a confusing situation in my mind. i want to share a story of a girl named barbara. she is 14 and you can tell she is a leader and is very intelligent. it's funny how you have connections with certain kids. she is well spoken with a quiet, gentle spirit. she cares for the young ones and helps the adults. she wants to be a doctor. by the end of the day she approached me and said "will you allow me to call you mom, my mom?" well, those of you who know me well know how this affects me. i just pulled her in and hugged her and i just wanted to cry. tears filled my eyes. i could only think of how can i make her life better? will her life be a success? i know she will want it to be but can it be? i am very moved by this...and want her to fulfill her dreams.