I included this in my blog writing last night, but decided to revise it, so after this, check below:
We didn't have 'adult' devotions tonight since our evening was a bit jumbled up, but one of the guys asked to talk to me alone and asked for me to pray with him. He was struggling not only with his destiny but also some more immediate emotional needs. Now, I wouldn't share this story if that were it, but several days ago, after being quite fed-up with this person's work ethic I went to the Director to discuss my concerns. Me and this person had already been struggling with communiction, or lack thereof. Over the past several days this person has gone from having a visible downcasted nature to an involved, happy and hard-working person (what he was when I first arrives). So while I was making my sauce and he walked by I said, " I don't know what's happened to you the past few days but I like you." I know what happened, he got talked to and stepped up his game, but rather than say that I opted to acknowledge this change with some positive reinforcement. And I guess he was moved by what I said and decided he wanted to talk through some things. I could step back and think, maybe I was too hard on him in my criticism to the Director (criticism which I presented in a very rational, Biblical way), or I could be thankful for the opportunity to challenge him and that he felt I could be his confidante and pray with him; of course I like the latter best, I'm a compassionate bulldozer most of the time. And that was the end of my night, well except for writing this and doing my typical evening routine of some ab work and dancing. Goodnight! 11.10.12
So the reason for revisiting the above was because of our sermon this morning. It was a telecast from Watoto Central (we go to Watoto North) where John & Helen Burns, two Canadians, preached about Your Life as a Story (to hear the sermon, a good one, download it http://www.watotochurch.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=86). The sermon was based on Matthew 13, where Jesus explains why he teaches using parables (which are stories meant to teach you lessons). Some of the highlights that I wrote down were:
-share the good and bad parts of your story, you never know how you can reach someone or relate to them with your inability to get it all right
-don't communicate to be right all the time, communicate to share and understand the stories being told
-seek to find identity and value from the bigger picture story (it's not all about you)
-we learn more from the brokenness than all the successes, consider all the struggles in the Bible
-leave an inheritance for future generations, not a financial inheritance but an opportunity to serve as an example
-don't take common things in your story for granted; be attentive
So after and during the sermon I thought more about what I wrote last night. Even last night as I wrote it I thought of some of what my dad has written in his Dig recently (check out www.findwisdomnow.com) about hearing each other's stories to have more compassion for one another. Should I have tried to sit with this guy first. I had attempted to teach through devotions some of the things I was struggling with regarding his behavior, and I prayed and contemplated speaking with the director for several days before actually doing so (wow, is that me having some patience?!). Last night he revealed some of his struggles, including that he rides his bike for 1-1 1/2 hours each way to get to and from school 3 days a week, that's exhausting in and of itself!
The things I complained about were greater than he isn't doing his job, they were more could this be detrimental to the ministry. And if he has turned around that quickly, maybe he just needed to be told what image he was creating, but when he told me he felt like so many people hate him, my heart hurt. I wish we could have had last night's conversation before I went to the Director, but since it's always 20/20 hindsight, I can only consider the other person's story next time before I rush to make my judgements and accusations.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Just another Saturday
From 7:15 this morning until I write right now at 9:45 pm I have had 30 minutes to myself and that was while I showered. After bathing and dressing the kids and helping with breakfast I immediately got started on cleaning the compound. I swept the entire main house and guest house (where the missionaries stay), mopped the verandah and the guest house, cleaned the mop ( atowel that smells disgusting) and some bath mats, wiped down the tables and benches, and cleaned the baseboards in half the house. I was a sweaty mess at noon when I finished. We were expecting guests today and needed the compound to look its best.
Unfortunately, looking so well didn't last because, as is typical in the rainy season, it rained and poured; about 20 minutes after I got out of the shower it started and it didn't let up in intensity for several hours. I made tomato sauce and jell-o (weird combo) during nap time and just when I thought I was going to sit down and rest for a few minutes, the kids got up to work on an activity. No rest for me; this is not complaining, I'm just sharing with you my busy day and all that it entails! I could be less busy, enjoy more solitude and relaxation, but if you know me, that isn't very me. To have down time, not necessarily rest time, from 1:30-4 several days a week is more than enough for me.
After directing the kids with the activity and giving them snack I began dinner preparations. I made spaghetti, sauce, and meat for supper; every day's meal is the same, week in, week out, so its spaghetti every Saturday night. Of course all our company shows up at 6 when it's bathing time and we're trying to put finishing touches on supper. They didn't seem to mind the chaos, it was a bunch of college students more interested in taking photos of the kids than what the house looked like. The only concern was that the influx of 7 college students was a bit of excitement for the kids. They made it through supper, but afterwards was awkward. Typically the kids go for devotions on the mat, but instead there were 7 college kids sitting around drinking African tea and eatting samosas on their mat area. I improvised and played a game around the table until it was time for the college kids to go and time for us to get through devotions as usual. The kids were wound up, but they were exhausted by the time their heads were hitting the pillow. 11.10.12
Unfortunately, looking so well didn't last because, as is typical in the rainy season, it rained and poured; about 20 minutes after I got out of the shower it started and it didn't let up in intensity for several hours. I made tomato sauce and jell-o (weird combo) during nap time and just when I thought I was going to sit down and rest for a few minutes, the kids got up to work on an activity. No rest for me; this is not complaining, I'm just sharing with you my busy day and all that it entails! I could be less busy, enjoy more solitude and relaxation, but if you know me, that isn't very me. To have down time, not necessarily rest time, from 1:30-4 several days a week is more than enough for me.
After directing the kids with the activity and giving them snack I began dinner preparations. I made spaghetti, sauce, and meat for supper; every day's meal is the same, week in, week out, so its spaghetti every Saturday night. Of course all our company shows up at 6 when it's bathing time and we're trying to put finishing touches on supper. They didn't seem to mind the chaos, it was a bunch of college students more interested in taking photos of the kids than what the house looked like. The only concern was that the influx of 7 college students was a bit of excitement for the kids. They made it through supper, but afterwards was awkward. Typically the kids go for devotions on the mat, but instead there were 7 college kids sitting around drinking African tea and eatting samosas on their mat area. I improvised and played a game around the table until it was time for the college kids to go and time for us to get through devotions as usual. The kids were wound up, but they were exhausted by the time their heads were hitting the pillow. 11.10.12
Not a photo from today, but me cleaning regardless.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Serving, Wisdom and Jinja
Yesterday we served at Mengo Youth Development again and after teaching my P2 class about daily activities we perform to keep ourselves proper and our surroundings in good order, they had lunch and then we led them in some devotion time. Uncle Moses led them in singing, except I added Hallelujah/Praise Ye the Lord, cause its a fun one that gets them up and down and in competition so they are in to it. And then I taught them what parables are and read two to them, the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan, they are actually probably two of my favorite parables. After discussing the morals and point of the stories they each went to their classrooms to draw a scene from the story while I passed out sweeties (candy). It was another wonderful day of serving.
It wasn't my turn last night but I led devotions anyway. I've been thinking about Proverbs a lot, it might be my favorite book of the Bible, although I haven't read it cover to cover in the past decade (something I really need to change)! Anyway, in my 20 year old Study Bible I found a few great sentences about Proverbs and its wisdom: Wisdom is above all practical and down to earth...Wisdom teaches you how to live...How do you become a wise person? You must first begin to listen...But becoming wise requires self-discipline to study and humbly seek wisdom at every opportunity. Old King Solomon wisely says, and thanks to my dad I know it, the beginning of wisdom is this, get wisdom.
Today the two other missionaries and I set out on our own adventure to Jinja, a city about 60 km from our home. It was our first taxi experience, and boy was it an experience, think minivan, but just a little bit longer, filled with 15 adults, 2 children, and a TV, with a mattress and other items in the boot (trunk area) and on top of the van. Then consider the stereotype of an African and their hygiene, add that it is raining so all the windows are closed, and you're getting close to understanding how I'm feeling at this point, knowing its going to be at least 1.5 hours before we reach Jinja. Right before we reached Jinja (oh by the way, yes it only costs $2 for a 60 km ride), they told us muzungus to get off and switch taxis, which would have been ok, if we had another taxi to get on to. But the guy left in charge of us was unhelpful and I'd like to use many expletives to explain him, but it was a confusing and aggravating 10 minutes, in the end all resolved itself just fine, but it was both sketchey and dicey for a minute and we were getting visibly peeved, luckily a nice gentleman came to our rescue, to which we were very grateful! (Mom, stop worrying, we are fine, I was my usual assertive, confident self to keep some people away and also was the protective one taking care of my girls!)
Our purpose in going to Jinja was to go to Amazima Ministries. If you've been reading my blogs from the beginning you'll recall my reference to the book Kisses from Katie, well, yup, we got to go to her ministry! We had received advice to use a boda named Fred and given his number, and he was our knight in shining armor after the taxi fiasco! He was a perfect tour guide, honest, nice, and fair-priced. Luckily we didn't get our hopes up for much from Amazima, also having been fore-warned, because Katie home schools her girls and wasn't around and the place we were at, where they serve food to over 500 kids every Saturday, is only a buzz on Saturdays. But we got some additional info about the ministry and the amazing work they do, and it truly is amazing! After our brief tour there Fred took us for a beautiful view of the Nile (the source of the Nile river is in Jinja), we saw some monkeys along our travels and then to a restaurant called 2 Friends, where I had a chicken sandwich with cheese, bacon and a chili sauce, oh it was soooo good! I don't think I'm looking forward to food the way Auntie Jo is, especially since I can't eat as much as I used to (my portions have seriously diminished), but having westernized food for lunch instead of posho and beans is such a treat! We had a much easier and more relaxed ride home luckily!
It wasn't my turn last night but I led devotions anyway. I've been thinking about Proverbs a lot, it might be my favorite book of the Bible, although I haven't read it cover to cover in the past decade (something I really need to change)! Anyway, in my 20 year old Study Bible I found a few great sentences about Proverbs and its wisdom: Wisdom is above all practical and down to earth...Wisdom teaches you how to live...How do you become a wise person? You must first begin to listen...But becoming wise requires self-discipline to study and humbly seek wisdom at every opportunity. Old King Solomon wisely says, and thanks to my dad I know it, the beginning of wisdom is this, get wisdom.
Today the two other missionaries and I set out on our own adventure to Jinja, a city about 60 km from our home. It was our first taxi experience, and boy was it an experience, think minivan, but just a little bit longer, filled with 15 adults, 2 children, and a TV, with a mattress and other items in the boot (trunk area) and on top of the van. Then consider the stereotype of an African and their hygiene, add that it is raining so all the windows are closed, and you're getting close to understanding how I'm feeling at this point, knowing its going to be at least 1.5 hours before we reach Jinja. Right before we reached Jinja (oh by the way, yes it only costs $2 for a 60 km ride), they told us muzungus to get off and switch taxis, which would have been ok, if we had another taxi to get on to. But the guy left in charge of us was unhelpful and I'd like to use many expletives to explain him, but it was a confusing and aggravating 10 minutes, in the end all resolved itself just fine, but it was both sketchey and dicey for a minute and we were getting visibly peeved, luckily a nice gentleman came to our rescue, to which we were very grateful! (Mom, stop worrying, we are fine, I was my usual assertive, confident self to keep some people away and also was the protective one taking care of my girls!)
Our purpose in going to Jinja was to go to Amazima Ministries. If you've been reading my blogs from the beginning you'll recall my reference to the book Kisses from Katie, well, yup, we got to go to her ministry! We had received advice to use a boda named Fred and given his number, and he was our knight in shining armor after the taxi fiasco! He was a perfect tour guide, honest, nice, and fair-priced. Luckily we didn't get our hopes up for much from Amazima, also having been fore-warned, because Katie home schools her girls and wasn't around and the place we were at, where they serve food to over 500 kids every Saturday, is only a buzz on Saturdays. But we got some additional info about the ministry and the amazing work they do, and it truly is amazing! After our brief tour there Fred took us for a beautiful view of the Nile (the source of the Nile river is in Jinja), we saw some monkeys along our travels and then to a restaurant called 2 Friends, where I had a chicken sandwich with cheese, bacon and a chili sauce, oh it was soooo good! I don't think I'm looking forward to food the way Auntie Jo is, especially since I can't eat as much as I used to (my portions have seriously diminished), but having westernized food for lunch instead of posho and beans is such a treat! We had a much easier and more relaxed ride home luckily!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Being Grateful
Considering Thanksgiving is coming up...
Things I will be grateful for when I return:
-comfy sofas and chairs
-conversation around the table, the kids are told to be silent
-a real mattress
-not walking outside to use the bathroom
-running water and consistent electricity
-clean water to brush my teeth
-not having to clean outside areas
-carpeting
-a washer and dryer
-swiffer wet jet & vacuum
-unlimited, always available internet
-walking barefoot in my house
-closing my bedroom door
-vegetable and potato peeler
-my car, and the ability to drive when I need/want to
-street lights
-paved roads (even when there is construction)
-clothes, other than the 9 outfits I have
-my purse, I didn't bring one?!
-using an outlet without a converter
-not getting stared at and having someone yell mazungu to get my attention
-calling/texting a friend or family member at any time
-having a clock with the correct time, my phone wouldn't adjust so I have to do the math to figure out my alarm
-sleeping in on saturdays
-sports
-not sleeping under a mosquito net or in a bunk bed
-having a shower curtain
-water pressure
The compound/main house and a photo of my bedroom (not bad, eh?!):
Things I will be grateful for when I return:
-comfy sofas and chairs
-conversation around the table, the kids are told to be silent
-a real mattress
-not walking outside to use the bathroom
-running water and consistent electricity
-clean water to brush my teeth
-not having to clean outside areas
-carpeting
-a washer and dryer
-swiffer wet jet & vacuum
-unlimited, always available internet
-walking barefoot in my house
-closing my bedroom door
-vegetable and potato peeler
-my car, and the ability to drive when I need/want to
-street lights
-paved roads (even when there is construction)
-clothes, other than the 9 outfits I have
-my purse, I didn't bring one?!
-using an outlet without a converter
-not getting stared at and having someone yell mazungu to get my attention
-calling/texting a friend or family member at any time
-having a clock with the correct time, my phone wouldn't adjust so I have to do the math to figure out my alarm
-sleeping in on saturdays
-sports
-not sleeping under a mosquito net or in a bunk bed
-having a shower curtain
-water pressure
The compound/main house and a photo of my bedroom (not bad, eh?!):
Monday, November 5, 2012
The mouse, manners and forgiveness
I've got this ongoing battle with this stupid mouse in my room. Why won't it just leave me alone, I don't have any food in my room! My room was torn apart last night as I was trying to shoo it away; I'm thinking its about time this battle come to an end, he's disrupting my sleep and making me crazy. I wonder if they have mouse traps in Uganda, or if it would just get covered by lizards and I'd never catch that stupid mouse.
The kids had off from school today to allow their poor teachers to recover from the long day yesterday and so we didn't go out for ministry this morning, we decided to just keep it to serving in the afternoon. Its harder to go hungry all day when you are around the possibilities of food, like when your friend is eatting pineapple, or the kids are eating posho, beans and avocadoes.
I prepared our street ministry lesson activity this morning, after having decided to discuss manners and proper behavior. I gave them several key words to use: please, thank you, etc. And then made a short story including all the key words and assigned them the key words to stand up at, it helps get some energy out and keep them focused on listening. Its a bit difficult teaching to the street kids in that I can only say one or two English sentences before somebody will translate for me into Luganda. Then I taught them about proper behavior like, don't litter, keep time, share with others, wait your turn, etc. and had them do some charades, that was cute. I'm amazed at what they can retain, and for some reason what they desire to keep. I was hoping to leave all the work I did to prepare for the proper behavior lesson behind, it was just paper, albeit, with bright and colorful words written on it, but some of the kids still wanted it and dummy me, left it behind pinned to the board of chalk, so there was nothing to leave behind.
As we headed over to play a game in the abandoned lot neighboring the church they meet at, a kid ran up and asked to escort me to the field and told me I was a good teacher, melt your heart. I am broken every time I leave the street ministry, seeing how sweet some of these boys can be, how precious they are and then how broken they are, considering how many horrible things they see everyday, how hungry they are for food and love and attention. At least tonight API was able to take a kid off the street and welcome them into one of their boys' homes!
Cassady led us in devotions on forgiveness tonight, how great God's forgiveness is towards us, how it should be an example of our forgiveness of others, and how easy it can be to ask for forgiveness and worry no more. Jo gave us a great illustration of how God looks at our transgressions, one that I hope to use when I teach the street kids about forgiveness: we look at eachother's sins like a high rise in a city, comparing the number of stories we have to the number of sins we have, or how great each sin is, but when God views our sin, he sees us from the top, in plan view, and therefore can't see the comparison of someone else's sin to our own, its only about seeking forgiveness and correcting ourselves that God cares about. Good devo! 11.5.12
The kids had off from school today to allow their poor teachers to recover from the long day yesterday and so we didn't go out for ministry this morning, we decided to just keep it to serving in the afternoon. Its harder to go hungry all day when you are around the possibilities of food, like when your friend is eatting pineapple, or the kids are eating posho, beans and avocadoes.
I prepared our street ministry lesson activity this morning, after having decided to discuss manners and proper behavior. I gave them several key words to use: please, thank you, etc. And then made a short story including all the key words and assigned them the key words to stand up at, it helps get some energy out and keep them focused on listening. Its a bit difficult teaching to the street kids in that I can only say one or two English sentences before somebody will translate for me into Luganda. Then I taught them about proper behavior like, don't litter, keep time, share with others, wait your turn, etc. and had them do some charades, that was cute. I'm amazed at what they can retain, and for some reason what they desire to keep. I was hoping to leave all the work I did to prepare for the proper behavior lesson behind, it was just paper, albeit, with bright and colorful words written on it, but some of the kids still wanted it and dummy me, left it behind pinned to the board of chalk, so there was nothing to leave behind.
As we headed over to play a game in the abandoned lot neighboring the church they meet at, a kid ran up and asked to escort me to the field and told me I was a good teacher, melt your heart. I am broken every time I leave the street ministry, seeing how sweet some of these boys can be, how precious they are and then how broken they are, considering how many horrible things they see everyday, how hungry they are for food and love and attention. At least tonight API was able to take a kid off the street and welcome them into one of their boys' homes!
Cassady led us in devotions on forgiveness tonight, how great God's forgiveness is towards us, how it should be an example of our forgiveness of others, and how easy it can be to ask for forgiveness and worry no more. Jo gave us a great illustration of how God looks at our transgressions, one that I hope to use when I teach the street kids about forgiveness: we look at eachother's sins like a high rise in a city, comparing the number of stories we have to the number of sins we have, or how great each sin is, but when God views our sin, he sees us from the top, in plan view, and therefore can't see the comparison of someone else's sin to our own, its only about seeking forgiveness and correcting ourselves that God cares about. Good devo! 11.5.12
Speech Day
Yesterday was Speech Day at Little Rina's Primary School, the kids' school. Interestingly enough and thankfully, the only speech was by the Director of the school. All the kids performed dances, plays, poems, sang songs, etc. and the highlight of the day was Oscar's graduation from Top Class to Primary 1, essentially a kindergarten graduation. Oscar isn't quite 6 years old and he can read quite well, and he absorbs everything you say, even if it appears that he is not paying attention.
The experience at Speech Day was very un-American. They had a DJ provide music for any interludes, and boy did he provide music, a lot of it was American rap and he did n't even bleep over the bad words! And then some of the costumes and dances were very suggestive, and in providing a poem of morals kids mentioned things like, husbands stay faithful to your wives, use protection to prevent the spread of HIV, etc. This was all after I opened the ceremony in prayer! If this had happened at home the news vans would have been rolling in and the Director would have been booted out.
Ok, so despite being a bit unconventional to my standards, ohmygosh and long (over 5 hours), the kids were super cute! Annet, who is in middle class, led this cute little dance into an exchange with her classmate about meeting eachother. Jerom led his baby class in 'Oh be careful little eyes what you see'. And all the others danced, sang and participated beautifully. And then to see Oscar in his cute little suit, dancing with a little girl from his class, and then beaming proudly in his graduation cap and gown...love him!
The kids were really excited about the whole day, and I was really proud of how well they did. I even got to stand up to represent Oscar's family, I think he was happy to have the only muzungu momma up there. 11.4.12
The experience at Speech Day was very un-American. They had a DJ provide music for any interludes, and boy did he provide music, a lot of it was American rap and he did n't even bleep over the bad words! And then some of the costumes and dances were very suggestive, and in providing a poem of morals kids mentioned things like, husbands stay faithful to your wives, use protection to prevent the spread of HIV, etc. This was all after I opened the ceremony in prayer! If this had happened at home the news vans would have been rolling in and the Director would have been booted out.
Ok, so despite being a bit unconventional to my standards, ohmygosh and long (over 5 hours), the kids were super cute! Annet, who is in middle class, led this cute little dance into an exchange with her classmate about meeting eachother. Jerom led his baby class in 'Oh be careful little eyes what you see'. And all the others danced, sang and participated beautifully. And then to see Oscar in his cute little suit, dancing with a little girl from his class, and then beaming proudly in his graduation cap and gown...love him!
The kids were really excited about the whole day, and I was really proud of how well they did. I even got to stand up to represent Oscar's family, I think he was happy to have the only muzungu momma up there. 11.4.12
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Watoto Tour
Last night we celebrated Carol's 4th birthday, Auntie Jo made the most amazing cake and icing, and made it pink for the princess!! It was delicious!
Today we went on a tour of some of the Watoto Children's Homes with other folks from Watoto churches in Kampala. The bus aspect was an experience in and of itself. First of all, you know how there are two seats on each side of the bus? Yeah, well these were more like 1.5 seats per side, but you were expected to sit two per seat, it was narrow! And then as the bus was filling up people started flipping down seats to fill the aisle too...wow!
We first visited a baby's home in the center of Kampala, it was unlike any other baby home we have served in. The place was immaculate, painted beautifully with animals and bright colors and modern, westernized toys and baby stuff. Not only was it obvious that Watoto was started by the west (shout out to my Canadian relatives), but they still have a large influence on the ministry. As we went to the villages to see the children's home, the organization and care taken at the baby's home was evident in the other homes we visited. What struck me the most was the beauty of the land they had chosen for development, they chose some absolutely gorgeous, lush pieces of land. Also, at the largest site they have 1500 children and it is a very well-run, sustainable village; they raise 100 goats to provide milk for the babies, they run a vocational school and they build the beds, chairs, desks, tables, etc that they need for the villages, and then some to make the ministry profit. There is a hierarchy to the housing and mamas that take care of the babies so that the homes are very well managed.
Overall I was very impressed with the organization and facilities, although the tour guide wasn't that informative, and the rain and mud put a bit of a damper on maneuverability. Reflecting, I was also disappointed not to have much interaction with the children; some of these kids are going to be performing at my church in Philly in 3 weeks and I was really hoping to send along a message, or at least meet a few of them, but we saw very few kids. On a brighter note, we did get to meet Esther and Moses, the first babies to live in the babies home, who are now about 4 and 5.
Tonight, we had another successful game night back with our kids! This time the big kids played Old Maid, the middle ones played chutes and ladders and the little ones played a matching numbers game. I think its frustrating for all of us aunties to teach these games, but I keep encouraging us because even if they don't learn the concept of the game, or don't listen very well, they still are learning to take turns, not cheat, follow the rules, etc.
Finally, tonight I led devotions on the power of our mouths. I read from 2 Timothy 2: 14-26 and James 3:1-12, they are somewhat different messages, but it is very clear that we have two choices: use our mouths to do good or evil. We all discussed the specific ways in which we struggle, whether we are quarrelsome and argumentative, or gossipy, or offering godless chatter, not instructing gently (that's the one I struggle with a lot), or if we simply are putting others down. I asked us to share our weaknesses so we can pray for eachother, but also help eachother to be more accountable for the ways in which we use our mouths. It was a very fruitful discussion, and a good end to my day.
One thing I forgot to share: it has been quite cold here! Ok, relatively speaking. I have been wearing a sweatshirt every morning, brought a long sleeve on our tour today and I wake up freezing every night, crazy, eh?
Today we went on a tour of some of the Watoto Children's Homes with other folks from Watoto churches in Kampala. The bus aspect was an experience in and of itself. First of all, you know how there are two seats on each side of the bus? Yeah, well these were more like 1.5 seats per side, but you were expected to sit two per seat, it was narrow! And then as the bus was filling up people started flipping down seats to fill the aisle too...wow!
We first visited a baby's home in the center of Kampala, it was unlike any other baby home we have served in. The place was immaculate, painted beautifully with animals and bright colors and modern, westernized toys and baby stuff. Not only was it obvious that Watoto was started by the west (shout out to my Canadian relatives), but they still have a large influence on the ministry. As we went to the villages to see the children's home, the organization and care taken at the baby's home was evident in the other homes we visited. What struck me the most was the beauty of the land they had chosen for development, they chose some absolutely gorgeous, lush pieces of land. Also, at the largest site they have 1500 children and it is a very well-run, sustainable village; they raise 100 goats to provide milk for the babies, they run a vocational school and they build the beds, chairs, desks, tables, etc that they need for the villages, and then some to make the ministry profit. There is a hierarchy to the housing and mamas that take care of the babies so that the homes are very well managed.
Overall I was very impressed with the organization and facilities, although the tour guide wasn't that informative, and the rain and mud put a bit of a damper on maneuverability. Reflecting, I was also disappointed not to have much interaction with the children; some of these kids are going to be performing at my church in Philly in 3 weeks and I was really hoping to send along a message, or at least meet a few of them, but we saw very few kids. On a brighter note, we did get to meet Esther and Moses, the first babies to live in the babies home, who are now about 4 and 5.
Tonight, we had another successful game night back with our kids! This time the big kids played Old Maid, the middle ones played chutes and ladders and the little ones played a matching numbers game. I think its frustrating for all of us aunties to teach these games, but I keep encouraging us because even if they don't learn the concept of the game, or don't listen very well, they still are learning to take turns, not cheat, follow the rules, etc.
Finally, tonight I led devotions on the power of our mouths. I read from 2 Timothy 2: 14-26 and James 3:1-12, they are somewhat different messages, but it is very clear that we have two choices: use our mouths to do good or evil. We all discussed the specific ways in which we struggle, whether we are quarrelsome and argumentative, or gossipy, or offering godless chatter, not instructing gently (that's the one I struggle with a lot), or if we simply are putting others down. I asked us to share our weaknesses so we can pray for eachother, but also help eachother to be more accountable for the ways in which we use our mouths. It was a very fruitful discussion, and a good end to my day.
One thing I forgot to share: it has been quite cold here! Ok, relatively speaking. I have been wearing a sweatshirt every morning, brought a long sleeve on our tour today and I wake up freezing every night, crazy, eh?
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