Don't look at your limitations; look at the promises of God. " - Oct 12, 2010

So I’ve decided that children in Uganda cannot possibly be afraid of thunder. It seems that almost every night there is thunder. Not usually a storm, but just the rumble of thunder in the distance. Tonight though I think it might be different. I am sitting looking out a window, and there are big flashes of lightning and crashes of thunder, and when I was out of Jinja, it was raining. I must admit I hope that it rains because when it rains here, travel becomes difficult. And with this in mind I decided to stay home instead of go and visit the boys and take Henry out for the birthday meal that I promised him.

Anyways, today…I met with Shadrach again regarding some different things, then I got the chance to meet a boy named David. Now, I wish that I could have talked to Henry before I talk about David, because we never really got a chance to discuss it, and maybe he will correct my observations. David lives on the streets. He was staying with an organization that helps kids who are on the streets. He tells us that some of the older boys there beat him, so he ran away. I asked him if he wanted to go to school, and he said that he did. He is 12 years old (he thinks, but isn’t sure) but would only be in P3. He seemed to pick things up fairly quickly though. He wrote is name down for me, and after he finished a soda and a snack we practised his letters. He was able to rhyme the alphabet off for me, but when I would write a word like PIG he had trouble picking out what letter was which. As we practiced though, it seemed that he just needed a reminder. He also taught me lugandan words for different body parts, not than I can remember any of them now. lol.

I found out that he had an aunt somewhere on an island, and a younger brother who lived in Masese and was taken care of by a pastor. The strange thing to me was that many people seemed to know who he was. Definitely the store owner knew his name, as well as some of the other people who were there, so this was obviously a place where he came to get food/money. I briefly talked to Henry afterwards and he said that David chooses to be on the streets. Whether it is for freedom? Or so that he can do what he wants when he wants, I don’t know…but I am going to talk more to Henry about this (if you’re reading this Henry, remind me I said this!).

In the afternoon Henry and I went with Ivan to see Sonrise Babies Home. It is beautiful there! I have to say that I never realized how much I would miss my daycare kids until I had the chance to spend some time with the kids there. I MISS MY KIDS! (and you too Annie and Sam…;)). Anyways, he gave me a tour of the babies home, and then took me over to where they have started a new place for the older children. We spent some time discussing how things run, and who is responsible for what, and it was nice to be able to chat about things I am actually familiar with. The kids at Sonrise Babies Home were so great. Some of them took a while to warm up to strangers (just like any kids do) but soon they were climbing all over me, speaking to me in their language and begging for attention. Sometimes I think the aunties/mommas must get frustrated when white people show up because the kids get all wound up. Other times I think they must love it because we are like a new toy..lol. Either way it was great to be able to meet all of the babies that Damali (my Ugandan friend who was visiting in Canada) has talked about. They are so sweet.

It started to sprinkle, so Ivan took us home and here I am now AND yes, it has begun to pour. Yay, I made the right decision. I will miss the boys but am glad to be in from the rain.

Praise:

-Continued safety

-Henry continues to put up with me, and teach me things I need to know

-Ivan was so welcoming at Sonrise Babies home

Pray

-David, for his decision to live on the street, and how to know if/how we can help

-the boys J : Ronnie, Ambrose, Jacob, Patrick, Michael, Moses, Mike, Steven, and Johnson

-My involvement at Welcome Home – I am going there tomorrow to meet with Mandy (the director from the America)