One of the best things about being in Africa is the
uncertainty of everything. It has taught me to be flexible and always have a
good attitude. Last week, we went to the internet café and I had intended to
post a blog update about our first week and a half in country, but the internet
didn’t work on my computer. So, to make up for that, I’ll post two blogs today.
Here’s to hoping the picture uploads!
7.4.12
Apwoyo! Hello from Uganda!
What an amazing week and a half it’s been since we
arrived in country. Every day has had its own adventure, which keeps things
exciting. :)
We have been staying in one of the homes at the Children’s Village, which has
been an incredibly rewarding experience. Every night, two of us go into each
home to pray with the children and we wake up each morning to the children
singing as they do their chores. It’s a beautiful thing to be a part of; I am
so grateful for this experience!
The second day we were here, we went to Barlonyo, where
one of the worst rebel attacks occurred in Northern Uganda. It had been an
Internal Displacement (IDP) camp, where families and children could live under
the protection of government soldiers, supposedly safe from rebel attacks. On
February 21, 2004, rebel soldiers came through Barlonyo and killed 17 of the 35
soldiers and headed straight for the IDP camp, where they set huts full of
children on fire and shot anybody that tried running away. While it was
heartbreaking to hear the stories, I saw redemption in the faces of the children
we saw there. It’s been just over 8 years since the attack, and the children
and families will be forever affected, but they are alive and well now. Seeing
those children laughing and playing brought incredible warmth to my heart,
knowing that the families are living in much more safety and peace now than
they were a matter of years ago.
The story of Barlonyo is not uncommon among the children
in the Children’s Village. In fact, one of the first children to come to the
Village was from Barlonyo. It is such a huge blessing to be here, loving on
these children and allowing them to impact our lives in such a meaningful way.
7.11.12
It has been such a blessing to be getting to know the
children better throughout our time here. This last week, we hosted a “Center
Day” at the Children’s Village. The event lasted the entire day, during which
there were activities, dance & song presentations, a dance party, and a
meal served to the children who live at the Village as well as all neighbors. I
loved getting the chance to meet some of our neighbors that I see when we walk
some of the children home from school; I can see that they really love the work
that COTN is doing in the neighborhood.
We are in the process of building another school building
that will make room for all 3 nursery classes and add another grade level so
the older children don’t have to go to boarding school next year. I’ve also had
the chance to do some work in the fields, planting and maintaining their crops.
The set-up of the Village is designed to be completely sustainable, using all
of the food from their crops, trees and animals to feed the children and staff.
They are hoping to put solar panels on each of the homes so that the children
can do their homework at night without using a kerosene lamp. The cost is $1500
per house – there are 5 houses full of children; this cost is too expensive to
justify for the Nationals here, but is a feasible number for a few friends to
get together and donate. I would encourage you to tell anyone you know that
cares about creating sustainable environments in developing countries to
consider donating to this project; it will help transform the lives of the
children living here, allowing them to pursue their studies after the sun goes down.
Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers
for continued safety, health, and team unity. I am fully enjoying each and
every day that I get to spend here with my Ugandan family; I can’t wait to
share more stories throughout my time here and after I get home!
