Well, our first week has been a whirlwind of excitement and new culture. We started learning Swahili...hehehe! What a fun language, but I don't think I'll be fluent by the time we return. Eli learned words to keep him entertained, like "susu" which means pee and "kaka" which means brother...sorry Nick! Too funny. It's crazy hot all the time, but evenings have been cooling a bit after the rain. Due to the British influence left here, they drive on the "Right" side of the road...and Jim actually has braved it. It's too weird for me and given that I'm a creature of habit, I better not attempt it.
The children here that are fortunate enough to go to school, wake at 4am to work the crops/gardens/ livestock, then if they have food, they will eat breakfast and walk to school anywhere from 3 to 7 miles ONE WAY!!!! No buses here, except for private schools. They do not return until 5pm! I bet Eli won't complain about his school hours again. These children desire so much to attend school, it blows me away. I think of how our kids in America have no idea the blessing they have to receive an education. I am praying that Eli actually recognizes this before we return. The majority of primary schools have brick/mud walls with thatch (grass) or rough metal roofs, dirt floors and benches. No desks, no air-conditioning, no tile floors, no gym...but these kids are smart!!! They have nothing distracting them from academics. The 6-7th graders here are learning Algebra!!! I was like...Whoa! But again, they must pay for even the public education, as there is nothing here payed for by taxes.
Nangongera was the first village we visited. The school meets in rough 8X10 classrooms and also uses the church for a classroom. Despite the primitive conditions, the children never complain. An area that I want to help is with school supplies. These kids have no paper, no pencils....nothing. We brought 10 pencils, and had to break them in half in order for all the kids to have one to use. It just made me realize just how little they have. Pastor John Obbo is from the church in Nangongera, and was delighted at our time spent there. We will indeed be back. Super excited.
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| Eli teaching the children of Nagongera evangelism |
Sunday was our second time at Rock Baptist in Tororo. The children are getting used to us now and crowd the benches to sit with us. I love this. Oh yeah...there was a rooster & chicken in church. It looked as if it was nesting...wow, only in Uganda.
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| TRIPLE J - Julius, Jim and Pastor John |
Your continued prayers for our family, for the nation and people of Uganda, and for Mavuno Ministries is greatly appreciated. Be blessed!!!
Thank you God, for opening my eyes to the fact that "stuff or comfort" is not necessary to learn about or to worship you. Help me to be ever seeking you and help me to love as you love me.
