It is now possible for my family to pass through the dining room, foyer and living room.  It was cluttered beyond belief with merchandise from Uganda for a week. It’s taken me every free moment to sort, inventory, organize and store it all into our metal cabinets in the garage…in the Texas heat. Ugh.

 

This is Jack with his good friend Rose, who we always make a special trip to visit. She prays for our ministry.

My husband would come home and shake his head, but not say a word, just pass through.  That could be what motivated me to finish that job. Kirabo Seeds relies heavily on sponsor donations, and sales to keep our children’s home operating. We also lean fairly heavy on Daddy Craig, but he’s an official donor. I personally enjoy my job of taking great care of our best donor.

 

Jack and Ronald were having a good time that day.

I love handling the goods we find at the market. The colors can’t help but brighten a stressful day. The fabrics take me straight back to the streets of Kampala where the women stroll with regal chins held high in full length African dresses accessorized with long colorful earrings. Their beauty can only shift my mind to how my own daughter will stroll these markets as a woman in her prime of beauty. Breath taking.

 

Christine and Vicki with their new dollies.

Market shopping could be the most exhausting thing I do in this life. It requires Phiona and Robert to carry the big duffle bags to fill. Jack has seen it all and is no longer looking for personal purchases. He needs jobs to do or he is quickly ornery, hot and bored. So I sent him on errands for the apartment. Find art with zebra in it for our kitchen. Purchase necklaces for a friend to sell for her adoption. Go find me the best deal on twenty of these bracelets. Jack is on the job. And during this trip we brought two children with us from the home to experience the market. They loved it. I loved sharing them with the vendors who couldn’t help but gasp at how good and healthy they look.

 

Jack was making deals and buying necklaces for Misty’s adoption.

Of course I couldn’t help myself but put bracelets on the girl’s wrists, and bring home cross necklaces cut from bone for the boys. There are cute little African dollies that just had to become sisters for the babies in bed at home. That was a highlight of my trip for sure. Just to see these bashful thankful smiles puts wings on my heart.

 

Victoria wore these beads for us with joy

But the ordeal of finding the goods I can actually sell, the quality I need at the price which is fair among hundreds of hopeful women…well…that is a lot of stress.  I buy fast and I buy in bulk. If I like what I see, I take all of them. Then the ladies next to her show me all their things, which I fear will not sell, and I have to shake my head no. I show them what I like and say if you make it like this I will buy all you have. Some of the ladies get very excited about that opportunity, they take Phiona’s phone number, and get to work. Other ladies grumble, scowl, and turn their back on me.

 

Jack and Christine modeling our new goods.

I think back to the first time I ever shopped in that market. I was more interested in pleasing them than anything. That was right for then, but now, this is a business and I need to raise the support for the kids. The ladies all know me by now, they see my red hair and pale skin coming, some greet me by name, and all of them know and love Jack! We are beginning to find vendors that we prefer to work with because the price and quality is best. I like getting to know these women. I love the smiles on their faces when I clean out their inventory and they can pay their rent for a year. I know they go straight to the beauty “saloon” to get their hair done up just perfectly.

 

Vicki was balancing a basket on her head, practice makes perfect, and perfect women carry a baby on the back, bananas on the head, and a bag in each hand while walking a couple miles to go to work. AMAZING.

I’m prowling endlessly for the new things that will be exciting for my customers. I found several this trip. That hunt is always satisfying and fun for me. We have four shops that sell our goods, each one with a different clientele so I try to buy for them. And …ta da… soon we are opening an online store! I’m meeting Misty next week to get it set up and running. I’m so hopeful this opportunity will take our sales into the point where we can begin saving to buy a home for our children.

 

Phiona and the kids all have such close loving relationships. I adore this woman! Can’t even express how much.

In just one year, by the gift and grace of God, we have been able to take sixteen children out of the worst of circumstances, fatherless, motherless, and make a home for them. God has provided through us in such a way that they are now among the privileged in Uganda. With this new status we have opportunity to begin teaching them the flow of love from a great God. We are now shifting focus to train them to serve rather than be served. They’ve been well served for a year, and they are doing well, now it is time to teach them to go back to their communities and share, give, and be a blessing to those who remain with great need. Several mission teams have requested to visit our family this summer, and that will be our objective! We will greet our children and take them out to their community to share. I am seriously sitting here in great awe of a God who can do so much in such a short time using a broken and flawed housewife and mom from Texas. I feel like dancing. An image comes to my mind of the jjajjas receiving their bibles who danced like they were just crowned princess. That was an experience I’ll never in my life forget. Oh I am blessed to be a child of God…so thankful to be useful to Him.

Yesterday was our one year Anniversary for the children in our home at Kirabo Seeds Uganda. I feel a little knot in my throat when I think of how much we have done to  settle these children into our home. It feels like a miracle to me as I have watched these children grow from strangers, or neighbors into a loving family.

 

beach time

Last year this time they were so naughty with one another. They were always arguing and using bad language, which they could say directly to me but I wouldn’t know because they didn’t know any English then. Now they have developed a good respect for one another with their words, and their English is getting so good they use it without thinking about it. Mostly I am thankful that we can communicate now.

 

The team took all of the children to a nearby beach on Lake Victoria yesterday. It is the second largest fresh water lake in the world (after Lake Superior in Michigan). The children love to play on the beach, probably more than the pool because there is sand! I just think to myself how blessed they are to have the opportunities to explore their natural world. It cost less than one dollar admission to visit the beach! It is great that we have resources to be able to transport them to explore and enjoy simple days at the beach.

 

Robert and Marvin at the beach.

Auntie Julie made a big anniversary cake. She and I laughed because she spends so much time making a cake and she hopes there will be some for the next day, but it is all gone so fast. I know. The traditions in Uganda, with cake, are to have as many people hold the knife as possible and pose for a photo. When this occurred to me on one of my first trips, I was a little confused as to what they were doing and what they wanted me to do. I just started cutting it up and they were horrified. We had brought a cake to Kira’s baby’s home when she was about to leave for America so they could say good-bye to her. It was such a formal occasion where everyone spoke. I think she fussed through the whole thing. I was an emotional wreck.

 

On my last evening in Uganda during devotions we shared as a family a little bit about what the children were most thankful for since coming to Kirabo Seeds. Here were some of the things they said when Phiona called on them, “shoes”, “food to eat”, “never thought I would get to go to school again”,  “my own bed to sleep in”, “nice clothes to wear”, “toys”, “Jack comes to visit us”.

In one year their lives have taken a direct turn in the opposite direction of where it was formerly heading. They were all on their way to a hard life of poverty and crime, suffering and hardship. Only God knows why our van stopped in front of the jjajja’s homes that it did. We were looking for grandmothers who had too many children around during a day when they should be in school. I believe God hand selected each one of these children for us to raise because he has a special plan for them. They are accountable to God for the gift of opportunity they’ve been given.

 

For these sixteen children it is wonderful that they have been given what we can offer. But I am painfully aware of how many children nearby are suffering. When a Ugandan learns I have a children’s home they hold my sleeve, look deep in my eyes and say, I know a few orphans can you take them? This means they are struggling to care for more than their own, and would love my help and some relief. Our home is closed. The way we are parenting so deeply into the whole child we are unable to take on more responsibility. And our little house is full. There’s no room for another bed. No room in the van. No seats at our table. One more child would shift everything we have established and increase our costs significantly. But when they ask they are thinking, well the children can sleep on the floor, or there can be three kids in every bed. But that’s now how we do it.

 

Desire

In America it seems like giving a child a room to share with siblings is a terrible hardship, a sign the parents can’t afford a big enough house. (my boys have always shared rooms because of my ideology not our ability to afford extra rooms) But in Uganda to have your own bed is a high privilege.  To have school shoes, play shoes, and church shoes is a very big deal to a child. The people who are desperate for me to take orphans off their hands, and the feed bill, get a little angry when we say we are full. If in their poverty they can make room for the children who sometimes sleep under a bed, why won’t we if we have so much money to spoil the children we have?

That’s a big problem. Somehow we’ve got to come up with a way that the people in the village who are supporting all these children can get some way to earn what it takes for them to do it without hardship. My question for them would be, “what do you do to earn a living?” My next question for myself would be, “what can I do to create jobs for these people so they can provide for the family members put in their care.”

When we opened our home we set a firm limit on children who have lost both parents and the ones caring for them are old and unable to do it. We aimed for the neediest and most vulnerable children in Uganda. This is because we know how many other children are needy and we can’t take on the two and a  half million orphans in this small country. But I am hoping we can provide some dignity for these people and give them jobs to do to earn a fair wage that will help them provide for what God has given them to do.

 

christine

We have also learned the hard way that there are some people who don’t want to work they just want the whites to come in and pay for their livelihood. We believe that is toxic charity. So if we are ever in a position ( I hope so…but it would require a serious donation to start up a program there) to provide jobs to the people in the villages where our children come from, I hope they are eager to help themselves, and not angry they didn’t get  a free ticket. But God gave us the experience with the former orphanage we tried to help in order to teach us to be clear and careful with this situation. So, I invite you to pray along with us that we are able to help more children by providing work for the adults who care for them.

 

Daniel

My personal hope is that we can sell the land we already have. The neighbors are hostile and it is a negative environment for us.  We can buy a big piece of land near the people in the village where the children come from, and begin farming on it. Eddie will move there, and bring his family from the village to live with him. And we can have opportunity on that land to create some sort of business where people can earn and live more comfortably. We can build a community center for worship and fellowship that could also become a local market place during the week.

 

cake time

As it is the sixteen children in our home are now among the most privileged in Uganda. They don’t really need much as they are cozy in our home now. But the needs we can meet are out in the village where they come from and I hope the mission teams who come to visit will see that’s the real work that needs to be done. I burn in my heart with serious need to help these people, but help may not look the way they want it to be. I have been asked many times to pay for their kids to go to school. If I can offer a job so they can pay for it, I hope they aren’t angry that it isn’t coming to them for free.  We (the foreigner) have taught them we come on mission trips looking to give it away for free, so why should they expect to work? I pray and hope they will be eager to receive an opportunity.

We have arrived safely into the warm hugs of our family in Texas. We could feel the tremendous prayers lifted up for our travel mercies. Would you believe it was the perfect arrangement of flights for us? We had enough time between flights to make our stops, get a good walking stretch for our legs, find our gate and wait only five minutes before boarding. Delta allows families to board before first class! I might only fly with them until Kira is grown. Kira never had one argument with me; she was a good little lady all the way through our travels. If one ever tried to get her ready for preschool they wouldn’t believe she could fly across the world without one meltdown.

the boys…their smiles are always so rich

We work so hard in Uganda that the ability to just sit for nine hours and watch movies, read or sleep is a welcome opportunity to indulge in doing nothing. All of us are able to sleep through the night, some more comfortably than others, which means Kira sprawls out and we adjust. Considering how often we make this trip each year, knowing we can manage it like a day at the mall (or amusement park according to kira) reduces the stress exponentially. It is actually highly enjoyable to do with these two kiddoes of mine.

Jack tried to help Marvin enjoy swimming, but he didn’t like it at all.

I have so many stories to share from our trip that I’m happy to spread them over the next few weeks. Saying goodbye on Saturday was not the sorry scene of times past. They all have realized now that when school is released for their term, I return, and they like it more if I bring Jack. This good bye was surely a “see you later”. That’s the best sort of departure. Something permanent was established as each of the children were able to see my apartment, see my things stay there, and know we’ll be back to occupy it. They will help us take care of guests desiring to use the place in my absence and the idea of adventure that brings is exciting.

This is my place. I like it most because it has so much light! We were so comfortable there.

The children have a well oiled routine each day that keeps them active, entertained, educated and happy. I’m so proud of our team for putting together their excellent routines and keeping the children accountable for responsibilities. They must clean up their rooms and “lay” their beds. Some wet the bed so those beds must be changed. All the laundry must be taken outside to the courtyard where they will help hand wash and hang all of it on lines to dry. They fetch water at the well down the hill, clean the entire house, wash dishes, help prepare food, take the goats out for grazing, feed and exercise Samson, and if there is time left, do more laundry. There is always more laundry. There is a chore chart that rotates jobs for everyone. The team is careful to pair children who either work well together for certain tasks, or to get them to learn to work well together.  Angela and Musa are combined to help develop respect toward one another, and as soon as Robert said they will eat off the same plate if they argue, all arguing ceased. All through the chores their behavior is monitored and registered on a chart which determines who is rewarded with special favors, outings and treats. It’s quite amazing to see the happy teamwork.

The view outside of the compound where the apartment is.

At the LaTorre house it is a similar scene after dinner. Everyone jumps into action in the care and condition of the house and animals. When we all work together we all have a lot of fun, and this is how it has become for our children in Uganda. They have fun doing their chores.

There’s a few hours before lunch for them to play! What a lively scene it is to enter as there are those twirling hoolahoops, or “dancing circles” as they call them. Boys are kicking a ball and tearing up the compound with competitive play. The puppy is chasing someone. Kids are sprawled on the porch with a high-energy card game of uno. Someone starts assembling a puzzle on the floor and many, including the littlest ones join in for the search. The reading room has someone with a nose in a book. Julie is always cooking and keeping an eye and ear on the behavior and action of the children. She never raises her voice (seriously! Never!) and she calls a child for help, and where ever that child is he or she can hear her, and they run to her, “yes Aunt?” They are willing to do anything she asks them to do. The children are so loyal to Auntie Julie, they protect her like a mother. She doesn’t have children of her own so these beautiful sixteen are very much her children. Especially Marvin since he is so little and eager for physical affection. I have never seen him clinging with insecurity to anyone. He’s a most confident and secure little man with an entertaining sense of humor. He gives a double eyebrow raise with a cheeky grin when he can catch someone’s eye.

always laundry

Lunch is a big meal in the house. It is served around two, not because they watch the clock, but because that is how long it takes to prepare after breakfast is served. Julie always cooks my favorite vegetables for me. I loved steamed pumpkin, sliced avocado, broccoli with onions, savory beans with rice and her potatoes in sauce. Mmm… I need to teach her how to preserve vegetables from the garden with her new freezer so I’ll send her emails. No one talks when they eat, and I’m told this is because we are in the room. They pile their dinner plates impossibly high and go back for seconds. This meal will carry them until eight o’clock when they have some version of a leftover so there isn’t a morsel left uneaten in Auntie Julie’s kitchen. They are most happy to go to bed with a full stomach. It is a disgrace in their culture if there isn’t food to eat before going to bed. A major complaint is a growly tummy while sleep approaches, as most people in a developing country are blessed to have one meal a day to eat. So dinner is a celebration of gratitude at this home.

“dancing circles”

Sometime around five o’clock they are all sent for bathing. There’s an outdoor bathhouse where they line up dressed in their towels and they take turns privately splashing and soaping from a basin of cold water. They run with glee through the yard, dripping wet, to put on their night clothes in their rooms. After baths it is devotion time. They bring out the plastic chairs to the grassy area under the shade of sugar cane and banana trees as the sun is making it’s colorful way down in the sky, and they sit in a circle with their journals and bibles in their laps. Auntie Kiah runs devotions when she is there, and then Robert and Phiona take turns giving them devotions, in English translating for the little ones. I provide them with good devotion books to use. They love the question and answer time afterwards. They compete to have the best answer. Sometimes it is a personal subject and they begin to share things they have suffered in their past and how they feel about it now. More and more they are beginning to work on new personal challenges, characteristics of becoming more and more like Jesus. This tells me they are beginning to move forward and live in the now and see their future. I am so encouraged by this. They are assigned prayer topics relating to the lesson, and then if I am there I close them in prayer.

Dickson learned to crochet, and it amuses me that the boys there never regard pink as anything to do with femininity, they just took on that crochet hook as a challenge and conquered it

On our last night for devotions, we took a little inventory of the first year in our home at Kirabo Seeds. It was a tender recollection, and a good topic for my next blog.  At the very end of devotion Kiah has instilled a new custom. She was so tired of them bickering and picking at each other she requires a loving time where each person hugs everyone. They love this! They jump up out of their chairs and hug everyone. I get these tight grippy hugs with wide smiling faces. That is all I need.

They close up the courtyard, lock up the house, and settle in for a movie when there is no school. I brought the Bible series that was just released on video and they have been watching it the whole time we were there. It was a great hit for all.  I never actually put them to bed, I am usually gone by then, but I can imagine the chatter that happens as they fall asleep. I am picturing scenes from little house on the prairie, and I’m sure I’m not romanticizing. Their lives are quite similar.

Daniel and Boniface

Do you see now why it is such a joy to be in this home? These are children who once had no bed to sleep in, hardly enough food to eat, two sets of clothes to wash and for some, no one to hug them. God did this for these children. He sent me, I said yes, and He made it all happen through countless supporters, sponsors, and especially the devotion of Julie, Robert, Phiona, Kiah, and Judith. To experience one day in this home, knowing what their lives were like before, could be a blessing to ALL. It’s a living museum of God’s Grace and Love.

Phiona had her phone stolen a month ago. The police caught the one who was using it and called her into the station to identify it. She was gone all day with this problem and it turns out our landlord is the one who took it. I was so concerned that we would have a struggle and get evicted but Phiona assured me that she would handle it without the authorities and solve it like grownups. When we say you can’t trust anyone here, we really mean, don’t trust anyone. It is so disappointing and often discouraging because the very people who are your friendly acquaintances are plotting to make what is yours become theirs. Working in this culture with this struggle is exhausting. It could be so easy to slip into the slimy mire of bitterness. I once was always so sunny and glass half full, but here, I am in danger of becoming hardened. I must remind myself over and over to love and forgive those who wish to use and abuse me. That is one tough task for my heart to overcome. But if I fail, I lose my peace and joy. I’m not willing to let those heart treasures go. I must persevere and find the way to love my enemy and forgive the worst offenses.

 

daniel

Robert and I had a long talk about forgiveness and how it relates to trust. He asked me specifically when we saw a former friend turned enemy pass us on the road, and another person whose van was parked outside  his friend’s house if I had forgiven them. Big slow swallow. Before I answered Robert he asked, would you give them a second chance? It seemed to me he saw the two as the same, and I see them so differently.

 

I think yes I’m nearly completely through the hard work of forgiving them. I can think of them without rising emotion. I honestly hope they are restored with God for what they have done, and that they turn to good so they can honor God with their good talents. I really do feel that. (even though I have much intellectual doubt that they will, though a strong faith that God can do anything with anyone, I am living proof.) However the second chance to participate in our ministry? No. I would be an absolute fool in the eyes of man and God to allow that. Forgiveness doesn’t mean going straight back to the beginning from where we were when the problems began. It means a fresh start prepared with new knowledge. Perhaps if I was asked for a job it would never include the handling of money, not even the management of our animals. It would be something manual with hand labor and I know that would not be acceptable because they thrive carrying the title of boss.

 

Boniface and Musa came to the “walmart” store

Trust is earned over time, never immediately restored. Forgiveness can be given in the moment of a breath to come in and go out completely. They are not the same things. The reality is that it doesn’t matter what I say, it will be how I act that demonstrates the proof of my forgiveness. I’m still not sure I could be polite and greet them in public. When I watch old british movies they do it all the time and I shudder. In this culture polite manners are so extremely important. Robert told me in the villages where cultural practices are stricter, a woman who wears a cap, sunglasses and trousers won’t even be acknowledge as present because her attire is so disrespectful. No one may greet an older person with sunglasses and a cap on their head.

With all these excellent manners the deceiving and stealing are as natural as pulling a blanket around the body for sleep. One of the qualities of this culture I admire so much is the use of good manners, but when I see how one can never really know who to trust behind the good manners I am so disappointed and confused.

 

Judith is stirring the posho. It is so hard to do she works harder than the men building a wall.

I am a see what you get kinda girl. I suppose I can pull out the fluffy manners but I don’t usually do it to overcome how I am in the moment. I find it easier to be real all the time. I’m not fooling myself, or anyone around me this way. When I am in danger of being rude, I remain alone. And with this I can learn to control my emotions not mask them. So yes, I am saying perfect manners can be a mask. By putting on a mask, there might be no need to change what is behind it. The two can coexist. There’s the Ah-Hah.

 

They love making crafts and they kneel on one knee to ask me to give them to their sponsors.

What I am struggling to learn to do is love those who deceive, could deceive or have been a repeat offender. My instinct is to reject and turn away. I also like a little justice. When I sit with God on the matter I often see he knows everything all the time and he still chooses to love us while disciplining us to become more of who he wants us to be. Finally, the justice part is in God’s hand. His plan is better than mine and he says revenge is his. So I can surrender to that arrangement peacefully.

Paul with his craft.

 

During this trip I have compared myself now as I work in Uganda with who I was two and a half years and ten trips ago when I was in Kampala seeing it all for the first time. While I want to hold onto my initial appreciation for this culture, I have been seasoned, educated and trained in the hidden culture here. I sought it out. I delved in deep to find it. While the discovery was fascinating I have been wounded along the way. I think the fact finding mission has been completed and it’s time now for me to make some decisions about my frame of mind and my action plan to go forward.

 

Cutie Marvin

Phiona is so used to the underside of the perfect manners. She shrugged and was just happy to have her phone. I’m still horrified by who did it and how it happened. Where I live this doesn’t happen every day. I would never expect to have my necklace ripped off my neck if I go to the riverwalk in San Antonio. With more prayer I am going to observe Phiona’s good management of this problem and try to practice it myself.

 

Bible devotion at the end of every day.

I think these matters I have grappled with today are how to define what it feels like to be a foreigner. My knowledge base of social interactions here is useless. How much am I willing to give up to set a new foundation so I can be effective and honor God as I work in this culture? Apparently a lot because I continue to reach beyond the corruption to the need here to help children. My passion to make even a drop of change occur for orphaned children who are in the hands of desperate adults grows daily despite the education I receive about the belly culture. That’s my trump card. I love the children with the outpouring of God’s love, I am equipped to help and willing to give that my full abilities….even at the risk of being injured in my tender heart. To do the good work for the children I must endure the grit of society without hardening my heart. It is so much easier to say than to do. But like the good adventurer I am, I hoist my pack full of spiritual gifts, prayers and intimacy with God and take another step forward.

I’ve offended my new neighbors already with my American ways. Apparently, not just anything goes into the trash pile behind the pit latrine. I’ve been complained about because I put Kira’s night diapers in that pile, and I’ve made the pile too big too fast. Good to know. There’s a truck that comes around “once in a while” and I’m supposed to give that kind of trash to the truck. When? No way to know. Will I even be here? Probably not.

 

Kira constantly invites lawrence to dance with her.

Phiona went to our court proceeding yesterday morning with the case that started over a year ago but has maybe met four official times to make progress in the case. The defendant’s lawyer never shows up so the case is always moved to the next month. Cases here are only seen once a month. I decided not to go before I ever came to Uganda. I personally have moved onto a peaceful place, I am looking forward and not back in our ministry, and I really have no reason to be in that court room, not to mention I was still sick. This is a case that the state has brought against him, not me. I was just a witness. The former anger I once had has been distinguished and that was a bit of soul work on my end, so the last thing I need is to go there and stir it all up again. We want to be paid back for what was wrongfully used, and I’m willing to wait as long as it takes to get it. I do hope for justice, if that’s possible here. (a simple fungus gets on their scalp, we put a little cream on it and it heals)

 

vicki and christine

The children have been working hard writing their letters for their sponsors. Kiah is in charge of that project. I try to explain to the children how they may only see me come to visit, but all they enjoy is possible because they have sponsors who not only help financially, but also pray for them, love them, and follow their progress. There are so many wonderful people in our sponsor program who sincerely hope for the very best for these children. We are still in need of a few sponsors if anyone is interested my email is: tonya@kiraboseeds.com. It costs a minimum of $25 per month donation.

 

Marvin is not yet sponsored.

After fish stew lunch was served and cleaned up we gathered the children onto the porch for their big surprises. They desperately needed new school bags so I asked Phiona to wait and let me bring them. I had their names embroidered on each bag and filled them with a new Kirabo Seeds tshirt, their new sandals, a new bandana, and a raincoat. There was astonishment at how wonderful these new bags were for them. They were so happy to have something so nice. They all chatted about how excited they are to take the bags to school for everyone to see how special they are. Sometimes it seems like giving poor children our leftovers makes good sense. I do it all the time. I pass Jack and Kevin’s clothes to these kids every time I visit. But some of the things they use every day need to be even stronger and more durable that what our kids in America use because there is so much use on one item here. Kira has several pair of shoes so they aren’t likely to get worn out. But these kids have two pair of shoes. One for good, and one for play. Oh my, do they play hard.  Same for the backpacks, it is used for everything they do when they leave the home. Of course they are thankful for whatever condition the item we give them is in, they don’t care so much, but I don’t want to have to replace things so often! In the long run we are saving money by buying good quality on certain things.

 

new backpacks

I asked the children to put on their new tshirts, put their towels into their bags and get in the van, we were going swimming at Speke Hotel. The occasion was to celebrate their excellent work in school this term. Nearly everyone gave their best effort and made progress. Some are having emotional setbacks from things in their past, so we are being encouraging and compassionate with these issues. We can see the difference between hurt and defiant. Oh the excitement was not only high for the children, but all of the adults were happy as well to have time off for some fun. I personally love giving Auntie Julie time off from the kitchen, even though she loves her work.

 

Phiona with the kids

Most of the adults got into the pool, for the first time in their lives in most cases. It was so refreshing for them. Robert learned to swim and did it well without a bit of fear. It gave me so much happiness to see everyone having fun. They said, why aren’t you getting in Mama Tonya? Because I am watching over sixteen children who have a lot of courage and no swimming abilities! And I didn’t want to miss one expression of joy on their faces. Oh my did everyone play hard. The bigger kids got into the big pool for the first time, and the amazement to have water cover their whole bodies showed in their faces with bright eyes and wide smiles. We are not a quiet bunch and that would be annoying except that the sounds of happiness can even turn an old grump into a good mood.

Hours of swimming later, one by one children began to get dressed and watch the others. Dickson was the last one swimming and didn’t even notice everyone had finished. I ordered sodas for them all and they played til the sun went down. We stopped by the deli at Uchimi Supermarket and got meats for them to eat in the car and called it a day. Part of me loved giving the fun to the adults on our team more than the children, because they work so hard all of the time. Robert said, “it isn’t too much because we are structured like a family so it doesn’t feel like a lot of pressure.” Yes we are structured like a family and it gives me gratitude to God to see it all coming together in one year’s time.

 

Robert and Musa swimming

I believe what we are doing is so effective because we have a strong, compassionate, intelligent male role model for all of these children. Most of the organizations have mama’s caring for children, but I wouldn’t have done this work with out a man with excellent morals and a great love for the Lord. Children need a father figure in their lives. These twelve boys have to look at someone and know how they are meant to become. The girls need to know there’s a man who will tell her she’s beautiful and protect her. Robert blows my mind with how dedicated he is to this work. He sees it as full time ministry and a great pleasure. All of the adults on our team fully enjoy working with each other. We don’t have any friction, ever. All we can say is God is in this work in a mighty way and we are so thankful to be able to give sixteen children opportunity for a good life. We hope to break the cycles of poverty, crime and ignorance. The history of their families changes now with them, and the children who come after them will be passed on the good teaching they receive from us.

I have spent the past 24 hours in bed with fever. Maybe it’s been fifteen years since I was sick! Phiona and Robert spent the day in town for car repairs. The exhaust pipe fell off and he was making such a noise on the road the police pulled him over. It took all day long because they had to move to so many places to find the correct part.  I was home with all the children, officially in charge, but my sore throat and ear pain turned into fever and I could only lie on the sofa and feel sorry. I was able to deliver an important talk to the children about stealing and forgiveness. But right after that I returned to my place and went to bed suffering aches and a fever of 103. When Robert and Phiona returned at 7p.m. he took me to the doctor’s and Phiona stayed with my kids.

 

Marvin is everyone’s favorite. So adorable.

This was a first experience for me to be the patient in a doctor’s office here. I was in and out quickly, they took blood to make sure I didn’t have malaria. It turned out I had a bacterial infection and they gave me penicillin. All through the night the aches remained til I was able to take the second antibiotic dose and arise feeling mostly normal.

 

The last thing I ever wanted was to be sick here, I fear their medical abilities, but now I see it turned out just fine. I have mostly lost my voice with this infection and I am supposed to teach in the village tomorrow. If it is the last thing I do I will get that work done. Robert is the interpreter so he is the only one who has to be heard!

 

christine, lydia, vicki

Today we are celebrating the children’s success with school and taking them swimming and for pony rides. It will be wonderful. They are so excited. I have to say Jack was so tender with me when I was sick. He made me tea with honey, wanted to give me a cold cloth, brought me water, babysat Kira, and he prayed for me holding my hand. He said maybe I am supposed to come with you on these trips so I can take care of you. It’s true, I really need his help and companionship. I was disappointed to lose an entire day here with sickness but what can I do. Some of the things I was going to try and do I might not get accomplished. The good news is the team here is so good they can do so many things for me when I am gone. It’s all going to be just right.

 

denis, boniface, musa

While I was flat out on the sofa shivering I listened to all of the children playing together. Some were playing , “go fish”, and others were putting together a puzzle. Some were outside kicking the ball. Last year the children used foul language with one another and spent most of their time yelling and arguing.  They had no respect for one another. Just because they were all assembled to live together doesn’t mean they had to like each other. It was a long long struggle to get these children to how they are one year later, polite, considerate and kind to one another. There are the occasional personality conflicts but respect must come first. Robert said oh we fought so hard and so long to help them change their attitudes and they are so much better now. It is a great joy to hear them playing, laughing and being kind to one another. They have great respect for the adults in their lives. When I think of all the ways we have established their routines here, the most significant contributor of their success is our reward system. They can visibly receive rewards and praise when caught being good and doing right. They get tickets to get privileges. They also have a daily behavior chart where they get a green ticket for good, and yellow for just so so, and red for bad behavior. They really hate to get a red! They have responded beautifully to reaching their potential by doing good. If we have made this much progress in one year, I can only imagine how we will do next year! This ministry is a great blessing, and Robert, Kiah, Julie and Phiona believe and know God’s hand is upon this work. With all of our problems with outsiders we have still managed to make outstanding progress with the children! Tears of happiness are dripping down my face. It was all worth it. And we have such a bright future ahead of us.

Kira and Jack!

Downtown Kampala is crazy madness to the fresh eye. Kira and Jack were watching a movie in the van, but Daniel and Peter, who joined us, were on the edge of their seats eyes glued to the life in town. Robert and I agree that new experiences for the children are so good for them to get as often as possible. We found sofas and tables but the very nice store doesn’t do credit cards. I refuse to carry cash like that so I’ll have to wire money and Robert can take care of it for me after I go. I wanted to see it all come together. Oh well. Next we went in search of fans at a big department store in the center of town. No luck with quality so we got the kids some snacks and sodas, paid and returned to the car.  The checkout teller annoyed me when he demanded with authority, “you bring me a digital camera like that when you come.” Absurd. We crossed a busy road in crowds of peope and at the van, someone parked so close we couldn’t get in so we stepped aside as Robert moved the car over. While we all waited for him I checked my phone for messages from my husband, which I love to find all day long. Before I entered my passcode a man ran up to me scratched my neck and ripped my Africa necklace off my neck. I screamed. He ran away down the street. Everyone stopped and stared. I said He stole my necklace. People watched as the thief turned the corner.

 

No one tried to chase him down. He was too far away by the time it registered a crime had taken place. People gathered around me to talk about the incident. Everyone saw this guy following us from the store and hanging around like he was with us. We didn’t even notice it because it is such a busy environment and we were keeping our eyes on the four children in our care. They all told me “sorry” and hung their heads in shame. They also said, “this is Uganda, that is what they do.” They told me, “eh, these guys work in teams and they carry knives.” Great. He had waited for Robert to get in the car, and for me to be unaware and distracted with my phone.

 

The red welt from the scratch was a painful reminder of the violation. I sat a while feeling sad. I haven’t taken the necklace off in two years, people ask me about it all the time, tell me they admire it, and it gave me opportunity to talk about what we do here in Uganda for the children. When I touched it I always felt close to the family here. It was my least expensive piece of jewelry and my most cherished. I didn’t obsess over the incident. I didn’t get mad. My feelings were hurt. Jack felt terrible because he believes he is supposed to protect me and he failed his job. I cared more about his tender heart than my loss.

 

On the ride home I asked Robert, “in public do the people generally stand back when a mzungu is robbed? Why didn’t people chase him down? I know that’s what they do here.”

 

He said, “I think it was too confusing, you didn’t yell thief enough, and he was gone before they could react. By the way, if they caught him they would give him mob justice and you wouldn’t have one say in the matter.” I shuddered. I really didn’t want him to get mob justice. Here the custom is to catch a thief in the act, drag him away from the eye of the police, drop tires over him, pour gasoline in the tires and set him on fire. On the spot. No I didn’t want that  to happen to him over a necklace. I just prayed that the man would feel the consequence of a just God, and that he would have the opportunity to conform his ways and know the love of Jesus. A person’s soul is far more important than a personal violation. With a crime there is always the opportunity for restoration. Jack told me, “mom you are a godly woman for concentrating on the positive.” (aww…sweetie…at least I made an impression on my son.)

 

As I sat there feeling heavy and disappointed I thought about the scene in Les Miserables when Jean Valjean is returned to the church with the bag of silver he had stolen. With a blink the priest replied, “but sir you forgot these also, why would you leave the best behind?” When the police were dismissed, the priest  told Jean Valjean he had bought his soul for God. He gave him grace and a chance to turn his life around for good. It was a turning point in his life all because he got something he really didn’t deserve. He experienced grace. He was given kindness when he deserved to go back to prison.

 

In the aftermath of being crudely robbed I am disappointed in myself that my first instinct was anger. It took me a while to have compassion on the thief who stole my necklace. Inwardly I chastised myself, which is really the Holy Spirit at work. Finally, I realized this incident gave me an excellent teaching opportunity to share the truths about stealing with the children in our home.  They will feel so bad that someone robbed me. Robert and I discussed how these very same children in our care were destined for a life of crime before they came to our home. Many of them, truthfully, were well on their way practicing their trade. The personal sorrow I felt was replaced with joy because we understand we have a great opportunity to raise these sixteen children to live a life that honors God and respects people. We are doing something to break the cycle in the lives and futures of these children and that is satisfaction enough.

 

Occasionally I find my fingers searching for the charm on my neck. It is the only piece of jewelry I ever bought for myself. I didn’t realize how often I handled it. I might have to replace it, but I assure you I will never again wear it into town, or in Uganda now that I  think about it. It might go in the safe in our house with my other jewelry when I travel here. For that matter, I’ll never take my phone out of my purse in public again either. I was so relieved he didn’t choose to take my phone. I always carry my purse and camera crisscrossed over my shoulder with a hand on both handles. This is a practice I started during our stay for our adoption when George hassled me constantly about stealing and safety. I laugh at myself to remember how I used to leave my purse unzipped stuffed with bills and all the Ugandans assigned to watch over me in public for my safety would roll their eyes weary of my inability to grasp the reality of thievery here. That was a long time ago. I may have changed, but things here are extremely slow to change. I closed my eyes that night praying the change begins with our sixteen children. We ALL have the opportunity to make sure it does.

(sorry internet isn’t allowing photos to load. I’ll try again later to insert them.)

At six-thirty in the morning Jack departed with Robert to go wash the van. Never in my life would I imagine a child of mine waking at that hour to wash something. But when there are sixteen friends working together on a project it can’t be missed. I had a lucky streak with internet yesterday morning as he sloshed and scrubbed, I’m hoping for the same gift to share photos with you today.Buckets of rain are dropping all around. Mud. I tried to walk after the rain yesterday and each step I took the mud sucked the shoe off my foot. I arrived such a mess I had to clean and wash everything. Thankfully I keep rain boots here and that’s what I’ll wear for my treks today.

Before church the lunch has to be simmering on the charcoal stove outside the kitchen. Children must present themselves before Robert for inspection. “Eh, Lydia smear your legs.” …”I did.” … “Go do it again, the right way.” And the boys tend to mix patterns in a way that hurts the eyes. Girls try to go without socks. Someone gets dirty. Everyone must look his or her very best on Sunday. It is a sign of respect to one another, and especially to God. That’s why the van must arrive sparkling clean. The whole parking lot was full of spotless cars. In America it never occurs to me what my car looks like as I arrive at church.

I am learning clean is an achievement hard won here, especially in the rainy season. I find I struggle to keep the dirt out of the apartment. Before bed I hand washed the laundry from the day and hung it in the shower to dry. It was such dirty brown water. I feel so grimy at the end of the day that I have learned to nearly idolize that warm shower before slipping into my CLEAN white sheets. So when I see people everywhere appear spiffy and perfect I am so impressed with the effort they have put into their appearance.

Respect is ingrained into children at a young age. It is coupled with fear because failure to respect is high treason and cause for the more severe forms of punishment. When the children go find something for me in the home they present it to me on their knees with their head bowed. To thank someone for something they always bow on their knees before the person. Honestly! I can’t imagine a child in America ever conforming to this behavior. It’s hard enough to get southern children to learn to say “yes, sir” or “yes, ma’am”. I’m not sure if kids in the north even bother. If a child here answers a call from an adult with: “What?!” They will get a punishment for disrespect. One never ever answers with “what?” here in Uganda. People’s faces crinkle and they are embarrassed… for me in general because I say it all the time. Their answer is , “wanji?” which means, “yes, please.” I’m learning. But my children answer me with “what?” each and every time I call them, and the shock on faces is entertaining as I don’t notice the disrespect.

Church was packed as usual. The children enjoy children’s church and return to the car singing Sunday school songs I learned as a kid. It is a small world. Kira sat on my lap and when the pastor began to preach she went from dozing into deep sleep (jack too…seems he arose too early) I was admiring her beautiful peaceful face, thankful for the quiet moment together and then her bladder released and she peed all over both of us. I stood immediately and left a puddle on my seat. The ladies around me muttered, “look what she has done.” I didn’t have more clothes with me or anything to wipe up the mess. So we stood outside the church tent hoping the breeze would dry us off. I was not so happy but I kept a calm demeanor. My friend Tarah Thomas found me there and as I greeted her I asked her not to hug me for fear she too would wear the pee perfume.

I met Tarah and her family on the first mission trip I took to Uganda. We stayed I in the same guest house. It is fun that I seem to bump into her nearly every trip I take here. She’s from the Midwest and they have three children. They’ve been living here for three years now. Her husband, Wayne is the director of technology for Watoto. It is such a treat for me to speak to someone of my culture about trying to fit in and do work here. We can encourage and support one another.

After a delicious lunch where we enjoyed Auntie Julie’s chicken stew and white rice Phiona and I sat down with skeins of yarn and crochet hooks. We didn’t announce anything to the children about an activity. But within minutes we were crowded with curious faces watching intently. Desire pressed hard against my legs to see closely what I was doing. He has a burning curiosity and fierce determination. It’s no wonder he’s both one of the brightest students, and most mischievous of the children. Phiona and I taught whoever wished to learn this craft. We decided to get them to make squares and then we’ll assemble the squares and make a blanket. She wanted it perfect, but I said, “the more mistakes there are in it, the better it will be. This is a learning project and that makes it precious.”

Robert walked through the room and he was quietly horrified to see the boys doing ladies work. I assured him it is ok they won’t convert. It is good for their minds and hand eye coordination to learn to do this. I stated that all of my boys learned to knit. Once all of the crochet hooks had been passed over to eager hands I taught Phiona to knit. She was thrilled! She was so quick to pick it up and loved it very much. Occasionally she would frown and say, “Oh I spoiled it some how”, but she carried on with the task.

Jack assembled everyone to learn to play capture the flag. The explanations required Phiona’s translations. She put down her knitting and became the animated fun Feefee we all adore. She’s so dramatic and playful with the children. This is her true calling to stand before children and lead them. They soak up her enthusiasm and I can see their adoration for her in their faces. (Thankfully she labors through the finances for me.) The game turned out too complicated, arguments broke out, and Jack said, “Whoa! If we can’t get along we can’t play. Game over.” And so it was.

To lighten the dark mood we retrieved the home made mango juice popsicles from the freezer. The kids lined up and waited for their treat. Of course Phiona and Robert wanted one as well. What a delight this simple treat was for the children and when they learned it was just juice put into the freezer they were so happy to know they could make more and more!

Being here with these children is an overwhelming joy for me because I am always amazed how appreciative they are of the simplest things that we take for granted and dismiss at home. They motivate me to restore my own interest for the simpler things in life. Like… a home made popsicle…clean sheets…puppy breath…boys willing to crochet with pink yarn…a new bike…friendship…hula-hoops that can also be jumping hoops…hot food piled high on a plate…someone who is looking out for you…a great love from God shared by all…children once lost and in despair assembled to create a loving family….faces I am learning to know intimately and love deeply.

These simple joys bind my ankles and tether me to the earth. They become roots that will grow deep into this foreign soil and as much as I try to go home to life in Texas these roots will pull me back again and again. I won’t resist.

The rains fall each night in the wee hours of the morning drenching the earth and brightening the colors of the landscape. When we closed up the apartment in the morning to walk around the block to the children’s home the colors took away my breath. The sky has to be a deeper blue against the clouds on this continent. The green is more vibrant and the color of the earth is the deepest darkest red. At the end of the day my skin is dark tan until I stand in the shower and watch it rinse away. The morning view gave me cause to stop, stunned at the beauty and immediately I felt like it was going to be the best day. How could it not with a cool breeze, hues from heaven, and time with the family here in Uganda?

Kira appeared in Lydia’s dress and phiona’s sunglasses, “surprise!”

The gratitude I have for the ability to walk to the children’s home is overflowing. It is so close that I can be back and forth as much as I choose. Jack can stay and hang around with the children while I take Kira early to bed. Last night they had a chicken slaughter with flashlights while I bathed Kira. Jack was simply ecstatic. It is the same way I feel when I can work quietly. I can fully relax in my down time. When we stayed in guest houses it was always important to put on a bright face, show up on time for breakfast and exude friendliness. While that is fun, it can also be exhausting for an introvert. I need so much time alone to be able to give all I have to everyone else. It finally feels like this is home for me when I am here. Jack and Kira feel it too. From my belly I thank  God for allowing us this great privilege to serve him with Kirabo Seeds children’s home, and to have a place here to call home and work happily.

It was a scene of great joy when Jack reunited with the children.

We spent the morning unpacking books and organizing the activities for the week. Jack and Kira were immediately immersed in play with the children. Kira had a hold of Lawrence and “made” him dance with her round and round while she sang a happy song no one could understand but her. Lawrence would look at us a bit like an amused trapped animal. The good news is she’s joining in the play and engaging with the children this trip rather than having meltdowns every half hour. This trip she knew what she was getting into, and she’s ready for it all! She was almost friendly with people we met out and about. Vendors in the market remember her and even commented that she’s making progress. This gives me hope. (she is known for a frown, grunt and push when someone greets her. She may as well spit in their face with those manners.)

Robert and Musa are successfully developing a father son relationship

Robert gathered the children in the meeting room to discuss some of their behaviors lately that haven’t pleased him. He’s only dealing with normal issues  that come with raising children. The soccer ball was taken away because it hit the lamp post and broke it. The goats weren’t carefully watched and escaped when someone left the gate open. Robert rubs his forehead and apologizes to me, “they are quick to spoil every single thing given to them.” I know. They are children and their job is to learn the hard way how to become self controlled adults. I sat with them and we had an impromptu lesson about self-control. We shared that there are always consequences to our choices. If they lie and steal some day they could be fired from their job, put in jail, or worse burned on the spot by mob justice! The days of time out, missed meals and spanks will be over. If they make good choices and practice doing what is right good things will come to them. So we made an example for them to feel the lesson hit home. We asked all the adults for a recommendation of one child who shows consistent good behavior and they chose Ronald, so he could join us for our day out of shopping. We asked the children to vote and choose another child they thought was always using good behavior, and they chose Angela. The two of them dressed up nicely and spent the day with us shopping, watching a movie in the van, having soda and cake, and seeing the action in Kampala. It was fun. We told the other children starting right now they can earn the privilege to come with us. So each day we will bring children along with our errands and make it a special treat. Robert and Phiona often bring a child or two along with them to have special alone time and this is such a valuable way for the children to feel special, loved, and known intimately. They CRAVE this from us. I can feel the great love that is growing between our children and the team who care for them every single day. As for me, in the year they have lived in this home they are getting used to my returns. They are becoming more comfortable with me as a person. I feel like they will let me into their hearts. It takes time. I’m going to give it to them.

Angela with Marvin who is sporting a fancy mohawk!

The faces on the children who were left behind were long and sorry. But they knew they can make changes and do better. Today we will remind them God forgives us and wipes our slates clean and that’s what we will do for them. We won’t hold it against Desire for being caught stealing in school. We are now looking for him to control his impulses. He gets a fresh chance starting today. Ryan is forgiven for hitting, others for lying, and some for verbal abuse towards one another. We are trying to model for them what God does for us. Every day of my life I sit before God and understand I don’t deserve his grace and mercy, but he loves me enough to shower me with it. The children remind me how I look to God with my own misbahavior. Raising sixteen children is a high task requiring all our smarts to make bits of progress…and it’s happening!

The kids exercise samson on the road a couple times a day

Samson is a little wild thing. I’m working with everyone to help them understand what his canine needs are. I’m trying to teach them how to communicate effectively with the puppy using positive and negative reinforcements for his behavior. Robert understands and craves this knowledge. He is wonderful with animals and children, a bit shy with people. He’s a treasure in my heart. I thank God every day for his devotion to the children. They give the puppy lots of exercise so he won’t chase the children and scare them with his sharp playful nibbles. Jack has been great about demonstrating how to show compassion and love towards Samson, who pants and kisses in return for the pets. Jack calms puppy in his lap and then invites the more fearful children to come stroke Samson’s fur and receive kisses rather than bites. Jack is developing good leadership skills while he is here. It just blows me down to sometimes think of what a great experience it is for him to be able to join me on these trips. It is the best reason to continue home schooling.

I brought a full shelf of new books in our suitcases. We try to give the kids a half hour a day of reading time. It blesses me completely to see them reading and learning.

After the serious talk about behaviors the children were quiet and thoughtful. We asked them to spend some time reading books before lunch was served. They all went straight to the shelf for the new books. My dream is to fill endless book shelves for these children. I’m bringing all the books from our children’s library at home one trip at a time. I’d save them for Kira, but strangely I am beginning to understand she will most likely grow up reading from an iPad. It’s weird for me to even accept this idea except that I find myself more and more reading books from mine. Sigh. The world is changing in ways I tried to resist and here I go slipping forward.

Jack is helping the kids learn not to fear Samson and to give him lots of love.

Auntie Julie often struggles with typhoid. It comes and goes, and yesterday she had to visit the clinic for medicines. She’s such a dedicated worker, loves what she does, that it takes a grave illness to send her to rest. I could see she was a bit slower and quieter, but she refused to admit to me she didn’t feel fine. She is a woman I hold up high and respect greatly. I always have, and since I met her during our adoption I knew she was going to be a life long friend. I always bring her new kitchen things and she receives them as if they were jewelry. I gave her a new chef’s knife, and she said, “oh, I needed this, I am going to hide it from everyone so it doesn’t get spoiled. Then she locked it in a kitchen drawer and slipped the key into her apron pocket. A look of “so there” was on her face. I brought  popsicle makers for the kids and filled them with mango juice. She was so happy to be able to make these treats for the kids, but then her face clouded over and she said, ‘I have a problem”. I laughed because Robert and Phiona already told me so I put my hand on her shoulder and said, “I’m buying you a deep freezer today.”  She brightened and said, You knew!!! Before she went to bed that night it was delivered to her. Craig and I love to please Julie because she works endlessly and happily for these children. She loves cooking for them and pleasing them with good food. I don’t restrict her creativity with cooking by giving a strict food budget. I give them all they ask for with food requests. And the children are healthy! We get compliments from everyone about how good our children are looking.

Sharing a meal with the family is always a pleasure!

Shopping in the markets is always a good time. I am known, but not as well as Jack. This time I could begin thinking about decorating my home here and not worry about transporting heavy things home to America. What fun! Phiona arranged for our regular vendors to meet me there so I could buy bracelets in bulk at wholesale prices. Jack likes to buy gifts for friends at home. We went straight for his friend, Rose, who has loved him from Jack’s first trip here for our adoption of Kira. I bought many things from her, as usual. Misty Newsome is helping Kirabo Seeds set up an online store, so I will photograph the things I buy in the markets. I hope for good sales to help us support the children.

everyone knows Jack by name when he visits the markets!

Kira remembers Phiona and really loves her.

Phiona and Robert are doing a great job raising these children. Often they run into snags and I get an email, “what should we do?” I help guide them through parenting issues to equip them for the next time something occurs. And there is alway a next time with sixteen children. We found a bicycle at the shop owned by Walmart, it was half price, and Phiona asked, “can we get it for the children?” why not. But then on their own Phiona and Robert said, it needs to be a privilege to ride this bike so they learn to use good behavior. EXACTLY. It wasn’t so long ago that Robert longed to give each child a bike. I shuddered at the thought and had to disappoint him. Now he sees how careless they are with things and that they must learn to take care of the good things they get. They will be told it is  Mama Tonya’s bike, and they can use it when they show good behavior. I have a feeling Ronnie will use it often. I myself am going to go shopping on it! It will be nice for me to get some exercise here.

Ronald and Angela spent the day with us because they had best behavior awards. We bought a bike!

It wasn’t so long ago that I felt unsafe and insecure here. That oppression has lifted. We have moved away from our problems. And we have good ability to prevent these problems from resurfacing. Phiona has a new apartment that is walking distance from the children. It is just marvelous for us to feel free from the problems that have plagued us in our past. We struggled long and hard for two years as we established Kirabo Seeds. We have come face to face with the kind of evil I pray no one I know will ever have to endure. I understand there will always be these clashes of good and evil while we continue to do good work for God. That’s ok with me because I can see how God has protected us, strengthened us, and guided us through the dark to where now I feel the lightness and lifting of the heaviness. What a feeling of praise and worship there is in my heart for God when I can not only see, but really feel in the depths of my heart our new beginning. I will continue to pray and ask God to bring us good people who love him and want to serve HIM selflessly to help us grow this work. If the bad ones show up, I have a good feeling Samson’s instincts will chase them away. Gotta love a good dog.

Samson is adorable!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It doesn’t seem possible that I could fly from Texas to Africa with my eleven year old son and three year old daughter without a single snag in our travels. The very moment I needed Kira to have a tantrum she did it without prompting. Jack’s seat was behind us and naturally I wanted him to sit with us. So I put Kira in the seat next to the stranger. She saw Jack had a plastic tray of fruit and cheese and she wanted to control that tray from her lap. When I said no, she pitched her little hissy fit at the exact moment a horrified gentleman realized she was sitting next to him. That’s when I asked him if my son in the aisle seat behind him could switch and he  visibly showed me the kind of relief that only comes after a miracle. Other than that we had a smooth shift from one continent to the other.

 

I can close my eyes any time, anywhere and see the busy lives of Ugandans in action. It starts with the deep red dirt roads, rich green foliage after a rain, dark skinned people walking as far as I can see. Women carry bundles on their heads while walking briskly. Men drive bodas, lean over their work with busy hands, or slice large chunks of raw meat hanging from hooks in the fresh air. Small children dutifully follow their mothers, silent with eyes wide watching everything carefully.

 

Turning into the neighborhood where our children’s home is nestled gives me chills. As far as I can see it looks like rural Africa, if I couldn’t hear the traffic I’d believe we were in a village. There’s a rhythm here with a stronger pulse and a slower pace. I do feel like I am home. It feels like I am ripped out of my life in Texas when I prepare to travel so far. I get weepy and insecure about leaving my family and life. But as soon as I smell the air in Uganda and listen to the tropical birds all the unsettled places in my heart grow quiet while my excitement to be in this place mounts. Once I catch up on my sleep I wonder why I didn’t plan to stay longer. (Because that makes my husband weep.)

 

We were deposited into my new apartment late at night. Kira was hyper, screaming instead of speaking, and using the walls like a trampoline. I had to wrestle her into the bath and bed. Phiona and Robert had shopped for our beds and fridge so we collapsed and kissed goodnight. Somewhere around five in the morning a strong rain storm opened up on us. It ruined my Friday market shopping opportunity so we slept in a little more. Robert picked us up and we went to the children’s home to receive a warm welcome. They are all growing tall. I love receiving as many hugs at once as arms can reach around my body. I crave a deep look into their eyes. I beam at the sight of them greeting Jack and Kira, who refused to get out of the van and covered her eyes for the first ten minutes.

 

While I enjoyed my coffee and had a catchup chat with Phiona we giggled as we saw Kira teaching some of the kids games she plays in school. She said, “follow the leader” and she was happy to be the leader for the whole game. They lost interest when she refused their turn to lead. We cuddled Samson our puppy and watched him run after the children. He’s a teething puppy now and the kids are growing scared of those sharp daggers in his mouth. I’ve got a lot of work to teach them how to behave with puppy.

 

In the middle of the afternoon while the children watched movies we went shopping for the apartment. I was able to get a round table and six chairs, a pretty rug from Egypt, and a cabinet for the kitchen. Apparantly the kitchens don’t come with cabinets. I needed a few appliances for cooking. We filled up four carts and arranged for delivery of our furniture. Tired from our shopping adventure we returned to the children who were having lessons and devotions with Kiah. We played outside for a while and then we walked to the apartment to set it up and make it feel like home.

 

The kids brought over our dinner while Robert hooked the gas to my stove. Kira nodded off while swallowing her rice and beans. She mostly slept through the quick shower (I have a little tiny hot water heater!) and I tucked her into bed where she slept in a sleeping beauty pose for hours while I set up home. I had flashes of scenes from the movie, Out of Africa, when she unpacked her dishes and arranged her home. I only wanted to spend one day of my time here focused on my comfort. I’m full of energy to get into serving the family and getting to know what the current needs are these days.

 

I love it here and feel so relaxed to have a place to call home when I come here. It will be a great place to rent to families who are here for adoption if I’m not here. Also, small mission teams will find this place comfortable especially for the short five minute walk to the children’s home. Now that this place is set and homey tomorrow will be time to get into action with the children. Thank you everyone who prayed for our safe travels. I hope the internet will be strong enough tomorrow for me to post photos.