Speaking to third graders about life in Africa

I never would have guessed that having such a full schedule, one that seriously resembles being a working mom, could ever be energizing for me. I’ve always been careful to protect my time spending and not become busy so I can be creatively involved in the subtle nuances of parenting that I didn’t want to over step. For example, in my life before Kirabo Seeds, I would survey the kitchen after breakfast and make plans for dinner, always had a load of laundry turning over, and usually inspected the happenings of my garden every day. Now, it’s 5:30 and I ask the kids what they feel like either making for dinner, or helping to prepare for dinner. We still cook, but they get it that if they want to eat they participate in the process. I only have time for laundry on the weekends, and Craig did it last weekend. My gardens are enjoyed mostly from the window these days. The best part of these changes is that I don’t have guilt like someone is picking up my pieces. None. We are all involved in the purpose of the work I do, so we all become a little bit busier. The one thing that I strive hard not to shirk is walking Lucy. When she was a pup I promised her I’d do that much for her every day of her life. I like to do it myself. Sometimes I need a helper, but it is always my goal to take a nice walk with my doggy.

she's my faithful best friend

So yesterday it seems I accomplished in one day what I used to spread out over a two week period. And here’s the odd truth, it didn’t tire me, it rather made a little bit “high”.  I told Craig I feel like I’m on a really good drug, the stuff I got in a doctor’s office one time to go under and come out really quickly in a fantastic mood.  Working for the cause of the children in Uganda energizes me in a way I never thought possible. It’s so much fun to be a puppet in the hands of God and get to experience the entire story. It seems there are these every day miracles that occur which surprise me and elate all at once. I am often humbled and thankful to a point of awe and wonder at the decadent way God orchestrates the details of everyday life.

last weekend the children at the orphanage were given the opportunity to visit a live performance and go to the local amusement park. Look at how prettily they dressed for the occasion!

Yesterday in the morning I was invited to share the story of the children in Kyengera with Jack’s classroom. It is the end of the school year and everyone is ready to run out the door and embrace summer. So my story was a fresh experience of wonder and learning for the third graders. It was fantastic to see these children rapt with understanding as I showed them a slide show of the whole story and showed them what life is like for these children in Uganda. The big surprise after the third graders fully comprehended that these children live without parents, electricity, running water, flush toilets, carpets, grass, and at one time food, furniture or soft beds that the children can be so happy. The third graders listened carefully to my story for an hour and asked me excellent questions. I could see their eyes reveal to me the gears that were turning in their minds as they realized how good and easy their life is here. This realization filled their little hearts with compassion. A sort of compassion that can only flow out of a child where one boy asked if he could design a playground for them which he promptly did and put a flag over the top of it with a happy face. Another boy asked if he could give them some of his toys. I told them the children in Kyengera would love to receive cards with pictures and nice messages so I passed out blank cards and they became quiet and concentrated. I took their picture with the globe and promised to show it to the children in Uganda who would most likely write all of them back! So I will have the third graders address envelopes and some time this summer each of them will receive a letter from one of the children in Kyengera Uganda.

I wish I could accurately describe the facial expressions that followed with that promise. Priceless. And the work involved in making that happen? My absolute pleasure. As I walked out of the school after spending the hour with third graders I understood I had just found a new calling for my life. I’m going to pursue opportunities next fall to speak to as many children as I can about the way of life in rural Uganda. I can help more children realize how blessed they are and be utterly changed by knowing the children I love in Uganda who call me Mama. I happen to believe speaking to students will help me hone my focus for writing a children’s book about the subject. And it will motivate me as well to get the project completed so we can generate funds to feed and provide health care for all those kids!!!

I love my job so much I work for free.

(I’d love to be able to show you the photos I took of Jack’s class but I am not quite certain I have permission to post their cute faces on the internet, so just multiply Jack by twenty and you get the idea.)

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