I finally know what I've been missing...

1/1/13

8:15 am

STOP THE PRESSES! I had yet another interruption last night. While I was writing (I KID YOU NOT, mother) a six inch rat crawled over my ankle. I (of course) screamed bloody murder and almost had a panic attack. Bethany pulled me under her mosquito net and calmed me down. Randy and Ernest "came to my rescue" and then gave me dirty looks when they heard the word rat. Apparently my scream woke the entire house up. OOPS. They all would have screamed too!

Anyway, I forgot something about yesterday. Before VBS and our dance party, all of the kids were lined up on the hill and all of us came and served them food. They all sat and waited so patiently and were so happy. Bethany had said earlier that there was a moment when kids were crawling all over her that she thought, "this is what I want to do with my life," and I just started bawling when I thought of that as we were serving. I was an emotional wreck yesterday. It was just an unbelievable experience. We were literally feeding the hungry children. Serving the least of these. Serving the Lord. It was amazing.

After the final performance, Ema beckoned us to come out and we spent some time on a walking tour with Moses, Zziwa, and Isma. They took us around and taught us things just like Eugene did. Moses and Zziwa already feel like family. We've had so many laughs and I will miss them the most. After our tour, we hung out with the youth on Christie and George's front porch. Eria, Norah, Isma, Betty, and a few others were there laughing with us. I hope I get to see Eria and Norah this morning to say goodbye.

We finally ate dinner around eight, and that's when my post was interrupted for the first time. After dinner, Conrad, Aaron, and one of the young African boys got out guitars and we sang some worship songs. I was in instant tears. I have never felt the presence of God in a room like that. I feel Him constantly in this place, but that experience- singing praise to God with 24 of the most amazing godly people I've ever met and Africans sitting in every other seat- was nothing short of truly holy. I sobbed for a solid hour. We prayed afterwards and then sang Amazing Grace and I was just so full of love for God. Any doubts I've ever had were shattered.

When we returned "home," we had a team meeting to talk about our reactions to this place and the things we have seen. Everyone is just blown away by how welcomed we feel and how many people have thanked us just for being here. Moses and Zziwa walked in after a few minutes of our meeting. They both shared their deep gratitude for our presence, and their words were well beyond their years (they are both 22). Moses thinks that change, success, and progress are dependent on education and investing in the people. He told us that he was an orphan and had lived in orphanages his whole life, until George met him, invested in him, and changed his life. Zziwa was in a family with no money when George "picked him." He said if it weren't for George, he wouldn't be educated and would probably be a "ganja man somewhere." When Zziwa graduates from Ugandan Christian University early next year, he will be the first person from Bugabo village to graduate college. All because of George and Christie's ministry. Now that's progress. My heart hurts when I think about leaving. I'll be back the second I can afford a plane ticket... AK

B Ray serving :)

Conrad, Norah, and Eria

Little Moses, Norah, Eria

Amazing Grace

1/1/13

7:15 pm

Today was a roller coaster to say the least. I had already woken up heavy hearted about leaving Bugabo. After breakfast, Ema, Chairman, Frank, Moses, and Zziwa took us on a tour of the part of the village that we hadn't seen. We went on a few home visits, all of which were inspirational but heartbreaking. The first house we stopped at held a woman and her many children. She was a Muslim but found the Lord in the last few years, so her husband (a witch doctor) left her jobless and HIV+, taking care of all the children alone. An impossible task. Last year, she was taking the boda boda (moped-ish) and the boda driver raped her. Her youngest child, Treasure, is a product of that rape. I can't even imagine having to choose between a life with your child or a reminder of rape. Unreal.

The next home housed a woman who takes in orphans and sick children. She take care of 9 children that are not her own. She brews alcohol to get by, so many men come by nightly to get drunk. Ema told us the men usually only pay for one drink because afterwards they get drunk and refuse to pay her. They also take advantage of her and the children, but there is nothing she can do. If she stopped brewing, she wouldn't have the money to care for the children. If she continues, so will the abuse. It's a never-ending cycle.

The scariest part is that these two homes were next to one another. These stories are the average. Very few prosper in this culture. It is like climbing from the bottom tier to the top of the empire state building. If it is done, it's a rare exception. It's incredibly overwhelming to see such need. It's impossible to know where to start. The government is corrupt here, and there will be no drastic change until its leaders do the same. The likelihood of that happening is about .05%.

And yet, they are such a joyful people. They are so grateful humble, giving, loving, and passionate. The young men take care of the little ones, and hug and hold hands with the kids and one another. They are just so full of love and patience. No one cares about other people's appearance. Everything here is about personality and life. I could never explain it in words. I have always said I want to move to Africa, but now I HAVE to. I finally know what I've been missing. It feels like home here. These people feel like family. This is what it's all about.

At lunch, Sara and I talked about our trip and how we are reacting to it. We have both surprised ourselves with how much we DON'T care about being dirty, etc. We have been so happy to serve and have tried not to be selfish. We slept on floors, didn't shower, served others, and loved it. God put me here for a reason.

After lunch, we had to say our goodbyes. I have never sobbed so hard in my ife. I will miss them all so much. It felt the most like home. Hugging Zziwa, Moses, and Eria goodbye was terrible. I will miss their laughs, their smiles, their accents, their silly faces, and their love. They taught me what community should look like. They taught me patience and strength. They taught me that our hearts are really what matter. They taught me the importance of education. They taught me the importance of clean water. They taught me to find strength in God, and not within myself. Mostly, they taught me how to take life minute by minute and have no expectations. I need to embrace every second I am given, and if I ever lose sight of that, I hope I will be reminded of my Ugandan family. They have my heart.

When we left Ekubo, we took a rather nauseating bus ride into Kampala. The drivers here are CRAZY. There are no signs, no lines, no road rules, nothing. It's like Atlanta without out-of-towners and police officers. Everyone knows how to drive and there are hardly any wrecks. What a crazy concept!! When we got to Return ministries in Kampala, we had quite a shock. The guest house is impeccable and luxurious. My mom will be happy to hear that I really did stay at a Four Seasons! We instantly got really freaked out because we had just left a village of people with no water, no food, no shoes, nothing. To go from that to hot showers, full beds, a fancy dinner, and tile floors caused some major guilt. Yes, it's nice, and yes, a hot shower and an awesome ACTUAL bed will feel fantastic, but it just seems excessive and kind of freaks me out. However, it is a result of the power of this ministry and God's hands blessing the people of Kampala. I can only hope and pray that our days here will be powerful and purposeful, and that one day Ekubo may be as blessed as Return. Everyone has to start somewhere! Missing Bugabo already but can't wait to see whats in store...AK

PS Still no luggage! Yayyyyy!!

PPS There is WiFi here but I don't even want it.