Uganda Day One

Day One:

Our first stop was the bank. We transferred our dollars for shillings. I have to tell you that carrying around a 50,000 bill in any currency is just cool, even if it only translates to about $25. Axl’s got show and tell covered next week, because these things are neat-o. Next we drove to Gaba. Actually, I wouldn’t quite call it driving. It was a mix of driving and flying. Traffic here is intense and the roads are very similar to Alabama clay dirt roads – rough and narrow. Imagine those roads with hundreds of vans, mopeds, bikes, and pedestrians. Add in chickens, goats, and wild cows and you start to get an idea about the driving conditions. Kind of, I left out potholes the size of ditches. Eddie is our “driver.” He drives with one hand on the wheel and the other on the horn, blasting it as if to say, “I will not be stopping so please move and do it quickly.” It’s terrifying and awesome at the same time. Like a roller coaster that you want to end while you’re on it, but can’t wait to get back on once you’re off. We scream and laugh and try to make ourselves as small as possible, thinking it will help us squeeze through the tight spots we have no business even attempting. It’s hilarious.

(These are all cars trying to get out at the same time. Eddie says, "Oh no you don't. We are going to win this race. In America he would be a Nascar Champ.)

Next, we visited the ARM offices in Gaba, including the schools there. The offices are nice, but modest. We got to see how everything works. One of the most interesting parts for me was how the letters are processed. They all go to a central location where 5 or 6 women open and track them. They read them and list any questions that are asked or comments that are made. They also note any gifts that are sent. Then, the letters, with the forms of questions and gifts, are sent to the individual community translators. This ensures that the sponsored child answers every question and every gift receives an acknowledgment and a thank-you. I was very impressed with the attention given to the letters, and I thought the information was helpful in terms of writing future letters. This is not a huge organization. It is very personal and it is treated as such. See earlier post, “You Are Welcome.”

During the school tour, our guide mentioned that the kids were on “Holy Day.” ??? What Holy Day? I know it’s a different culture, but it’s a Christian school surely they don’t have extra Holy Days. So I ask. The guide explained that the students attend school 3 terms and they have breaks in between - still no answer for the Holy Days. My next thought was, “ohhh. They are Muslim holy days and they just don’t want to talk about them.” Okay, makes sense. It wasn’t until much later that I discovered that “Holy Day” translates “holiday,” and if you dumb it down even further you get, “Spring break.” Now I know. 

Our final stop was Buloba. We were so excited. We had so many questions about how it looked and what we would see and finally it was time. It was nothing like I expected, except for the kids. Smiling faces all around. Shy for only seconds. Language was a barrier that was easily transcended with a smile and a camera. They love to have their pictures taken and then to see themselves on the screen. I could write pages and pages about the short time we spent there today. We’re going back almost everyday. As we played and laughed and tried to learn the many names, my ears were constantly perked for the one name I longed to hear, “Judith.” My family has the privilege of sponsoring several children, and while you shouldn’t have a favorite child – I know that’s a sensitive subject for many – Judith is so special to our family. She is Axl’s friend. He prays for every night by name, and it is her life that teaches him so many lessons about being content, grateful, hard working, I could go on and on.

Finally, I saw a woman walking towards me, a little girl pressing against her leg. “Who’s this?” I asked, already knowing the answer. It was Judith - this shy little thing. I knew she would be. While the other kids pictures we receive show kids with these gleaming smiles, Judith exuded reserved. Always seeming a little solemn. Even now my heart overflows and so do my eyes at the sheer joy it was to be in her presence. I wanted to go on and on about how much we love her. I had to restrain myself from completely enveloping her and squeezing my love right into her little heart. Instead I smiled – really big – and hugged her gently, as I held back my tears of relief at seeing her face.

Seeing her made me feel like home. She is a part of our home and our family, and it made me miss Axl so much. I will get to visit her family in a few days and we’ll spend tomorrow playing with all the sponsored children. Even though they are on “Holy Day,” they come to the school for Center, more on that tomorrow. When I know more.

I know that many of you reading this sponsor children. I wish that I knew all of their names to tell you that they are here and real and wonderful and in return could tell them all how truly loved they are by their friends from Alabama. In honor of all of you who do sponsor, I will take every chance I get to hold, love, tickle, play, and enjoy these precious babies.

With much love

Tonya