We gathered in the morning to go to the village of Kaliti to hand out blankets and mosquito nets. It’s about an hour drive from our hotel, but with extra traffic it seemed to take a bit longer. The last several miles are on red dirt roads, but today we had a bit of rain which turned the roads into a very slick surface. At times we all wondered if the old bus would make it or get stuck. We arrived to see a crowd of children screaming and shrills of excitement! They all knew we were coming to distribute blankets and nets. The recipients of the gifts were a group of disabled villager, some blind or deaf, some with birth defects, some with sever injuries; but all with hearts are all full of love and appreciation for what they were receiving. I am amazed each and every time with the graciousness and honest gratitude people show for our actions. The smiles and the hugs are priceless.
Afterwards we drove another mile or so to the property we call “The Field of Dreams”. We walked the area dreaming and trying to visualize the homes, the dormitories, the social hall, the kids’ cottages, and everything else that will make this area a home to so many. I looked over the area and imagined the 100 or maybe 200 kids running around and the short term missionaries playing with them. I imagined the sound of life in a new community where kids will be raised up knowing and loving the Lord, where they are raised up know they are safe, knowing they will eat every day, where they will receive a good education. My dream keeps going…
The hard part of the day came when we returned to Hope Children’s Home, it was later than we had planned and everyone was waiting for us. They were ready for something, but we did not know what. We gathered in the social area and were told that the children had testimonies to give; testimonies of their lives before Hope. The children, one by one, told their stories. Their stories were filled with horrific things, unspeakable things. They shared how their days had been full of torture and neglect at the hands of those who should have loved and cared for them. They seemed to just recite their stories, one more time; but then the oldest girl at the home, Ruth, would translate them into English. When they heard their stories retold, it appeared the reality hit them, that this was their life. The pain was great. Their tears rolled down their cheeks, some would have to stop, and they tried to be strong. They wiped the tears away, only to have more tears flow. One by one our team member’s went to hugged, hold and comforted them as they finished. For a long while they came and sat on our laps. One girl was only two chairs away, and I could see her crying for the next 20 minutes. It was true raw grief. I spoke with Pastor Prossy afterwards and she thanked us for listening to her kids. She said it was part of their healing process. I know she is right, but it was heart wrenching. I praise the Lord we were all there to love and hug these kids. When I see these things, I know why we send teams to Uganda; to simply love these children and help them heal.
Afterwards we drove another mile or so to the property we call “The Field of Dreams”. We walked the area dreaming and trying to visualize the homes, the dormitories, the social hall, the kids’ cottages, and everything else that will make this area a home to so many. I looked over the area and imagined the 100 or maybe 200 kids running around and the short term missionaries playing with them. I imagined the sound of life in a new community where kids will be raised up knowing and loving the Lord, where they are raised up know they are safe, knowing they will eat every day, where they will receive a good education. My dream keeps going…
The hard part of the day came when we returned to Hope Children’s Home, it was later than we had planned and everyone was waiting for us. They were ready for something, but we did not know what. We gathered in the social area and were told that the children had testimonies to give; testimonies of their lives before Hope. The children, one by one, told their stories. Their stories were filled with horrific things, unspeakable things. They shared how their days had been full of torture and neglect at the hands of those who should have loved and cared for them. They seemed to just recite their stories, one more time; but then the oldest girl at the home, Ruth, would translate them into English. When they heard their stories retold, it appeared the reality hit them, that this was their life. The pain was great. Their tears rolled down their cheeks, some would have to stop, and they tried to be strong. They wiped the tears away, only to have more tears flow. One by one our team member’s went to hugged, hold and comforted them as they finished. For a long while they came and sat on our laps. One girl was only two chairs away, and I could see her crying for the next 20 minutes. It was true raw grief. I spoke with Pastor Prossy afterwards and she thanked us for listening to her kids. She said it was part of their healing process. I know she is right, but it was heart wrenching. I praise the Lord we were all there to love and hug these kids. When I see these things, I know why we send teams to Uganda; to simply love these children and help them heal.
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The meeting before we handed out the blankets and sleeping nets..jpg)
A little boy who received a blanket and sleeping net..jpg)
Children at Hope that still need sponsors.We finished the day celebrating Lori Salley’s birthday, not sure which one, but we went to a nice Chinese dinner at Fang Fang’s. A must when you visit Kampala.
2 comments:
Our computer has been dead for about a week and we just got it back. So, I spent some time getting all caught up on your trip. Thanks for keeping the blog updated!!
The tears flowed here as well as I sat and read this update. I feel the Lord move in me, I have been listening and I truly feel that he has sent me a message that i hope to one day fulfill and that is to one day come to "Hope" and help even if only for a short mission. I can't seem to get it out of my heart or mind nor do I want to. Listening to your accounts of these amazing children gives me great strength and belief that God does have a plan for me and I am listening and i hear him.
Bless you all.
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