I have just arrived safely in Kampala from Gulu. Esther Eric and I (oh and Joshua) rode the bus from Gulu to here. It was quite an experience, and it has made me even more thankful that Esther agreed to come to Kampala with me. I felt since she had been gone to pick the children I didn' have enough time with her and she decided to come back to send me off. What a great mother. But the bus ride.... lets just say it was a little crowed and kind of long. I didn't mind so much though. Of course I sat by a little 6 month old baby, so of course I got to hold her. :)
The last few days have been so busy. The children came back on Saturday and the whole house changes when they are home. Somehow things around the house are misplaced more easily... food and water seem to run out quicker... and there is SO much more energy. The children are Hannah who is in S1 or S2 and she is 14. Then Job just turned 12 and he is in P7. Then Esther Karen (who I just call Karen) is 9. Karen is so adorable! She instantly became my best friend. I think anyone who meets her instantly becomes her best friend because she just has a sweet spirit. We played Uno, board games, tickle monster... we played everything!
So that is Karen. She also became an expert photographer with my camera. In the top picture we were trying to jump... but it didn't really work out. Then this other picture is Karen and Eric so is her other best friend.
I know some people at home will be happy to hear that two days ago I learned to make Chapatis! I had asked Aunt Jessica if I could make then the whole time I was there and finally I got a chance to learn. It's much more intense than the attempts I have made at home so I am going to need to keep the muscle I have gained if I want to be able to manage making them later.
This is Gloria on the left and Hannah on the right. Gloria is not one of the children but she stays at the farm on holidays. She is almost ready to graduate in November from Secondary school.
You cant see the face, but this one is Job.
And this is my baby :) Baby Gary. I love him sooooo much. He looks like a girl, but trust me its a boy. This is the son of a woman who sometimes works on the farm and I met her husband during the wheelchair team distribution. I didn't really want to take anyone home until I met baby Gary. I think there have been at least 3 days where I spent the whole day with him.
I didn't mention about the meetings that happened last week. On maybe Friday I think.... I dont know... but anyway Aloysius Moreen and I went to a village called Lagutu. This was the village that I visited when I was with Don and Jubi in 2008, so I had been waiting for a long time to see it again. I am really glad i went. It is about 15 mins closer to the farm than Pugwinyi so it is still pretty far. When I was there last, there was a small daycare/church that was held in a shelter made of a few logs and corrigated metal. Now there is a whole school up to P3. And plus the school is really nice. there is also an office and some other buildings.... it has changed a lot.
We traveled there for two reasons. The first was to get some film and pictures of the children. They were supposed to be thanking some sponsors for different gifts the school had recieved. So Aloysius once again made me the official photographer. It was actually really fun and really cute to watch them all say "Thank you Vicky... clap clap clap!" The most precious thing for me though was something really amazing. At the end Aloysius told them to sing a song for the people who sponsored them. You know what they sang? "May the lord bless you, may the lord keep you...." Jubilee and I taught them that song in 2008! I was so amazed it was really special for me. And Jubilee... if you are reading this I wanted you to be there so badly! I really missed you then and wish you could have seen that.
The other reason we came was for some end of term meeting with the school staff, children, and parents. I am telling you..... AFrican meetings....... my Gosh! And I thought two hour classes were bad. This meeting lasted almost 5 hours. We arrived at 11 and didnt leave until after 6. And really... they didnt talk about that much. I dont know how Acholi people are so long winded! If you want to learn patience just come to Acholi land and attend a meeting. I know now how to be attentive at school, class will be a breeze.
I want to post pictures of Lagutu but I just realized that I left my other card in Gulu. Somehow I hope I can get it back. So maybe I will post again before I leave Uganda.
I will talk again soon. I think it is time for me to go with Fred. I am so excited to stay with their family again :) And I am happy Esther is still here I was not ready to say goodbye to her yet. Thank you for praying. Know I have been praying for home a lot and I am sad to leave but definitely ready to see my family again. I miss them a lot. And maybe a hot shower would be nice.
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