Long update on life

Warning: This is very long, I know. And also is somewhat of an update but more journal type entry. So if you don’t mind hearing a more personal side of my thoughts on life then please read ahead…

So, I am glad for batteries and lanterns because it seems that power is on one week, off the next. Which is not really a problem because usually there is enough sunlight to do what you need. But when it comes to the evening things settle down and bed-time comes very early. As I write this though, I realize that I have not felt the full effect of the power outages because I have been going to the gym each day after work. This has been a great relief to feel healthy, think about life, and relieve stress. And at the hotel where the gym is they have a generator, incase the power goes out. So they gym occupies most of my early evenings, I have lights, and a hot shower.

But today I have decided to rest and stay home from after working. I miss the girls. They are really fun and since they are in the middle of final exams, after dinner there is not much time to chat because they are either sleeping or reading for class. So, I think a day of rest in the middle of the week might be something I am more intentional about. Hopefully when the girls begin holidays we will be able to have fun and chat more.

I was amused today to see the processes of the afternoon. Laying on a mat in my sitting room I was able to see a small view of the courtyard. Every minute or so I would see one of the kids run by. There are 5 kids in the compound, about ages 1-6. So, there is always much noise either from the kids having fun or the house maids yelling at them to stop whatever trouble they have gotten into. So, this afternoon was the battle to keep the babies out of the laundry water, dealing with a bathroom “accident” in the middle of the courtyard, kids being disciplined for messing with the shovel and hoe, and Emma squealing and running from Rosie because he knew he was in trouble. It was very amusing to sit on the outskirt and watch.

At the same time, being here reminds me a bit of Tim Team, whereas there are moments you truly have to die to yourself and your desires for silence or alone time. Things are very communal here, much more so than America. The concept of extended family reaches to your neighbors and church members. For example, I was shown a picture this morning of Mama Flower and 3 younger people. I asked who the man was in the picture and she said, my son. Later to explain that it was her youngest brother’s son. I really think that any nieces or nephews are viewed, treated as, and cared for as “own” children. That is good.

But the responsibility held towards extended family can also cause a problem. Those kids who might be living with Aunties are likely there because they have been orphaned. When the family is already too big to adequately feed, adding another kid only brings about more depravity. So, my question is, what is the solution? Kids cannot be left on their own, but going to an already overpopulated family is not a proper solution either. Yes it brings a roof over their head but not adequate food, clothing, attention, an likely not enough money to pay for school fees. Oh Lord, you are the Father to the fatherless and you know the needs of all your children. I trust that you are in control and that you have the future of the orphans in your hands. Lord, I pray that you would provide and that you would impress on more people’s hearts how they can help, no matter their location.

Death is very real here, everyday, well at least it seemed like that last week. Literally every day last week either someone in the Bululelo community, a near relative of one of the staff members, or a personal witness of a death occurred. In the midst of talking with Teacher Favor, she share with me that it seems that the end of the year holds a spirit of death over Uganda. That deaths are many. Wow. What a reality check of the spiritual battle at hand. I am remembering now that I have been given full spiritual armor but have lacked in being intentional to put ALL of it on. Pray with me that I would daily be reminded to fully equip myself.

As I have heard many times, where God is working, the enemy is not happy and tries to divide. After a recent staff meeting I felt overwhelmed to be DAILY mindful to pray for unity. That everyone at LCH would remain one-minded and whole heartedly devoted to the task at hand. As I know all to well, it is very easy to get distracted by the daily tasks and patterns of life, forgetting that there is a greater calling and purpose to the physical work your are doing. My prayer is that all of the staff members would set their minds on things above, not on earthly things and that none of us would conform to the patterns of this world. Specifically, I pray that we would not conform to the patterns of meritocracy in doing things that seem routine. As believers we have been called to strive for Excellency not just accomplishing. Oh Lord, would you stir in the hearts of everyone working at LCH. I pray that we would seek to serve and that the spirit of unity, encouragement, love, and family would be overwhelming to the kids and those who visit.

What an awesome privilege to get to be love to kids who have been chosen by you.
Praise God for the good things that He is doing. There are days that I sit in wonder of how far the new kids have come already. I was able to meet the 25 new kids only 24 hours after they first arrived. To prove my point, there was one girl, Fatuma, who was so so stubborn. It is a common warning/insult to say that someone is acting as a villager, but truly you could tell that Fatuma was from the village. She would not listen to what you say, she would try to take things from your hands or out of your pockets. At one point I was playing games with most of the girls and when I went to break them into groups, the group that got her started grumbling. Of course I stopped them quickly and counseled them that they needed to teach her instead of reject her. But now, she is a great source of joy or my mornings. Every day she comes and greets me and Betty, using proper English, looking smart in her uniform, showing respect by kneeling down, and with a big smile on her snaggle-toothed face. And everyday the conversation between Betty and Fatuma goes like this.
Betty: “Sit down.”
Fatuma: “I am sitting”
Betty: “Stand up”
Fatuma: I am standing.
Betty: Dance
Fatuma: (with a cute little song) “I am dancing, ah, I am dancing, ah”
Oh it is so great. And the kids always say funny things to me, use funny words, or ask me funny questions. I had a kid tell me the other day, “Your shoes are funny”. Another was looking at the freckles on my arm and said, “Auntie Natalie, since you have been in Uganda you have gotten these. Your skin will be like ours soon.”