I had almost forgot how peaceful it is here in Uganda when
the rain falls. It seems to cleanse and
bring peace to a land of people and children who are in such need. I reflect on the past several days of my stay
here, meeting new faces and friends to visiting familiar places and
people. This trip has warmed my heart
and has become once again an everlasting memory for me. The people, places, children, buildings all
in a land so far away but yet a land that seems like home to me.
We took a trip to Buwatte, a village outside of Kampala, to
visit friends that hold a dear place in my heart. We drove the familiar roads, roads that are
almost impossible to drive on. We passed
familiar houses, stores, churches and schools waving at people we once
knew. We drove to a familiar house, a
neighbor that we once shared many smiles and laughs. Lawrence and his family were very excited and
happy to see us. We exchanged hellos and
hugs and talked for awhile learning of what had happened there since we left 8
months ago. It was nice to see them and
know that they are happy and doing ok.
We traveled up a familiar hill, one we used to run almost
daily, to find the little girl named Casey that stole my heart from the village
on the hill. As we drove there we noticed
she no longer lived in the quant little place she lived before. We were confused and asked neighbors where
her family had gone. We got many
different stories of which way to travel to find her until finally we saw a
familiar face that directed us just to the new house that Casey and her family
now live. As we drove up I saw her face
and she saw mine and smiled. But Casey
ran, down the hill out of sight. “Where
did she go?” I thought. We followed
where she ran and found her stepmother outside smiling at us Casey in the
background. We greeted each other and
she told us Casey came running saying “Mama, Mama my white friend is back but I
am scared.” I was not surprised as Casey
has always been shy. She warmed up to me
once again as I gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek telling her I missed
her. I’m not quite sure if she
understands my English or my accent but she could feel the love coming from
inside of me. We sat and talked for
awhile, Casey sitting next to me holding my hand. I shared the bracelet I had brought with her
and the clothes I picked out just for her.
She tried each one on and smiled with every new outfit. Casey shared her school work with me, this is
her first year in school. I was so very
proud of her letting her know this with my smiles and my words. This little girl will always hold a special
place in my heart and I will never forget her.
I only hope that I can continue the relationship I started with her and
that it lasts for many years.
I have also been visiting schools in the area sharing The
Diverse Voices project with them. This
is a piloting trip, a start of the project to get the schools ideas and input
and see if they want their school, children and teachers to take part. I have received such a warm reception and
excitement from the head masters and mistresses of the schools in what this
project could mean for them and their school.
As well as gratitude that I want them to be involved with being a
major part in organizing of this project so it is successful. We will be working with 3 pilot schools over
the next year constructing the best way for the project to work and be
successful for the learning of the children and the teachers.
I still have one week here and much yet to do. Above all I just want to breath in the blessings that God has put before me. The opportunity to make a difference and see
the difference that these people make in my life. I have learned so much from the ladies I live
with. Their tender giving hearts are
such an inspiration for me as well as the dream that God has put inside their
hearts. A dream that has drawn us to
become friends, sisters, to work together for His Kingdom. To fight against Sex Trafficking in Kampala
and help children have a hope for a future with education and love from a
country so far away. But yet in God’s
world we are all so close, brothers and sisters of Him, our Heavenly loving
Father.
