So I have finally arrived in glorious Africa. After a few delays at the airport I managed to get here about 4 hours late (my poor driver waiting patiently for me). I was thrilled that my 2nd 12 hour flight was filled with all missionary teams going to Uganda, it was encouraging, there were teams going to set up medical clinics in remote villages, with labor and delivery nurses equipped with so many supplies. I met a team going to Iganga (where I am currently staying) to plant a church, the team is from Los Angeles but their pastor is from Thunder Bay!
I went to Amani on Sunday and could not have asked for a better welcome. The momma’s came running from their cottages to greet me, momma Lucy was crying because she was so happy to see me. As I approached the girls cottage I saw little heads poking out and when they saw it was me I was overwhelmed with little girls rushing to all hug me at the same time. When Hope saw me she came running to me…. (Yes I said running she has learned to walk since I last left!) I have to say that was the highlight of my month… holding all those kids again about 15 of them all trying to sit on my lap at the same time made me feel like I never left. I tried to take pictures, but the kids we so happy to see me it was hard to get them to sit still. I went into the nursery and actually cried. The babies that were in there when I left have for the most part grown and moved into the bigger cottages, a few of the smaller ones were still there, and there are so many new faces! Unfortunately my time there was very short as I still had an hour drive to my final destination.
So I arrived in Iganaga and I have to say it was a little bit of culture shock. I was so excited to meet Nicole (the other volunteer who is here with me for 2 more weeks). I had been conversing with her on facebook for the last couple of months so I felt like I already knew her. There are currently 5 children at the house. Baby John who is 11 months old but is only the size of a 2 month old, Ben (3) and Susan (5), Eva (12) and Joseph (14), Mercy also lives here, she is kind of a housekeeper/cook/momma.
This is certainly not the Hilton. There is no stove (we use charcoal) and I got the fridge fixed the 2nd day I was here. I purchase bottled water to drink and brush my teeth. The shower has somewhat warm water, but the water pressure is very low.
There are a ton of mosquito’s here. I brought a new mosquito net with me, and bug spray, but I am still already covered in bites. I purchased a new mosquito net today that has been treated, and I pray it does the trick.
I hope none of you think that I am complaining about the conditions here. I am in Africa and I did not expect it to be like home. These children are amazing. When Nicole and I walk into town we are the only 2 mzungus (white people). The children all come running to greet us. Everywhere we walk we hear, Mzungu, mzungu! Many of the children here do not speak English, they are filthy, poorly dressed, most without shoes, and have little to eat, but they have the most beautiful smiles, and are so happy.
It is hard to see the intense poverty here. Garbage covers the streets and there isn’t much in the way of greenery. As I walk into town it seems like there are more children than adults. I see so many toddlers wandering aimlessly without supervision. Although the people here are almost always smiling their eyes look hollow, they lack that sparkle that children’s eyes should have.
I went to Amani on Sunday and could not have asked for a better welcome. The momma’s came running from their cottages to greet me, momma Lucy was crying because she was so happy to see me. As I approached the girls cottage I saw little heads poking out and when they saw it was me I was overwhelmed with little girls rushing to all hug me at the same time. When Hope saw me she came running to me…. (Yes I said running she has learned to walk since I last left!) I have to say that was the highlight of my month… holding all those kids again about 15 of them all trying to sit on my lap at the same time made me feel like I never left. I tried to take pictures, but the kids we so happy to see me it was hard to get them to sit still. I went into the nursery and actually cried. The babies that were in there when I left have for the most part grown and moved into the bigger cottages, a few of the smaller ones were still there, and there are so many new faces! Unfortunately my time there was very short as I still had an hour drive to my final destination.
So I arrived in Iganaga and I have to say it was a little bit of culture shock. I was so excited to meet Nicole (the other volunteer who is here with me for 2 more weeks). I had been conversing with her on facebook for the last couple of months so I felt like I already knew her. There are currently 5 children at the house. Baby John who is 11 months old but is only the size of a 2 month old, Ben (3) and Susan (5), Eva (12) and Joseph (14), Mercy also lives here, she is kind of a housekeeper/cook/momma.
This is certainly not the Hilton. There is no stove (we use charcoal) and I got the fridge fixed the 2nd day I was here. I purchase bottled water to drink and brush my teeth. The shower has somewhat warm water, but the water pressure is very low.
There are a ton of mosquito’s here. I brought a new mosquito net with me, and bug spray, but I am still already covered in bites. I purchased a new mosquito net today that has been treated, and I pray it does the trick.
I hope none of you think that I am complaining about the conditions here. I am in Africa and I did not expect it to be like home. These children are amazing. When Nicole and I walk into town we are the only 2 mzungus (white people). The children all come running to greet us. Everywhere we walk we hear, Mzungu, mzungu! Many of the children here do not speak English, they are filthy, poorly dressed, most without shoes, and have little to eat, but they have the most beautiful smiles, and are so happy.
It is hard to see the intense poverty here. Garbage covers the streets and there isn’t much in the way of greenery. As I walk into town it seems like there are more children than adults. I see so many toddlers wandering aimlessly without supervision. Although the people here are almost always smiling their eyes look hollow, they lack that sparkle that children’s eyes should have.
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| Me and Hope! |
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| our "stove" |
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| baby John |
