Nearing The End

We’ve worked hard on finishing the library these past few days, but I’ve mainly focused on enjoying some good time with the children and staff at Lulwanda. I’ve had some really good conversations with the mommas here. They’ve taught me all about the Ugandan culture – mostly the food (‘cause that’s the most important thing, right? ;)).

Now remember, I said I’m not really a kid person, but my heart has changed more and more everyday throughout this experience. I am so in love with these children. Here’s a picture of me with some of my favorite girls, and you can see my braids! The braids are on the one side of my head and all along the bottom. The next picture is some of my favorite boys and me. They are in 6^th & 7^th grades and are just the most handsome, funny, and wonderful young men you could ever meet. The next photo is two more of my favorites, Wycliff and Usuf, holding the Ugandan flag that they’re in charge of.

Felix, Usuf, Saraji, Amy, John, and Moses

Yesterday we delivered some extra textbooks to a few schools in the area. It was really fun riding in the back of the truck and seeing the children at the other schools. When we pulled up, they were seriously screaming and jumping up and down they were so excited to see us. I’m really glad I had the opportunity to meet more children than just those at Lulwanda. Also, seeing the different schools was a good experience and helped me realize just how great Lulwanda is. 

Please notice how perfect this little boy in the bottom left's teeth are.

We went to the market after school yesterday. It was really neat to see where the people of the town do all of their shopping. It was a huge 3-story concrete building with 5X5 concrete booths filling the entire thing. There were people selling and making all kinds of things. There was even a section of tailors!

This morning we had a very (exciting?) experience. On our way to Lulwanda, we went down a hill and got stuck going back up. The roads here are already crazy, but when they are wet and you’re going uphill, it’s so much worse. It was like off-roading X 348237423948. Mr. Safetly (AKA: my dad) would not have been too thrilled about it! We finally all got out of the van in fear that it might tip over at any moment, and some men came to help push the van out of it’s spot and up the hill. It was not an easy task, and I won’t lie, I was mighty terrified when we were slippin’ and slidin’ around in that van. 

When we finally got to Lulwanda, I spoke for all of 2 minutes at Friday Fellowship. I told the children about making the pillow case dresses in Monahans 4 years ago and then having the opportunity to give them dresses and shorts made by children from my hometown. They (especially the staff) all thought that was pretty special. One of the white boards from Edwards Elementary, which is where I went to 1^st & 2^nd grade, was hung up in the 7^th grade classroom today, and Mary told them about it coming from my school. It’s really neat to see how I’m connected to this place in so many ways.

Tomorrow we are taking the other half of the children on a field trip to Sippi Falls. I’m really excited to spend as much time with them as I can. Sunday, which is our last day with them, is going to be so hard for me. Please pray that God will give me the words to say goodbye to these people and the ability to be strong and enjoy everything throughout that day.

 Love To My People In America,

Amy