The Lore of Moses

This is my first opportunity to properly stop & reflect... It's been full on, but utterly marvellous... so many highlights it's hard to know where to focus.

The UK team is brilliant, looking after each other, spending hours playing with children, cooperative planning, & a lot of laughter. The day starts with a 'thought for the day' (we take turns). It's been inspirational...& challenging at times. We end the day with a debrief & there's been real honesty. Much affirmation of the incredible 'work' individuals have done during the day, playing, singing, loving, encouraging each other. Sometimes it's challenging & we have to swallow & rethink how to improve things. Also great... We're learning to trust each other & bless each other, & accommodate immediate needs. It's great to have Steve from the office, Janet who is a trustee, & David from Soroti (now Interim Country Manager) as part of the team leadership... We're all working together & have a great range of skills!

I'm so happy to be back in Rukungiri. My euphoria & joy keep me going until there are opportunities for rest or to crash into bed at the end of the day. Being with Moses & Penlope (& David) is balm to my soul. I trust them so completely that any anxiety or stress disappears when they're around. The children's activity agenda may be thrown away because the caterers are 1½ hrs late with lunch... But I'm not worried. They'll work it out.

Yesterday I spent the day with children from the disability project. I couldn't stop, smiling, laughing and crying. We played together, sang, laughed, & had fun with a parachute. Some of them joined in games with the other children but I sat with 5 on a mat... With a translator & then Cathy too. There were 2 children who 5 years ago didn't smile. Yesterday they giggled & clapped & jangled the bell bracelets they'd made with Zaya. 

I cry a lot less in Uganda these days... Yesterday I cried tears of joy & Penlope & I hugged in silence watching children transformed through support from Global Care. 

I am in awe of what Moses & Penlope have achieved. So little time, so little money. Children in education who had no hope of school. Children playing & socialising who were isolated & didn't know how to play. Childen at school who used to spend all day alone at home. It's trite - but my heart is full. 6 hours of play, body exhausted but riding on a high before 9½ hours of sleep.

LBit jaded today - but I didn't want to miss the home visits. More examples of the love & support of the local team. We visited the home of one of our sponsored children & met her grandparents who look after her. Her grandad was quite emotional when he realised who we are. So thankful & grateful - for what to us is relatively little (£25/ month). We don't do without to support them, yet what they have is nothing compared to us. They proudly showed us the pans, the water collection butt & the tiny piece of gutter, and the solar lamp that replaced a filthy expensive kerosene lamp - all provided through Global Care. 

The families we visited today were all incredibly grateful, and universally delighted at the experiences the children had at the activity days.

'She was so happy.'

'I loved playing netball with Ellie.' 

'He was very excited and really enjoyed. He didn't eat supper he was so full! He prayed for it (the day).'

Am I glad I came? Can you tell? It's worth every minute of exhaustion & need for rest. Once again Uganda & my friends have given me a peace & gratitude that my life has struggled with over the last 3 years. I am blessed. 

And yes... Once again I'm convinced that sponsorship 'works' in the hands of our local staff. And projects are successful because of their input during planning & their unbelievably hard work.