I am aware that I have not been filling everybody in on the day to day activities around here. So, I thought as I sit outside on the porch, drinking a mountain dew, and watching the sun set, I would fill you in.
Sunday, the 9th, we went to Kawempe Royal High School. 8 of the boys from the New Life Homes are at boarding school there. We had been told to come and sing a song for their chapel service and to just say a word to the students (remember: for some reason they think we are honored guests). It was a rainy walk from the taxi stop and we were late so the chapel service had already started. After the pastor finished the sermon we were invited up. It is always a little awkward because we never know what they are looking for us to do. So we sang a song, that we had not prepared in advance, that was not so great. Then I gave a short maybe a five minute encouragement and follow up to what the pastor had said. Soon after, the leaders were in the back asking me if I was going to bring a word to them. I was definitely caught off guard since there had already been a sermon and I asked I could humbly decline. Of course I felt bad, but I didn’t want them to have to listen to two sermons. We hung out with the boys after it was over and then met with the headmaster to set up our weekly visits to the school to disciple the boys. We then headed back to the slums for Tomorrows Heroes. It was a very trying afternoon as the boys were very rowdy and rude. After being yelled at several times and having things thrown at me I decided I would just send time with the volunteers who help. We later found that the boys had been smoking marijuana and so that was the cause of the bad behavior. We all headed back feeling a little defeated by the whole afternoon and weren’t sure we had accomplished anything.
Monday, the 10th, we went to the discipleship house which you can read about in the previous post. We also had gone down to the slums earlier in the day to check on a boy who was sick. While we were there we had a chance to just send some time with the boys where they live.
Tuesday, the 11th, we went to Abaana street reach. The day was filled with games, soccer, and cards. The lesson for the day was the good Samaritan. We broke up into groups and had the boys come up with skits portraying the story. It was quite funny to watch them all present them. When it came time for food, we took off early as Katie had two boys she felt needed to get in to see a doctor. We spent about 2 hours waiting for the results of the blood tests. Both of them were diagnosed with Malaria. We took them to a restaurant to eat since they missed the meal and then taught them how to take their medicine. Afterwards we return to Kawempe Royal to start our discipleship with the boys there. Basically we went over the expectation we have for them as they serve as our camp councilors. We then suffered through the 2 and a half hours public transportation event that was our ride home.
Wednesday, the 12th, we headed down to the slums to check on the boys with Malaria and hung out with the other guys for a little bit. Then we hiked through town to another slum area for the street reach there. The lesson was on colors and shapes. I think the fun of the day was watching Katie give stitches for the first time. Nicholas was a champ and watched her very carefully as she worked her magic. We then went to the Wednesday night service at Calvary Chapel since we had missed the Sunday service. So again it was a late night getting back to the house and we were starting to become experts of riding the boda bodas at night. Boda bodas would be the popular form of transportation for Africans. It is simply a motorcycle for hire.
Thursday, the 13th, I headed out to the country to go and visit one of the Rrural schools, Buyobe. It was about an hour and thirty minute ride through the country. The good thing is that most of it was paved, which is always a blessing. Buyobe still uses some of the former school as there have not been enough funds to finish the new buildings. The walls are falling apart. The grass roof has holes. The classrooms are entirely too small. So we got there right in time for the chapel service which was lively but entirely in Lugandan. We did have a chance to run around with the kids for a little bit after our meeting with the chaplin and headmaster to talk about improvements. It is fun to chase kids and watch them stare at you. I have the advantage since I can play soccer so that really opens their eyes. On the way back Susan and Adriane, Abaana staff, bought Ryan and I there favorite fruits from the road side markets for us to try. Some were good and some were not so good and they just laughed at us.
Friday, the 14th, I headed out in the morning to Strathern Primary School. It is one of the nicest Abaana schools and is in the city about 30 minutes away. The service was good and the talk with the head teacher was very encouraging. I got back too late to head out with the others so I did some office work with the Abaana staff and just took it easy as I am an old man. The rest of the group went to Calvary Chapel after they finished on the streets to watch a movie. So Sarah, the guesthouse manager, and I watched Harry Potter and Sister Act 2.
Saturday, the 15th, We headed into to Calvary Chapel for their street ministry. It is fun watching how the boys are getting to know us. Then we headed out to the New Life Homes. This day we decided to use boda bodas to get there instead of renting a car. It was funny to watch all the faces of people as we were going by. Guess they aren’t use to seeing many muzungus riding around on bodas. The other three learned how to cook from the boys while I went inside and started up a dance circle. I think it became a laugh at Andrew circle at one point. I then gave my first soccer lesson on heading before we went in to have devotions. We are doing what it means to be a man of God series with them right now. We hiked back to the highway grabbed some bodas and rode back to the house.
Now you know and knowing is half the battle!
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