Today we planned visits with Children of Promise that we have sponsored. The children were brought to Kasubi to meet with us. Several in the group were able to become first time sponsors. They selected children to sponsor and were even able to meet with them the same day. It was very special!
Alex had an especially wonderful day as she found out what happened to one of her friends from her previous trip. Daisy was a young girl (about 3 or 4?) when I came two years ago, and she had severely bowed legs. When I met her last time, she was wearing a frilly white dress... something that might be worn in a wedding. She was irresistibly adorable and heartbreaking at the same time. It was unsure whether she would get the surgery she needed or not. I do not know if she remembered me the next day or any day after that, but I have carried her with me the past two years. Some of you received a picture of me with a little girl... that's Daisy. As people were looking for children to sponsor, and as my mother was deciding who to sponsor, I asked Colleen about Daisy, and to be honest, I feared the worst. But Colleen's face lit up and she said, "These are the stories I love to tell." I welled up with tears of joy before I even knew the whole story. I found out that Daisy got her surgery and can run and walk like any child should, and she is also being sponsored by a family in Germany! How exciting! But wait... it gets better. After I met with our youth group sponsor child, I saw a young girl walking around the grounds at Kasubi. It was Daisy. I went over and talked with her mother, then I played with her for a bit and we took more pictures. It was truly incredible! She is the face of hope for me, and I will never forget her.
Alex, Chelsea, and Laura were privileged to meet with Jackline, the PP Youth Group sponsor child. She is adorable! Jackline shared a few songs from her school and told us about how she likes to play chase with her friend. We gave her a backpack full of gifts and even painted our nails together. She was very shy, but she was so excited to meet us. We showed her pictures of the youth group and Pastor Josh. She was holding the stuffed animals we gave her so close to her chest and very tightly! When it was time to leave, she gave us each a hug. Maybe the best hug I've ever received. We took plenty of pictures and even some video to share when we get back. We want to send her some copies of pictures, so it would be great to include some notes to her as well! Get on that Josh and youth kids! :)
Denise, Shelby, and Marvin were able to lead another Excel workshop. We know they feel that the work they have been able to do is only the tip of the iceberg (well, there is no such thing here in Uganda, but you get the idea), but we also know that they have provided something very meaningful to the participants. They have opened a new door, with new possibilities.
During our evening devotions, Deb read an excerpt that Pastor Markle had given her. It shared a story of a doctor facing the hopelessness of Africa. A young farmer whom the doctor had helped was able to spot this and said, "Are you wondering why you came? You came for me." We were asked to think of the "one" we came for or who we will be bringing home with us. Several of us shared stories of the lives that have touched us while here. It was a very tender time together. I will save the stories, let them be shared in person by those who told them. They are stories worth hearing.
On our way home, Moses helped us purchase some sugar cane to taste test. Sue gave him some money and it was enough to buy sugar cane for all. We now refer to her as our "Sugar Momma." Pahahahahaha. I know it's corny, but it was really hilarious at the time...
Tomorrow we are off on Safari!!!! We leave bright and early at 6:30am (11:30 pm for you). Once again we will be away from internet usage and will have to relay our adventures to you when we return on Friday evening. Hopefully no one gets eaten by a lion or crushed by a stampede of delicious wildebeasts.
Night friends!
Alex and Laura
YBC-2012-UPPT
Love reading your stories! Powerful! I'm blubbering here reading this outloud to adah! Sheesh! She ha a momma who cries and a momma with a momma who cries when reading stories. We love you all and hope your safari is a blast. From Adah: " I hope you don't get scared by the lions and I hope you see zebras and kangaroos and water hahahahahah. And I hope you see beautiful flowers and maybe you can pick them. I love you group. I miss you. I miss you so much and the one I miss the most is Gigi. That's all."
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