As previously mentioned, we headed to the village of "Chai" this past weekend. The journey started on what seemed to be a simple 4.5 hour drive and just a few miles away, as Moses (one of our drivers) said. We stopped for lunch at a little restaurant, which we THOUGHT was about halfway. The menu options were: meat and food, chicken and food, fish and food, beans and food...you get the idea. We ate the hodgepodge of "food", took an adventure to the squatty potty, and were off for the rest of the short trip to "Chai". With a couple stops for miscommunications and confusion, we finally turned onto a dirt strip they called a road -- big enough to fit one boda boda (motorcycle). The sign next to the road informed us we had arrived at "Kyayi"...contrary to popular belief, their pronunciation of "Kyayi" and our pronunciation of "Chai" is the same, but unfortunately, we did not get the same tea we anticipated.
We were welcomed by a warm hosting of village people of all ages, and we began to set up camp, since the short trip to Kyayi had taken almost all daylight. Naturally, the circus had arrived, so all of the children came out of the woodwork to watch the foreigners attempt to prepare for a night in the wilderness. After finally succeeding, the women then served us yummy tea and treats, before our feast of a dinner. We bucket bathed by the moonlight and stargazed, while taking an all-women's team tinkle. Our camp was set up by a school house, and apparently, around 3 am, the night life started. Some people of the village took over the school house, and practiced their English rather loudly for the rest of the night. Waking up rather tired from a night of partying, without actually being invited to the party, we ventured to a jja jja's land to dedicate the house to her, provided by the J.O.Y. Circle. Much celebration was had with singing and dancing, as we opened the home and gave her a bed complete with bedding and a cross to hang on the wall.
Church was next on the agenda. The typical 3.5 hour service was a very special time for all. We, the visitors, were blessed by much music and dancing. Pastor Dave delivered a wonderful sermon and Dorothy gave an encouraging testimony. Kelsey attempted to lead a couple little worship songs, while the church's keyboard player attempted to assist. There was no prior rehearsal, so let's just say, they were on two different musical pages -- worship was cut short. Next, Pastor Dave got the special opportunity of dedicating the new babies and children of the church. He dedicated more babies that Sunday than he ever had on any given Sunday -- praise God! What a wonderful blessing. Another special treat we got to be a part of was giving away Operation Christmas Child boxes to many of the children. Yes, we know it is June, but the children were still just as happy as if it was Christmas morning. Last but not least, we gave away 12 goats to several lovely jja jjas in the church. Late afternoon lunch was served, and we finally hit that jarring, red dirt road once again. Moses tried to tell us the ride was simply an extended massage. On the evening drive home, we were almost run off the road by the president and his posse of vehicles, complete with his own traveling toilet truck. The final event included a roadside bathroom squat...we will just leave the rest of that to the imagination.
Within a few hours of the group returning from the village, Marvin Ginn and Laura Willowby arrived from the airport. There was a small group of people who stayed up to welcome them (much appreciated) just before 1:00 am Uganda time. This second trip was also mostly uneventful, except for another tagged bag at Heathrow security, endangering the on-time boarding of yet another flight. If you don't feel safe at the Heathrow airport, we're pretty sure you will feel safe nowhere. Be assured that no deodorant or mouth wash will interfere with the safety of your travels. We anxiously await the arrival of our final team member, Sandra Overstreet, and hope that she is able to skirt the dreaded beep that signals your carry-on tote's journey through the additional security.
After a long day of hard work and fellowship, we hope to get up-to-date with our blog tomorrow night.
--Kelsey and Laura
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