In Uganda (part one)

It's so amazing to be back in Uganda!!! We've been doing so much I don't even know where to start. Abby has got so many wonderful programs going on here. Here's a short recap of what we've been doing our first week.


Sunday:
I went to church with Abby and the boys. Abby and David actually had many of the people who they help in their handicapped program come with us so it was great getting to worship with them. The rest of the day was just settling in and getting to hang out with the boys. They have recently moved to a new house about 10 minutes from the Kivulu house and it's absolutely beautiful! There are three rooms for the 15 boys and tons of space where they're always riding their bikes, roller blading, or playing soccer. The inside also has a lot of space for meal and study time. 


Monday & Tuesday:
Sara and Lizzie got here safe on Monday and we spent the day just hanging out. Late that night we sorted through all of the supplies we brought with Abby and the next day we decorated the house for Christmas. We now have a Christmas tree and stockings for all the boys, aunts, and uncles up on the wall. The boys had a blast helping us decorate and they loved the ornaments that Tricia's art classes made for them. 


Wednesday: 
We got a chance to visit another house for street kids that Uncle Abdul (one of the Uncles we met on our first trip) is in charge of. There were a lot of boys there that we met on the street over the summer. It was so great to get to see so many of the kids doing so well. After we visited that home we went to the street programs and saw even more of the kids we met over the summer. We spent time with them at the church and helped them with their math. 


Thursday:
Today we got to go back to Uncle Abdul's home and have devotions with the boys. Sara and Lizzie did a great job telling them the story of Jonah and we also got to learn some of their praise songs. After, the house we went to help with Abby's ministry to the handicapped people. There were about 30 people sleeping on the street who we got to talk to and pray with. In talking with one of the men, I learned that they had come from Northern Uganda because the violence of the wars there had left most of them homeless. He said that some of their houses had been burned down or they had been chased away by the Rebel Army. Even though it was very sad to see, we all agreed that it was an eye-opener and the people's courage and trust in God was an encouragement to us. 
While we were on the street we also got to talk with some street kids. Most of them were huffing chenge (airplane fuel they sniff to get high) and asking for food and money. Two of the boys from the house, William and Sadic, were with us and they helped us talk to the street kids. After spending the past few days with these boys and seeing how well mannered and behaved they are, it was crazy to me to think that they were ever on the street like some of they boys we met tonight. It just proved to me the true impact the Abby and her team's work is having in these boys' lives. 


We're all really looking forward to the next week we have here. All of these boys we get to spend every day with are so unique and special and we've loved getting to know them more. It's also been fun getting to talk and catch up with Abby. It's amazing to see how much of her heart is in her ministry and with these boys and she's such and inspiration and encouragement. We're so thankful that God has given us the opportunity to be back here in Uganda!!


- Stacia L.