Well, I gave in and bought bottled water. I didn’t want to
be the American who wasn’t drinking and eating what they were, but my body
couldn’t take it anymore. I finally put 2 and 2 together (since last time I was
fine drinking the water, but then I remembered the color was VERY different and
I was drinking boiled rain water, not ground, dirty and smelly water. I cannot
tell you the difference my body feels. It amazes me how quickly I feel rejuvenated!
So, 18.9L later, I am happy, healthy and thirst quenched!
Looking over these past few days, I’m not sure how to put
into words or how to describe. I am so glad I’m here. I am honored to celebrate
them tomorrow at their graduation and yet there is a part of me that feel “numb”
or sad or lonely or something…not sure what it is. I know God has me here (I’m
not sure what he wants me to be doing the 2 weeks after the girls leave, so you
can join me in prayer on that) and I am trying to make everyday purposeful.
Yesterday, Sarah and I took 11 of the girls into town to buy graduation
celebration dresses/shoes. Sarah and I “Branched” off (left them) and did our
own shopping where Sarah and I both got a new dress to wear tomorrow. Again, it
amazes me how excited they get over 2nd hand clothes, shoes etc. It
makes me really sad if I think about it. (Esp. on America’s Black Friday). We
spent all day in Kampala and then on the way home, I had them celebrate
Thanksgiving by everyone saying what they were thankful for. It was SO
precious. SO sweet. SO simple. And how they showered Sarah with praise for all
she does for them and how she is their mom…teared me up. Once we got home, all
of Sarah’s family was asleep, so she and I ate together and then we sat and had
a great girl heart to heart. She really encouraged me and called me out on a
few things which I am SO thankful for! I love this woman. I so want her faith,
want to be like her, want to see through her eyes and the more time I spend
with her, the more amazed I am! Her heart is so big. Her wisdom so deep.
Today, we had fellowship and then 6 of the S5 (younger
girls) and I wrapped all the gifts Sarah and I had boughted. It was
interesting. So funny to see Sarah realize she bought without really thinking
through it. That’s what gets me here… they don’t really plan, think ahead,
strategize… instead, they go on instinct. So as we looked at the 103 gifts and
most of the grads are guys and most of the gifts are for girls, all I could do
was smile because I had tried to get her to think ahead. But, we made it work.
The girls and I wrapped all the gifts, which is funny if you know me because I
am NOT a good wrapper and I looked Genius today! The time was so sweet. I had
Hadija, Sofie and Rachel (3 of the closest girls to me here) wrap the presents
and just talk and laugh. I needed that today. Again, I feel “numb” so it was
good to simply connect. Afterwards, I went for my first walk/run. It was so
good to just get out, breathe, work out and enjoy nature. The crazy Muzungo was
back!
When I got back, I saw Doreen sitting on the front porch,
crying. I went up to her and after some prodding, she finally told me she
couldn’t afford shoes. I am almost out of money, but without thinking, I
prayed, “God give us a deal”. I took her hand and called a Boda. We went to
town and shopped for the perfect shoe. We found them. She was so happy and they
actually were really good shoes, not torn, dirty, scratched, worn etc. I told
her I wanted to be her mama today. Again, I can’t help myself. The need is so
great and the amount is so small comparatively!
Everyone is now scurrying around getting ready for tomorrow.
It is a girl haven right now: shoes, dresses, finger nail polish, purses,
laughter, stances in front of the mirror. It’s sweet. All girls are the same.
And here I am, tucked away in my little guest house… just needing some time to
debrief myself and get ready. We leave early!
So, I guess my prayer is: please pray for direction for me
for the next couple weeks. I want to use this time wisely while I’m here. And,
that may be sitting on this back patio, looing out on the banana plantation and
praying for my future once I get back to the states or that may be going to
orphanages, visiting friends in Jinja and Rwanda and being the crazy jet setter
I’ve come to be this past year. But one thing I know: I just want to know where
God wants me to be!
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