Inspection

We are trying to get our school license for operating. We were inspected today for both Nursery and Primary.  The inspectors said things were good and we would receive our liscense soon!   

Lena

This is Lena. 

She is not "technically" a student at our school even though she comes everyday. Lena is a special needs student. She does not speak, cannot walk but she has an infectious smile that is always on her face. Her mother needed a job, so we hired her to keep the school clean. The reason she could not find work elsewhere is because there was no where for Lena to stay while she worked. Right now, Lena comes and sits on her mat all day, listening to the Kindergarten teacher but receiving no instruction  because there is no teacher to work with her one on one. 

One day, I want to have a class just for children like Lena, children with special needs who have no where else to go. 

School tuition

I am driving down a dirt road with the "boot" lid bouncing up and down, our heads also bobbing in rhythm. We are going to pay the tuition of 5 of our sponsored schools. Part of that tuition is a certain amount if corn. The school will ground the corn and use it to make posho or porridge to feed the students. 

If a student does not give their allotment if corn, he or she is not allowed to eat and must simply watch during meal times. 

Lugandan classes

So, I started language classes yesterday. I am learning Luganda, a local language. One of the school teachers is my tutor.  

I enjoyed the class but it is a big challenge learning the words. They are so long and the root completely changes based on the subject, verb and tense.  

My analytical brain wants to find a pattern but it all seems like chaos right now. Please pray I can learn and retain!  

Life here

I walked down to see the pugs, rabbits and goats today. I took Roxie, Leah, Philis, Vivian and Winnie with me. We picked up the last three as they were leaving school. I had to turn around and tell them to speed up and realized they were reading as they walked!

Then, I held a baby pig as it squealed, Philis held it too. But then I dropped it and ran when the mama came around do the corner. I have heard they will bite!

I got us into the rabbit house and all the girls held the babies. They loved it and were squealing too!

Break time

We feed the kids porridge at the school everyday during their break time. They call it "breakfast" even though it is at 10:00. The truth is that for the children coming from outside of the Village of Eden it probably is their breakfast. 

We also feed them lunch every day. 

The secret

A friend tried on a hat and said, "I look stupid in this hat, but when you wear one it looks good. "

I told her, "The secret is to wear it with confidence!"

Oh, to be a chamellion!

Sometimes I wish I were a chamellion, so that I could change my appearance in such a way as to blend in with the people around me. Today, Michelle and I went to visit a church in the bush. We wanted to just visit, not take away attention from the worship service. However, our skin color always changes the game. Despite the fact that we sat in the congregation and not on stage ( the place of honor), we were still the one people stared at, not the pastor. 

During singing, one man came and said, "it is customary for the visitor to preach. So, will you kindly preach for us?"  Michelle shared from Ephesians 2:8 and I read 2 Timothy 3:16.  Later, the pastor came down to ask us "What type of soda do you take?"  (Oh, to be a chamellion!  ). We were also asked to come down and pray, laying hands on the sick. 

We were very grateful for the warm welcome but would have preferred the focus to have been on the Lord. 

Bible study groups

We are averaging about 1500 children each Saturday in Esangalo. One important aspect of the program is breaking into small groups for Bible study. It is always such a blessing to walk around and hear all these children hearing the Good News. 

School time

The Village of Eden school is going well considering it is the first term. We do have some changes to make but I was encouraged today after observations. 

At the airport

Mom decided we needed a picture before I left. 

Family time

Had a great time running down Stone mountain with Jayden. He is growing up so fast. 

Headed back to Uganda

I have been off the grid for a while - at least in the blog world - Facebook has been on fire!  But, I am heading back to Uganda today.