Uganda 2025 Day 7

Uganda 2025 Day 7

On the bus ride to clinic, Sydney asked me if I was willing to lead a message for the kids. She was thinking a topic about seeing their self worth. I said I could think about it and asked if there was a scripture she was thinking. She said probably Psalm 139 unless I could find or think of something else. I read it over and decided I could figure something out. I worked with the kids alongside Sydney, Shanna, Chelsea and Hector. We started the kids off playing games. We split them into about 6 teams and played duck, duck goose. One of the older boys, Dominique,  from the first day joined my group. He tried to help the littles understand the game. When they started getting bored of the game the teacher switched it up. Our group did a name game where someone was in the middle and everyone clapped their hands on their thighs while the group said something and then the person in the middle would say someone’s name and that person would be in the middle. Then we did one where we stood in to lines singing something and clapping hands with the person across from us. Two people on one end would go in between everyone until all the groups made it though. The game could end or continue once that happens. The last game we did was the kids got in two lines across from each other. Everyone put their arms around the back of the person in front of them until the to that were facing each other. Then they sang something m. When they finished, the two in the middle clasped their hands together around the other’s hands and they all pulled trying to get the other team to let go or break apart. Once we were done with games, all the groups combined again for singing and dancing. I stayed to help with this, but when Shanna started sharing her message, I went and sat next to Sam N. I needed to prep for my message and I figured this would be the best time to do it. Sam kept saying that it was bad to be next to him because he would be disturbing me. I told him it was ok. I was mainly writing talking points. I ended up talking about the importance of children using Matthew 18:1-5 and also how God sees us using Psalm 139. Next we split into boys and girls. The boys went with Hector and played tug of war with a giant rope we have while the girls did music. Then they switched. The cheers when the kids won at tug of war were so loud. It was funny! After that we did a couple more songs as a full group. The we handed our a sucker to each child. They did so well this year. We handed them one where they were and then sent them over to another area. The older boys kept asking for two, but I told each of them no. Then it became crazy. The kids were released from their spot and ran over asking for more candy. They were pushing each other while surrounding us which in turn pushed us a little. I was able to get out of them because I had no more, but Sydney could not. We were trying to send them to lunch, but they knew she had some in her shirt, so they kept trying to get them and I think she said they tried to get her shirt so they could have the candy. They were following so close they almost knocked her over while she was trying to walk away. She called for reinforcements. A couple of us pushed through the kids telling them to go to lunch and made our way to her. It was a struggle to get the closest kids to leave, but they did thanks to the teachers. A couple minutes after this, our van arrived with Martin, Sarah, and Erick. They had our lunch with them. I helped bring the food into the classroom we were using for a lunch room and helped organize it for Sarah. Then we waited for everyone to come eat. Each day in Karamoja I helped serve lunch to everyone and then ate. This day we were wearing our team shirts that say “love like Jesus” with a scripture reference. When Josh came through the line, he thanked me for always serving and not just the food. It really struck me when he (who has known me only a short time) said you do love like Jesus. When I was done eating, I was able to wait for the last few people to come in to eat and then I helped clean. Today I did not have a set afternoon group to be with, so I was able to do this. I made sure to take a photo with Erick because he was actually being paid to help us. He works at the hotel and is super nice and quickly does anything asked of him.

After lunch I was exhausted. It was probably partially the heat and partially because I got a slight sunburn. I could have ridden back to the hotel and rested, but I still had to see Joyce again and give her the gifts I brought her. I did not work with the kids because I was exhausted. Instead I spent some time with both of the Sams. I helped a little bring the pharmacy prescriptions in for Sam N. I also helped with a few other side jobs for the pharmacy too. During this time, we brought out soccer balls to the kids. Most of the groups of kids would stand in a circle with one person in the middle. The middle person would throw the ball to someone in the circle and they would throw it back. Some had the same set up, but were kicking the ball instead of throwing it. Then there was Ross. He was throwing the ball and having the kids catch it. The problem is the last time he drop kicked it and it went behind him and down into a ravine. He kept trying to get the kids not to go get it, but it was a new soccer ball. I had to get a teacher to get the kids away. Of course, three boys snuck down and got it. They came up wet because there was water at the bottom. I watched this for awhile before going back to the medical area. I went over to say hi to David when clinic was slowing down. While I talked to him, the guy that he was interpreting for in the lab said, “you always have a smile.” I told him that is what my family and friends say when they see my Uganda photos, I am always smiling bigger than when I am at home and that my eyes sparkle more in Uganda. A little later, I asked John Basco to find Joyce, his sister, for me. I brought her into the pharmacy and gave her some gifts I brought. I had a shirt, photos, a journal with photos from last year with us, mini Jesus, bracelets and a big sister little sister necklace. She was so thankful and asked if we could take a photo. The team was busy packing up our supplies at this time and did so pretty fast. On the ride back to the hotel, I was able to meet doctor Francis. We talked most of the ride to the hotel. If I remember correct, it was his first time in Karamoja. Once we arrived, Sam had to go get fuel for the bus and I asked if I could ride along because I had nothing else to do before dinner. We went to the fuel station and they were out of the kind we needed, so we had to go to a different one. At this time, I happened to be connected to Sam’s internet hotspot and received a message from my roommate. I had tried handing her the key and she did not want it, so I put it back in my bag. I completely forgot until she texted asking for the key. I told her it would not take long because we were near, but then we went back to the other gas station again and got oil. Thankfully she spent that time in algena and Jess’ room until I arrived. After dinner, chelsea, Arianna, and I decided to play “the Bible is funny.” We had to switch things up because we had to get our rolling carry on onto the van for the team driving back to Kampala early in the morning. We did this and then decided to finish our game in the room Arianna and I share.