First Impressions

What a wonderful day!  As is custom in Africa, everything runs late and you have to be flexible.  So when our vans arrived 30 minutes late, I was not surprised.  As I stated in yesterday’s blog, I became the slave driver today and cracked the whip on the team.  They responded wonderfully!  After their tour of the children’s home, it was time to get to work.  The ladies are so fast sorting and organizing the books, they were waiting on the guys to finish the bookshelves.  The men had some technical difficulties, the power conversion caused us some problems, but we finally got going and have 3 bookshelves finished and ready for books.  We only had one injury, and would you believe it was me (Mike), I tried to drill a hole in my finger.  But the warrior that I am, it was put a band aid on and get back to work. 

 

Here is what Audrey had to say tonight:

Jambo from Mbale!

I’m sitting in the dining hall at our hotel about to eat something yummy!

Today we went to the Lulwanda Children’s Home. It was a bumpy 30 minute ride. When we arrived, we got the tour and went to all the classrooms to say hello to the kids. I was very excited to meet them. They were all so happy and welcoming, and I can’t wait until we’re done with the library so we can get to know them all better!! They are soooo cute, and respectful. I didn’t expect that. They’re pretty musically

inclined as well!

 Well after the tour we went to work! We (the ladies) sorted books, while the guys were making shelves. We sorted TONS of books!! There are still bunches more.

A funny thing is that cows, goats, and chickens roam free all around!

I got called a “Mzungu” by some of them, (that means light-skinned person, ha!) and I thought it was so cool!

There is so much more to talk about, but my mind is in a blur! I just can’t wait for tomorrow! I love it here, and want to learn all I can about the culture. I’ve already learned some pretty interesting things.

Though it was a long day, it was very productive and I’m so blessed to be here with the group. Keep praying for us!!

 

Audrey

 

 Stefani had this to say:

Hello friends and family and friends and family of the new friends I’ve made here on this trip. It has been an amazing experience p to this point and I’m anticipating it is only going to get better.  Our journey here to Mbale was a long and exhausting one, but the sleepless hours have had an amazing reward.  We’ve very much enjoyed our times so far with the staff and children at LCH. It’s only the end of day one, but already we have fallen in love with each and every child.  LCH has grown so much since my last visit here in 2006. It has been amazing to see the dramatic changes that have taken place in just 3 years in both the children and the construction.  Some of the classrooms are finished and the rest are in progress and the staff are eagerly awaiting their completion.  The children have grown in size and number.  It’s such a joy to walk into a room and have 95 smiling faces staring back at you.  I’ve often joked to my friends that when I came home from my first trip in 2006, that I forgot my heart in Uganda.  Coming back now, I realize just how true that statement really is.  It’s so refreshing to walk into a place where you know so few people, but at the same time to feel so at home and welcomed.  The staff here at LCH welcomed us with numerous hugs and blessings. The children were jumping and laughing, eager to shake our hands and introduce themselves.  Each child has had a long and tragic journey to get here to LCH, but you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at them now.  Every face radiates with such joy. It’s definitely contagious.  I am anxiously awaiting the days to come, while at the same time I’m trying to savor every moment we have here.   Thanks so much to our friends and family for supporting us both spiritually and financially on this trip. Without you we wouldn’t be here. Blessings to all of you. See you soon.

 

-Stef

When asked for first impressions of the children’s home, here is what I heard:

Well run organization, sweetest and most polite children, well behaved children, the people along the road seemed empty but the children and staff are happy and full of life, the children are so respectful and thankful for us coming.  There were more, but I am tired and can’t remember them all, but they were all meaningful.

 

Tomorrow is another long day building shelves and sorting books.  Thank you for your prayers and support.  We feel your love and prayers every day.  Keep sending your comments on the blog.  We are reading them every night at devotions, and it is good to hear from you.  Keep it Up!!!