I'm not sure that there is any one thing that I want to share today. This week has been just another, same old,… awesome, amazing, awe inspiring week in Lira, Uganda! Thursday included a long walk with a new friend, a mud fight in the rain, a dead duck, and fun time in the kitchen with the Alpha ladies. Friday was the day that my ministry team discovered a new program for street kids that is probably my favorite place in Lira to be! The organization is called Atin Afrika and they do phenomenal work rehabillitating street children. We even spent some time talking with some of our Muslim friends at the Idi Amin mosque.
Saturday was the wedding of our dear friends Sam and Doreen. Oh what I could say about African weddings! It was wonderful. All of us girls took this as an opportunity to get all dressed up and play salon. I did some of the girls make-up and hair. We all bathed much to the appreciation of the Alpha staff here! Jordan was asked the day of the wedding to be in the wedding as a Lord (groomsmen). For more about the goings on of the day read Sarah's blog! It was an all day affair full of so many unique cultural experiences.
I spent my Sunday at the local prison. John was the preacher for the day, but after he finished relaying the great message of the gospel to them, I was able to share scripture and pray over them as well. Four of the men gave their lives to Christ that day and we are looking forward to seeing them when we visit again next weekend! It was a busy day, but I even got in some naptime. We concluded the day with our usual team time, that was in every way unusual. We all switched between giggles and tears as we finally had to begina talking about the reality of how little time we have remaining together. Also, we had a guest stay with us over the weekend and she came in to say goodbye during our hysterics. After only having known her for a couple of days she told us that she had never wanted to stay in a place so badly. She loved us very much and would miss us. She even sang us a song. (Enter water works from most of the girls)
Monday Sarah, Jordan and I returned to Atin Afrika. While there we were called Auntie and Uncle, we played catch and soccer, drew shadow chalk figures, AND jumped on a trampoline…a real trampoline! The atmosphere of the place was unlike any I've ever felt around street children. When they are behind the walls of Atin Afrika they are just children, not street beggars. Yesterday, we spent doing art projects with the children at Happy Time Nursery and Primary School and then a few of us girls visited Esther in the hospital. (To read more about her, I'm sure her best friends Aly and Darby have blogged about her story!) She is a beautiful much too thin girl who has been in the hospital for two months. Please include her in your prayers.
Welp! That brings us to today! This morning I taught the Alpha ladies to make french toast and even got my hair braided! It's been a good day off, but I'm ready to get back to work tomorrow. 2 weeks and 2 days left with these people. I truly understand the phrase "I'll sleep when I'm dead" now. And with a week as amazing as this last one, I say BRING IT ON to the next!
