Sunday church in Namyoya

(I wrote this on Sunday night but the Internet stopped working so I could not post it!)

The church we have been working on for 2 days invited us to their church which now has a roof because of our help! It was amazing to see the progress that was made in just 2 days!! Now if it rains church can carry on.

I should first mention that Saturday was a free day meaning we were able to just explore Kampala. Usually, a free day is something to look forward to and usually fun but it didn’t feel right having a free day. I felt out of place in the city because I was not in the village helping others. I didn’t come here to be a tourist but to use my presence and skills to benefit others. I did get to go to the market, which was interesting to see what the Ugandans of Kampala make for a living. We also went to the mall which is where I really didn’t enjoy myself. I just couldn’t help thinking about the people in Namyoya and the people I met with the first day in Kira. I would rather be holding a child's hand and making a mother smile!

Back on subject.... We arrived at the church on time. We were guided into the front of the church and were able to sit in chairs while the others sat on benches. We really were the guests of honor. As I walked into the church children I have seen the past two days and children I hadn’t seen before came up to me to hold my hands. Then, the women of the church took me out to dress me up in their traditional attire. I will add a picture of this later! It was really beautiful and I felt honored that they wanted to share it with me.

The church service usually lasts over 3 hours but we had to visit Dan's family so at 2 and half hours we had to leave. The people of Namyoya village were so grateful that they sacrificed a goat in our honor. I did not watch but I understand that it is a part of their culture. A few people in my group have videos and pictures of the sacrifice.

I never had a free hand, I actually somehow had 4 people holding my hands. One little girl actually was jealous and tried to push the other children away from me. It was the first time I ever experienced the children not being whole-heartedly nice to each other. It was ultimately wonderful to feel wanted but also overwhelming. I realized this was the last time I was going to see these children while I am here on this trip so I took out my camera.

I haven’t mentioned this before but a lot of the children have never seen themselves before. The children just smile and laugh when I take a picture of them and then show it to them on the LCD screen. Harrison also videotaped them and showed it to them. They just think it is so amazing. Today people just came up to me wanting their picture taken. I actually am thinking about printing them out and giving it to them. It is so rare and I think they would really appreciate have the pictures. I feel bad because I do not have pictures of everyone and would feel bad if I made anyone sad by him or her not receiving a picture.
We left even though we could have spent the whole with them. The children like always walk us out by holding our hands. The roads are so bad that the bus cannot make it all of the way to the church so we walk to bus with children following us. I just love children.

I met one special girl named Syliva. I was just automatically connected with her. She is absolutely gorgeous and has the most beautiful smile. She is shy but every time I looked at her she would smile shyly. I didn’t find out until today but her mother is the woman I stood next as we passed bricks! She was so talkative and smiley. I would love to sponsor them.

I will add a picture of Sylvia. The internet here has a hard time uploading pictures, otherwise my blog would be completely full of them but I dont want to wait 2 hours for my pictures to upload.

We then went to the village where Dan's family lives (the family he sponsors). It was a very very poor village. Unfortunately, we got there late and the road was very bad because it rained the night before. The children sang to us in English saying they were so glad to receive us! A woman came up to me telling me about a 4 year old girl who doesn’t walk or talk and wanted to know if I could help her. I then looked at the girl and really wished I could offer something. I then mentioned it to a GFR staff member but it is so difficult especially when GFR does not supply medical help. I hope somehow she can be helped. I will be thinking about her.
After we left from there we had a 2 hours drive back to Kampala. We went back to the mall which again was weird. I cant make sense of the meshing of cultures. I just dont know what to think about it. I go to this village and see them eating porridge as I got to a restaurant and order pizza. I am so fortunate. I dont know what life will be like once I get back home. I dont know how I will adjust or if I will just feel terrible. I know I have a social responsibility now that I have had a first hand experience of how these people live. I have to tell others and teach them what I learned. I hope I can fullfill my responsibility. I dont want to go back and forget. I know I wont but I want to make sure I am telling others and helping the people here in Uganda or Africa.