Open Arms and Open Hearts
- Ashley
It has been a full day in the village. With the opening ceremonies, then meeting with the women's group in the afternoon and the last hours spent playing games with the children in the field.
What I experienced today is true authentic love. These children constantly want to be love and to show us love.
They do this by welcome greetings with shaking our hands and then instantly want to hold our hands.
The people of Marare want to make sure we feel welcomed at all times. This shocked me a little. I never thought people would openly welcome someone and then bless them. For me growing up I learned that you needed to form a deep relationship with someone before you truely love. These children just love us unconditionally which is great. Coming into this trip I knew God wanted to show me what true authentic relationships looked like but I didn't think children would be teaching me.
The walks throughout the village holding children's hands will forever stay with me. We need to enjoy one another each day and showcase true authentic love.
Mulembe(hello!) from Uganda!!
- Erin
Today was the teams first full day in the village. It was full of excitement. With it being my first missions trip, I absorbed alot and learned even more! I met Moses yesterday and the rest of the F/H staff this morning. I met Silva, Stephen, Livingstone, Miriam, Sara, Julius, David and Sam during morning devotions. Justine arrived late and so we met after. It was a great joy to learn of what FH is doing over here. I learned that FH won't enter a community unless they're receptive. That community also must have a church-like community already present. This I learned, just means that God is already there and FH is there to act as a tool to increase His Awareness and so when FH leaves the community, God stays. I found this to be deeply profound. As the other FH team members spoke, I recall what Silva said, He said that God gives us all gifts that we must share. When we receive the gifts and then close our hands, and refuse to share them, we close our hands to the gifts He wants to give us. So we are taught to receive the gifts and share them so we can receive more of what God wants to give us. It is so simple and yet made sooo much sense.
I was ever so excited to enter the village. We had been there briefly yesterday, but had not yet got to experience the whole joy of the parents, teachers and most of all, the Children! However, today, I was witness to the simple life of the village. I saw the joy in the smiles of everyone I met today. I was excited to see the children run up to the taxi, they were so excited, jumping up and down and a few even tried to get on the rear bumper. It scared me when the taxi hit a pothole while the kids
were around, but Thank God(everyday!!) that they were safe. They Are fearless! And they are patient.
We all met in the community hall, and the headmaster spoke, after the children sang the Ugandan National Anthem and We seven sang the Canadian Anthem. The children's choir sang the songs that have been winning them competitions. He sends his appreciation to Northgate Church and the children's sponsors. He is thankful that the children are able to experience school. The effects of the program has been spreading to other communities and Marare is grateful to tell others of the love of God.
Ashley and I (Erin) received our Ugandan Names. Ashley is Nakawoya, which means Public relations and I received my name as Yunguwa, which means person who is fast. Sara received a new name, as she forgot hers. Her new name is Khalayi, which means Humble person.
Whenever we said "God is good" the children and teachers responded with, "All the Time!" Amen to that!!
I mentioned I learned a lot today. I mainly learned about the school and the history of the village. We, the ladies, sat and heard from the literacy group. They spoke about thanking God everyday for the family at Northgate who taught them how to sew and to crochet. We saw the products that the ladies have been making and that they sell to help support their families. I also learned a few phrases that I'd like to share with you now:
Oryeno - Or-e-yen-a - How Are You?
Numloiee - New-lo-i-lee - I am fine
Lesenayowo Bahalanga - What is your name?
Won Yella Nabi - Thank you very much!
Komahoa - Ca-ma-hoa - What's new?
These are a few phrases and the children love to hear you speak to them in the language. I had difficulty with a few of them and the children were content to teach me how to say a few of them. I tried to write them Phonetically for you.
After all of this, we played a few games and we all ran hard! I was most assuredly out of breathe. I have not run that hard in flip flops in a long time and in a skirt!!
As the day ended I learned a new phrase, Ho-mu-na-nee coomba co-ba, which is 'See you tomorrow'. This is where I end my blog. We will write again tomorrow!
Thank you for reading, and praying for us!
~Erin
AWANA:
Who knew exactly what was expected when we were asked to prepare 2 Awana lessons? We prayed that we would be prepared but flexible, and adapt to the existing structure.
Prayers were answered in amazing ways!
Awana happened after school on Tues + Wed. Hundreds of kids cheered for the red, yellow, blue + green teams while their friends were participating in fun races and competitions. It was a huge challenge to tell a Bible story after that! We were gathered in the middle of the field while it was starting to drizzle, but persevered. The 2nd day was much improved because the lesson was taught beside the church where we storytellers could stand on a ledge.
The entire effort was put into perspective by Awana leader David, who commented "You have changed the children’s lives. Some of them are asking if there will be another story tomorrow".
Praise God!
