today is one of those days i don’t want to end.
we started early, and headed to compassion’s ugandan central office. the professionalism, humility, and passion the staff shared literally glowed the moment we walked in. i was surprised to hear how many of them are reading our blogs…so to the compassion staff, thank you. thank you for teaching us so many things.
we spent most of the day at a project about an hour outside of the city…and let me tell you, i will never, EVER complain about oklahoman roads again. i have to admit, it was actually a pretty fun bus ride with everyone bouncing all over the place. things i didn’t even know i had jiggled!
at the project, we had the chance to see how compassion’s child survival program works…putting a special focus on meeting the needs of pregnant women, and their children from birth to three years old. we visited homes where we saw the program in place. workers from the project visit and help set goals for the family and the child, as well as provide for some basic needs.
after a very delicious lunch, we broke off into groups to help observe and serve within the project. carlos and i taught a group of kids the motions and words for YMCA and Jesus Loves Me…we served the smallest children a special milk mixture that helps both nourish them and give them energy…
and then we played. out in the back of the project is a huge, grassy hill (complete with cattle at the bottom) and overlooking the amazing ugandan landscape. sophie and i played a game of ball (and let me tell you, some of these girls could out throw ANYONE)…we blew bubbles, picked up kids, loved on them, and made a very slow journey back to the bus…with children latching on to any available spot on our bodies, screaming “BYE, MUZUNGU!!! BYE, MUZUNGU!!!” (which means “bye, white person!!!”)
i was tired. a little sunburnt. sweaty. smelly. really needing to use the bathroom. and really not wanting to leave.
about 20 feet from the bus, a nine or ten year old boy in a school uniform ran through the crowd, jumped in front of me, faced me, and gave me the biggest, tightest hug i think i’ve ever received. he simply muttered the words, “thank you, muzungu. thank you.” and then walked away.
Comments
21 responses to “UGANDA: thank you, muzungu”
One day when you look back on these posts from Uganda, you’re to see and hear the change in you that I’m reading now. It’s awesome…
Growing up in India I have always said, you cannot go to a 3rd world country and NOT be a changed person for life. It’s something in the smells, sounds and taste of it all…
You have such a way with words…..and it seems so do the little Uganda Children:) So precious!
oh my gosh, anne…
the flood of memories about my time in India last summer while reading this – the roads, the sun, the sweatiness…and the speed with which the children take-up residence in your heart.:)
we got to learn about the CSP’s as well while in Madhupur, Jharkhand. great to read about their impact there.
praying…
love it.
I am at work with tears streaming down my face! This blogging tour all of you are on has profoundly affected me; so deeply that I don’t even know how to convey it. I mean, I am not there nor have I seen this type of poverty first hand…I have never been out of the country…but the words and pictures have touched a place so deep in my heart that I never knew existed.
My teenagers are affected by all of your words as well. We are going to sit down as a family and try to find ‘our’ child to sponsor from Compassion.
Thanks to each of you for you being the feet and hands of Jesus to these precious souls.
Praising Him in ALL things,
Vickie@PursuingSimplicity
Thank YOU. I can see our Ariel saying it.
you were on my mind while driving at lunch today. Praying for you! May God’s grace and peace be with you today!
Thanks, except I am not a “Muzungu” sponsor but am myself African!
oh no, thank YOU for the sacrifices you have made to be on this trip and to share it with us. God bless you, and I continue to pray! I can’t wait to get my package about little Robert that I have had sponsored!
Thank you for sharing the hug – those of us who are sponsors of children wherever in the world – Compassion does such a wonderful job of letting us be part of the lives of these children. Thank you thank you thank you
I’ve been reading the blogs about Uganda. Moving!!!
Thinking about becoming a Children’s Minister?
Hi Anne, thanks so much for the beautiful posts.
Ive shared them in my small group and there is a friend who may be interested in being a Compassion International full time missionary. Can you post info on that for people who may get inspired to be involved with compassion in different ways?
you guys are really changing things with this blogging from Uganda… thanks…
Seriously. YMCA? Nice.
Those faces are GORGEOUS!! I’m so glad you’re sharing this with us all.
I just returned home from time with my girls’ prayer group at the high school. We started out the week reading the blogs as fuel for prayer.
They really wanted to share this adventure with all of the other school prayer groups (we have 11). We did. After the start of the week, the buzz gave way to a reason to fold in friends who are interested in the trip, and not familiar with the practice of prayer. Many have become hooked and have invited friends. My email box is full of stories of sharing this blog adventure with family members, as well.
Clearly, this is a ball that is rolling bigger and bigger throughout the week. My estimate is that we have gone from the original 11 to somewhere around 140-150 readers.
The time is perfect (of course, His always is), in that the high school had just done a focus on the Invisible Children and interest had been perked in grappling with how the community can help. Several of the kids are toying with how to build senior projects around Compassion International.
Thank you to you and the whole blogging group!
Asanti Sana! The amazing thing about being in Africa is that the blessings flow both ways..
Asanti Sana for bringing back the memories to me.
Brings back memories. Nothing like crossing the border into Mexico on a bus filled with lumber, big plastic garbage bags full of clothes, the roof of the bus covered with gallon milk jugs full of fresh drinking water, and a bunch of gringos from the suburbs of LosAngeles. Oh, and a few guys from the L.A. Union Rescue Mission wondering if hanging out with these aliens was such a good idea…(grin)
LOVE LOVE LOVE that picture.
Today I sponsored Olivia in Uganda. Thank you Anne for all that you and the others are doing over there! http://tinyurl.com/352ew3
One of my best local friends is from Uganda. For the way you speak of her country, she would tell you da gu kun da. I love you.
She shares her name with the Compassion child we now sponsor. I know God’s hand was in that!
Thank you for sharing these posts!! I would not have been likely to find them otherwise, having just discovered your blog!
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