Children of the Cross

Before I start with my story of today I want to take a moment and congratulate my daughter, Kari, on her new position as a Pediatric ICU nurse in Oklahoma City. I am so proud of you Babe and so proud to be your mother. I know God is going to use you in amazing ways!

Last night for the first time I woke up in the middle of the night really cold. I couldn’t get warm to save my life. I looked over at Little Lizzy and she was soundly sleeping so I quietly got up and turned down the fan and curled up under my blanket. It was my turn to have a sleepless night. I guess I was thinking of all the things we still want to accomplish in the short time we have left and wondering how we are going to get it all done. In the long run the difference in “time” would drive me nuts! The waiting game is not part of my DNA. Especially when I have a short time frame and a list of “wants” to get done. Not including the things on Liz’s list.

Our morning started with more kid interviews. But before they started I had a plan. I had seen a great picture on the Internet of a group of people who had used their hands to form the shape of a cross. I decided to do this with our kids. So outside Liz and I went with the camera. We had six kids arrange their hands so that when they were all hooked together they formed a perfect cross. That part in itself was not an easy task but they all enjoyed being a part of the project. I then lay on the ground underneath them (yes in my skirt, trying to be ladylike) in the middle of the kids and shot the image looking skyward. The final result is awesome. I will post it on Facebook tonight. It is such a neat representation of what we are trying to do here. To share the love of God and all he represents.

The interviews become more interesting the longer we do them. I am finding that kids are the same everywhere. They really only want people to know the good things about them and if there is nothing good to tell they will create a good story. One of our girls started telling us about her father who had died of AIDS. That was the good story. The truth was he had committed suicide. Two things struck me as so sad by this. First, that dying of AIDS is so prevalent here that to say a parent died of this disease is no big deal. Secondly, that here was this beautiful girl so ashamed by her background. The stories we continue to hear are so heartbreaking. And yet, I am continually amazed by how protective the children are of each other. They take care of each other in very loving ways. We did three interviews before Liz and I headed out to the kid’s house where we were suppose to meet Susan at one with the man selling the shower shoes. Today, as almost every day we’ve been here, was hot and humid. We walked the road with the little ones yelling Mzungu to us and waiving to us. When we got to the house we were both greeted by running hugs. And I mean running. There was no slowing down before they collided with our bodies. My back is paying for it tonight but it was so worth it. Both the big ones and the little ones now come in hopes of a hug and we are more than willing to comply with their wishes.

Today we took a smaller soccer ball for the little boys to play with. We’d already taken a bigger ball for the older kids and felt that the little guys deserved a chance. That plan did not work out so well. The ball was quickly taken out of the hands of the youngins and the older boys started a serious game of soccer. Since Susan was coming at one she had instructed the older kids not to return to school in the afternoon until she arrived. So Liz and I did what we do best. We played patty cake (over and over again) and then I taught them how to play the Hokey Pokey! I haven’t played that game in a million years! I think they had as much fun laughing at the two of us as they had playing. By three o’clock, with no Susan, Liz and I were beyond tired, and ready to head back to Phil’s for a short rest and recharge. So off we went.

Not long after returning to Casa Blanca Susan called and was finally on her way to the Kid’s house. It was now about 4 pm! So once again Liz and I headed that way with several of the kids that Phil had been interviewing. The only downside was that it was starting to rain. So our walk started with a few sprinkles landing our heads and ended with larger raindrops falling from the sky. By the time we got to the house and saw the shower shoes laid out on the ground the skies had opened up. The kids were all trying on shoes in the pouring rain while Liz and I tried to stay dry hiding under the one tree in the yard. You should all know we were not at all successful in this endeavor. Color doesn’t seem to be an issue with anyone. Little Adrian was there and he was so proud of his brand new bright pink shoes!! We were short by about 40 pair and we hope to finish up tomorrow but with this Uganda time that could mean anytime in the next week! By the time we left to finally come back the front play area was one big mud puddle. This did not deter Liz from stepping in the puddles and splashing me at every opportunity! She did wash my shoes when we got home and found great pleasure in dousing my feet with the very cold water to clean them off! She, too, is such a sweet child!!

The kid’s stories are really hard to hear. And yet, when you see them and talk to them, you wouldn’t know the kind of history they have. They all have such gentle spirits and I am going to miss them terribly when I leave. I can’t come close to knowing all their names but I do know each of them. They all have such distinct personalities, such beautiful smiles and such wonderful hearts. I love the hugs and the sincerity that comes with them. I wish I could bundle that up and bring back just a little piece for each of you so you could experience what all they have to give. They are an amazing group of kids; both the boys and the girls. The little ones want to play and the older ones want you to talk to them and listen. I hope I have given them all just a little of what they need.

I can see that we are wearing down. Each day is a challenge to keep going strong. Liz rejuvenates me with her humor and the kid’s with their love but I am tired. That is not to say that I would have changed this trip. I am so blessed to be here. So blessed to be traveling with Liz. But again, I wish there were so much more that I could do. I see our departure date arriving and they will once again be left here. I would love to sneak so many of them into my suitcase and bring them home. What a wonderful group of kids and I worry so much about all of their futures. I pray that God will protect them and guide them as they continue to grow. Please pray for them collectively and individually. They deserve that and so much more. I love you all.