13 July 2013

13 July 2013

Mali and friends

Mali and friends

Mali and the big girls

Sweet Arafat

Baby Grace

One last Zeke hug

Today was one of those bittersweet days as we headed back to Buziika for our last Saturday with Amazima. We arrived at the property about 10:30 and were quickly greeted by Janie and Ivy two of the sweet girls. We spent time sitting and talking with the kids and playing.

Then the bell rang and it was time to get their hard boiled egg and head to church. I love to see how excited the kids get when they see Uncle Raoul (the youth pastor) pull up on his motorcycle. The kids yell “uncle” and head to the church excited to see him and hear him preach. Today Raoul preached about trusting in Jesus with all our hearts, knowing that God’s way is the perfect way for us, and that He will always provide. I will never get tired of watching the sweet faces of the children of Amazima praising and worshiping with all of their hearts. Watching them bow their heads praying.

After church it was play time for awhile before lunch was ready. Its awesome to watch the older kids help prepare the food and serve, giving back to the program that has given them so much. Mallory even decided beans and rice sounded good for lunch and she ate sitting surrounded by the children she loves so much.

After lunch I sat with one of the older girls, Oliver. We talked about her favorite movies, Sound of Music, and we even sang songs from it. She had lots of questions about America, and of course the question I was asked many times “Auntie, when are you coming back?”

The afternoon seemed to slip by quickly. The older group finally arrived from school, and I was able to spend time with my group of older girls..Winnie, Dina and Juliet. Winnie and Dina had written letters for Mali and I, telling us how much they loved us, how they were so thankful to God for bringing us to them. I told them I will cherish their letters, and I know I will read them over and over remembering the girls how have made a permanent place in my heart.

Regan found us as soon as he arrived at the property, hugging Mali and talking with her for awhile before he left to be with his friends. I pray that God will hold him, keep his focus on Him, and the light and the love of God that Regan has will continue to grow. He is such a special young man.

Before we knew it, it was time to line up to get their bag of supplies to take home for the week. Fighting back tears I told the girls that there are no “good byes” because we know we will be back so it is just “see you later”. Lots of hugs later they headed home. Regan found his way back over for one more hug, promising to pray for us, and that he would pray that we would come back soon. The last two to leave us, were the first two to greet us, Janie and Ivy. We waited until everyone had left, then climbed in the car to head out to Ekisa one last time.

We met up with our friends Brooke and David and walked the red dirt road to the Ekisa house. Many of the staff, volunteers and kids were off at a party, but the Mamas were happy to have some extra hands to help with the kids that were left. Mweru went from Mali, to Megan to Brooke giving them some special Mweru love. Then it was dinner time and babies and littles to be fed. Joshie was showing how he was champion cheek stuffer, and would spit out his mouthful of beans and veg as soon as the cup of milk came.

We spent a couple of hours with the kids before it was again time for “see you laters” as we hopped on bodes and headed back to the house. Thankfully tears dry fast as you are riding on a motorcycle, but the pain of knowing we were entering our final hours in country was hitting hard.

There are no words to describe how hard it is to have your heart find “home” in two very different places. There are people that we love dearly in both places. There is a peace that comes the minute we enter Uganda, a knowing that we are exactly where God wants us to be, walking the path that He has set for us. For the entire trip we made a conscious decision to not focus on how many days we had left, we focused on being in the moment and cherishing each moment we had. But today the reality was hitting us, that in less then 48 hours we would be boarding a plane and leaving the place that holds our hearts.