Monday, 8/8/2011
Holes…what does that conjure in your mind? For the team here the word will never again be the same. Starting our work project on the fence this morning at 8:30 am we set off from Katherine’s with a machete, grub hoes, shovels, and post hole diggers in hand. Little did we know that this would be the most backbreaking work any of us had ever done. The line was pulled, stakes were placed to indicate where to dig, and the work began. The ladies on the team worked together doing 1 hole to the Ugandans 3-4 in the same time frame. According to the Nationals they were “well done.” The fields where holes were being dug were surrounded by cassava, ground nuts, banana trees, and corn. As we worked children and teenagers showed up to watch. Due to the schedule being held up, the ladies returned to the compound to organize leftover clothes for distribution in the village tomorrow, while the men stayed to work until lunch. There were 38 volunteers working on the fence both men and women. After lunch the men returned to work digging holes, while the women had some much needed rest as well as preparing for the women’s Bible study.
We got the opportunity to do a home visit with a woman who lives on the compound, and she welcomed us into her home providing drinks and Ugandan hospitality. She shared pictures of her family as well as some of her personal story. It was a blessing to see her humble surroundings, while she displayed a graciousness rarely seen in the US. This woman like many works so hard for so little, but still she is very proud of what she has. We also got to visit with some other women who were open to share what their lives are like here in Kamonkoli, and once again we were all reminded how blessed we are where we live.
What continues to amaze us is that despite the poverty, these people are happy and kind and open to our presence and help. Even in the midst of adversity, which Todd experienced in the hospital today with the loss of 2 babies, one of the father’s was proclaiming, “God is good!” Even through our exhaustion and pain and compassion overload, God is good, ALL THE TIME! Thank you for your continued prayers.
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