It's been about a year now...

It has officially been a year since I first headed out to this lovely land of Uganda. It's been a year since I met my sweet friend Taylor in the Washington DC airport and began a journey that has been far from what I ever imagined it to be.

This past year has been full of excitement and a great amount of adventure. I've learned how difficult it is to wash your clothes by hand every single week and how over time the children will ask to wash your clothes every single day, so you won't even have to wash your clothes by yourself, or by hand after all.

Some of mine and Taylor's hand
washed clothes hung out to dry.

I have attended a real football game and have also successfully lost a child at a football game. Which ended up resulting in one of the most terrifying moments of my life. But the football game itself is also one of my favourite memories.

I have done a bit of rafting on the Nile River which was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It was simple brilliance being able to spend a day on the exact river that the Bible references to so many times. It was such a surreal experience. 

The aunties surprised the boys in the NCFH with
a evening out to watch a Uganda Cranes
football match.

I carried a Jerry Can home from school only to have the kids laugh at me. Thankfully it was empty, because I cannot imagine carrying a full one. I don't know how they do it! I have had my hair plated, which was even more painful than getting a tattoo.

I've said a few goodbyes and also a few hellos. I've made many friends from all around the world, including three other Kelsey's. I was shocked that there could be so many of us in Uganda. I have learned how to cook outside on a charcoal stove at night, and how to kill a rat. I can sew a basket and even peel mangoes and cut pineapples like a pro.

Carrying a Jerry Can home from school.

I have been pushed out of my comfort zone which has been much needed in my life. I've attended a Ugandan wedding as well as Ugandan funeral. I was always curious of what a Ugandan funeral would be like and unfortunately I was able to experience one just less than a month ago.

I have spent days in the hospital playing guitar with George, and more days caring for him as we helped him become well enough to head back to his home village. There has been many difficult times here in Uganda simply because it's a third world country. But at the end of each day I am able to go to bed being so very thankful for this opportunity to serve the Lord. I have made many wonderful friends, have grown in my relationship with Christ, and have simply been able to go out into Uganda and make disciples.

My first attempt at sewing a basket.

My favourtie part about Uganda has been teaching my P3, now P4 class. The students at the New Creation Centre School hold the key to my heart. I absolutely cherish each moment spent with them. Even when they are driving me crazy. These children have changed my life for the better and I have never been happier in my life.

They are a wild bunch of kids, but have so much joy in their hearts. Whether I am in the classroom teaching, walking home with some of the students, or out playing football on a Saturday morning, God is working. I desire nothing more than to share the love of God with the students at the school and to help make their lives the best they can be.

Playing the guitar for George on his month
long stay in the hospital.

And as today marks a year since I traveled here to Uganda, it also marks the first official day of term two at the school. School actually began this past Monday, but for some reason, students don't show up the first week of school. So today was the first day I had most of my students attending. Peter and I began our journey down to Ntinda from Kiwenda early this morning. Our commute took a total of two hours. Our taxi decided to take a short long cut which put us on a ten minute walk back to where we wanted to be. It then took us another ten minutes to catch our second taxi and apparently we were both so worn out from the ordeal that we forgot to say "masow" at our stop, putting us at the top of hill, where we had to backtrack back to where we needed to be to walk the remainder of the way to the school. We arrived right on African time. Which means we were 40 minutes late.

My class the obviously has a
difficult time following directions.

The first day went amazingly well, ending with me teaching all the students a new song for them to sing for the visitors who will be coming out to Uganda this summer. Oh, and my commute home was complete with both of my taxis getting into car accidents. Typical, right?

So here is to the next seven months I will be spending in Uganda and the nine that have already been spent here. It's been an amazing journey so far and I am completely thrilled to see all that God has in store for me during the remainder of the year.

The absolute loves of my life and my favourite part of the week.

Enchanted

Living in Uganda has allowed me to meet many different people who have touched my life. But never has anyone had such a big impact on my life as Joseph has.

Last year, Joesph was in P7 at the New Creation Centre School. Taylor, Izzi, and I became good friends with Joseph over the time we spent in Uganda. After returning back to America, Joseph continue to stay in contact with me; writing to me on Facebook.

When I returned back to Uganda, Joesph was heading off to secondary boarding school and I was not able to see him. So after seven months of not seeing or talking with Joseph, I made a surprise visit to his home over holiday. I had walked home from school with is younger brothers Isaac and Ivan during the first term, so I knew where he lived.

I was unable to notify him that I was visiting, so I simply showed up at his door. I knocked on the window and when he came to the door all he said was, "Oh wow!"

After inviting us inside and giving us a place to sit, he left for a few minutes. Only to return with a pop and cake for Erika and myself. And as much as I wasn't surprised, I was completely blown away by his respect and care.

Joesph is 18 years old, lives in a third world country, and attends secondary school. Most people in America do not even welcome you into their homes with even half of the respect Joesph welcomed us into his home with.

We chatted about school and life and spent a little time playing his keyboard. Issac joined us for a little bit, spending his time playing the keyboard as well.

Joseph then asked Erika and I if we wanted to go up and See the Baha'i Temple. We took a walk up the hill and continued to chat along the way. Joesph showed us around the grounds of the temple and we took a few photos together. 

On the walk back from the temple Joseph told me that he was thankful. I asked him what he was thankful for and he told me that he was thankful for me visiting him.

What I am thankful for is the man that Joesph has become. He is one of the most respectful and caring Ugandans I have ever met, and he's only 18 years old. This man has a big future ahead of him and I hope and pray that he is someone I can remain friends with for the remainder of my life.

Joesph wants to finish secondary school and go on to university to study to become a mechanical engineer. He also has an interest in music and playing the piano. He is learning to play the keyboard bit by bit.

All I have to say is props to Maama Isaac (his mom) for raising such a fantastic man of God.

Joseph reminds me that there is good in the world and that God doesn't just have me here change the lives of others, but he also has me here for my life to be changed by the people I meet. I have been absolutely enchanted to meet Joseph and to get to know him over the past year.

I pray that the other children in the New Creation Centre School can follow in Joesph's footsteps in respect, care, love, kindness, and love for God. That they may welcome all visitors into their homes just has Joesph welcomed me into his.

You're Beautiful

"God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!" That's right--he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you--under them you are perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing...no harm will even graze you. You'll stand untouched, watch it all form a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door. He ordered angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling..."If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party. I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!" -Psalm 91

It was 3am Friday morning as my roommate Erika and I sat in a circle on the bedroom floor of the girls who live in the New Creation Family Home with us, reading this scripture.

Just a short moment before we had received the news that our little Sarah had passed away. Left with confusion and shock, we came together to worship the Lord and thank him for Sarah. Erika passed a sweetie out to each of the girls and we all took a toast to Sarah, each sharing something about her.

When you move to a third world country you are aware of the death rate, but never once does it cross your mind that a little girl who you live with will go to meet Jesus. And early Friday morning we were shaken at the reality that we had lost one of our own.

Ten months ago I wrote a blog posting about Sarah, and in this writing I wrote: "Sarah is such a great asset to the NCFH because of how gentle and sweet she is. I could say this for each child, but it would not be the same without her here."

Not ten months ago, not a month ago, not a week ago, and not even five days ago would I have ever imagined we would be living in a world without Sarah in it. It breaks my heart to know she is gone, but I am peace knowing she is up in Heaven with God. And just as I wrote before, this home will not be the same without her here.

I will forever remember Sarah wrapping herself in my arms time and time again. Or sitting outside sewing a basket while she set her dolls up on the windowsill telling me that she was going shopping, asking me what I wanted from the market, and bringing it back to me. I'll never forget her bright smile and gentle spirit.

And even though this is a sad time, I know Sarah would want nothing more than for us to be happy. So let me get to some of these crazy Ugandan traditions.

First off, it's tradition to "sleep down" (sleep on the floor) with family, friends, teachers, pastors, etc. until the day of burial. So for four nights we slept down in the family room with all the children, NCFH staff, and our visitors...with the lights on. Ugandans seem to fear the dark after a death. I personally fear sleep derivation. Erika and I slept no more then fifteen hours in the past four days. I am happy to say we will be sleeping in our beds with the lights off tonight.

Also, on a side note. The first night of sleeping down I had been reading my Bible while everyone else had fallen asleep. I closed my Bible and turned over to fall asleep myself when I saw water flooding the family room floor. I tapped Erika on the shoulder to wake her up and said, "Erika, there is water everywhere!" We spent the next hour mopping up water that had flooded a room, the dining room, and the family room. It was as quite a mess but also brought a good laugh.

We did eat some fantastic food though! It is also tradition to eat a mixture of cassava and beans when someone dies. It will most definitely remain my best meal in Uganda. The days prior to Sarah's funeral were spent with visitors. Sunday night Erika and I began to wonder what we were supposed to wear to a funeral here. We asked Mama Lydia which of course brought all the mamas, aunties, and other teachers into our room. So needless to say, they hooked us up with some traditional African wear. (We wore these for you Sarah!)

Monday morning  we woke up at 5am to pray and worship before preparing to depart for Sarah's funeral. Before leaving some of the girls played and sang a song that Auntie Taylor and I had written for them this past summer. It was one of the sweetest moments to see them all together singing that special song we'd written for them.

"Home is where the heart is and our hearts are where you are. These memories will flood our minds no matter where we are. Home, home, you've made this place our home."

First we headed to the church the children attend on a weekly basis to celebrate Sarah's life. Her favourite songs were sang, people spoke about her, and the children of the NCFH read words that people from all over the world had written about Sarah and sang Give Us Clean Hands. It was a special time.

 

After the service we boarded buses that drove out to Sarah's family's village where the burial would take place. When we arrived there had to have been over 300 people there. Her grave had been dug and she was lying in her coffin. We found our seats, Margret on my lap, and watched as they wrapped Sarah in her bed sheets, her mother wailing, and placed back into her coffin. A few people spoke, as well as Sherry who brought me to tears speaking about how much she loved Sarah and how much Sarah loved Jesus. They then moved Sarah's coffin into her grave and she was buried. We celebrated with lunch and then loaded back into the bus to travel back home.

We ate PB&J for dinner and all slept down on the floor once more.

Although this was a long, drawn out process, I am thankful to have been a part of celebrating Sarah's life. She's always reminded me that there is good in the world. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know her. She was with us for a short time, but she made a difference in the world during her eleven years. Now she is happy and in Heaven with her loving father.

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted among the earth." -Psalm 46:10

If you feel called to help support the Loving One By One ministry, please head over to our support page as we raise money to help pay for the cost of Sarah's celebration of life. Even $5 makes a difference! Thank you!

 Little Sarah's Support Page

Sarah Singing "You're Beautiful" by Phil Wickham