Dear friends - my name is Donna. None of you know me or my joining your team here - I'm a last-minute add-on to the Riverside "Team Gumby" team here at Musana. I'm originally from Indiana and I am working primarily with Scripture Union for 6 weeks in Kampala. I came for a quick visit with Musana to see what they're doing here, when I met your absolutely delightful friends and family. They have so graciously invited me in, included me, and supported me; it's special group you have here. It has been great experiencing this adventure with them. They even let me have a spot on the blog roster! (Thank you, Sue…I really feel honored to be here).
This week has been a whirlwind of busyness, visits, people, food, more visits, little sleep, more people, etc. This afternoon, after lunch, we gathered in the gazebo for our afternoon devotion led by Steve. Steve talked about the story of the prodigal son, and challenged us with the thought that the story isn't just about the prodigal son, but is really about the lavish, marvelous gifts of the father TO the son. He paralleled this to God's love for us, His children. He also challenged us to pick one character trait or quality of the Ugandan people that we would love to bring back and cultivate in the U.S. One of the recurring themes as we talked and discussed was this idea of community. Here in Uganda, there is a reliance on one another…when someone has a need, the community fills it. There is humility and vulnerability in relationships that cultivates this deep community. We discussed how in America we tend to be too proud to ask for help, we don't know our neighbors, etc. In Uganda, the people would not survive if not for each other. It was really, really cool to think about bringing this idea back to the States and share the community with our friends and family! How cool is it, also, that we have a family community with one another in Christ? It's really awesome.
This afternoon, we had the privilege of participating in home visits with Musana. At 2pm, we all piled in our vehicle and drove down to the admin building to meet our guides/social workers (Florence and Edward). When Sue came back to the van as we were waiting, she said to us, "I need 4 volunteers!" Well, long story short, the people she wanted to volunteer did not - and she had to just tell us who the volunteers were supposed to be (Justine, Grace, Robin, Julie, and myself). Turns out, the group was dividing and our group was assigned to take boda-boda rides to the home visits! We were ecstatic! Speaking for myself, I was super nervous to get on a boda-boda. I don't know how many of you have traveled in other parts of the world, but driving is CRAZY overseas, including Iganga, Uganda. There are no real rules, and all the roads are dirt, and you kind of have to have the attitude of "YOLO." And we did. It was Justine and Grace's first times as well, and we all had a blast (pictures to come as soon as the team gets back :).
The home visits were so humbling, eye-opening and joy-giving. About every few months, the social workers from Musana visit the homes of the children that are at school (to make sure everyone is doing well, etc.). The first lady that our team visited was severely handicapped. Due to a battle with epilepsy which caused burns on most of her body, and a handicap which does not allow her to walk, AND with 5 children to provide for, this family was in grave need of help. Thankfully, Musana was able to see this vulnerable situation and sponsor 2 of her children. It was a blessing to be able to pray with her and over her. The second home we visited, the lady ran up to all of us and greeted us with hugs! She welcomed us onto her property and had the biggest smile on her face the entire time - and this was the same with all the visits. The women would bring out chairs for us to sit on (benches, really. It was all the furniture they had!), and welcome us, and greet us with respect and love. It was so humbling: that they felt honored to meet us, when truly they were the blessing to us. My initial thoughts on these visits is overwhelming compassion. My heart breaks and yearns to see the Lord continue to provide for these families in amazing ways. It is almost impossible to put into words what we have seen and experienced.
Well - this is about all the time I have for tonight. Thanks for reading, and hopefully my ramblings and musings made a little sense :) Thank you for sharing your family and friends with me this week. Blessings to all of you!
This week has been a whirlwind of busyness, visits, people, food, more visits, little sleep, more people, etc. This afternoon, after lunch, we gathered in the gazebo for our afternoon devotion led by Steve. Steve talked about the story of the prodigal son, and challenged us with the thought that the story isn't just about the prodigal son, but is really about the lavish, marvelous gifts of the father TO the son. He paralleled this to God's love for us, His children. He also challenged us to pick one character trait or quality of the Ugandan people that we would love to bring back and cultivate in the U.S. One of the recurring themes as we talked and discussed was this idea of community. Here in Uganda, there is a reliance on one another…when someone has a need, the community fills it. There is humility and vulnerability in relationships that cultivates this deep community. We discussed how in America we tend to be too proud to ask for help, we don't know our neighbors, etc. In Uganda, the people would not survive if not for each other. It was really, really cool to think about bringing this idea back to the States and share the community with our friends and family! How cool is it, also, that we have a family community with one another in Christ? It's really awesome.
This afternoon, we had the privilege of participating in home visits with Musana. At 2pm, we all piled in our vehicle and drove down to the admin building to meet our guides/social workers (Florence and Edward). When Sue came back to the van as we were waiting, she said to us, "I need 4 volunteers!" Well, long story short, the people she wanted to volunteer did not - and she had to just tell us who the volunteers were supposed to be (Justine, Grace, Robin, Julie, and myself). Turns out, the group was dividing and our group was assigned to take boda-boda rides to the home visits! We were ecstatic! Speaking for myself, I was super nervous to get on a boda-boda. I don't know how many of you have traveled in other parts of the world, but driving is CRAZY overseas, including Iganga, Uganda. There are no real rules, and all the roads are dirt, and you kind of have to have the attitude of "YOLO." And we did. It was Justine and Grace's first times as well, and we all had a blast (pictures to come as soon as the team gets back :).
The home visits were so humbling, eye-opening and joy-giving. About every few months, the social workers from Musana visit the homes of the children that are at school (to make sure everyone is doing well, etc.). The first lady that our team visited was severely handicapped. Due to a battle with epilepsy which caused burns on most of her body, and a handicap which does not allow her to walk, AND with 5 children to provide for, this family was in grave need of help. Thankfully, Musana was able to see this vulnerable situation and sponsor 2 of her children. It was a blessing to be able to pray with her and over her. The second home we visited, the lady ran up to all of us and greeted us with hugs! She welcomed us onto her property and had the biggest smile on her face the entire time - and this was the same with all the visits. The women would bring out chairs for us to sit on (benches, really. It was all the furniture they had!), and welcome us, and greet us with respect and love. It was so humbling: that they felt honored to meet us, when truly they were the blessing to us. My initial thoughts on these visits is overwhelming compassion. My heart breaks and yearns to see the Lord continue to provide for these families in amazing ways. It is almost impossible to put into words what we have seen and experienced.
Well - this is about all the time I have for tonight. Thanks for reading, and hopefully my ramblings and musings made a little sense :) Thank you for sharing your family and friends with me this week. Blessings to all of you!
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