July 4th

I am blogging tonight because the team is exhausted and I want them to all get some rest. We had a great day and everyone is doing awesome...

Happy July 4^theveryone! I hope when you wake up you have a wonderful day. We got up early again this morning with breakfast at 6:30. Have I mentioned I hate mornings!!! After breakfast we  had a cooking class put on by the head chef, Haroon, and Dorkus. It was a very interactive experience. Steve they trusted me enough (my reputation precedes me even across thousands of miles) to pour in onions! I didn't get to slice them, but I was granted permission to dump them into the pot. We peeled bananas for Matooki , potatoes; sliced meat (it actually looked really tasty), cut vegetables, made gnut sauce and took lettuce apart and chopped it up. The  Matooki is cooked in a pot. The first layer is coated with banana leaves. They go all directions to ensure the water that will later be poured in will not touch the product. Then the bananas go in covered by more banana leaves. The top layer in the pot are the potatoes again covered with leaves. All the leaves are tucked neatly into the pot. Trust me, strong hands are a necessity. Hands that are tough are also important in move steaming hot pots from one place to another. The team from Colorado is here with approximately ten students so Dorkus was continually reminding the group to be quiet as this was a class. One of the things we have talked about as a team is the value Ugandans have on respect and politeness. They are always so gracious and always have a smile on their face. They don't have the look or boredom or exasperation that so many of our youth have. They are hungry for interaction and for knowledge. What we prepared this morning will be our lunch in a few hours. Dorkus was telling us that she wakes at 3 am in the morning to begin preparing meals and doesn't go to sleep until after dinner. That is a long work day, and she is always so happy! We could sure learn a few things about positive attitudes, even when there are a few bumps in the road.  

 

We then boarded boda boda's (motorcycles) and headed out to a few home visits with families whose children are at Musana. These are very vulnerable families for various reasons and Musana provides education for some of their children. The first family we visited has a mother that has no use of her legs due to a birth defect. Because of her disability a few years ago she lost her balance and fell into a fire and has terrible burns on her hands. So bad that her hands are deformed. They are so thankful for Musana and the blessing they provide to their children. We then got back on our bodas and headed to another family. Keneth was telling us that the father of this family is an awesome father. He has a vested interest in his children, which is rare in this country. The third family we visited was a single mother with two high school age kids being educated at Musana. She is on the PTA of the school and helps out in her community as a social worker. She strongly promotes education and she too loves what Musana does. It is really hard not to like their vision and follow through. We then returned and ate the lunch we had prepared earlier and I have to say it was delicious. Just FYI Musana now serves milkshakes for a nominal fee; vanilla, chocolate, strawberry. As I write this, Kylee is enjoying a vanilla one. Craigg already downed his chocolate.  

 

At 2 pm the team leaders from the various teams, along with Haril, Andrea, Leah and Susan went out to see the new land they have purchased for their new campus. They are expanding the same model as Musana's original campus. They have purchased 11 acres for starters. Musana's primary school campus is 5 so they are starting large. The land itself is beautiful. We met the village elder who assisted in the purchase of the land. I can't believe this whole ministry was started by a 20 year old with a heart. I can't wait to come back in a year and see the progress that has been made. The area around the school has very little building around it, but Andrea was saying Musana started that way as well. What a blessing Musana will be to the community. We prayed over the land and I have full confidence that they will flourish. 

 

We then returned to the primary campus and joined a fellowship with the teachers. The singing h and dancing was phenomenal. Then Josh (one of the leaders of the Colorado team who is a pastor) preached and his message was perfect. I left a little early to go with Kyemba to pick up Kylee from the hospital. She will not be going there tomorrow as she is going to join us back at the Bukono campus and to the women's ministry. Craigg will be joining us as well and personally I can't wait to see him dance! Michele there will definitely be pictures!!! Now we are all chilling on the porch.

 

This afternoon while I was seeing the new property, Aubra and Denise baked the cake, and Esther went with the Colorado team to begin a mural at the high school. Stephanie don't panic… Kylee was at the hospital..

 

Tonight Musana had a fourth of July celebration in honor of all us Mzungu's. It was for both teams and the staff. What a great celebration it was. Aubra and Denise along with their chefs spent the afternoon baking a cake. All natural ingredients… no cake out of a box! The party started with dinner… hamburgers, steak on a stick, and real potato chips. Then there was a dance competition and I can assure you that none of won that. We didn't even come close. But it was great seeing the moves. Even the kids outdid us!! The party is still in full swing but three mornings of rising early and I am beat. It is WAY past my bedtime. I love you all wish you the a good fourth!!

 

Sue