it's Christmas?

The past few weeks have been very interesting, to say the least! I had feared that the weeks leading up to Christmas would be rather boring because most of the children travel to their villages for the holidays, so they would not be at Dawn for the last few weeks of the year. For the first couple of days last week my suspicions were true, and the days were very slow at the Centre because we had about 3-4 kids on those days. I was kind of disappointed about that because I have been itching to be busy for a lot of reasons, but mostly because I was questioning the point of being here when there was no work to be done. I had let myself doubt the purpose, and much more doubt that I was even helping at all. I mean really, what do I have to offer that the next person does not? There is nothing special about me that gives me the qualifications and all to be the person to help Dawn. In all honesty this was a very difficult issue to work out because along with the doubting feelings came an overload of homesickness. I felt unneeded here, and then I would think of all the holiday fun I was missing and felt completely alone. For about a week I found myself unmotivated, sad, confused, and just plain in a sour mood. I had no idea what to do.

Fast forward to today and I feel the complete opposite. Over the past two weeks a lot has happened. The first thing that fostered an attitude change was when Heather and I visited a local church called Amazing Grace Church in Muyanga where we met the Pastor and his family. This was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I have never been encouraged by someone’s faithfulness and trust in the Lord. We sat there for about 2 hours as we listened to Pastor Fred tell us stories about his life. He told us how he went to Bible College in South Africa and led Bible studies in neighborhoods amidst gunfire fights. He told us how there are times when he has no way of feeding his family, much less funding the church, but he has faith that God is his provider. He encouraged us as well as inspired a fire in my own heart. He had numerous stories, every single one was amazing, and I wish I could have recorded them to share. We then shared dinner with his family and afterwards had a dance party with his children in their living room. I had been praying for something else, other than Dawn, to get involved in and God has answered that prayer very quickly! They invited me to help with their children’s ministry on Sunday’s and I am so excited! I anticipate the experiences I will have at Amazing Grace to be awesome. I am so thankful that God heard my prayers, and that before I even asked Him He had already began working.

The entire time I have been here the director of Dawn has been out of town. This has added greatly to some frustrations because I was never actually told what she wanted me to work on. For the past 7 weeks it has been a guessing game of some sorts. I have been craving some direction about what is really needed from me, and what they want me to work on. Florence finally returned to Kampala last week and I was able to meet with her and sort out my long list of questions. I left the meeting completely renewed, with a long list of tasks and projects (if you know me well, you know that makes me happy), and ready to go. Looking back, and knowing that God already knew that my frustrations would almost get the best of me, I think it was good Florence was gone for my first month here. It really allowed me to integrate myself as a member of the Center. I was able to build relationships with the staff and especially the children. I worked alongside everyone, playing with the children, bathing them, changing diapers, and feeding them. I was able to see how the Centre runs from day to day and I think that will really help me to understand the best ways to complete the projects I have now.

Being in 80+ degree weather in the middle of December definitely makes it feel like summer instead of only two week until Christmas! I have been a little bummed because so much of my holiday spirit comes from seeing lights, drinking warm Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, and the cold weather. I get none of that here, but this Saturday we got to go to the Children’s Cantata at Watoto Church. It was GREAT! It was a play filled with music and dancing and every person in it was a child from the church. I was SO impressed, and so happy to get a little dose of the holiday spiritJ

This weekend was also the Dawn staff Christmas party. The party has been planned since I got here to be at Sesse Beach in Entebbe. On Sunday we woke up to the coldest and rainiest weather that I have seen so far in Kampala. It was definitely not beach weather. Convinced the sun would start shining at some point, we dressed in our sundresses and head out to the beach. We had an hour van ride and then reached our destination. From what I gathered it was supposed to be a restraint, but it was pretty much just an abandoned, unfinished, and unfurnished house. I was a little shocked that this was where was chosen for our party. We were led upstairs to a patio that just had plastic chairs on it. I knew we were going to be eating fish, but I was informed that it would take 3 hours to prepare because they had to go catch the fish first. So what do you do in room with no furnishing, with a group of people who have a very difficult time communicating? You play games! Our German roommates brought different games, and just like at a child’s birthday party we played “balance and egg on a spoon” and “three legged race.” Sounds lame, right? Except it was a blast! And of course because we are in Uganda, the games were followed by a Dance party. If you went to this staff party at home you would be in shock, I think.  After that we all sat in a circle and had to introduce the person to our left. It was so great hearing people tell the group what their favorite thing about the person they were introduce…until the girl introducing me said that her favorite thing about me was that I am “very audible.”  Basically that’s the nicest way to say I am loud. HahaJ We had a Secret Santa exchange and it was so fun to be a part of such a happy and fun time with the staff.

Among the busyness, my roommate and fellow AIMer, Heather’s last week has snuck up on us. The friendship we have built is incredible, and I am going to miss her so much. I know that I have made a lifelong friend and I am so happy she was able to come, even for a short time. Even though I now get my own room and double the closet space, it is going to be a great challenge to be here “alone.”  It was such a blessing to have a partner, someone to talk to, and someone to do things with. I know that God offers the ultimate companionship and protection, and I am confident that all my needs will be met. Even so, the transition will be difficult so keep me in your prayers!

More to come. I have two weeks off as Dawn is closed for the holidays. I am looking forward to catching up on emails and my blog! Blessings to you all during this time as you remember Him!