Arriving in Uganda

After more than 24 hours of travel, we stepped out of the plane into the sunshine at the Entebbee airport in Uganda.  

Tears filled my eyes as I realized I was finally in AFRICA!  

God is SO good!

Our team had no problems getting our visas and finding all 34+ pieces of luggage... now to get it all loaded onto a truck and us into a van.

We were heading out of Kampala to Jinja to spend the night at the King Fisher Resort.  It is a quaint, tropical resort located on the banks of Lake Victoria and the beginning of the Nile River.  We were anxious to get to Canaan's, but thankful to have a night to 'crash' and re-group before the real adventure began.

We settled in and met up for a  late dinner on the patio.  We learned very quickly that things don't move at the same pace we are accustomed to in America.  As we waited close to an hour for our food... many of us realized we were way more tired than hungry, but thankful for a good meal before heading off to bed... our first night sleeping under a mosquito net!

The following morning we met for breakfast then loaded into two boats for a ride to the source of the Nile.  

What an amazing site ... we actually stood on this small island watching and listening as a native 'tour guide' explained how the water bubbles up from below and changes the direction of the flow.

We could see the current stop, swirl and head North. 

Bret and I climbed to the top of a mound of rocks... marking the official source of the Nile.

When we got back to the resort we pulled out all of our bags of donations and sorted everything.  Such a blessing to see all the clothes, shoes, books, laptops, sports equipment, craft supplies, etc. that so many people had donated for our team to bring.  

We were now off to Canaan Children's Home.. with much anticipation and excitement!

As we pulled into the compound, I honestly can not remember HOW.. but Bret ended up being the closest to the door.  Therefore, he was the first one off the bus... into the waiting arms & hugs of a 'sea' of kids.  They were jumping and yelling... so excited to see the 'omuzungus' (white man).  We all received the same reception as many beautiful faces smiled and cheered.  They took us to their 'classroom' - an open shelter type structure where the Kindergarten age has class each day.  The teacher lead them in several songs about their love for Jesus.  Immediate TEARS... to see and hear these children singing their praises to Jesus!  We soon learned that this large 'class' was made up of children that lived there at Canaan's, but also of the neighborhood children in the Kindergarten class.  They came each morning for class and then went home at lunch time.  Shortly after, they dismissed the 'little ones' class - the 2 1/2-4 year olds located in another building on the grounds.  What fun to have these 'characters' coming - looking for your attention and hugs!!

I had heard that the kids 'choose you', but didn't really understand what that meant -- until it happened. 

I had several 4-6 year olds hanging on me, then turned around to see this precious little girl running towards me with a huge smile on her face.  She plowed into me and wrapped her arms around my leg... giggling and wiggling.  What a happy little thing.  I came to know her as Liticia.  She was like a little parrot... copying everything I said... and giggling all the while.  What a joy!

 

Very soon I found myself being 'chosen' for the second time.  This very quiet girl, Vivian attached herself to me.  Huge eyes that would quickly fluctuate between joyfully dancing and deep sadness.  She is a very smart little girl and would often help me understand what others were saying.  Every time she smiled you can see her 'gap' where she lost her two front teeth.  She says she is four, but seems more like a six year old to me.  She always made sure that she and Liticia were by my side.  

I found myself wondering... and still do... what her story is... what she is thinking behind those big, sad eyes.

  We played and laughed and sang and hugged together.  She was waiting for me outside our front door every morning... bringing Liticia in tow.

The rest of the afternoon/evening was filled with finding our rooms, getting settled and hanging out with a bunch of kids!  We toured the facility ... walking into dorm rooms that housed between 19-24 kids of different age/gender groups.  

Each dorm has an "auntie", or in one room an "uncle" that live with the kids.  The rooms have a cement floor and are filled with metal bunk beds 2-3 high each with a thin mattress and a rough wool blanket.  There are tubs with clothes in them and shoes outside the door, but very few other belongings.  

No visible toys.  

Mosquito nets, and a random light bulb hanging from the ceiling, but no fans. 

Nothing fancy, by American standards, but a dry place to sleep and call 'home'.

As I fell into bed (with a smile on my face) at the end of our first day at Canaan's, I found myself completely exhausted, yet completely content.  What a sweet feeling to be 'drained' by little ones needing your love, attention and hugs.

AND ... what an amazing thought to know I could wake up and do it all over again the next day!!  

I thought sleep would come easily, and it did ... until I was awakened by the sound of something POUNDING on the roof of our building.  It took me a few minutes to realize it was rain and wind... SO loud... as if all of heaven opened up and began to dump.  It POURED for hours... I was sure we would all be floating by morning.  (They told us they had just been experiencing 6 months of drought... really?)  Somehow the exhaustion took over and we did get some sleep... until the 4:30ish 'call to prayer' that blared over a loud speaker in the neighborhood.  We quickly adjusted to the interesting new sounds all around us.

Vivian in the middle... with Liticia peaking around behind her.

... and so day #2 at Canaan's began with little ones waiting outside our door for us to come out and play.