CrAzY dAyZ

July 7, 2013

We stayed home from church today for two reasons: 1. Everyone except Eva and I have a terrible raspy cough. 2. Eva was too upset about Wendy the Kitten dying last night. I would have gone just the two of us, but she didn’t want to. So instead, I read the Children’s Bible about the story of Solomon asking for Wisdom. We talked about what we may have asked for and some situations where we might need wisdom. I prayed and we listened to some gospel music and then we watched a little of the Bible Series from the History channel.

This morning at 5:45 John woke up screaming. I went into Mercy’s room and relieved her since she wasn’t feeling well. With John already coughing the worst and Ben coughing too I figured it doesn’t matter who sleeps with whom. Ben takes forever to fall asleep. He just kept talking and talking and John couldn’t sleep. Finally after the three of us were in bed, we all fell asleep. When it was time to get up, Joseph and I buried Wendy. I went to shower, but Ben and Susan wanted to shower so they showered first. When I finally got in the shower, Ben stood at the closed door and cried “Mommy!” So I finished my shower with Ben. Then Eva and I went to the supermarket with Precious. Ben cried as I left and Mercy had to restrain him. Ben is my shadow.  It’s gonna be a rough day when I leave.

With the kids being sick, I made all of the stay inside the gate, including Mercy. Eva had to go outside the gate to play. The rest of us sat on the front porch in anticipation of the other Auntie Nicole to arrive. I ironed clothes and painted Susan’s beautiful fingernails. I took Ben and Susan to get water and cookies next door at one point. The rest of the time, we took pictures and videos and watched a marching band go by J At one point, I was talking to Mercy when I noticed the gate was open and I didn’t see Susan and Ben in the front yard. I panicked! We have told the kids many times the past few days not to open or leave the gate. As I ran to the gate I called for Susan, but she did not answer. She usually doesn’t. I looked outside the gate down the road and there was Susan, leading her brother proudly down the road, determined to get to wherever it was they had planned. “Susan, come here!” I wasn’t angry; I was terrified. But I wanted to sound firm. They didn’t understand the danger of being in the road. As I walked towards them (because they hadn’t gotten far), a boda was coming down the street. I told Susan not to move, but she didn’t understand what I was saying. She pushed her brother then ran across the dirt road. I ran to Ben who had fallen down and looked at Susan, put out my palm and yelled “STOP!” She finally stopped moving. Thankfully, the boda had slowed down when he saw me with the kids. He apologized and I said “Oh no. You are fine. I’m sorry!” I grabbed Ben up in my arms and took Susan’s hand. Once back inside the gate, Ben and Susan were both mad at me. Ben just wanted to be held. Susan would not come when Mercy and I called her. It took about five minutes. I asked Mercy to translate for me: “I am not mad. I was so scared. You could have gotten hurt. You cannot leave the gate unless me or Auntie Mercy are with you.” Turns out, they were going to get ice cream! “What were you gonna buy the ice cream with?” Susan held out her hand holding 200 shillings left over from earlier that day. “That would not be enough, sweetheart. Next time you want ice cream, you just have to ask ok?” Susan nodded. I kissed her cheek and told her I loved her.

Finally, the other Auntie Nicole arrived. There was much excitement in the air. She climbed out of the van saying “I feel like I already know you!” It was so nice to be able to converse with another mzungu. She brought me White Cheddar Cheezits, Wild Berry Skittles, Peanut M&Ms, and Squirt cheese. I was so excited!!! Nicole is a nurse, which works out wonderfully since she knows how to treat things bigger than a cut and a fever. She loves the kids and we are so thrilled to be able to spend the next 10 days together before I leave.

 

July 8, 2013

 

As I am writing this morning, Ben has taken his place with his head on my lap; I balance my laptop on my legs. Haha! He is rambling on about something. Today, Nicole and I will be going to get her mattress and internet. I will be getting chapati and juice. Morning routine J For lunch I will be making potato fries. At some point before I leave, we will be having tacos, spaghetti, and chicken with mashed potatoes. Saturday we will be going to Victoria Falls J and the Market in Jinja as well as the mzungu restaurant The Keep. We WILL be getting milkshakes! On Sunday, we will go once more to Acacia Community Church and then off to the Source of the Nile River J I can’t believe I only have 10 more days. I don’t want to go. But I want to see my family and raise money for my next trip. Nicole said she’s a little nervous about staying here by herself. She told me she doesn’t know how I did it. I told her “a lot of crying, a lot of praying, and a lot more crying. But most importantly, spending time in God’s Word!” Nicole has such a heart for Africa and I know she is going to do perfectly fine here. I love Iganga, Uganda. It really grows on you.  I am looking at and praying about coming back in December and staying for 8 months. Continue praying for these sweet children. There will definitely be some crying on the 18^th L