Back in Canada (Partly)

We are back on Canadian soil and were grateful to crawl into our own beds last night after being without one for over 40 hours. 

Now we begin jet lag recovery and all that is involved with readjusting to being first world citizens. All this while a piece of our hearts remain tucked in a little corner of Kampala, Uganda.  A place filled with the laughter, the tears and the singing of children. A place where every day we heard a hundred "ellos". A place where we snuggled, played with and comforted the precious little ones God placed in our path. A place where we were hugged and kissed (and occasionally bitten and spit upon) readily by children, like any other, wanting to be loved and to belong.

We pray for these precious jewels. And for their dear mamas and all the staff at Sanyu Babies Home.  Their faith, their joy and their vision are an inspiration.  

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27)

Farewell Sanyu

Departure day is always emotional and today is no different as we say "so long" to our Sanyu family. 

There have been other emotional events this week. On Monday we were privileged to witness Josephine leave to join her permanent family - the ultimate goal for each baby that is rescued. 

Today we met one-week-old Ethan and Maureen, twins who arrived last evening.  

So farewell until next time, Sanyu. May God continue to use and bless you as you serve Him so faithfully each and every day. 

Humbled

Yesterday, with the help of Joel, the guesthouse manager, we planned an ice cream party for the Sanyu staff. The concept of sundaes seemed new to them, but they enjoyed the treat along with sodas. 

We used this opportunity to express our appreciation for the amazing work these men and women do every day to serve the children and for the way they share God's love with joy. 

We weren't expecting the gathering to also include a lengthy report by Barbara to give an account to the staff of the things we've been able to provide with the donation money. As she spoke in Luganda, her words were interspersed with cheering and clapping by those encircling the large outdoor thatched shelter. We were glad Barbara did speak not in English so we were able to "keep it together" for the most part before we had a chance to express our thanks to them. 

There was a "handover" as some items  were available for staff to see - towels, bed sheets, potties. Then, the uniforms that are completed were given out and the others are aware theirs are coming. 
After that there was praying and singing and drumming. And then there were the individuals who thanked and hugged us. So humbling.

Strange and Unusual

As we are out and about, either by vehicle or on foot, we see many things we've never seen in Canada. Here's a glimpse:

A goat tied around the waist of a boda driver. 

A man carrying five roosters boarding a boda. 

A sign at an intersection that reads, "Do not urinate here." 

Several cattle in the patch of green grass inside a busy roundabout. 

Us cautiously carrying home 10 loose eggs in a plastic bag. 

A street vendor walking along with a rack of about 100 bras.

A flat rat that didn't safely cross the street. 

A pig in a wheelbarrow. 

Our driver purchasing a foot file out the vehicle window from a street vendor while we were stuck in traffic. 

Again, we are reminded every day, we are not in Canada. 

Photo Day

Before we left home, we received several donations of clothing for the children. We delivered most of them soon after our arrival but saved out 18 onsies until today. 

After the youngest babies received their baths this afternoon we dressed them in  new attire for a photo shoot. 

Picture it. One mama undressing them, another mama bathing them and passing the babies off to us and a couple of others who dried and dressed them, fed the youngest ones and laid/sat them all on a large mat. 

By the time that process was complete, some were not so happy.  After getting them consoled (for the most part) we got lots of pictures of them in their new duds. 

As the staff says, they "looked smart."

Before we were done we got some shots of individuals and small groups. This included Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We can't help but wonder what "fires" God has rescued them from. 

We aren't professional photographers but we hope to have at least a few good pictures to share when we get home to show the results of the days efforts. 

We're Back

We're back online.  We're back in the northern hemisphere. We're back from an amazing safari. 

We took a road trip a few hours away where we went on a safari in Lake Mburo National Park yesterday. 

At the park entrance an armed guide joined us in our van. He gave us lots of information about the park and about the wildlife. 

We saw a variety of animals - cape buffalo, impalas, several other members of the antelope family and monkeys. All fascinating. 

But we have to admit we had a couple of favourites, the first being the zebras. Their elegant stripes are striking in the midst green landscape and red Ugandan soil. They are a bit shy but one mama actually allowed us to watch while her baby nursed for several minutes. So cute. 

In June of last year 15 giraffes were transported to this park from another one further north. For much of the day our driver, Bosco, and the guide (who never did have to use his gun :) scanned the bushes and hillsides in the hope of catching a glimpse of them. Much of the time we had to drive with the windows closed due to swarms of tse tse flies (which can carry disease). 

After covering all the areas of the park but one, we drove down one more road and were amazed to discover the entire herd in an open area. As we sat awestruck and with cameras clicking, Bosco asked if we'd like to get out and have our pictures taken with them. Yes indeed! 

It was incredible to stand within feet of these majestic creatures as they curiously watched us trying to contain our excitement over this unbelievable opportunity. So blessed. 

"For the beauty of the earth, 
for the glory of the skies, 
for the love which from our birth 
over and around us lies; 
Lord of all, to thee we raise 
this our hymn of grateful praise."

Stay Tuned

Limited WiFi tonight. Stay tuned for the next post.