We are so incredibly happy to be at our destination: Musana, home of sunshine and happiness! We did have a shaky start: our plane from Denver to Detroit was apparently too heavy given the altitude and heat. So, they asked 10 passengers to voluntarily get off in exchange for a later flight and a $1,000 voucher! And 10 did. But while that happened, it got hotter, so they removed the luggage from all remaining passengers except the international travelers (or so we thought). Upon arrival at the Entebbe airport, we discovered that 3 personal bags and 3 VBS bags did not make the journey. Still waiting for them as we write. But the rest of the trip to Amsterdam, Kigali, Entebbe and Musana was uneventful and we made record time with an early arrival on Friday. With almost 800 kids, the mob scene at the front gate was overwhelming and amazing. It was hard to tell who was more excited: us or the kids. Pretty sure it was us!
After a relaxing rain overnight, we met with the Musana team Saturday morning. It was awesome to reconnect with old friends and make new friends. Everyone is excited to begin VBS Monday morning with our Bible stories, crafts, science, games and snack activities on Monday – it is apparently their favorite time of the year. Today was also a special day for another reason and we were able to enjoy it. It was the grand opening of the new health center. A brass band, the teachers dressed smartly, students and some of us marched from Musana, through town and to the Health Center. It was dressed to the hilt and prepared to receive local citizens and dignitaries, even the Speaker of the House! This is such a needed ministry in the Iganga district where we are.
A group of us had the opportunity to say hello to a women at the Health Center who was an inpatient. Janet is a 67 year old woman who has malaria and other serious symptoms. She had two women by her side, encouraging and caring for her. She outstretched her hand, eager just to be held for a moment. We each took a moment to grasp her hand. Even in the midst of pain and an unsure future, Janet smiled at each of us like it was the best day of her life. At one point, the women with Janet saw a camera and suggested that they take a picture with Janet and a few members of our team. Once Janet saw herself in the photo, she grinned and pointed at each person in the picture, nodding her head in excitement. What was it about this woman and the joy she showed us, even while in a hospital bed, unsure of her future? The moment brought tears to our eyes. We will never forget Janet, her family, and their beautiful welcoming. Who was blessing who?
Amazing. We returned to the compound at Musana knowing how Flatirons and our friends and family support such a worthy organization (see www.musana.org). The rains fell hard and as we prepped for Monday and recalled the Toto song Africa, “I blessed the rains down in Africa…”
Thanks for your love and support!
After a relaxing rain overnight, we met with the Musana team Saturday morning. It was awesome to reconnect with old friends and make new friends. Everyone is excited to begin VBS Monday morning with our Bible stories, crafts, science, games and snack activities on Monday – it is apparently their favorite time of the year. Today was also a special day for another reason and we were able to enjoy it. It was the grand opening of the new health center. A brass band, the teachers dressed smartly, students and some of us marched from Musana, through town and to the Health Center. It was dressed to the hilt and prepared to receive local citizens and dignitaries, even the Speaker of the House! This is such a needed ministry in the Iganga district where we are.
A group of us had the opportunity to say hello to a women at the Health Center who was an inpatient. Janet is a 67 year old woman who has malaria and other serious symptoms. She had two women by her side, encouraging and caring for her. She outstretched her hand, eager just to be held for a moment. We each took a moment to grasp her hand. Even in the midst of pain and an unsure future, Janet smiled at each of us like it was the best day of her life. At one point, the women with Janet saw a camera and suggested that they take a picture with Janet and a few members of our team. Once Janet saw herself in the photo, she grinned and pointed at each person in the picture, nodding her head in excitement. What was it about this woman and the joy she showed us, even while in a hospital bed, unsure of her future? The moment brought tears to our eyes. We will never forget Janet, her family, and their beautiful welcoming. Who was blessing who?
Amazing. We returned to the compound at Musana knowing how Flatirons and our friends and family support such a worthy organization (see www.musana.org). The rains fell hard and as we prepped for Monday and recalled the Toto song Africa, “I blessed the rains down in Africa…”
Thanks for your love and support!