Jinja, Uganda: Friday 6/20; An Unforgettable Day.

The end of the first week came quickly!  Thankfully, Les was feeling better and was ready to rejoin the team.  We had asked Pastor Andrew if we could spend the entire morning at Bethel School so we could get some extended quality time with the kids.  He agreed.  So after breakfast, it was off to the school.  If you've never been mobbed by a group of 4-8 year olds starving for attention, I'll do my best to explain.  My friend and fellow team member Steve is over 6 feet tall and regularly works out.  Nonetheless, the children nearly tackled him to the ground.  They desperately hang on to your arms essentially removing any arm hair you may have, and they continually jump on your back, your lap, or hold onto your legs as you try to walk about the school yard.  It is AWESOME!  Below are a few pics. 

The team very much interrupts the school day and any chance of learning for the day, but we have so much fun, I don't think the teachers mind.  They actually interact with us and the children the entire time, too.  We sing, dance, play "PE" games, soccer, whatever the kids choose.  As a team we all agreed we felt much more physically exhausted after our time with the children than after our "hard labor" tasks at the tree farm!  Man Up teams play hard!  One of my favorite moments from the entire trip happened during our morning at Bethel.  Team member Les, who had been ill the previous day, rejoined us for Friday.  At one point during the morning, it started to rain.  Some of us entered classrooms for a bit of shelter.  Les and a group of children went into the "music" room.  Within moments, the joyous sound of drumming, singing (yelling), and utter glorious chaos was flowing from that room.  I hope the videos below work so you can get just a feel of the moment.  Video 1 is of lesser quality than video 2 but I love the energy from both so I posted them both here. 

 



After lunch and leaving the school we were scheduled to meet with the women of the Masese community.  I want to reiterate that these are STRONG women.  They are often left single with multiple children and are forced to provide for them with very little means.  As a reminder 65% of the Ugandan population lives on less than $2 per day.  38% lives on less than $1.50 per day.  Perspective? 
Our conversation time with the women was great.  We had an open and honest conversation about how we can help them.  We ALWAYS get asked to provide financially.  While in certain situations we can and do provide that type of assistance, we are primarily about providing a hand UP, not a hand out.  We are in Uganda to stand with the people there and to help them help themselves.  We spoke about the Biblical roles of a man and a woman in marriage.  They were very excited about how we had spent time speaking with the men in their community.  As is customary for Man Up teams, we bought beads.  I love these handmade beads.  Such artistry. 
Another favorite moment occurred while we spent time with the women.  A woman probably in her mid to upper 50's was listening to us.  I had asked them to share some of their "stories" with us and she willingly spoke.  She is a single, unemployed grandmother.  She fosters 12-15 children. That's not a typo.  12-15 children.  In a small hut.  She is a believer.  She said God always provides.  She had me in tears with her story, then she gave me a bracelet.  GAVE.  She lives on less than $2 per day and supports 12-15 foster children and she GAVE me a bracelet as a thank you for coming to her community and spending time with them.  More tears.  She said it was for me and my wife.  People amaze me. 
After supper, we ended our day packing for the next day, our mid-trip travel day towards Pallisa.