Ultimate Encounter

I must share with you the story of a girl at Kutamba. This is the most evident, direct, spiritual encounter of my actual journey (God's faithfulness before the trip was another huge spiritual lesson-see early posts) . There were other spiritual moments on the trip, but this was the most impacting for me. I really wish I knew her name. I think I was so surprised when we met because of what she did, I didn’t think to even ask at the time. I did manage to ask Eric to take our picture together.

The day of the groundbreaking for the Kutamba AIDS Orphans School, we also visited the temporary facilities. We had visited with the kids for a bit, then it was time to go. The kids sang us one more song, and we began to walk back down the path toward the van. Instead of the kids just standing in front of their buildings and waving as we left, they sang and escorted us down the path. I was about a fourth of the way, clapping along and enjoying the music when I felt a tug on my backpack purse. I wondered who was doing it and why. I turned around, and it was the girl in the attached picture. She took my purse and wanted to carry it for me to the end of the path. Once I understood her offer, I helped her position it so she had both straps over her shoulders. I was so honored, humbled, and blessed that she chose to serve me in this way. It still brings tears to my eyes. I shared this at church at communion time at church as a wonderful example of how Jesus chose to serve--to carry our burdens to the end—for him, it was to the cross. It was also wonderful confirmation of the effectiveness of ministry with children—they “get” faith and they "get" service, and often far more clearly and with less reservation than we do as adults. I will never forget that experience.

E-zines Getting the Word Out

Check out these e-magazine articles about Nyaka and Kutamba:

http://www.ugpulse.com/articles/daily/Education.asp?id=588

http://www.ugpulse.com/articles/daily/Education.asp?id=454

http://www.ugpulse.com/channels/educ_index.asp?channel=Education ( Click on the picture. This is about the Kutamba AIDS Orphans School groundbreaking, in which the SOCC mission team participated.)

Hope in the Holy Week Scriptures

This week, I've been reading through the Holy Week happenings in the book of John. In John 14, Jesus is trying to prepare the disciples for his departure by sharing that the Holy Spirit will come to them to counsel, comfort, and remind them of His teachings. He promises, "I will not leave you orphaned. I'm coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you're going to see me because I am alive and you're about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I'm in my Father, and you're in me, and I'm in you" (John 14:18-20 Msg).

What hope--not only for us, but for the Nyaka and Kutamba children that He is here with us through His Spirit. We are not alone.

2 Letters from Students

Below you will find two letters given to me by Nyaka students the day I left. I'll type them as they wrote them and add clarification in parentheses.

Hello Aunt Cynthia (I didn't use this title, she came up with it):
This is the special thanking from M. from P-7 class. I would like to thank you for the words you taught us about God. Surely I love you. I will pray for you day and night I will keep on remembering the purposes you taught us. Greet for me the children at your church. I am sure I will not shame you and I request you kindly to come back for our graduation in December 2008 (the first Primary class to "graduate" from Nyaka.). May the Good Lord bless you and your family. Special greetings to your son and daughter.
Loves you, M.

Dear Mrs. Cynthia:
How are you and how is your life (?) Back to me I am not fine because of your living (leaving). I have miss (will miss you) because you where teachering us songs and five pourpeses. One of it was conect, grow and share about God. I will keep on remembering you and keep on.
You told us that your a teacher in church so when reach there you great (greet) all and told (tell) them that Nyaka loves you, T.D. also loves you. I great (greet) them in the name of Jesus Chrsit our Lord. I will keep on praying for you. Keep on thinking about Nyaka and T.D. God bless you and your family.


I have come to believe that the only true way we can serve God is to serve His children.
Paul Cook's diary in the book, The Sunflower, p 205

Level One Conversion

Brad, the missions minister, talks of "level one missions involvement" as becoming interested in helping someone. That's where I started when I watched the Nyaka video for the first time. Honestly, before that, mission work was for other people, those who were more rugged, adventuresome individuals. I wanted to go to help the teachers better facilitate coping as the kids deal with the death of one or both parents.

As with any intensive ministry experience, once you become immersed in it, you realize how much of a two-way street it is. Let me own that statement (as the counselor in me dictates). Once I got over there, I quickly discovered it was NOT about what I could offer them. The music and the teaching opportunities were vehicles to developing relationships. They were connection points with the kids. While I hope some of it "stuck," (and I think they might be able to name a purpose or two if asked now), I would love to go back sooner rather than later and spend some more 1:1 time with the kids.

I think back to the times when they were having breakfast or lunch, and I just sat back and observed. I didn't want to intrude on their social time with friends. (Otto was great at going up to them and initiating conversations). They also watched me from afar during breakfast. I did take some books out with me a couple of times to read them a story if they were interested, and I did with a few who sat down with me. Most, though, were quiet and shy. I wish now I'd felt more comfortable just approaching them without any kind of tool or connection point--just a genuine interest in who they are, how school is going for them, and how they're coping with all the circumstances in their lives. Why did I need the crutch of books, teaching, or song leading? I guess it's the teacher/administrator in me, trying to be "effective." I want to go back and be "effective" at building relationships that are going to encourage them in their walk with the Lord and pursuing the best education for their skills and abilities. I've often had to remind myself that ministry is not about curriculum, programs, and events, but about PEOPLE.

What a truly rich experience it was. The kids, the school, the teachers/staff/supporters, the culture, the rural living, the villages and cities, the gorgeous mountain scenery, the rugged road trips, the animals, the team of SOCC guys (not to be confused with the animals), the economy, their perspective, their faith--all of it has profoundly affected me. I'm still sorting it out.

Over spring break, I have allowed myself the pleasure of reading a novel. A rare occasion, honestly, as I'm often reading something related to work. I think I'm in the middle of 2 about leadership and communication, discussing 2 others with different individuals or groups, and about to start 3 others for ministry reasons. You'll be seeing quotes from the novel in the next few blog entries, because, of all things, it's about a woman going on a humanitarian mission trip to an orphanage in Peru. It's called The Sunflower.

"The surest way to minimize your own burdens is to carry someone else's."
Paul Cook's Diary from The Sunflower

Trip Agenda

I promised a trip agenda so you'd know what we did each day.
Tuesday: Depart Bloomington around 11:30 for a 2:30 flight out of Indy to Detroit. We got delayed a bit with final packing and a misplaced passport. From Detroit we flew to Amsterdam. The part of the airport we were in was extremely busy and, of course, was very international. It's a major hub for Northwest and KLM Airlines. I learned my carry on should have been on wheels.
Wednesday: This day felt basically lost with the time change. We flew from Amsterdam to Entebbe. When we arrived at the airport, it was about 9p. Stephen, our driver and weeklong escort, met us. We loaded the van (and boy, was it loaded down with 5 people's luggage and all the toys, trinkets and supplies). We got a glimpse of rural life and city culture in the dark; even noticed some businesses, including several barbers open at night. We stayed at Hotel Equatoria in Kampala.
Thursday: We got up, I was the only one with a hot shower (sweet!), and had a wonderful buffet breakfast. We then loaded up for the long van ride to Nyaka. We first exchanged our American dollars for Ugandan shillings ($1=1700 shillings). We crossed the equator, went thru Mbarara, had a little van trouble due to the rough roads, and got to drink in a daytime glimpse of rural life and city culture. There are few traffic lights. They drive on the
wrong" side of the road. Traffic was crazy! That's one reason why we appreciated Stephen so much. We knew none of us could have driven a mile in those conditions without wrecking. We arrived at the school after dark and were greeted by the guest house residents.
Friday: We took it easy, trying to adjust to the time change. We took a walk through Nyakagyezi (the village closest to Nyaka School) and to Kambuga--the larger village at the end of the road. The guys took lots of pix, and we enjoyed a coke at one of the stores.
Saturday: We went to the Seventh Day Adventist Church--the church closest to Nyaka School. Because the new school term started on Monday, they were hosting Nyaka students who sang several songs for them. They prayed for the students and the school. Several of the teachers attend there also.
Sunday: We got up early to drive the 2 1/2 hours to Kutamba School's new property for the groundbreaking. We then visited the temporary facilities (One of my favorite Uganda stories happened here). We ate lunch at a local hospital which was known as a safe local restaurant. This is the day we really saw how green and lush this part of Uganda was--absolutely breathtaking.
Monday-Thursday: I spent time in the classrooms teaching the 5 purposes and VBS music. The guys took pix, interviewed people for their videos, did road work, hauled supplies and worked on mudding a room in the new kitchen/dining/office building. On Wednesday, the grandparents and guardians worked also, then offered us baskets and native crafts, and sang and danced for us. Thursday morning, I finished teaching and we passed out all our gifts and officially donated the 120 pounds of books we brought. In the afternoon, the Anti-AIDS club performed their musical drama for us. It was very powerful.
Friday: Travel to Lake Bunyonyi. Took a boat ride around the lake and got off on a nearby island before returning to our lakeside cabins. Enjoyed dinner out on the deck and a great campfire discussion before bed.
Saturday: Traveled to Lake Mburo National Park for the animal adventures, then back to Kampala to Hotel Equatoria.
Sunday: Shopping in the local markets, then a trip to Ginja where the Nile begins out of Lake Victoria. To the airport by 8 for our 11:00 flight out. Final snacks and shopping at the airport along with passport questions and security procedures.
Monday: We all appreciated having an American meal at Chili's in the Detroit airport after customs. Back to Indy to a special SOCC welcome just on the other side of security. My wonderful children met me at the church when we got back and took me home. (it only took 3 stop lights for them to get into a heated discussion--sure made me miss them. . .)