Hello all,
We're so sorry it's taken so long to finally write to you. I wasn't able to use my computer for a while, and then we didn't have power in Nansana for a few days so we didn't have easy internet access, and then I tried writing this e-mail not once, not twice, but three times, and each time my computer at the cafe shut down as i was typing and i lost the whole e-mail! I apologize in advance for this is going to be a very fact-based e-mail, because i don't have very much time today... but so much has gone on, and we want to update you!
We made it back from our trip in one piece, learning so many things, and severly intensifying our travel bug. Kenya and Tanzania were incredible, but we were heartsick for Uganda. While we were gone so many things happened. There was a fire at the little kids house, and luckily no one was hurt, but most of the clothes, and shoes for the school uniforms, and everyday wear were completely ruined. The landlord wasn't sure of the cause and is now kicking us out of that house. All the kids have already moved over to the older kids house just down the main road, but we're having to move out of that house as well by the end of march. It's such a huge let down, because we just bought the land next to the little kids house and built a fence, a chicken coop, and had plans to build a playground there. Everyone still has high hopes for whatever comes next, in fact we've already found a new house, and started renovations on it this week and it's exciting to see God provide, but it's disheartening to see kids who have nothing lose even more.
On the night we got back from our trip Susan's camera was stolen, so all our pictures from the first half of the trip have been lost, but there are worse things that could happen. And this week, Peter Maloney, Susan's super brother came to the rescue by giving her another digital camera when he came to visit on the way home to America from Iraq. Yay for Peter!
Last Friday night Sue and I took all the little girls back to our house for a girl's sleepover. And in life, I've come to realize, there are successes and failures. This was a failure. I mean our intentions were great, but some things just don't turn out like we want them to. The night started out fine, we left the house Mom's behind, taking care and responsibility of the kids for the first time on our own. We walked from the older kids house to the guest house, where we stay, with 14 girls between the ages of 4 and 11. When we got there we danced, played games, got popcorn and settled down for the night to watch the movie Save the Last Dance. Settling down did not occur, and the 5 mattresses we laid side by side in our living room to sleep on didn't exactly encourage keeping quiet. In close proximity for long amounts of time little kids hit, pull hair, tease, mock, and yell at each other, and Susan and I don't speak their native language, so the words "stop" and "no" at midnight when we're all laying in the same room in the dark didn't go too far. Eventually after some water, some strategic separation, and goodnight kisses and hugs the girls fell asleep. Sue and I looked at each other relieved, and laid down in our places. I happened to be sharing a mattress with three other little girls, and Sue with two. Within a half hour a running water sound and a strange smell awakened me. I looked around and realized Hannah had wet the bed next to me. She just continued sleeping, and I figured we'd just worry about it in the morning. A half hour later the same thing happened, and it happened again and again, we tried to get some of them up and to go the bathroom, and when we'd finally get them into the room they would just squat and pee on the floor, so we would clean that up and try again, but it was useless. These girls wouldn't wake up, or cooperate in the anti-bedwetting campaign for anything. Apparently the dinner that they had earlier wasn't settling well in some of the stomachs and so on top of the pee we had to help with…. well you get the picture. Sue and I were finally able to get a little bit of sleep on the urine infested mattresses at about 4am, but Joann, who was sleeping next to me changed positions every fifteen minutes, usually involving an appendage of hers on my face or neck, so i didn't exactly sleep.
At 6am all the other girls woke up, and started yelling at each other because of all the susu (pee) and taking off their clothes because all except a remarkable 5 wet the bed. We got up and started washing all the girls which was very wet, and slippery chaos, and then dressing them in makeshift pillowcase/sheet skirts and dresses, it was quite a sight. We walked all the girls back to their house, and realized that it was never supposed to be the best sleepover ever, or anything close to that. Falling half asleep to the rhythmic breathing of 14 little girls who completely have our hearts, and waking up every fifteen minutes to see their angelic faces was amazing beyond words. And the fact that they peed on us all night long, made us realize that we've fallen more in love with them than ever before. That night with all the mistakes, and mishaps we were exactly where we were supposed to be.
Sue and I started teaching in a school in the Katanga slums every morning from 8 til 10. The school is about sixty kids in two rooms, in a shack type building, with dirt/rock floors, with stick/cardboard walls. There are three easel chalkboards which the lessons are written on everyday, and the kids copy down the lesson into their pads of lined paper. There are not enough desks, chairs, pencils, pencil sharpeners, or teachers. We've developed a semi-good balance with teaching, and helping, but it's so hard because so much time is spent disciplining the kids, and copying things on the chalkboard. We absolutely love it though, despite the difficulties.
Again, sorry it took so long to get an update out, but you'll get at least two more before we leave. only three more weeks exactly before we board a plane back home. crazy how time flies. We've loved our time in Africa so much with every success and every failure, but we know that at the end of the day we're exactly where we're supposed to be and that's enough. We love and miss you all!
Nicole and Susan
