Tuesday, March 18, 2008

New Culture




Well, I'm in love with the beautiful people here. Everyone here is so welcoming and grateful for things. I'm getting to know Betty, a woman who lives with us so she can clean and get paid for it. She feels so fortunate to be able to live with the volunteers, she has a son named KimB.D. they call him that because she thought he was a girl and named him Kim and tagged on B then D for Davey. Betty fled the LRA to seek work in Jinja and has been through so much heartache, lonliness and pain with childbirth. However, she is eternally and always vocally thankful to God for Dave and Morgan and for the job she has cleaning. She feel so fortunate and that God has rescued her. Her story is amazing and is truly humbling, there is so much to be thankful for in America it's ridiculous.
I met the women of Suubi the other day and they were so delightful. When I came with Renee & courtney (the other volunteers) they cheered, hugged and kissed me! I was so welcome by them. We were all crammed in a cement room (about 75 of us) and each woman had several necklaces around with them to show us. They were overjoyed when we told them we were organizing an English class for them. I cannot wait to know them better, I'm already in love with them all.
I've also been to an orphanage called Amani a couple of times and I've fallen in love with a boy named Jeremiah. He is 5 years old and looks like he's 18 months because he is growing slowly. He cannot walk, he has some troubles with his feet. But I cannot tell you how dear his spirit is. When I hold him, he smiles at me and stares forever. He is easily entertained and for his circumstances is a very happy child, I want to call him baby because he looks like one, but I suppose he's a child. There are so many precious children there that I pray will find good homes.
The only hard thing thus far is that I ache for Randy and family, it's hard knowing I will be away from them for so long.
Thank the Lord I have been protected from sickness so far. I'm enjoying the country so much, it fits me. I'm never cold here, which is a blessing in and of itself:)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

even though i don't see you that often knowing you are so far away makes me miss you even more. i am praying for you and i love you more than you will ever know ra ra.
love,
gigi

Hey! you sound like you are having a lot of fun in Africa. I bet all of those children are so thankful that God sent you to help them. Love you and miss you tons!!
lots of love,
Sam

Anonymous said...

bye i love you you are the greatest in the whole wide world i am sorry you are going to africa. love logan

hi aunt rachel. i just wanted to wish you happy trails and i love you. bye caleb

hi! i love you and be careful. have a fun trip.
jason

Jessica and Andy Biddy said...

Wow, I can ONLY imagine, how much love is welling up in your midst! How exciting, amazing, and crazy. Thinking about you and will continue to pray for God's kingdom to come to Jinja as it is in heaven.
Stewing again this morning on Hebrews 11 - It is impossible to please Him without faith. Lord fill us up with faith.
Hoping we can hook up and watch some March Madness with Randy soon.:) - jess

Sam Bass said...

Rachel,
I am so glad you are in Jinja. Now I have someone in Church who can share with me and verify with others the incredable joy in the Ugandans inspite of so much pain and poverty. Being with them is so humbling. Isn't it amazing ho quickly they connect with you! Cannot wait to hear more from you. Sam Bass

Anonymous said...

Rachel,

I never got to say goodbye! :( :( Sniff, sniff...my own fault...we missed the prayer.

But, you are SO on my heart and us girls are praying for you.

Love you..sounds like God is doing so much.

Amber B.