We woke early in Executive Hotel in Bugiri. We woke early not necessarily because we had rested well, but because roosters start crowing and there was a little construction going on at the hotel. We were assured that they would not work overnight - to them, this meant that would knock off at about midnight and start up again around 6am. But we all managed. No one complained.
We boarded the bus after a breakfast of fried eggs and chipati (kind of a fried bread like nan or tortillas), accompanied again by Sarah and Norman, two Ugandans working in orphan care with Pastor Peter's Homes of Champions, and the three Americans who were visiting the Home of Champions, Jes, Travis, and Matt.
Our first stop was east of Bugiri. On our way we drove through a small town on the main road from Kampala to Mombasa, the major Kenyan port city. Most of what is imported to and exported from East Africa comes through this port and along this road. It then became a route rife with prostitution and HIV/AIDS. Whole towns were made obsolete by the virus. I was told by Pastor Peter Mutebi that one of the towns we were driving through was a ghost town a few years ago because nearly everyone had died off from the virus. Now people had begun to move back in - squatters, people returning after leaving in despair, and people escaping the violence in the north of Uganda. Further on, we turned off the main road and soon arrived in Kayango.
Kayango is a town of about 8,000 - only 1,000 of the residents are adults. This corresponds with the birth rate of somewhere between 6.8 and 7.3 children per woman. This rate, along with lack of education, vocational training, and commerce in the smaller towns and villages, contributes significantly to the poverty in Uganda. Pastor Sam greeted us in the small hut that was being used for a church, King's Church Kayango. Kids kept coming - coming from everywhere - you couldn't even see all the homes, they would just appear on the horizon of the road. The needs were obvious. Malnutrition. No shoes. Shirts with huge holes and shorts that practically consisted only of a waistband because the rest of the clothing was in rags. We were near some low-lying wetlands, so malaria is a major problem here. I took a few minutes to talk to Pastor Sam about some of their problems. He said he does a lot of funerals - and a lot of funerals for children. A malnourished child can die from malaria in a day! He said also that rape is a major problem in his community because of the nearby truck route and because some of the teenage boys and young men 'behave like animals.' We brought along glucose buscuits and juice drinks, as well as balloons for making hats and animals. The kids loved it. However, they wouldn't eat and drink. Out of respect for elders in their communities, they were going to go back to where they lived and give the food and drink to those in authority. I didn't want to see the children miss this opportunity for some nourishment, so Pastor Peter and I gathered everyone, prayed for the food and instructed them to eat. Still, we had to go around opening the buscuit packages and juice drink likds for the children.
HopeChest is going to establish a Care Point in Kayango in association with King's Church. 100 children are already profiled and we are just waiting for a church or business to step up and make the commitment to sponsor each of the children at $34/month, commit to yearly visits, and begin praying for the children there. Then we can establish a Care Point where, though feeding, discipleship, education, and medical care, children will be cared for in a holistic and long-term way.
As we left King's Church, Kayango, I asked about the other 6,900 children in the village. Pastor Sam said most of them lived on the other side of this large hill (which, incidentally, was recently purchased by a Chinese business to begin mining - however, only 1% of their employees will be Ugandans). We had some more buscuits and juice left, so we stopped toward the center of town and gave out hundreds more.
We then drove back to Bugiri for lunch and to buy some more buscuits and juice because we had used most of it up at the first stop.
Then it was off to Bukenga. We pulled off the long bumpy dirt road and immediately saw a clearing with a large and beautiful mango tree. 100 children, as well as some of the elders in the community gathered to greet us. They were very hospitable and warm. The needs there didn't seem as extreme as in Kayango. About twelve women were among those who greeted us and all of them dressed in their most beautiful, traditional clothing. As I was walking toward the tree from the bus, Pastor Peter told me that a Muslim elder had donated this land to King's Church, Bukenga for the church and Care Point. I was intriqued by this, so I began talking to the man. He told me that he donated the land for the Christian spiritual development in his community. He also said that unless you are attached to another person, you cannot grow. He said that he and his community were attaching to me and my team so that they could grow spiritually and in development. Again, just like at Kayango, we've profiled 100 children who will be part of the Care Point there. Is your church or business interested in getting involved in this way?
Our long day continued as we drove to Nabukalu. Here there is a church, an orphanage, and a school. It is more established than the potential ministry sites in Kayango and Bukenga. Pastor George met us and we were greeted by children singing, dancing, and drumming. Olive was the oldest girl leading the songs. I loved it. The beats. The smiles. The hearts singing loudly. We took a tour. Then, like in the other places, the glucose biscuits, juice drinks, and balloon animals came out. It wasn't long before I was engaged in a big soccer match. The 5th grade boys versus the 7th grade boys. I was a 5th grader. Some other mizungu joined me - Matt was on my team and Travis, Jamin, and Bobby joined the 7th graders. I'm proud of the fat that the 5th graders won 4 to nil. Go P5!
I left Nabukalu early with two of our team, Christine and Brandi, and two of our hosts, Jes and Sarah, to get some medicine for a team member who was disagreeing with his fried egg breakfast, and to buy all the supplies for a goat feast after church the next day at King's Church, Nabukalu.
The night again ended late with great friends and great conversation. It's such a joy when common ground of Christ and care for the poor bring strangers together and turn them into brothers and sisters.
Another great day. . .sigh. . I miss Uganda! Though, Greg doesn't miss the Executive Hotel!
Love,
Brandi
Posted by: Brandi | October 27, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Wow, Dan your blog is awesome! I am so glad I was able to be apart of your trip. We will look up the name of the Muslim man who donated the land for the church, the name of the boy at home of champions is called Solomon. He is who slaughtered the goat!
Blessings
Jes
Posted by: Jes | October 28, 2008 at 06:48 AM