I get 2 Months!!!

The other day I was struggling with the feeling of not being very productive.  Since I have been here, numerous teams have come in and left.  All have done a great work, and built relationships with these kids.  Because I am here for 2 months, I decided to sit back and let everyone else have their moments.  I know that I get 2 months, and so I want these teams to experience as much in 2 weeks as they can.  That means that I have been sitting on the side more than usual.  The other day it finally got to me.  "Am I doing enough?"  There is a fine line between letting others have their moments, and just not doing anything.  So, I was struggling.

As I was walking home from a project, Donna and I decided to stop in and visit some of the homes.  As we were walking home from the visit, someone ran to get us.  Lillian, who has become a friend of mine here, and is the mother of Esther, wanted us to come visit.  So we went to Lillian's home, and she fed us dinner.  It was INCREDIBLE!!!  It was the moment that I realized, I am here for 2 months!  I get to build lasting relationships, and get to visit people in their homes.  I am here, and it is not rushed!  It was a great feeling.  Then, on my way home from Lillian's,  a group of girls stopped me from their window "Zumba, Zumba!" (That's my name around here!) I ended up talking with them for quite a while!  It is just so nice to know that this is just the beginning!  I am starting to form relationships, and they will build.  It doesn't happen in a day.  So then I don't feel bad about taking a moment off to write my thoughts down, as I hear everyone play outside.  I played with kids all day today, and I will continue to all week!  This group only gets a few more days, I will not be jealous, I will be gracious!  I'm still wrapping my head around the thought that I am here for 2 months.

Today it was cold and rainy, and we had gotten home late last night from Gulu (a day that I will blog about separately tomorrow), and all I wanted to do was take a nap.  As soon as I laid down I heard "Carly, are you in there" from Elijah.  So I went outside and hung out with Elijah, Fred, Norman, and some other boys for a while.  Then the cook came to get me for lunch, so I had to leave.  When my lunch was over, they were eating lunch, so I tried to lay back down.  Again, as soon as I started to drift off..."Carly, are you sleeping?" "Nope, I'm up!" So I went out and played with Elijah, John Kerry, Wisdom, Bryan Joel, and some other boys.  We were just hitting water bottles around and having a great time.  These have been my boys from day 1, and I love it!  I'm on my 3rd week here, and still have 7 more!  It's just beginning!

Then the boys wanted to race me...in the grass...with bumps...wearing flip flops.  They had fun with that!  I kept being given a head start, but they beat me!  I never said I was fast, I just said I can go!

Anyways, it's a joyous day!  A reminder that it's just the beginning.  And even when I feel like I'm not doing much, the relationships are forming, conversations are happening, and we are all being impacted by the love of God and of eachother!

Tomorrow I will write on my trip to Gulu.  It was a tough day for me.  A growing day.  And a reminder, that I am a long term relationship builder, I'm not good with quick, short, conversation.

Elijah is back!

I'm going to post my pictures and then go play!

These are my boys, and my girl Faith! (She is usually smiling, but she was having problems with her belt!)

David, Innocent, Wisdom, Bryan Joel, Elijah, Patrick, and John Kerry

As we were walking home from the futball game, some girls came and talked with me in my hut, and helped me to write down some of our worship songs!  Innocence, Oliver, and Gladys