Why Uganda?

I suppose it is a little odd to start blogging about a trip before your bags are even all packed. But, in case you haven't noticed, I can  be a little odd sometimes.

For those of you who don't know, I will be heading to the city of Kampala, in Uganda (west Africa) early next week. There I will be volunteering my time and energy to an orphanage sponsored by international voice of the orphan (IVO). If you want more details about the work I'll be doing, you can read about it here.

 As I tell friends, family, and coworkers about my travel plans, I can't help but sense an unspoken question.... WHY??

 

 

I have to admit. It's not an easy question to answer. At least, it's not easy to answer in a sound bite. A short two week trip to Africa does not jibe with my normal rubric for decision making. When spending vacation time, I normally think in terms like this:

1. Will it be fun?
2. Can I afford it?
3. Will it be good for my family?

Clearly I am some  kind of crazy. This trip fails on all 3 levels but I  going anyway.  The point of the trip is not to have fun, and I don't expect to have (much) fun.  This trip is a financial stretch for me.  And I am already missing Kim and the children who will be staying here in the good ol' USA. I am pretty sure they'll miss me too. A lot.

So, WHY? Why go?

Well, for starters, there's this blog post here. You should go read that.

And there are other reasons (or at least similar reasons with different clothes on).

 Here are my reasons for going to Uganda in my own words.

I want to serve.  A great man once said  "all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."  Uganda is a country where evil triumphed for a long time ... Either under tribalism, British imperialism, Idi Amin, or the terrorism of the LRA. I really don't care much about all the "isms", but I am aware that there is a legacy of pain here. In such a place as this, can I demonstrate love and hope to some children and their caregivers who are in material need? Can I befriend some people who suffer from a history that they did not write? Yes I can.  No one can do it all, but everyone can do something. I can do something.

I need to know.  I do wrestle with the expense and time commitment of this trip. I wonder if it would be better to be of service somewhere here in the USA. But somewhere in the back of mind I have this idea that America is the land of opportunity. Other countries cannot make that claim. My opinion is that even the poorest persons in the USA have opportunities and options that many in the world do not.  I need to know if my "land of opportunity" idea is really, really true.

 I remind myself that this trip is not all about efficiency of time and resources.

If you disagree with me, and you think that charity begins at home and stays at home, you are 100% OK and entitled to your opinion.  I would however, challenge you to act on those convictions of yours if you aren't doing so already. 

I need perspective. Like most Americans, I think I am pretty much brain washed most of the time. I spend an inordinate amount of time concerning myself with material things and comparing what I have/don't have with everyone else. That's a sin. It's shameful to live that way when many people in the world (40% of the world's population) live on less than two dollars a day.  I don't want to waste my life trying to keep up with the Joneses.... and a little Ugandan perspective just might make a lasting impression on my heart and mind.

I want to meet people. I am really looking forward to meeting the Ugandan caregivers and my fellow team mates. It's a rare breed of person that is willing to take a big risk in order to chase a big, intangible, and elusive goal.  The more connections I have with people like that, the better.

God told me to. (So there!) I know this doesn't make sense to everybody, but I do believe that God speaks to me in a variety of ways.  Going on this trip is something that God has impressed upon my heart. I didn't hear any audible voice from God but his instructions were clear enough to me. So, I should go.

My Christian brothers and sisters will have no problem at all understanding this. Others, alas, not so much. It's like the old saying goes "to those who have faith no explanation is necessary. To those who do not, no explanation is sufficient."

So there you have it -- those are my reasons for going to Uganda; the good and bad; the altruistic and the selfish.

 Now, at last (ha Ha!), I have a short answer to the "why Uganda?" question.  Now I can say "go read my blog".

 

 

Ben turns 8 and a Romantic Get a way!

 Ben turned 8 on Monday!  He was so excited as he received a drum set for his birthday.  He also started drum lessons with a college student this Tuesday.  We will just say I have never seen Ben sit so still and concentrate so hard as he did during his half hour lesson.  

 Traditional breakfast in bed!

 Jeremy and I had the greatest opportunity to go away- just the 2 of us this past weekend. We met up with our bestest friends, Carrie and Chris. We had a wonderful time. It was such a relaxing time.  Jeremy and I were able to reconnect and talk without being interrupted.  It was really a much needed time for us as a couple.  We are forever indebted to Mom-mom for moving in and taking over all of our duties at home so we could go away. She had awesome help in Lauren, Amanda and Pop-pop.  Mom-mom left our house extremely tired Sunday night.  We are hoping she forgets how tired she was by next year so we get to go again!

 Not totally planned, but the only weekend we could all go away just happened to be my birthday.  A delicious edible creation was delivered to our room. Thank you, Mom-mom!!!
We went to the romantic city of  Scranton, PA.  Nothing fancy.
Carrie and I hit the thrift stores and Kohls and the guys saw Iron Man.
Good food, lots of Ritas, card playing and just being together as a couple and friends.

 Carrie and I have been friends since college.  

We won't say how many years that has been.

I am so thankful for her friendship and treasure it.

We both got a basic pedicure, which led to many laughs.

I know some couples, who won't go away without children. That just doesn't make sense to me. God first, marriage second, children third. If my marriage tank is not full, then I can't give effectively to my children. My marriage needs to be nurtured. For us that means getting away and spending a day or two together without children. Getting away strengthens our marriage and I am so thankful that we have the family support to be able to do it.

Upheavel In the Village

We are huddled in the living room experiencing ultimate family bonding as the workmen tear up and install a new kitchen floor.  Not sure what I was thinking when I thought we could continue homeschooling and living life in one room ALL TOGETHER.  It is only 8:30 and one child has already been in tears and Leo has already torn up a math book.  I am thankful for a new kitchen floor but I am thinking we probably should have gone out for the day or at least declared it a watch as much tv as you want kinda day.  I may resort to that last option within the hour.

It looks like we get another week off from therapy as they are working to assign us new therapists, who will come to our home to work with Leo.  We are both still feeling good about this decision. I was surprised by how much positive feedback I received about  keeping Leo home.  Apparently, more people agree with this decision and have strong opinions about it but were hesitant to share not wanting to influence us.

Our new friends from New York are staying with us this week as their daughter has appointments at Shriner's all week culminating with surgery on Thursday.  They arrived last night and it was so good to see Alexsandra and her huge smile.  She is a sight as she has a cast on each of her legs and a cast on her right arm. She continues to smile.  I don't know if I would be smiling if I had even one cast.  Today she is getting all three casts off and her mom is looking forward to her being able to play in the tub tonight.  It will be her first bath since February as she has had casts on since then.  Alexsandra will experience 3 days of freedom from all casts but then on Thursday she is having hip surgery and will once again have her legs casted for a month.

Alexsandra's mom and I were talking last night about how resiliant medically fragile kids are.  She was relaying stories of children she has met at Shriner's who are in casts and braces and yet they still manage to get around and smile.  Kids adapt.  Kids realize there are more important things in life then the silly stuff we choose to worry about.  Kids, who have been through more medical stuff then anyone should ever have to go through, get life.  They know what is important.  They choose joy.  They choose not to let their physical limations get in the way. 

We have witnessed this first hand with Jonathan.  Jonathan, at this point in his life, does not realize he is "different" from other kids.  He doesn't know he should be slower because he only has one leg.  He doesn't use having one leg as an excuse not to do something.  He doesn't know better.  In some ways he has accepted the fact that he has one leg, he doesn't dwell on the missing leg, he adapts and lives life to the fullest. 

How often do I let problems get me down?  I focus on the problem.  I refuse to adapt.  I refuse to move on and I dwell on the problem.  I don't move on. The end result I miss out on joy. 

Today, I need to follow the example of Alexsandra and Jonathan and choose joy no  matter what problems rear their ugly head.  

Leo got a new set of wheels for his birthday!

 Cake by Amanda

 Ben agreed to a combined party with Leo once he realized he

would get presents early!  His birthday isn't till May 20th- smart boy.

Drums- what were we thinking?