Monday Good Byes... KayDee Style.

Today was a day filled with a lot of emotions. Pretty much everyone was wanting to leave for fountain early so we could spend as much time as possible with the kids. Well... Paul had other plans. Elton, Paul, Peter, and Carissa were all going to town to try to buy supplies for the chicken coop. We were going to take public transportation to the end of the school road and then walk to the school. So we took boda bodas from the house to the taxi park in town. From there, Paul helped us get to a taxi and and gave us taxi money. Thankfully, our taxi wasn't really too crammed. I sat between two guys, one of which had a box of little chicks on his lap. When we finally got to Bukeeka, we climbed out and started the mile or so walk to the school. The walk was much more interesting than the daily taxi drive. We got to see everything on the side of the road, and even got to talk to some people. Then, Megan, Cassie, Gaige, Dani, and I decided we were going to sneak up on the kids since they couldn't hear us coming. It didn't really work because the kids saw us coming.

When we got to the school buildings we all went to find the kids that we had gotten attached to. We hung out with them until it was time for the bible story. We all slowly walked to the building and let our kids sit down. We were supposed to scatter throughout the room but that was pretty much an impossible task. After all the kids got in the room, we started with a song that we had already taught them. Then, Cassie, Megan, and Pat told a story about honesty. The kids were great! They did the actions to the song and were very attentive during the story. When we finished, it was time for lunch. All the kids filed out the doors. Once they were out we walked outside to take team pictures. By this time Elton and Carissa had made it to the school. We ate and then all pitched in a little to finish the chicken coop. After working on that for awhile, most of us went to the field to play with the kids. Some stayed to finish the job.

Down at the field, we handed out frisbees and played with all the students. They loved throwing five frisbees at me at the same time and seeing me attempt to catch them all. When I got tired, I went and talked with Dani and a group of kids. One boy really stood out. He was the tallest, very energetic, and happy the whole time. Well, later he was talking to me and told me he wanted a bible to learn about God. I told him that I would make sure he got one soon. When we walked up to the school I found Richard and told him to make sure that this boy got a bible. Richard then proceeded to ask if the boy had told me about his problems. He hadn't. So the boy took me by the hand and led me around the corner and told me that his parents had both died and he was an orphan. He also has some sort of stomach problem when it gets cold. The boy is 14, lost his parents, and still was what looked like the happiest kid there. I found him very inspiring and then hard to leave at the end of the day. We all were staring to say our good byes when the whole school got in a group and sang to us. After the song we finished up with our good byes and got in the taxi. It was very quiet for a bit on the way home. Everyone lost in their own thoughts.

When we made it home, supper was pretty much ready. We ate and then listened to Betty and Abdu's stories. Betty who started a school with only one kid, now has so many, she has to turn down some because of the size of the building. Abdu came from a Muslim background and converted to Christianity. He never changed his name because when people ask, it gives him a chance to testify.

For me, and I'm sure the whole team, it was an emotional roller coaster all day. Everyone is worn out and exhausted. Including me. Well... That's all for tonight.
1 John 4:16