This is a quick view of the place we stayed up in Opit

This is part of the area where we stayed up in Northern Uganda...very glamorous:)

An Array of Mixed Emotions as we leave Uganda for South Africa

(this is a picture of the "airport" we took off from in Gulu, Uganda)

(June 30 2008)

The past week and a half in Uganda (the South in Kampala and the North in Opit-IDP camp) has been such a mixture of feelings and emotions: joyfulness, gratitude, anger, hopefulness, happiness, extreme humility, and the list could go on.

The joyfulness came when we were greeted in Opit by hundreds of yelling, clapping & smiling precious children just waiting to touch us and so excited to play with us. We were undeservedly treated like celebrities and royalty!

I think I can speak for all when I say “gratitude” is an understatement. The team of 40+ volunteers that make up Connect Africa—led by Trevor Tychon—are saintly people of Uganda who love their country (no matter if they were from the North or South) so much they give up their normal lives (sometimes weeks at a time) to do events/crusades such as we did up in Opit. This amazing group of people cooked our meals 3 times a day (in less than desirable cooking conditions by western standards) cleaned up after us, welcomed us into their team, loved us, prepared our accommodations at the resource center, drove us all around…in other words they made sure we always had what we need—above and beyond our expectations! Some even attempted to teach us “Mzungus” how to do the amazingly intricate Acholi dances…”attempted” is the key word here.

It would be dishonest to deny that some or all of us felt angry or frustrated at one point or another during this experience. It’s hard not to be angry about the injustice of these peoples’ living situation in the IDP camps.

It would be dishonest to not note the frustration associated with the children’s living conditions.. These precious beautiful kids have next to nothing (when it comes to fundamental needs)… no access to medical attention when they need it –- and let me tell you , after our team helped run the hygiene/ 1st Aid clinic day there in Opit, we can all attest to their need for medical attention. These kids also face the reality of a real need for food and for positive influence in their lives.

Luckily, here’s where the “hopefulness” comes in. At this point, Connect Africa’s team, Resource Centers and very practical technologies are what gives us the most hope for these people and their future. Connect Africa’s vision is so beautifully in tune to God’s voice and heart for Uganda, there’s no doubt the Bio-sand Water Filters they’re constructing & introducing will help transform the provision of disease-free drinking water in Africa, one village at a time. There’s no doubt their resource centers (CARC’s) are going to empower those in Uganda who desire a change in their nation through 1st Aid training, leadership seminars for local leaders, training on the use of the dry brick press, and etc.

There’s no doubt that our time in Opit was possibly just a “drop in the bucket” when it comes to time spent up in Northern Uganda. But because of Connect Africa and their heart for the people there, the seed has been sown in our hearts—and we’ll hold on to that as we aspire to live a changed life due to those who God used to touched our hearts up in Opit, Uganda.

A World Away from California...

(June 22 2008)

Hi! Greetings from northern Uganda– just north of Gulu in an IDP camp called Opit.
We arrived there yesterday afternoon and it’s been a blur ever since! We arrived just before sunset…we embarked on a 7 hour bus ride that one could not experience in America if they tried. The roads are insane!

First of all, the larger vehicle on the road has the right of way…so usually everyone drives in the middle of the road (paved would be an overstatement) and then if you encounter a vehicle coming your way…whoever has the bigger vehicle gets to keep going without swerving. I took pictures of the potholes b/c there’s no way to explain the roller coaster of a ride we were on!

Anyway, we arrived to the “camp”, Opit at sunset and were chased down the road and waved at by adorable, partially clothed little Acholi children. We’re staying at a “resource center” made of bricks, no electricity or flush toilettes. But we do have bunk beds and great mosquito nets–I actually slept OK last night!

After we arrived and had “settled” it was dark…the stars were amazing and off in the distance there was lightning (yea!) It was 9:15pm and dinner was far from ready, so we followed the sounds of chanting/singing children.

The group we’re with, Connect Africa, has begun setting up their stage with big lights and musical instruments (in the middle of a field) and so where lights are at night…the people who live around flock to them! There were at least 300 little children clapping, dancing and singing along to the leader’s songs. It was quite a sight! (It’s called the crusade part of the evening) We’ll do that again tonight and tomorrow night too.

Today we woke at sunrise to cow and rooster sounds! We had “coffee” before our prayer & singing time with the Connect Africa team (most of the team members are people from the Kampala region of Uganda who volunteer their time to these Northern Uganda IDP camps (IDP = inter-displaced people) and the Crusades that Connect Africa puts on. They also build these resource centers for the poor people of northern Uganda and run seminars on hygiene, leadership, first aid–etc.

Anyway, as you can see it’s been amazing, and its only day 2 up here in northern Uganda!