bringing Young Life to Uganda.

Saturday was kid's day.

so, we were told that i would plan three activity days for the kids house. when we got here, things got turned around and Julie (basically our guide and manager of our time in Uganda) told us that we would be doing one kids day while we are here. and that was on Saturday.
So we took bodas (crazy motorcycles that go 60 on dirt roads and are both extremely fun and extremely terrifying) to the kids house. this would be our second time to see these kids, and being in charge of their day was sort of pressuring. we didnt expect much. at the least we expected chaos.
well, we got chaos. lots and lots of chaos. but the kids here, they appreciate the smallest things. for instance, we gave them colored strips of cloth to represent what team they were on. and they treasured their blue and green cloth to no end.
we brought beach balls for some games, and it was somewhat difficult to teach them the Young Life-based games, like passing it over their heads in a circle, etc. HOWEVER. they were SO excited. papa did a good job of getting them going crazy, and they went crazy...
so. using the balls, we played freeze tag. hands down, the highlight of the day. starting out we knew, there is no way they will be able to understand the concept of freeze tag. at first, they really didnt. they were all running, running, running and it was absolute CHAOS. but after about five minutes, you could really start to see them "freezing" when they were tagged, and people on their own team coming and tagging them, "un-freezing" them. not only did they get it, but you could see in their faces, that they loved it. they were all so happy.
the final activity was the slip 'n slide. yes, we dragged a three-person slip 'n slide all the way to Uganda. there was no hose, just us throwing water on it, and rubbing bars of soap to make it slippery. we tried at first (TRIED) to have it be somewhat organized. you know, one at a time, that sort of thing. within seconds, they were all jumping on at once, crashing into each other, piling at the end. but none of them had ever experienced anything like that. we gave up on trying to manage it and just sat back and watched thirty little Ugandan children cover themselves in mud and soap.
the reason i tell you the details of Saturday is because it was the most surreal day. in the middle of Africa, down a dirt road, miles from the city, we were able to bring joy to children who would otherwise not have it as they did. we were able to learn their names and see their faces and hear their voices. it was then that a lot of us Americans, here, realized where we are and what we are here to do. it was on Saturday that i knew that i was brought here to love "the least of these" and bring them joy and happiness.
i am continually learning everyday about life and love and god. me and papa laughed today, looking at the calendar, realizing that it is only Monday. wow. it seems like we have been here a lifetime, because so many thoughts, emotions, and experiences have been packed into such a small amount of time. but in the time that i have been here, it occurred to me that i was also brought here to learn from these people. they have taught me so much. i was brought here to learn about myself. and i have.
holy cow. i can only imagine what is in store for the next couple weeks.

love.

katie