After two days of airplanes and airports (I finished both of the books I brought already) with some lost luggage thrown in, we finally arrived in Uganda.
We aren't in Kansas anymore. My first impression (which was confirmed multiple times during our stay) is that nothing is done quickly in Africa. After several hours, we finally were able to check into our hotel which was very nice by African standards.
Though exhausted, we drove to Return Ministries to visit with our first group of orphans.
The kids began screaming as soon as they saw the bus approaching. We were surrounded like rock stars and literally mobbed as we came off the bus. Everyone wanted to hold unto one of the mzungu's hands. We could only stay for about an hour and it was hard to leave.
We met with Pastor Samuel who heads this ministry. He shared his vision for building a school to meet the community's needs. In about 80% of the families, the fathers have left. Education is the only hope for most of the children to have a future, but it is not free in Uganda, and so the most needy often cannot attend. Every child I met wanted to go to school. It wasn't my first time to observe how precious something is when it isn't easily available.
We all left feeling more refreshed than when we arrived.
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