Group Homes & Jinja

So much has happened since the last post and at 3000 shillings an hour for internet there's not time for it all now.

We're in Kampala at the moment, Garden City Mall. We ventured from Gulu Thursday night and spent time at a Youth Corps group home in Lira then made our way by van, boda, bus, another boda to Jinja, the source of the Nile River. Spending time at 4 different group homes on Wednesday and Thursday was amazing. It was the best interaction we have had yet with the kids. They served us dinner- beens and posho, and then we all sang a couple of songs together and then ate dinner. It is incredible to interact with the kids to tell them about San Diego and to learn a little about their lives here. It takes time to develop trust and transition into deeper conversations. We know it is good to just interact and love on the kids. All the kids in the group homes are separated from their families. There is one or two mentors for 15-20 kids so just being a big brother for a while is a ministry in itself. In Lira we were able to have an amazing conversation with the mentor at the group home and representatives from 4 different non-profits working in the area. We discussed what the mentors' biggest challenges are and where they need assistance and help and how they see this model becoming sustainable in the long term.

I became ill in Jinja, and as our neighbor in Gulu said, "when you're sick in africa, you HATE africa." It was a rough day that included a malaria test at the local clinic. No malaria. I regained enough stregnth to white-water raft on the nile on Monday. Then we stayed at the Haven Monday night and caught a ride to Kampala last night (tuesday). We have so many more stories and thoughts...they will be posted soon.