Return Ministries & village friends

Today was a lighter yet full day spent with Return Ministries children and surrounding village kids.

My team is staying at the Return Guest House in Kampala, which supports Return Ministries children's home, run by Pastor Samuel and his wife Sarah. 

These kids are amazing in every way and truly exhibit such promise and leadership and care for one another. 

The afternoon was spent hearing Daniel play guitar and the other 14 kids sing beautiful, original music  - all self taught! while other neighboring village kids played around the house and yard and delighted in the "Mzungu" visitors.

My Ugandan "twin girls" Bebita & Nakato who live at Return, along with a cutie little boy in the village behind their house who followed me around.

Village boy playing on the new slide at Return Ministries house

Beautiful view of scenic Kampala 

Walking towards the well and Pastor Samuel's land for the new Return Ministries home, church and guesthouse. 

 These precious kids met us on their way to the well for fresh, clean water - they make this journey twice each day, some of the children no older than 3-4 years. On our way back up to the road, I offered to carry two of the full jugs and they were heavy for me, Let alone a small child... Such strength and courage all around.

Full of water, these large jugs are near 40 pounds each when full!

My well water friends continuing on their journey home with full jugs in hand.

Xo, 

Mandy

Kampala kids

Today was a very full day, spent with some precious children here in Kampala, Uganda.

Without being overly cryptic, I cannot publicly share a lot of detail surrounding the organization or location of where we spent the day in order to protect the integrity of this incredible team of people, who are truly fighting for justice and restoration. 

I can say that we were at a prison - a prison for children who have "offended the government" ( likened in theory to a juvenile detention center) but also a holding facility of "street children" who were rounded up and brought here because the government didn't know what else to do with them. 

These street children are not what I've previously experienced in my time in Africa, as they are usually older kids, teens who run away or turn to the street and drugs like sniffing glue for survival. These little kids today were part of the Karamajong tribe, who've somewhat been displaced and have moved towards the city for a better life. They were so tiny and small and were literally living on streets in Kampala, begging for food just months ago with little to no adult supervision. 

They are being cared for at this child "prison" mainly as a result of this NGO who is ensuring the kids are fed meals daily, bathed, provided medical care and a safe shelter. 

An amazing and divine couple, Bernard & Brenda who are social workers live on site and see to these 50+ children and their well being. 

The conditions however in which these sweet tiny Karamajong children live however was fairly unimaginable compared to the regular living quarters of the other child "prisoners."

There were approximately 6 metal bunkbeds without mosquito nets side by side in the corner of a huge room, along with live, roaming chickens, flies, wash basins for laundry among other things. All to house and sleep 50 kids, averaging 3 sometimes 4 per little bed. 

It is mind boggling to see the corruption and injustice and dire conditions in which these people live, but to know they are children is even more heartbreaking. It was truly a privilege to spend the day with these Karamajong kids, playing, coloring, laughing and singing. 

The day was full and intense yet joy and hope remains.

Xo,

Mandy

Always an adventure...

I've officially made it to Uganda!

Planes, trains, automobiles and a day later than planned, I am happy to say that I'm here and all is well.

The journey started off a bit rocky trying to depart from Atlanta EARLY Saturday morning, when my checked baggage was over the weight limit and they wanted to charge me $400 in fees for the overage. I kindly pleaded, trying to explain that all 119 pounds were donations (as I had all of my personal belongings strapped to my back as a carry-on) and the United reps did not budge! I moved away to repack and redistribute the weight but ultimately they would not let me check the bags in time and bumped me from my original flight and told me I would be rebooked for the next day - all of this occurring by 5am with no sleep and already facing a 23 hour travel journey. Needless to say I was shocked and immediately had a break down at the ticket counter, exhausted and devastated that things were unfolding this way and my much anticipated/planned trip was being delayed. 

(If you know me, tears don't come so easily, especially in public so mix sleep deprivation and intense airport chaos and cruelty and you've got one mess of a girl! #winning)

A kind lady stepped in and attempted to help by booking me on a Delta flight to Washington D.C. that had me arriving only 35 minutes prior to my Ethiopian flights departure, also where I was supposed to meet and rally with my team but it was worth a shot at that point to take my chances?! Low and behold, the Delta flight was delayed due to a "mechanical delay" (wonderful news!) and we were late arriving to D.C. - I along with a nice man en route to Cameroon via Ethiopoa, who had a similar situation in ATL ran to the gate to make the flight and we missed it by less than 5 minutes and watched the plane pull away. For the ultimate win, it was of course the ONLY flight for the day to Ethiopia, from D.C.

Once again, it was a tough blow and I just felt defeated and left behind because I wasn't a part of the team... Ultimately I was reminded that it was not up to me and to trust in Gods timing and plan. 

After spending Saturday afternoon catching up on sleep in D.C at an airport hotel, I headed back to the airport early Sunday morning to ensure that I would not miss another flight!

Waiting to board, I met the nicest couple Lois and Jim from Maryland, who were en route to Ethiopia to pick up their baby boy and bring him home Thanksgiving day. They were one of four couples traveling together to pick up and bring home their kids, after legally adopting them in October after three long years of enduring the adoption journey. Meeting them and hearing their story assured me that I was meant to cross their path, even if it meant arriving to Africa a day later than planned.

Thank you all for the love, support, prayers and encouragement as I've prepared, traveled and arrived.

I am truly so grateful and look forward to sharing more in the coming days!

A few quick photos of our view from the compound / guesthouse in Kampala for a visual :)

Xo,

Mandy