Back in Canada! (by: Alyssa)

Hey ya'll! :)

Just letting ya know that we are officially back in Canada! We landed in the Toronto Airport today at 12:30 Canadian time, which was actually 7:30 pm Ugandan time. It was soooo weird to gain 7 hours of time! I am still confused as to how that all works! Right now, it's 8:30 Canadian time, which is 3:30 am Ugandan time! So, i will definitely be heading to bed soon as I am pretty tired! I am staying in hotel tonight with my family and we will be driving back to Ottawa tomorrow morning.

Much love!! <3
Alyssa

Saying goodbye is never any easy thing to do (by: Emily)

Today is the day Alyssa and I have to say goodbye to all of the children and get all packed up to go back to Canada. Our plane takes off at 10:40pm today, and we're getting back to Canada at 12:30pm Sunday! We're going back in time 7 hours, so that will be kind of fun! I'm getting very excited for the plane ride...I actually have been all week! I'm not excited because I really want to go home or anything like that...because I will be sad to leave...but I'm excited because 1) planes are just really fun and 2) I'll have a LOT of time to think, journal, and just try to start processing what happened the last month of my life! It will take us hopefully only a few hours to get to the airport, then we have 16 hours in the air and a 5 hour layover in Belgium. We're not leaving for the airport until 2:30pm today, so I will have time to get my things organized and all packed up.

So much has happened here and my eyes have been opened to things I've never ever thought of before. God has taught me so much, and I know I'm still learning more and more through it all. Coming to Africa has been the best thing I've ever done. Not because I'm a great person and I made a drastic impact in people's lives, but rather because these people impacted me and changed my heart more than I ever would've thought. I knew that coming here was going to be amazing, but I never dreamed it would've been this great. God is so good, and I'm so thankful for this experience.

Oh, and just a quick sidenote for Greenwood and all who gave us support/prayer for the trip:
What you have given has really helped these people and these children, more than we can explain on this blog. We will definitely talk about it when we're back, but for now, just know that whatever you gave significantly changed someone's life. Heather and Ray Peake, we are SO thankful for all the help you gave for getting donations for the orphanage and all of your support and advice!

In awe...thankful...excited...content...
Em
p.s. I can't wait to see y'all soon! Especially my little sis, Becca! I love you SO much! To everyone who has supported me over this trip and sent encouraging messages or chatted with my online or taken a second to pray....I'm so thankful for all of you! Each time I got a message from you I got really excited and I've felt so loved and encouraged by you all over the last month. I love you and I'm so thankful for all of you amazing people in my life!!! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!

More about yesterday :) (by: Alyssa)

Hey!

Well, as Em said, today is our last official full day here at Amani. I can't quite believe it - our time has really flown by!

Thanks Emmy for writing such a beautiful blog about our African family :) It really captures the love that was felt yesterday while we visited them on their front porch. I definitely agree that getting to know them was one of my highlights of the trip. It really made me smile when they told us that if we ever come back to Uganda (and they reallly want us to!), we shouldn't stay at Amani, but we should stay with them! haha, they are so great.
One thing that came to mind and really struck me when we were visiting with that family was the fact that Canada is so financially rich, but Uganda is so rich in every other way. And really, when it comes down to it, this trip has made me realize that financial richness is so much less significant. Uganda is culturally rich, with dancing and singing all the time, so spiritually rich (they really trust God to provide for their needs, and he is so much a part of their every day life. Even the craft stores here all have Christian titles, like "Faith and Crafts" and "God is my Companion Craft Store) and even the colours of the landscape are richer! I'm convinced that the sky is never this blue and the trees are never this green in Canada. Everything is so much more beautiful here - even the people, as Em and I were discussing yesterday. Like the women here have flawless skin, and don't even grow hair on their legs! haha! Plus, they can pull of the "bald look" better than any caucasian person I've ever met! :)

Last night tucking the girls in was really special. I love helping to put their diapers on, and finding little outfits for them to sleep in. Although they tend to go a little wild at night, they are so precious. Last night, one of the older girls, F, was singing to herself, so I started singing along with her, and it was the song "Every Move I Make (Waves of Mercy, Waves of Grace)". I have no idea how she knew that song, but it was so cute to hear her sing it, as she kind of "modified" the words when she didn't know all of them.

Well, I've gotta go for my last day of preschool! :)
Much love, see ya'll soon!
Alyssa

African Family (by: Emily)

It's my final FULL day here at Amani Baby Cottage. So much has happened in these last few weeks...more than can be expressed in a blog like this. Precious moments may have been highlighed, but things that I've learned (like JOY...) are so close to my heart I can't really express them in words here.

One heart melting moment was yesterday when we said goodbye to our African mother and family. I've come to love how welcoming and hospitable these people are. Even though we haven't known this family too long, ever since our first meeting, we loved them...they're our brothers and sisters in Christ! Saying goodbye to them was no easy thing to do. We were there for a couple hours and our African mother made us some casava (it's a root that is boiled with a LOT of salt) and African tea. She gave us so much casava that we actually couldn't finish it all, and I am not a big tea person, so my kind-hearted sister Alyssa drank what I couldn't finish. I noticed that when we got there she got a big mat for us to sit on and she brought out her best dishes for us to use even when she was using something that wasn't so nice to eat hers from. We were given the best and they just showered us with love, which was what we were trying to do to them! There was a whole lot of love in that place yesterday! We met a couple of our brothers that we did not get to meet until then...Herman and Becca (yep...that's his name!) We even went through a whole photo album of their life and got to hear lots of wonderful stories about their family (and well...ours too!) Before we left, Becca (the brother) asked to pray for us and we all held hands and it was just so beautiful. Then Alyssa prayed for them, and it was such a loving family moment that I will forever cherish. We took pictures with our African family and there were many hugs given and words of love exchanged. They really want us to come visit again, but next time they want to open their home to us instead of us staying at Amani. They are such kind-hearted, loving, hospitable, joyful people....Alyssa and I both agree that meeting them was one of the best parts of the trip. I'm going to miss my African mother and sisters and brothers.

We put the kids to bed last night...I was getting the little boys all tucked in with a bedtime story and then we prayed together again. One thing that was really precious was being in the girls room after the boys were tucked in (the girls always seem to take a bit longer...maybe they're a tad crazier at bedtime..haha..that's why I like the boys...). I started singing "Jesus Loves Me" and the whole room went quiet and the girls started to sing along. I put all of their names in the part that goes "Yes Jesus loves ___, Yes Jesus loves____...." and on and on...they loved it a lot! When we just turned the lights off and the girls were going crazy, I started to sing the song again and the girls went quiet. It was just one of those heart melting precious moments that I'm not going to forget!

Much Love,
Em

Heart Melter Moments with Mama Kathryn and Prayer Time with the Kids! (by: Emily)

Yesterday evening I was outside playing a little guitar when mama Kathryn heard me and starting dancing and laughing. I thought that was so sweet. When I came inside later she asked me if I would sing a song for her. I got out the guitar once again and played a couple of songs. I was very surprised she knew both of them! She says she LOVES the music and just hearing music makes her sleep well at night. We talked about how music is such a part of the culture here, even the kids love the music at such a young age! It's beeeauitful! I love the music and the dancing so much! After I played for mama Kathryn, I went to put the guitar away and she gave me a huge hug and said "I love you". That's another precious moment that I never want to forget. It just felt so special, I really love her a lot! We had a good chat awhile ago about life and her childhood and everything...I have learned so much about this amazing JOYFUL woman! She is one of the woman here I look to for encouragement because her JOY gets me so excited all the time!

I also had a precious moment when tucking the little boys into bed last night. Once again, the one little boy (sorry...I can't use their names on here!) asked me, "Auntie, can you pray?" So, all of the boys said "hands together, eyes closed" and we all prayed together before bed. I love the little boys here so much!!! Even when we went to town yesterday on our last outing and my little "sweetheart k" prayed for the food. I love when the children pray...they say something and then we repeat it..she said, "hands together...eyes closed...Dear Jesus, thank you for our cake, thank you for our soda, in Jesus Name, AMEN!!!!" And then, after amen, they always clap their hands and get excited! It's SO precious! I love to ask the little children to pray because their prayers are so genuine and just right to the point...but so precious because they mean it with their whole heart.

I'm excited for today! It's our day off and we're going to visit the family we met...our African mother! That's going to be a lot of fun!!!

One weird thing that happened...I woke up yesterday with these weird little bumps all over. Alyssa thinks it's some kind of rash, but Grace said that it might be fleas!!! I REALLY hope it's a rash and NOT fleas! Thank you Ruth-Ann for packing Alyssa with that cream for rashes, bites, and allergic reactions! It helps a LOT!

Thankful for a NEW day to LOVE!
Em

Update from Moi! (by: Alyssa)

Hey!

Em and I are once again at the internet cafe writing at the same time... :)

Today, an adoptive mom will be arriving to visit with her children and get some of the last paperwork done for the adoption. Two kids from Amani are getting adopted together and although they don't really understand what is going on, it is very exciting!! I keep thinking about how the lives of these two kids are going to be completely different so soon (obviously in a positive way!) and they have no idea what kind of changes they're in for. One of the kids knows a bit more of what's happening than the other and when you ask her who's coming today, she says "Mommy". So precious. Adopting is definitely something that's been on my heart during my time here. There are so many kids that I want to take home with me now! But unfortunately, it's not such an easy process. I don't know what God has for me and my future, but if the opportunity to adopt was possible and do-able, I can definitely see myself doing that at some point.

This morning was our second last day of preschool, and although it was chaotic, it went well overall. I am really trying to cherish these last few days. We took the preschoolers on a walk after snack and even though it's a short walk around the block, it's one of their favorite things to do. I love watching their expressions as they see different things along the way, like cows, goats, "ka-ka y cow" (cow poo) and cars. When they see a car, they always say in unison "Moto-car!"

I can't believe I'm in the last stretch of my time here at Amani. I have mixed feelings about leaving and I know I'm going to miss the kids a lot - just being able to hug and kiss them all the time, and hearing their sweet voices. I am also looking forward to going back to Canada though, and for Camp Iawah, which is where I'll be spending the rest of my summer. God has taught me a lot while I've been here, and I know that learning is a process... I am excited to see what else he'll teach me this summer through leading ILT at camp.

Today, we will go on our last outing with two of the older girls, which will be really fun as our last one. We will take them to "Ozzy's", like usual, which is our favorite place because it's so inexpensive, and the kids love it.

With MUCH Kwagala, (if that even makes sense, haha)

Alyssa

Sweetheart K (by: Emily)

Precious moment today- I held my little "Sweetheart k" in my arms today and I told her that I am leaving on Saturday. She looked at me with the most beautiful big brown eyes and loving smile and said "Auntie, I come too?" I tried to explain to her that Canada is very far away, but of course, my little sweetie didn't understand. I love her SO much! I've come to love so many of the children here, but of all the children I've held and loved, little "sweetheart k" is the girl I want to bring home! She melts my heart every time I look at her and I so badly wish I could bring her home. I know I can't though, and I'm just going to hope a loving family adopts her before she's too old to stay at Amani. She is such a heart melter! Alyssa and I are going on our last outing today, and we're allowed to take anyone we want...so, I'm taking my little sweetie! Alyssa is taking my little girl's closest friend here and the four of us are going out for chocolate cake! Then, we're going to walk around town for a bit and just LOVE these little girls as much as we can before we have to bring them back.

I don't really feel like myself these days...I don't know what to think about leaving! I mean, I'm definitely sad...but it will be nice to go home. It's like I'm not super sad about leaving or super excited about going home, but rather I'm just content that I have another day here in this beautiful country! I am so thankful for the opportunity I've had to come here, and each day that I have left is going to be another day that I'll forever cherish. So, basically...I'm not sad...I'm not excited...I'm content with where I am right at this moment and so thankful that I have another day to love these little children and continue to learn what JOY really means. I just can't be sad when I know that wherever I go and whatever I do will be great because this real-deal JOY comes from Christ alone...this life I'm living is not for me, I'm living for Jesus Christ my Saviour and best friend. I just can't be sad....The JOY of the Lord is my strength!

Loving every moment and thankful for a new day!
Em

Preschooool and other things (by: Alyssa)

Hey! :)

I know it's time for me to write another post, but I really don't know what to write about.... There is just so much I could say!
Yesterday, preschool was pretty crazy! Before this week, we always had a break between the first hour of preschool and the second, but now we don't have that break anymore because they want us to try something new during the kids' snack. Apparently some of the parents who have adopted kids from here have noticed that they have no concept of how to carry their plate to the table because they are always just handed their plate at Amani. So, we had them line up, pick up their plate (with 2 cookies on it), walk it to the table and sit down. They actually did pretty well overall! :) Although, one kid was holding his plate at a really strange angle and his cookies help falling onto the floor and breaking.

One thing I've noticed that has been interesting is that there is definitely a difference in some areas of what these kids know and have been exposed to, and what kids in families (back home) know and have been exposed to. Like, for example, yesterday, one of the volunteers was painting the girls' fingernails and one of the boys just didn't understand why he couldn't get his painted too! Em was trying to explain that there are some things that girls do that boys don't, and there are some things that boys do that girls don't. We were talking later about how even something like make-up is probably something that the boys here have never really seen because few of the volunteers wear it, and the mamas don't wear it either, at least not much.

The rainstorm last night was SOOOO beautiful. Em and I just ran outside and got drenched, and it was sweet :)
We have been eating lots and lots of chapati here! It's pretty much like a fried pita and is really delicious! It's also SO cheap - like the equivalent of 10cents per pita! We are going to try to find a recipe and make it when we get back to Canada, but i highly doubt it'll be as good!

Gotta go to start up preschool for the day!
Much love,
Alyssa

Grasshopper Fun (by: Emily)

Last night a few of us decided to do something adventurous...well...maybe it doesn't seem adventurous, but I'm not always brave enough to try "interesting" foods. Grace, Megan, and Tarrah were eating grasshoppers and Grace remembered me saying I wanted to try one too! So, they picked up some from the market and we each held onto our grasshopper getting ready to put it into our mouth... I don't think I would've freaked out as much until I looked at it and saw the little black eyes staring at me...that was gross! We all put them in our mouths and it was much different than I expected. I was told they were salty and tasted like a pretzel, but they tasted fishy and the body was kind of hollow so as you bit down it all just caved in. I didn't chew it very much...I ended up swallowing a big chunk of it whole. It was a very interesting experience....and I don't think it tastes like a pretzel!!!

Another fun thing that happened yesterday evening was a beautiful rain storm! Alyssa and I ran through the grass and sang and danced...it was SO much fun! I absolutely love the rain...especially African RAIN!

African Church Service! (by: Emily)

I met a wonderful woman who works at Amani this weekend. It was really sweet getting to chat with her because we're almost the same age...I'm 19 and she's 20! Our birthdays are even a couple of days apart! It was neat getting to hear about her life and how different it is from mine. She has a beautiful voice! We were singing together into the night and she was teaching me some new songs -both Lugandan and English! She was such an encouragement to my heart! A few of us from Amani ended up going to her church yesterday, which was a very cool experience! It's definitely very different than my church back home. People were dancing and singing and no one was standing still! They were all SO friendly and we were welcomed and greeted by a lot of wonderful people!

One thing that is very different about Africa is the fact that they seem to have no concept of time. Church was supposed to start at 8:00am, but by the time it started it was closer to 8:30am. The next service started at 10:00am, so we expected that we would get out at least 10 minutes earlier so that the new people could come in. NOPE! The first 8:00am service went from 8:30am until around 10:45am! There were a lot of people waiting around the church outside because there were no seats as the first service was still going on! I thought it was kind of funny because all of the people waiting for the 10:00am service already heard a lot of the message from our 8:00am service! The church itself was different than a typical church back home. Most churches I've been to are in a building with at least 4 walls and a roof. This church had a tin roof with no walls. The floor was just dirt, and because there were no walls, I noticed a few chickens wandering around during the service! I couldn't help but smile as I was loving the JOY of all the people I met and their excitement to worship Jesus!

I can't believe I have less than a week left to take all of this in!!! I'm going to be really sad to leave, but I'm looking forward to seeing y'all when I'm home!

Much Love,
Em

A Week Left to Cherish (by: Emily)

A WEEK FROM TODAY AND I'LL BE LEAVING ON A PLANE TO GO BACK TO CANADA! I cannot believe the time is flying so quickly!!!!!!!!!!!

Today was so much fun! As Alyssa said, we took the kids on a swimming outting and they had a LOT of fun! The girl I brought is such a sweetheart and I absolutely adore her! She was so excited to go swimming, but when we got there she was very scared in the water. I totally understand her fear since these children aren't used to being in the water. When we first got there I cried a lot...I took my shoes off to go into the pool and I had a whole bunch of huge ants bitting at me feet...it stung a lot and I think I scared my little girl when she saw her auntie crying! I am very thankful she didn't get bitten though! It was not a pleasant experience!

I decided to come into town today to call my family. I haven't talked to my dad since I was back home! On my way here, I met a very interesting boda driver. I was very clear that I didn't want a ride, but he didn't seem to get my determination to walk...and then he asked me to marry him! Don't be alarmed, marriage proposals are quite common here. They don't really mean too much since they don't even know you...it was interesting for sure. I tried to be polite...but it's just so weird to me how bold these people are to say whatever is on their mind. It's definitely a new adventure here every day!

Kwagala,

Em

Puppet Show and Swimming! (by: Alyssa)

Hey!

Today marks "one week left" in Africa :( It makes me really sad to think that all of this is soon coming to an end.

Em already told you about us going to see that family again. :) It was really special - they gave us their email and said that if we're ever back in Uganda, we should contact them. We brought some of our leftover food with us when we went to see them, and one thing was a package of rice. When we gave it to them, they we so grateful and said "Should we boil it or steam it??" They thought we brought it to them so they could cook it for us! And they were totally willing! Obviously we told them that they could keep the rice for later :P

Yesterday, it was raining a bit in the afternoon, and the volunteers were stuck with no ideas of what to entertain the kids with. We tried watching a movie, but the DVD didn't work, so Em suggested we do a puppet show! It was HILARIOUS - not really for the kids, but for us! haha! They kids were midly entertained, and Em and I were killing ourselves laughing :P First, we tried to make a little play about a bunch of kids at Amani who learned that it's best to listen to their aunties, haha! Then, we reennacted the Lion King, using lion puppets, giraffe puppets, and a bunch of others. Finally, we attempted to do the story of the three little pigs, except we didn't have any pig puppets, so we used a cat, a sheep and a little doll. Definitely a memorable time.

This morning, we went on a big group outing with most of the preschoolers, each volunteer responsible for one. It was our first time going to the pool with them (we use the pool of a nearby hotel) and they absolutely loved it! Some of them were a bit scared at first, but they warmed up to it eventually. The little girl I took was pretty much fearless - she wanted to swim on her own, even though she didn't know how! And she was jumping without hesitation into my arms off the side of the pool. There was also some kind of graduation ceremony happening at the same time and there was some really loud music playing that the kids were dancing to. They are SO funny when they dance. Like Em has written in many blog entries, music is in their blood here in Africa, and even the little ones understand rhythms pretty well. :)

Tomorrow, Em and I are going to try to go to two church services, as it's our last sunday and we want to experience as much as we can!

To HIM be the glory!
Much love,
Alyssa

African Mother! (and more music fun!!!) by: Emily

I can't believe it will be a week tomorrow until we leave to go back to Canada! The time seems to be passing so quickly...and I really don't want to leave yet!

Yesterday afternoon during my lunch break, I met a new friend named Peter. He is probably the most amazing guitar playing ever! AND...his voice is amazing! He performs a lot in Uganda with different bands and for different churches. It was really fun getting to hear him play! He taught me a Lugandan song and a couple of songs he wrote himself!!! We also did a duet which sounded SWEET when we harmonized together...ahhh..I'm just loving the music here! He promised to come back next week to teach me some more, so I'm looking forward to that!

Alyssa and I also did some music with the preschoolers this morning! We got out the drums, tambourines, and shakers and Alyssa and I took turns playing guitar! The kids loved it! One thing I thought that was really funny was when I played the song "Beautiful" by Phil Wickham. It's not really a song for little kids...and not very good for dancing! BUT...it's a beautiful song and they wanted to hear more. I've been missing my wonderful friend STEPH DAIGLE like crazy...so this song made me think of her! The kids loved singing the "oooo" part. I thought it was funny how into the "ooo"s this one boy was getting, and then I realized he was saying "moo" when he asked me to keep singing about the cow! I thought that was really funny because the song is all about how beautiful God is..."I see your face in EVERY sunrise"...but the kids were all saying "moo". We ended up doing all of the animal sounds..."meow"..."woof"..."oink"...etc. It was pretty fun!! I LOVE THE MUSIC!

Today was really fun because we got to visit a family that we met a couple weeks ago. The mother, Harriet, is one of the most joyful women I have ever met! Harriet is so precious...she wanted us to take a picture of her so that we could show our friends back home our "African mother". Her family is so hospitable!!! They once again welcomed us with open arms and even when we weren't chatting, it was nice to just sit in their company. They taught us how to make the African beads out of paper that Alyssa and I have always wondered about! It was very exciting!!!

Alyssa is waiting for me outside...we have to get back for afternoon activities! I better go!

Much Love,
Em

JOY (and precious moments that my heart will forever treasure) by:Emily

I feel like so many of my blogs have been about joy...and you all probably don't want to hear it again...BUT, I'm learning more about it than ever before! I never really understood what joy was until I came here...these people have JOY!!! Joy is so not about circumstances or about what we have. Joy doesn't depend on anything but Jesus Christ. I'm not perfect at this whole joy thing yet, but I'm realizing that these mamas aren't always joyful because of circumstances in their lives or what they own...they are joyful soley because they know Jesus. I'm so in awe of this joy... and I'm praying for the real-deal JOY every day!

A couple of things I want to share:

1) Music!!!
I'm really loving how God is using music for me to just show these children love! We got a chance yesterday to get the guitar out again and we put on a little show for the kids. Alyssa and I took turns playing for them...it was so precious. This might sound dumb...but I thought I might cry because it really touched my heart to see how much they enjoyed the music. They sang when they knew the songs, and if they didn't know the songs, they would just pretend or clap their hands. At the very end I told them I had a special treat for them. I played a song for them with all of their names in it and something special about each child. They absolutely loved it...even though I didn't always know what to say (I didn't write this song ahead of time, I made it up on the spot). They really enjoyed it and I could tell each child felt so special! Even the mamas were loving it...I've never seen them laugh so hard! I sang a part for each of them too!

Earlier that day, Alyssa and I had some manduzi (NO IDEA how to spell that...it's kind of like a plain doughnut here) and we shared with the kids in preschool. They all love their sweeties! It was really cute seeing them so excited about the manduzi..and they were just all sitting and eating it when I burst into song about manduzi. It was just a silly song about how "I love manduzi, it is so yummy, I love manduzi, oh yummy yummy" and then "yummy yummy...in my tummy...yummy yummy OH OH manduzi!" It may seem crazy to you...but the kids got into it and LOVED it. They were dancing around and seeing along! Alyssa recorded me singing it with the kids after and I had a "microphone" (a small toy I found) and I got each of the kids to take a turn to sing into it!!! I know you all probably think I'm nuts...but I love to sing and I am all about making music...and the kids don't mind my corniness one bit!!!

We also taught the kids a couple of songs. One of the songs the kids absolutely ADORE. We read the kids a Bible story about the man named Zacheus and then taught them the song and the actions to go along with it. Now when I'm with the kids some of them just burst into song and they love the part when you yell... "ZACHEUS COME DOWN FROM THERE...cause I'm going to your house today..cause I'm going to your house today!"

I am just loving the music here...it seems like there's a song for everything! If they're sad, happy, or just being super cute...there's a song for them!

2) Bedtime
One of the most precious moments I've experienced this far was getting to put the kids to bed. I've only got to do this once because the mamas usually do it, but last night there wasn't enough mamas so we all helped out. It was really chaotic as they were all getting bathed, changed into pajamas, and then getting their teeth brushed...but the actually bedtime melted my heart. I went over and gave them a little kiss on their cheeks and one little boy said in the sweetest voice, "Auntie, can you pray for me?" Okay...those words MELTED my heart. It was at that moment when I was thinking...I just never want to ever leave Africa! These kids are too precious!!! I got to pray with a couple of other children and tell a little bedtime story. Kisses were blown and hugs were given...it was such a loving moment and one of my favourite parts of the trip so far!

Much Love,
Em