Kamuli, Uganda

Right now I am deep in the bush of Uganda, a place called Kamuli, about two hours from the commonly known town of Jinja- where the source of the Nile is. This is an amazing country. The centre is full of happy kids, jack fruit trees, bananas, noisy birds and steamy jungle plants. I bathe from a bucket of cold water that I pump from a small well (however, many times the children want to do it for me). The toilet is a hole in the ground all ‘facilities’ are hidden behind a cement walls, but the shower is open air and has no door on one side. We sleep when the sun goes down, and wake up when it rises. At dawn and dusk the children pull out their massive drums and start beating them until all 133 of them are dancing and praying. They are truly amazing.

Uganda Orphans fund is a hidden treasure in the middle of Africa. It is such a pure hearted place that is becoming a habitation of kids hungry for miracles. The children have little else to hope for. They fast and pray on their own so much that they would put Western spiritualists to shame. I am sure their treasure in the supernatural realm is astounding. The most amazing part of it to me, is that other then Inger, I am the only other Mzungo (white person) out here. I cant believe how much I love being the minority skin color. I feel more comfortable staying at a place like this, then any other place in the world. This NGO is staying true to the culture of Uganda and it is untouched by Western ideals. I spent a long weekend with Duncan Hill, the founder of Uganda Orphans, and also some time with his team from Montana. It was wonderful to get to know them and talk about their vision. I have an invitation to go back there again with them, and I just feel super blessed to be here with such great people.

My time in Uganda has been fantastic, however some things have changed and I will be flying to South Africa early. Until I say goodbye to everyone at Kamuli at the end of the week, there is still a lot of fun to be had with the children. Hopefully I will teach them some songs if we have time… some of them can sing so well. I cant wait to sing with them.  It has been healing and deeply encouraging to meet these children and also the local adults who assist in running the orphanage. They are such kindhearted people and they are taking such good care of me. Its so humbling. I wish I had more to give them.

My good friend Christine, who we call ‘Madame’, says she does not want me to leave. She takes care of the children. Her husband was taken by Kony rebels and killed 3 years ago and so she lives at Kamuli with her 3 year old son Dan Dan…she tells me that she will fast and pray that I come back. How can I leave when there are people who say such nice things!? So it will be a teary day for me when I say goodbye. Each time I leave the place just for a few hours, it seems that I return to at least 80 kids running up to hug me.


Christy