Saying Goodbye at Juba,and Shopping at the Market

Monday, April 16. 2012

                Well. My stay is beginning  to wind down and I have such mixed feelings.  I thought I’d be counting the days til I leave…and, indeed, I do have a calendar with April’s days marked off, however, I never expected to feel  so reluctant to actually leave, now that I have made so many “connections” and relationships.  Who would ever think this  possible, when we have a difficult time communicating in our respective languages (even if they are both English!)?.   I have been trying to learn at least a little of Jap, one of the two languages spoken in Tororo.  Last night Rose began my “lessons” (she is able to communicate in English better than most) and I learned “Come here” and Come and eat”…and. Most important, Grandmother!  Today,as I was surrounded by a few of my favorite people, I think I learned (mostly with “cheat sheets”?)a few more : friend, goodbye, .. “I don’t want to” which I put together with “goodbye”, plus “I will come back in one year!” and most  important, God Bless You!  I will have to study these continuously! ( I REALLY KNOW “how are you?” and “Good!)  though they all laugh when I say it!  My friend Sue told me the secret to remembering it..it sounds like” Yogi..Bear” It really is “Yoga” and Bar”  The accents and tone has a lot to do with saying it…and that’s when they laugh at me..and clap at my attempts!

                So, this morning  we  saw a fantastic music program, including songs made specifically for us, who come from America  as well as their national anthem  and school song(school motto: “With God we attain wisdom”)…and the traditional dances.  We toured the site and saw the classrooms (which I know quite well!)saw the dormitories (one is now being built for the girls), the new kitchen that Bonnie’s son Kent’s church is building, and the chicken yard where they raise them  mainly for eggs for the children to eat as well  as well as to sell.

The headmaster said there are 380 students enrolled, preschool to P 6.  They have attained a very good reputation!  They are particular about whom they hire. (though not all have attended university) 

Hearing about the reputation of Juba before ,the first Pastor  and then Peter…. It was unbelievable the change!  It was a place of killings, rapes, robberies…you name it.  Now, there is my favorite church and an excellent (Ugandan standards) school.  They are expanding yearly, thanks to Hope 4Kids..and hope to have a high school eventually so they know the character and academics they have strived for in the Primary school will be maintained to produce top graduates for the welfare of Uganda.

                One last thing happened:  I met Juliette, whom I’m going to sponsor for this next year.  If you were reading my Blog, you may remember the story of a Mother who set her son on fire…and my friend Sue was going to sponsor the boy, Lban.  Well, that’s who I will sponsor.  Talking with both Pastors, Ruth and Peter, they support this.  I have to admit, I volunteered with a lump in my throat…but felt led to do this.  She will need all our prayers.

                Then we went to the outdoor market…that Sue and I used to frequent often and enjoyed so much. What a difference when it’s been raining!  I was used to hot and DUST..and now, with the rain, many goods were covered up…and it was a challenge to stay upright, with the wet, slippery soil and unevenness of the ground!

This weather has been so much cooler and it’s now beginning to rain at least some each day..The “diggers” are so happy!  And everything is so green instead of brown and covered with red dust.

                Tomorrow  I visit Lumino…one of my church(Southside’s) sister churches.  Can’t wait!