Ice Cream

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Saturday, September 15, 2012 – Lira, Uganda

Today Andrew and I got to experience something really cool – we were able to take Betty, our sponsor child, out for ice cream. I think two of the most amazing things about sponsoring a child at Otino Waa is that First: You know that the aid is going directly to the child and is being used wisely, honestly and to its fullest potential. Second: You have the opportunity to not only communicate with your child though letters and email – you could visit them! Betty is 6 or 7 years old and is in Primary One. She has an older brother, Daniel, who is around 8 or 9 years old. 

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Around 11am Andrew and I walked to the house where Betty stays with seven other children who are taken care of by Mama Florence. She had finished her house chores of washing, had taken her bath and was wearing her bet outfit made by Mama Florence. We walked hand in had to the café and ate the most refreshing ice cream. Betty is still learning English and often times response with a simple “yes” or “no” but she is sharp and picks up on things quickly. We taught her a new word today: Delicious. And caught it on video J

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Being Saturday, we were able to just hang out with the kids most of the day as they were not in school. We sang songs, I taught a group of girls how to line dance and do the Electric Slide, which they loved. We watched a soccer – futball – match and some people played volleyball.

For dinner we were invited to Reverend Dicken’s house where we were served a full meal of multiple Ugandan dishes. Dickens and his wife and five children also sang and played an instrument called the adunga, which is like a harp. Their generocity and hospitality cannot be matched.

Everyone I talk to who has visited a place like Otino Waa says they went to serve but were served far greater then they could have imagined.

It was a blessed day.

Amanda, Nancy, Robina, Sandra, Serina, Edith, Joan, Andrew and Betty

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Thought for the Day:

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:17-18

So much of the problems that the world faces today have to do with peace. The news is filled with stories of fighting and corruption, especially lately. One thing that is being taught at Otino Waa is conflict resolution – learning how to deal with your problems wisely and in a way that benefits you and those around you.