uganda, day 8

end of school term ceremonies

headmaster richard, teachers, nurse and dave spoke words of encouragement to the children, with sidenotes of thanks to us.

then the kids danced, judith took me to dance the one dance that cindy likes so much. it is a bonding dance between two women friends.

jon also did a dance. judith selected him as her husband and he indicated he was pleased with her dance. i believe he is married now. heeh.

the kids got to drink a soda and have a package of bisquits (cookies). what little they have!!

they honored us with big chairs and getting served refreshments first (thank you joyce and vicky).

we believed that the children would not be having prayer that night, but really the case was that they wouldn't be having it at the schoolhouse. i was almost in bed when i heard children's voices. i went outside to hear it better, standing in my pj's. amy asked if i wanted to go to the kids houses and sit outside and listen to them. YES!!

we walked up and sat on the edge of the first porch we came to. we saw boys playing in the dark. one of them tried to scare us. hah. then two figures meandered near. "you are welcome," i said and my dear nancy approached. in the barely audible voice that i've come to know and love, i was invited to prayer.

it was muggy and barely lit in the room. only one oil lantern. but the room was filled to overflowing with children. no mats, no honorable seats for the visitors, just all of us jumping, singing, praising, praying.

a voice during prayer was growling and dark, it was earnest and as loud as i've ever heard their voices get. was this my nancy? with the voice so gentle i have to put my ear to her mouth to hear? was this her, crying out to God with the pain in her voice practically visible in that dim room?

ended prayers with "we are one family", many hugs and kisses and goodnights and tomorrows.