A Picture Tells a Thousand Words

This post won't require much reading. I wanted to share with you some pictures that capture some of my favorite moments that I have spent here in Uganda. As my time is nearing it's end, I have been going through my photos and realized how much I have done/seen since I arrive here in August 2014.

When I first arrived in Uganda, I was greeted by these crazy kids. It didn't take long until I called them family. Although I was their teacher for a short time, I still lived in the same house as them and did almost everything with them. I miss these guys! They taught me a lot about life in Uganda, and made me feel comfortable in such a foreign culture.

Noah and Josie. While the Fisher's were finalizing their adoption of these 2 cuties, they kept us busy around the house. There was never a dull moment with these two running around. At the end of the day, even if they didn't get along with each other, they still look out for each other. Their stories are incredible and although they are not biological siblings, I know the Lord put them together with the Fishers for a reason. They share a special bond and I hope nothing ever breaks that.

The Boys. Amiss, Zach, Abadu, and Samuel. I'll never forget these boys and all the memories we've created with them. The first day I met Zach, he ran up to the van on main street and peeked in the van window to say hello to us. Not too long after that did we meet his buddies Amiss and Abadu, when they would be at our gate every morning playing with our dogs and calling our names. And Samuel, who was dropped off at our house by a boda boda driver. The moment I saw his sweet smile I knew he was a special boy. These boys have lived a life not many of us can understand. They left their families to live on the streets, and learned to fight for themselves. I am so excited to see where these boys are now, in school and progressing.

Charlie, Brittany, and I went to a Ugandan Cranes game with a group of our friends. Uganda beat Ghana, which made for a happy bunch of Uganda fans. The stadium went wild and many memories were made. 

This is my friend Ruth and her youngest daughter Joy. Ruth lives in Naigobya and I go and sit with her at least once a week. [The three following photos are her children as well]. Ruth doesn't speak much english, and I don't speak much Lusoga so our conversations are limited. We sit and we laugh. We laugh at our misunderstandings. We are getting better every time, but it's a slow progress. It's good we know some words in each others language to bridge the gaps, and we also use universal hand motions. Her family has taken a very special place in my heart. Her children, Joy, Zytuna, Gerald, and Sophia, are some of my best buddies. I am going to cherish every last moment I get to spend with Ruth and her family before I leave. 

This is Gerald. I love this boy. He is in St. Paul's Nursery Top class. I often see him at school, and I also have the opportunity to go into his classroom to teach phonics. His smile makes me melt, and his giggle - oh, boy - it's one of the cutest things ever. He's a quiet boy, but if you get him alone or with the other boys in the village he opens right up. 

This is Joy. She's my shadow in the village. When she sees me walking close she yells my name and runs right into my arms. When she's feeling good, she doesn't stop smiling. I've seen this little one sick too many times. There was one time she was sound asleep on the mat, laying next to her mother [Ruth]. I sat and spoke with Ruth for a while and soon Ruth tapped Joy and told her I was there. Joy cried and wiped her eyes and finally looked over and me a gave me a sweet weak smile - raised her arms and reached for me. I grabbed her and she immediately fell right back asleep in my arms. Through joy and pain she always gives a smile. 

This is Zytuna. I know I have written about her before. She is one of my dearest friends here in Uganda. Looking just like her mother Ruth, she is beautiful and full of joy. She is the oldest sister (living in the village) of Joy, Gerald, and Sophia. Zytuna captured my heart the first time I saw her. She asked me my name and once I told her she immediately began to laugh. I questioned my name - I never thought it was funny in anyway, but I soon realized she would laugh after anything I said. It was most likely my accent. Every time I came to the village I would see her working hard. She has many tasks around the house; fetching water, caring for her siblings, working in the garden, moving the cattle, and cooking. 

This is my friend Patrick and his beautiful baby Michelle. Patrick was the day guard at the Fisher's house. I saw how much the Fisher's adored Patrick and his family, so it was easy for me to feel the same way. During our school breaks the kids and I would go hang out with Patrick. We would eat jackfruit & sugarcane, play volleyball, or learn to ride the motorcycle. Since the Fisher's have gone, I have still maintained a friendship with Patrick and his wife. I try to visit them at their home in Jinja, or travel out to their village in Tororo. It's always a blessing to be around this sweet family. 

This is one of my favorite families to spend time with. They live just down the road from me, along the River Nile. This family is known by almost everyone in Jinja. They live right off the path where many people travel. In their home (which is a tiny shed) they sell small snacks to passerby. This Mama is a friend to many. She has one of the kindest hearts I know. Whether you're a pastor or one of the biggest thugs in town, she'll open up her home and give you a meal. She cares, and it's very evident. Every time I visit, I always catch her sharing laughs with everyone who passes by. Her children are always working hard. The girls are always helping Mama around the house, while the boys man the garden. You're bound to be greeted by their sweet smiles no matter what work they are doing. This family is truly a joy to be around. 

This picture doesn't need much of a caption. As I was walking down by the River Nile one day, out of the trees runs this little guy. Maybe he was just bathing in the river, or maybe he just felt like being free on a warm day. I couldn't resist snapping a shot of his cute buns frolicking down the road.

This is my family. Amber and Job have been my lifesavers on this journey. Without these two, I would have been lost. Through laughter, pain, and sorrow, we made it through an incredible chapter in our lives. Through crazy adventures, late night talks, and family prayer time, we have grown stronger. I am so thankful for these two wonderful people. 

Before Amber left Uganda, we took a family trip to the Kings hill in Bugembe (only a 15 minute trek from the house). Amber, Job, and I sat and overlooked the Jinja district in awe. What a beautiful place we live in. With the sun and the clouds hitting the land in different areas, we joked about which parts belonged to Mufasa and which belonged to Scar. [I mean we are in Africa, it wouldn't be right not to bring up the Lion King at some point ;)]

My sister, Maddie, and Yasin (a.k.a. lil' chunk) over at Sole Hope Outreach. I am SO thankful my sister had the opportunity to come over and visit me in Uganda. When I go home I know I'll have someone to talk to about the place I have laid my heart in for the past 10 months. 

This majestical creature was spotted on our safari. While Maddie was here, we had the opportunity to venture out to the west side of Uganda and see God's beautiful creation. Reaching Murchison National Park, we saw Murchison falls and so many beautiful creatures. I must say the elephant was my favorite sighting. Never have I seen a creature so strong and beautiful. The giraffe was a close second. Maddie and I had so much fun seeing all of these beautiful things. We even saw brother lions, which is a rare sighting. This is an adventure I'll never forget, and I blessed to have been able to share it with my sister.

Some of the street boys and I in the main market. Amber, Job, and I would go out on some saturday mornings and have breakfast with some of the boys who live on the streets here in Jinja. Sometimes they're wild and almost uncontrollable, but they're hard not to love. These boys have seen things I pray they never had. They live a life no kid should EVER have to. There are many different reasons why they've come to the streets, for each child it's different. Maybe it has to do with abuse at home, witchcraft in the village, or being kicked out of their village. Each child has a different story, but they all share a brotherhood because of where they live now. Although they fight and put each other down sometimes, there still seems to be a kind of brotherhood that is unbreakable. These boys are seen as scum by a lot of the community. All they want is love. They need love.

This is Isa, his jaja (meaning grandma in Luganda), and Joshua. Isa lived on the streets in Jinja town. Amber, Job, and I quickly befriended him as his sweet personally shown through the rest of the boys. He's an easy one to love. Every time we saw him on the street he would greet us with his cute little smile and give us hugs. After getting to know Isa and a little bit of his story, we had the opportunity to bring Isa home. He had enough of the street life and wanted to go home. We traveled about 30 minutes west and there we met his Jaja. She's sweet and we knew Isa was going to be treated well there. We sat and talked with her for a while, and we made plans to keep visiting so we could check up on the both of them. Now, Joshua (the boy in the red) was Isa's partner in crime. They roamed the streets of Jinja together, and became the best of buddies. Joshua is almost complete opposite of Isa. He's loud, never stops talking, and is the joker. They were great partners on the street because they were opposite. They would take care of each other. When we planned a visit to Isa, we decided to take Joshua along so he could see his friend again. Joshua still lives on the streets, and we though maybe if he saw Isa living a good life at home, maybe it would encourage Joshua to want to go back home too. They had the best reunion ever. Immediately when they saw each other they gave each other a huge hug and began to laugh. It was a moment that we'll cherish forever. These boys have challenged us and taught us a lot about life. I'm so happy to have them in my life.

These are the boys of The Street Child Project. I love these boys. They have a special bond that many boys don't share. They've lived on the same streets, been through the same torture, and seen things that they probably haven't seen at their age. They have all grown (and are still growing) into wise and loving young men. When I see the boys that currently live on the streets, and then see these boys, I find hope. What the Street Child Project has done, is something incredible. They have helped these young men be something, at one point, they probably never thought they could be. Living on the streets is something I'll never fully understand, and after hearing stories I pray no more kids will ever have to live.

This is my buddy Steven. He lives over at the Street Child Project, but he has a special story. He was never living on the streets, but he definitely hasn't had an easy life. I fell in love with this boy the moment I met him. I went to visit the compound and he immediately came into my arms. You knew he just wanted to be loved. He's became an orphan at a very young age, and is now possibly going to be adopted. He's a sweet boy. The Uncles at the Street Child Project have quickly fallen in love with this boy too. The boys all take good care of him and he gets the attention he needs. When I go a visit he spits Luganda at me and I just pretend I understand what he's saying. We play and play and play. His laugh is contagious. It's a loud laugh, and it's often questionable if it really came out of his little body - he laughs with every muscle in his body. We play with his toy motor cars, and chase each other around the house. I will never get sick of him running into my arms every time I step foot in that compound.

The kids at Arise Talents Uganda. I don't even know where to begin in talking about these kids. They have my heart in so many ways. I met these kids on January 1st of this year. It was the best New Years Day I have ever had. We went to King Fisher Resort and had a wonderful time dancing, playing, and we even took a boat ride on the Nile. Since the day we met, I have loved these kids. They make it easy to love them. Every time I step foot in their compound I have to brace myself because I get bombarded with hugs. They have a love so real. They have talent like you wouldn't believe. Many of them paint and dance. They sing, weave baskets, make bags, and their knowledge of the Bible is incredible. They challenge me to be a better person - to love unconditionally.

I hope you enjoyed some of the photos that capture some of the greatest memories I've made here in Uganda. Since I'm headed back to the states soon, I would love for my next blog post to be a sort of Question/Answer. I would love for you to comment on this blog any questions you may have for me about my time here in Uganda - or anything really! If you don't want to comment on the blog post you can feel free to email me any questions at kendallvberg@gmail.com or message me on facebook. So let the questions begin! 

Grace & Peace

Love,

Kendall