Back in Kampala

We have been back in Kampala for four days this week. We have spent a lot of time in the street program. We arrived in Kampala on Monday evening and started program on Tuesday morning with bible study. Morgan taught about love that morning. Many boys show up, and there are many regulars. We were able to spend some time with them that morning. Uncle Abbey told us they had been missing us.

Tuesday afternoon the boys and girls split up and went into downtown. All of the shops were closed on strike, so we weren’t able to do much shopping. The girls got their hair done outside though. It took five hours from start to finish for all the girls to get their hair done. On Tuesday night we went on a night outreach. We went into the city and found the boys where they sleep at night. They walked us through the streets, and then we gathered for a quick bible study, and feeding the boys supper. Many of the street boys curled up around us and fell asleep. At first, it was easy to be offended that they would sleep during bible study, but we soon realized that it was probably the only peaceful and worriless sleep the boys would have.  Seeing the boys in that light was really eye-opening for many of us. 

On Wednesday, we headed to the clinic that API runs to repaint. The clinic was a bright blue color, and the goal is a cream color. We had to start with an undercoat. The paint was really harsh; we found ourselves needing to take frequent breaks for fresh air. Afterwards, we went back to Kivulu (Chi-va-loo), the slum we are working in, for street program. We played a game with the boys that they really enjoyed. Brittany taught the lesson about the Whole Armor of God.  After program we headed back to the VH for the rest of the night. Austin and Luis went on a chicken coop project, building a sustaining coop for a boy that had recently been resettled. They missed the taxi service that night, and had to hitch a ride in the back of a petroleum truck WEH.

Thursday was a full day for us. We woke up early and headed back to Kivulu for breakfast class bible study. Emily taught the lesson that morning. Afterwards, we headed to the clinic once again to put on the main color. The boys all followed us from program; we had lots of little hands helping us paint. After painting, we headed to the VH for a quick lunch, and then back to the clinic for the final coat of paint.

Austin and Luis were gone all day working on a rabbit project, and Leah and Alison were on a resettlement. Resettlements are a little different from home visits in that resettlements take boys from the streets and bring them back to their families to stay. Often times it is successful, but sometimes there are cases in which they run away again.

We have one day left in Kampala, and then we head back to Bombo for the next ten days.

Two of the street boys

One of the boys with his scrap collecting sack

Two boys during program

Hanging out with the boys after program

Several of the street boys getting free buzzes from Abdul

Making bracelets with the boys

The boys lining up for supper

Two of the boys from program