It is amazing to me how little light it takes to shatter darkness. The smallest spark creates a point of light where once there was none. Then the spark lights a candle which, when it begins to burn, provides a circle of light. Each candle carries its own arch, and as it travels down the … Continue reading Circle of Light
Uganda
Preparation
The rain is coming down in sheets. A steady downpour which begs me to stay snuggled down into the covers, except my mind is awake. Wide awake. It is running two weeks ahead to my next trip to Uganda. It seems like I just got back…two times a year comes around quickly. May isn’t too far … Continue reading Preparation
A Collaborative
Collaborative- involving two or more people working together for a special purpose. The dictionary says the word collaborative is an adjective, but the Greater Hope Project uses it as a noun. It is people, a place, and a thing. Numbers of organizations coming together for a common purpose, to help the South Sudanese refugees. It … Continue reading A Collaborative
Shake, Rattle, and Roll
As far as I can tell there are not many traffic laws in Uganda. It seems to me, the walkers have the outer edges of the roadway, then the bikes are right beside them. Just inside the bikes are the bota botas (motorbikes), and next to them the cars. The closest to the middle of … Continue reading Shake, Rattle, and Roll
The Children Are Watching
How do you lead a literacy conference without books? That was our question going into our second teacher workshop at Hope Primary School. Last year’s conference brought with it evidence that the teachers themselves were not very strong readers. In fact, the illiteracy rate in South Sudan is over 80%. Remember, most of these conference … Continue reading The Children Are Watching
Humble Prayers
There is something about hearing a refugee pray which humbles my heart. Their prayers are so genuine, so heartfelt, that sometimes my eyes tear up. I doubt that if I was in their place I could be as grateful as they are. They thank God for their safety, and I wonder if they are safe … Continue reading Humble Prayers
Why Have You Come?
My eyes are wide and deep as pools. When you look at me they are the first thing you see. They have wisdom beyond my years, because I have seen much in my short life. They have seen more than I can understand. War makes no sense to me, only running from war. Now I … Continue reading Why Have You Come?
A Day in the Life
My alarm either startles me awake, or I get up an hour before it goes off. The determining factor of which way I start my day is complex. If the electricity is on the night before so the fan runs, if the noise outside my window ends before 2 in the morning, if the heat … Continue reading A Day in the Life
The Nuts and Bolts
So, how do teacher conferences happen in refugee camps? I’m glad you asked. It is quite a process to be honest. Not just anyone can go into the camps. There must be a sponsoring organization who is registered with the UN. Since my friend Uche partnered with the Church of Uganda to work towards their mutual goals. On … Continue reading The Nuts and Bolts
Life is in the Blood
I just woke up, in my African room, from a dream…one of my former students was in the hospital for some medicine. This particular student had significant trauma in her life while I was her teacher. In the dream, I was the one giving the meds directly into her vein. (I assure you this was … Continue reading Life is in the Blood
Michelle's Mosaic 