Thursday, July 17
Today, after the crazy rafting adventure yesterday, we hit the road for our trip to the East part of Uganda. Our stop for the day was at King’s Kids School in Palissa, where we also stayed the night. On the school grounds there were around 4-5 classrooms in two different buildings, a “resource learning room”, a vocational training workshop, some dormitory facilities for the orphaned children who attended the school, and a brand new church building. But the buildings and structures that made up the school meant nothing as soon as we saw 260 smiling Ugandan children in little red uniforms lined up to greet us. We were welcomed with words from the pastor and songs we all still sing! J
Although I missed the in-depth description of the “thematic” approach to education yesterday while I was being thrown into rapids in the Nile, I did recognize what seemed to be a developing and improved approach to achieving primary education in Uganda. Besides the subjects incorporated into their daily schedule, they worked toward HIV Aids education, conflict resolution, community development, MDG education, sustainable agriculture, and more. I learned that education runs so much deeper than teaching a child to read and write, or do simple math. These are kids who will be the next generation of Uganda. They must be educated to understand how to build community and fight poverty within their own country. This really made me wonder- why aren’t we teaching our children about poverty? If we integrated the MDGs and struggles to end poverty in our curriculum- if we had been- what progress could we have made? I was in the 6th grade in 2000, and I know I could have been impacted by these goals. The children and youth of our communities are also the next generation to put an end to poverty.
I did want to update everyone on this particular day, but I also had some thoughts yesterday I wanted to share.
As we drove to the “adrift” rafting stop, bright and early Wednesday morning, I was struck by some very great contrasts. The first thing I noticed while looking out the window on the bus were groups of children in colorful uniforms heading to school. I smiled as I unconsciously witnessed MDG #2 being implemented. All until my hope was suddenly crushed. On the same road where children walked toward an education, I saw children with no uniforms sitting outside of tiny homes and kids working away their early morning hours washing clothes and heading to the market. I realized I must look closer. I quickly noticed huge beautiful estates with paved driveways but I looked past these only to see small dirt paths with painful structures that I suppose resembled a shelter. I saw lush green land right next to brown fields with women trying to find life from nothing. All of these deep contrasts painted a new and painful picture of poverty for me. This really made me wonder, what is falling through the cracks? Who is hidden underneath the development and implementation of these things we call the MDGs? Who is being forgotten? We must remember the entire picture which creates this poverty- all the cracks and smudges- the ones both seen and unseen.
Meredith, It has been so great to hear your voice!! We are thankful for God’s protection of all of you in so many ways. God’s love is so far reaching…incredible how God can stretch His arms all the way around the world! Love you!
MB,
Meredith’s blog and our conversations since you have been in New York City have gotten me thinking about the team’s experiences thus far and the need to process what you have seen and heard in far away difficult places. So, here are a collection of random thoughts, that looked at collectively, don’t seem so random.
“In retrieving our experience of God and images of God, we are forced to confront the basic questions that penetrate to the nature of our relationship with God: Is the mystery within which we live and to which we are inescapably bonded, ultimately gracious or indifferent? Are we grounded in a reality that cares for us or not? That is for us or against us? The Christian response to these questions is that the hallmark of God is graciousness. God cares for us. God is for us. This takes us to the reality we call grace.”
-From To Walk Together Again, by Richard M. Gula
“As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer, do not delay, O my God.” – Psalm 40:17
“No sooner had He spoken than I caught a glimpse of the Light that had escaped the Most Holy Place when the Lord first entered the torn veil. It continued its boundless journey through the ages, touching every time and every nation. It was not a haphazard flash of light, but a calculated methodical search for everyone who has ever lived. Upon each one, the Light of His Glory rested, urging, nudging, calling, drawing each person to Him who sits on the throne. I sat in awe of the Light’s gentle determination to shine in the heart of every living person, revealing the love and forgiving power of the Christ of God.”
– From Romancing the Divine, by Don Nori
“Down in the human heart,
Crush’d by the tempter
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore.
Touched by a loving heart,
Wakened by kindness,
Chords that are broken will vibrate once more.”
– Fanny Crosby
“So carry your candle,
Run to the darkness,
Seek out the helpless, deceived and torn.
Hold out your candle,
For all to see it.
Take your candle,
Go light your world.”
I pray for the rest of your trip for God to open your eyes to the needs you see so that you can be a voice for those who have none and grace for those who receive none.
Love,
Dad
Meredith, one phrase in your blog really hit home: “I realized I must look closer.” God has blessed you with both the conviction and the capcity to “look cloer,” even though at times it must seem like anything but a blessing. I continue to pray that you and the other members of the MDGs group will be given the courage to “look closer” during the rest of this incredible adventure.
Love, Dad
Thanks for reminding me to open my eyes to see
what is falling through the cracks in my little
world of Oklahoma.
We love and miss you. Aunt Beth