“I Will Miss the Rains Down in Africa”

Today we had two adventures. We visited a Family Life Program, which is a progressive group of people that have decided to learn and practice healthier ways of living. These include malaria prevention, building tight community relationships, improved sanitation, creating safe drinking water, hand washing, and conflict resolution. We then returned to Masindi Hotel for a wonderful lunch that included beef stew, potatoes, carrots, and Naan. After lunch we headed to the Family Spirit orphanage where over a hundred children board and there are about 80 day boarding students. As we drove up to the orphanage kids rushed and surrounded our vans overjoyed to see us. We were given a tour of the grounds and the children sang songs to us about their lives and how their lives have been changed by AIDS. We played with so many happy children, despite their disheartening situation. The experience was life changing and heartbreaking at the same time. We handed out toys, stickers, pens, bracelets, and even gave tattoos to a group of children. We also took donations to the orphanage due to the recent fire that burned a portion of their facility down. Overall, it was an amazing day. We ended the day with a great dinner (more Naan) and a talent show. It is so surreal that our time in Africa has come to an end. The experience will forever be in our hearts. God has worked in the hearts of our team and has blessed our relationships with the Masindi communities.

The team has packed and will be headed to Entebbe in the morning. The next time we talk to you will be in Charleston!

-Amanda, Kera, and Dana