one week at Ekisa

It's officially been a week since I first got to Ekisa! Ekisa is right across the road from an open field, which is absolutely gorgeous to just stand outside and look at. All of Uganda is a beautiful country. It's rained 5 out of the past 8 days. Only two have been heavy downpours, some just light drizzling, and some in-between. But there's almost always thunder. On our walk this afternoon the clouds start rolling in and the thunder started coming. Pretty, right?

The children at Ekisa are precious. Simply, wonderfully precious. There are no words to describe the joy they bring to the Ekisa home. They're all so very different, and although it's taking time, I'm learning the different personalities of the kids. I'm learning that Isaac Little will smile if you rub his face or arms or legs. Paul likes to snuggle, and get your shirt/skirt wet in the process. hah. Debra is super-smart and strong and sassy. 

My days are filled with lots of craziness.. running and playing, digging for toys in the rice buckets (part of school for the kids), feeding. In between all the playing and snuggling, I try to avoid the ants in the bedroom and the rat in the kitchen. haha. And trips to town via boda (more commonly known as motorcycles in the States) happen about twice a week. Right now I'm sitting at the kitchen table, with Paul (one of Ekisa's kids) sitting next to me, wanting to take pictures on my computer. What do you think, isn't he adorable? We had Messy Playtime this afternoon, hence the white flour/water paste all over his face.

Church happens outside in the Pastor's backyard every Sunday. Kids and adults total, there's about 200 people. Lots of mzungus and Ugandans, the Ugandans in the area call it mzungu church. haha. I was surprised at the amount of songs I knew from singing them at church back home. Today the Pastor talked about a lot of things, but one line that stuck out to me the most was this, "Even the most mundane, routine tasks can be an act of worship to God." 

Sometimes it's easy to feel discouraged doing the mundane tasks.. like cleaning, or cooking, or changing diapers (and there's a lot of routine, mundane tasks in my days here). At least for me, in order to feel like I am being used by God, I think I need to be doing something (seemingly) 'big'.. like feeding starving children or giving medicine to a sick baby or telling someone about Jesus. But the reality is that the mundane tasks are equally as important as the big ones. I'm learning this, slowly but surely.

Our days are filled with so much fun and activity, but the moments I'm remembering most are the little ones.. like sitting outside on the porch, singing to Emi (who is sick with malaria) while the rain falls. And chasing Isaac Big around the yard for 20 minutes. I remember hearing Arafat call me Auntie Anna for the first time, and my heart melted. The cries of "Auntie! Auntie! Auntie!" from the moment I walk out of my room until the moment bedroom doors are closed for the night. Hanging laundry on the backyard line with the mamas while birds sing and children scream. Snuggling Debra on the bed last night.

There are moments where I am missing home (like this morning) and don't know how to survive 6 months away from the ones I love so much. But then there are moments where I look around at the beauty of Uganda and the preciousness of these children, and I want to spend my life here. But don't worry, I promise I'll come home :)

Words cannot express how wonderfully blessed I am feeling by you all, and your prayers and your words of encouragement. I say it often, but it really means so much to me. I can't explain it. Know that, while I can't always write you back personally, I am so thankful for your notes and emails and blog comments. You all are so wonderful.

-Auntie Anna :)