Day 13 - Homes & Hope

The morning of our second Ugandan Friday was a hot one, with the 9am sunshine heavy on our backs as we began our second last half-day of building in the Village of Hope. The completion of the outside walls has settled as a sense of excitement within the team, as we see the pile of red clay bricks from day one finally form the walls of a home- the walls of a future. With the patient guidance and good humour of our Ugandan builders as the foundation of these walls, our gratitude to both them and their kindness is immeasurable.

With only a few more courses on the inside walls to go, we headed back to Suubi House for a lunch and a rest before we were to return to the Home of Hope for the last time. Today's lunch break was blessed by the singing of our amazing cook Juliet, whose beautiful voice rang through Suubi House as she shared her love of Jesus with us through her music. The wifi was then turned off for the next two hours as we rested and prepared for the afternoon.

The Home of Hope blessed us as soon as we arrived with the laughter of children and the warm welcome of staff. The home is alive with unconditional love, as Edith's beautiful heart for the children is reflected in every staff member there. As we sung, played and interacted with the children, it was impossible not to be captured by their joy and moved by their love of life. It was a heavy reminder that circumstance should not determine happiness, rather, it comes from an ability to laugh and enjoy the small blessings of life. These children were once without hope and now, thanks to Edith and her team, their eyes are full of it. Despite the hardship of their circumstances, they have come to know their own worth and we were blessed to have the opportunity to enter into their story.

After spending an hour or so with the children, we had to say a hard goodbye before returning to Suubi House for a wonderful evening meal of vegetables and rice. The day was drawn to a close with a team debrief, after which team members gradually began to drift back to their rooms for a good nights sleep.

- Matilda

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