I bought a gwenyo..

...and no, I won't eat it.

I bought the chicken from Jennifer at Tegot....it is for a gift...the chicken is crazy....flying all over the van...luckily David set her straight and she quieted down...until Odi wanted to play.

I think I like the idea of buying animals as gifts...weird, I know...but it is kinda cool. Wish dyal's weren't so expensive (goats)....I think Odi needs a friend here in the compound...the baby goats are soooooooooooo cute!!

Anyways...

I have decided to rename Tegotatoo to Tegotkwo....From "Death Under a Rock" to "Life Under a Rock". I think of how Jesus renamed Simon to Peter (Rock - petra in Greek and kefa in Hebrew)and declared that He would build His church on a rock...Tegot needs to be built up again from death to life...life in Him!!

Today we had Saturday Club on Friday. We switched it because both Simon and Pato GRADUATE TOMORROW!!! Oh how exciting!!! Anyways, with two of our key staff graduating and the rest of the team wanting to be there for them, we thought it best to make Friday our work day and Saturday our day off. Anyways, we had club. Everyone was with the kids and Mary and I went to visit Jennifer. Let me tell you Baby Barbara is no longer sick or scared of me!!! She laughed, played, ate and even came to greet me. OH PRAISE!! She even had her little stuffed toy I gave her when she was in the hospital. Anyways, our point to meeting with her was to really find out what her story is and to build a relationship with her. When I saw her she said loudly, "Mama!" and gave me a hug...I have to say it is cool how the moms especially are responding to me and the hugs. I really feel like I am making friends with the parents here and that is so sweet. It makes me try harder to learn Acholi.

So Jennifer shared her story with us. She told us things that I again knew she shouldn't be freely sharing but she did comfortably yet quietly. I share because I know she wants to be free from this and needs prayer for wisdom, guidance, strength and life. She is the 5th wife out of 6. Her husband met her in her hometown of Kitgum. There she was raising her younger siblings because both her parents were murdered in the war. She fell in love and got married. When they moved to Gulu they stayed in a small apartment. Little did she know he had four other wives...she found out when they all showed up at the apartment ready to beat her up and steal her belongings. His father eventually convinced him to bring her back to Tegot so he left her in the IDP Camp. They have three children together with one on the way. He does absolutely nothing for her - no support, no building homes, no money, no food....literally just comes for sex. Takes no responsibility for her and the children....actually for any of the wives and children. She told us that she doesn't love him because how can she love a man who does nothing for her? If she refused to have sex with him, he would beat her. So she complies. She would be able and willing to leave him if she were able to have a place of her own and find a way to sustain her children, siblings (takes care of two sisters) and herself. She is interested in learning more about God, reading, writing and teaching me how to be an Acholi woman. :) We asked if we could meet with her once a week and hangout. She was really excited about it. It makes her feel valuable and loved - which she is!!! Spending time with people means soooo much.

I have been seeing hope fill the cracks of war-weathered faces in such a bright way it delights me. Godfred is our biggest supporter and helps us with the Local Council to talking to parents. He is so involved and knows we care about him. Okello Moses dresses so nicely, cleans up, prays, and blesses people where once he was a little terror -only because now he believes that he is worthy! Aol Irene smiles and WANTS to talk and smile. She isn't hesitant and loves being acknowledged. Little Stinker Okema David just needs love to tame his wild heart. He leans in so hard that if you move a bit he falls....I know, cuz it happened. :) We just took Eunice's profile and I see her everywhere, wanting to hold my hand, smile, walk with me and greet me...
sponsorship gives such hope to these children and family. Not just because of school fees and Saturday Club - because kids who are not even sponsored yet are feeling the hope....it is because we acknowledge them that they are alive and loved and worthy of that love. Really, just taking a profile changes lives....imagine what sponsorship does. Wow. I believe in it so much that I even sponsor a kid now....a kid I have loved and been praying for over a year now....Akello Winnifred...my Winnie. :) So believe in what we are doing here...cuz it is ALL the LORD.

Mama Alimocan, Monica, is doing better - baby Stephen is, too. Opio Patrick Filda has a major tooth problem where his whole face is swollen - thought he was beaten. Pray for the malaria that just seems to never end....Pray for ECM in Gayaza.

God is good...but I am exhausted...so much to do. I must pray more to get clarity on what needs to be done.

I love the LORD....glad He chose me. :)
Baby