Another day, Another Hope

So, work’s been a little hectic the past couple of weeks with Christmas break looming and a ton of work left to be done. (translation: my excuse for the lack of updates over the past week or two)

Anyway, as of last week, I still didn’t have any Christmas plans other than the Congo. I did, however, know that I wanted to serve with some organization or ministry during my time off. And, ever since my trip to the God’s Littlest Angels orphanage in Haiti last summer, I’ve had a desire to return to work in another orphanage. Thankfully, (but not really, in the larger scheme of things) Uganda has quite a number of orphanages, due in part to the high prevalence of diseases, the large number of the poor and starving, and the numerous (and still raging in some areas of Uganda) conflicts that have plagued this country since its independence over fifty years ago.

Anyway, long story short, I’m now at Another Hope Children’s Ministry, a small orphanage with about thirty children. I arrived yesterday afternoon and it’s been pretty much non-stop action from that point on. It’s been a little chaotic, with Ruth, the director and founder, gone from the organization the past few days. Some of the volunteers have just left, probably in order to make it home for Christmas, and the kids just got of school and are on holidays until February (their version of summer break for us Canadians). But I’m really glad that God’s led me here, as there’s a definite need for additional helping hands, or just helping hands at all. I’ve been totally drained by the kids today so I need to end off here before my eyes force themselves closed for good. But I’ll definitely try and write more about the orphanage as soon as I can. The kids are sooo cute, and there’s so much happening!

This will be the first Christmas that I’ve spent without family and friends (other than the thirty kids that I’m quickly falling in love with, of course). And while I’m the farthest I’ve ever been from everything I’ve ever known, I’m pretty excited for all the things that are sure to happen in the next two weeks! So, until my next blog, (and just in case it happens to be after the 25th) have a fantastic Christmas everyone, wherever you may be!

Edit: So I just got out of the Christmas Sunday Service at KPC (Kampala Pentacostal Church) and I've gotta say that the service really brought me back to the heart of what this time of the year is really about. I'm in a rush to get back to the orphanage to help set up for their Christmas Party so I'll write more about it next chance it get! Haha, on second thought, I don't know if I will have either the time or energy to blog at all, given the day that I had yesterday! Ummm... and that goes for emails as well, to those of you who I owe them to, sorry!