Trying to comprehend....

I have no idea what time it is right now.  I just know it's dark outside and there's a mosquito inside my net!  Bit me enough to wake me up and now I can't find the little monster.  Such is the nightly routine.  I can't seem to sleep more than 3 hours at night....yet I'm not tired during the day.  Too much to soak in, I guess.  Today was one of those days that I'll just never forget.  There were many tears shed from every member of our team.

We started the day at Rahab's house, a home that houses up to 15 girls rescued from the streets.  These are girls as young as 6 years old who've been prostituting themselves to survive-- selling themselves daily for around 2000 shilling (less than $1).  We met 8 of the 15 girls and nothing can quite prepare you to look in their eyes, to listen to their stories.  They are beautiful, precious, young, alive and yet so wounded.  We learned that many run away after being rescued because they're just so used to that lifestyle and don't believe they deserve better!  

I spent a few hours training the workers at Rahab House as well as a few other local, similar non-profit agencies in post-abortion counseling, crisis counseling, and donor development.  They seemed to soak everything in and yet I sat there at times just in awe of the stories they were telling me...wondering who was really being trained.  I was encouraged to see men that were a part of this ministry.  Men who go into the streets and rescue these girls and show that that a real man doesn't abuse women.  I fought back tears as they told me about their personal challenges in working with this population, their heartbreak, and their unfailing love (talk about a modern day Hosea ministry!).  I learned that the abortion rates in Uganda as as high if not higher than the U.S. (even though we hear it's illegal); that women are silently suffering with the pain of losing their children yet culturally they can't talk about it--most abort in secret, often at 4+ months pregnant.  Oh, how I grieved as I learned how so many of our American ways are influencing this culture!  

The girls loved spending time with Brett & Riley.  They were fascinated with Riley and kept wanting to hold & play with her hair :)  They laughed when Brett took a picture with them and I wondered how many "good" men will have to come into their lives for them to believe that there are men who truly do care about them.

After Rahab's house we went to a local hospital and met a doctor working with young children...many who've been abused, abandoned, etc.  Some were cancer patients, others victims of the bombing last year, and then many other stories that I can't post online.  I don't think any of us were prepared for what we were going to see.  I started balling when I saw the very first little girl lying in a bed right after receiving her chemo treatment.  She was snuggled with her momma or auntie and although she looked absolutely miserable she had a beautiful smile on her face.  The tears just wouldn't stop flowing as we met child after child.  The pain on their faces seemed to subside as they tried their hardest to smile.  I wanted to pick each one up and hold them so tight...thanking the Lord for my healthy little girl.  Riley brought Puppy Brett and kept saying that they could give him a hug (don't freak out medical peeps--pretty sure none of them had anything super contagious or the doctor would never have allowed Riley on the floor).  One little boy could barely speak, make eye contact, etc.  As he sat in his wheel chair, Riley went up to him and touched his little hand.  He gave the biggest smile when he saw her and laughed out loud.  Once again, the tears!!!  She handed him a little lollipop and it seemed to make his day.  She then decided all the kids needed lollipops and they agreed!  It's amazing how they respond to her and she loves it.  As long as they don't snatch her too fast! :)

Tomorrow (actually a few hours from now) we head to Gulu to spend a few days with Mercy's Village and to escape the big city since elections are this Friday.  We're excited to spend time with the kids at the school, paint classrooms, etc. 

Good night,

Talitha