Sitting in a traffic jam

I’m on my way back from Acholi Quarters where I’ve just had a wonderful afternoon catching up with the Acholi ladies and children who I’ve had the honour of helping to support for over 7 years now. 

 

Suddenly having to leave them last year was so incredibly hard, and to be back with them today, and see how well they’ve come through this massively challenging year - well I can only say a huge thank you to God.

And that is how we started our time together - with prayers of thanks and songs of praise. Yes, i guess it was sort of against guidelines when I realised how many people they were planning on squeezing into a small room as time progessed, and yes I did suggest we relocate to an outdoor space when the children were also being asked to come in and sing, but for that first bit of time together, with the select few ladies: it was a joy filled reunion. 

 

 

The ladies shared how awful it was during the time of strict lockdown - only able to go out to use the communal toilets or get food and water, when they had the money. The rest of the time, stuck inside a 3m square hut with their family of up to 6 or 7 people, fearful of the invisible virus, aware of the potential consequences if they caught it due to inadequate health care etc, and the children getting bored, hungry and fretful. 

 

But they’ve all survived, not one case of covid19 amongst them, and their songs and prayers of thanks and praise were testament to the miracle that they consider the survival of the past year to be. 

The children sang (outside) their lovely song of welcome and gave words of thanks for the support they’ve known throughout. The payment of school fees, money to cover the cost of catch-up worksheets, the hope that comes from knowing that their dream of working their way out of poverty lives on thanks to their continued education.

 

 

It was a beautiful time together and quite emotional at times. There are more conversations to have, and I’m glad that I can return in a couple weeks time.

But for now - the longed-for reunion has happened and the time apart has ended.

The traffic jam hasn’t though - still sitting in that. Hey ho, the joy of smart phones - writing on the go enabled!

Nb I am sitting in the passenger seat in case you were wondering - no driving and typing here!!!!