So here we are with only a week (slightly less) to go on our trip to Uganda. We planned and saved for over a year, and we're down to only days left. This trip has had unique challenges compared to previous trips we have made, but it has also been wonderful. Rose's friendship with Mona, a 16 year old neighbor from Somalia; our friendship with Mark and Cindy, our neighbors from Texas who are adopting four Agape kids; our friendship with Joseph, his brother , David, our driver, Isaac, and so many other wonderful relationships that have formed here. And of course the 30 or so kids living at the children's home. There is a lot we will miss.

But, like I tell my students on the night before the final day of our class trips, it's not over yet. We have a lot planned over these last few days. Today Rose and I again did walk around juggling in the slum outside our gate. The guy that we buy fruit from has been trying to learn to juggle with me, so a couple days ago I gave him a can of three tennis balls. He was proud to show me his progress, and he really is doing well. A couple little boys were out on the street washing their clothes by hand when we came by. They left their chore aside and watched and played with us. Well, abandoning their task did not set well with their mom, who began yelling. Then she saw what was going on and laughed, let the kids play, and finished the laundry herself.

Before the juggling, we spent our morning at Agape as usual. It was a pretty subdued day all things considered. I did teach several more of the kids to do flips while I lift the up by the hands. Picture my arms as gymnastics rings and the kids as the gymnasts.

One of the older kids at Agape is named Carol. She is probably five and has a sister named Grace. She has an aunt who was supposedly going to come take her home to live on Monday. Carol and Grace were all dressed up and ready to go, waiting in the office, and the aunt never came. It is Wednesday night, and the girls still haven't been picked up. While I don't know any more specifics of the story than this, those who know the situation are not surprised the aunt is simply not coming for them. Apparently she prevented these girls from being adopted some time ago, but has done nothing to help the girls either.

So these are the types of experiences, relationships and opportunities we have had for the past three weeks. I know we three will return home different than when we left. It has been fun, tiring and challenging, and I'm so glad we're here. Thank you to everyone who has supported this venture through prayer, financial giving and the donations of clothing, hygiene items and school supplies. All those items have been dispersed and received with much appreciation.