GOBU2014: We are Sorry to Say "Bye-Bye"!

The team completed teaching at Busuubizi on Thursday and Friday. They created and delivered gift bags to the teachers on Friday. Following Friday's lessons, the students and teachers thanked them with gifts, kind words, and songs. The team was frequently moved to tears as they concluded their time and said good-bye to these precious children and teachers.

We continued to be well fed and have opportunities to try traditional Ugandan meals such as Matoke (steamed plantains with a geenut sauce) along with eating American favorites such as biscuits and gravy; cornbread and taco soup; and pancakes.

We completed our work at Hope Village's piggery on Thursday. On the way there, we stopped by a local leather shop to buy handmade sandals. Among our team, we purchased six pairs of sandals. We learned from our host, Eric (who has been sharing with the woman who owns and operates the business), that she would likely sell one pair of shoes or sandals on a good week. The woman thanked us and Eric profusely and seemed near tears when we left. It felt good to be able to bless her and affirm the relationship that she has developed with our host.

At the piggery, most of the girls worked to clear the property of stumps and debris. However, the MVP award of the day must go to Emma and Kari who donned rain-boots and proceeded to clean 25 pig stalls!!! They worked incredibly hard, had fun, and were able to finish in under two hours! Enjoy the pictures below! In the process, an escape artist pig managed to get out of his pen. Monica may or may not have chased and poked the pig in her efforts to coax him back into his pen!

After teaching their final lessons on Friday morning, the team spent the afternoon preparing to host a festival for the children of Hope Village as well as hand-washing some of their clothes (a new experience for most). Following their preparations, they were able to purchase craft items that the children make to raise funds for their food and schooling. The evening concluded with worship at Hope Village where Haylee and Kailey were able to share.