Day two in Uganda!
Hard to believe but only 1 week to go, as at this time next week we will
be flying home to hot showers, cold ice
cubes, and the warm embraces from our families and friends. It is very appropriate that is Day two, as
two was a recurrent theme of the day. After
staying up to two in the morning listening to the swinging karaoke from the
hotel, we had the opportunity to serve
on two missions both in the slums of Katwe. First , the medical team consisting of five
physicians, two nurses, and many key support individuals, served the poorest of
the poor. There, they diagnosed,
distributed free medicine, and prayed for healing for over 175 families. The “construction” team cleaned a sewer ditch
(yes, you read that correctly, and yes, it was worst than you can imagine). The effort and work was so important, that
the commissioner of the district came to assist. In the afternoon, the entire team then traveled
to the outskirts of Kampala to support the Sport Outreach’s soccer team during their
match. The team graciously allowed some
of the members of the team to “play on the pitch” (although Ryan had initial issues
with the concept of offsides, he atoned for it by earning a corner kick later
in the match). After a round of Fanta
orange for dinner, one can feel the three intial teams blending into one united
team.
Finally, to
finish this theme of two, this is my second trip to Uganda. The first time, I came with a sense of
calling and also, a sense of adventure – probably the best reason and answer,
and why many are here serving with such loving hearts and willing spirits
(cleaning a sewer ditch – that is love for another!). When I told my wife that I was coming this
time, she asked “Why again?” I honestly
did not have a strong answer for her. I
mumbled an incomplete, and ultimately an incoherent answer. When I left on the flight, my wife cried
(although to be honest, and with full disclosure, they may have been tears of
joy as I will not be around to get in her way for two weeks!). I think that I might have found the answer
today in the two beautiful eyes of Maria, a shy 7 year old girl from the slums
of Kampala. She wasn’t asking me to cure
malaria, or fix poverty in Uganda. She just
wanted me to hold her hand. So I
did. And when she smiled, I knew that is
why I came back to Uganda
Dr David
18 comments:
Excellent post, Dr. Dave!
I'm glad to see that there are 3 Davids on this trip, and that my David is not the one getting himself locked in a hotel room with someone named Laurie! However, apparently your mom thought it WAS you, honey. Hmmm....
We all miss you SO much - Hunter misses his Wii partner, and the girls can't wait for their zombie gorilla to be home to "rassle." Even our dear kitty, Carlotta Mayfair (yes she is a retired show cat), sleeps on your side of the bed and is so sad without you!
Hugs and kisses from Ohio!! Be safe!! Love you, Lia
This blog has really become an emotional roller coaster for me. First, I'm crying from Dr. Dave's post, holy cow. Thank you for sharing, and to all of you, thank you for going (and going again).
But then I go to the comments & I'm laughing hysterically about Lia wondering if her Dave was the one locked in a room with Laurie. I cannot handle these emotional twists and turns, people.
So anyway, HEY CC!!! KiKi misses you!! My kids have started calling her "our new van." I haven't had the heart to tell them she's not a van. Or ours.
I miss your face! Love you much!
Lauren, we are enjoying the blog and praying Dailey for you and your team. Sound like you are all busy doing the Lord's work. What a blessing for you and those you serve. Dad and YSF
HEY DADDY!!!
Pretty typical day in the Ralston household. We all got our report cards today...thank goodness no C's this time!!! Driving priviledges are safe. Sarah got in to ABT New York, making her the first girl ever at NABC to do so! We have a true ballerina on our hands. Andrew is still playing on his geeky headset, attempting to get back at this one player, muttering words that only he and his friends understand (take that... and huh, I was just there, and ahhhh get out of there!). Catherine and I started cleaning out our room for Leo to paint. He is the niceset guy ever. Mom helped us, so it didn't take that long. We are lucky to be writing this post because it was a labyrinth of dust, photos, dried out corsages, soccer trophies, and old cards underneath our beds. I had ballet, which went great! I'm taking your advice and dancing for myself nowadays, which class far less of a drag. (Dads really know what they're talking about sometimes...hahahaha). Maria sounds soooo cute! I want to adopt a little Uganda baby. Mom says if someone needs a loving family, you can bring him/her home! Tess still fetches for her legos and has been toy shopping very frequently. Her new favorite is a little red rectangle. She freaked out last night when we used the can opener! The sad part was that we didn't have any wet food to give her, so we gave her a wrapper that had some butter remains on it. She seemed to like it, but she puked later, so I don't know!
That's about it! We miss your witty jokes and comments at just the perfect moments. Hope you have a great day! XOXOXO, Hannah (and the rest of the Ralston troops)
So….How much fun is it to explain to a 4 and 6 year old what a sewer ditch is! They are so grossed out! But you will be happy to know that you made the Kindergarten writing workshop. I volunteered in Lauren's class today and her teacher was so impressed that Lauren wrote a story about how she took her Uncle to the airport and how he and her Grandma and the "gang" went to Africa. Thanks to all the "gang" for making such an influence on these young minds! I'm so grateful to you for making the world so relevant for us all.
I'm also nearly as grateful as Lia that David was not locked in a room with Laurie. Awkward! Andy, I was going to have to ask you to "Govern" him! Somehow knowing Carlotta is pining away for you is governess enough!
Love to You All,
Aimee & Jim
i love you i hope you are having a good time.
Love,
Lauren
i love you grandma. you are my best grandma in the whole wide world.
love,
kate
Great work EVERYONE!!! I am so impressed with your desire to serve God's children all over the world and there in Uganda. I know everyone gets to hear this in the morning... so I won't make it too mushy, but I love and miss you Scottie aka Dr. Parker!!! Maddie says hi too and that she misses her Daddy.
Stay safe and keep having fun making people's lives better. Thanks for the sweet post Dr. Dave, it brought tears to my eyes too!
Much Love,
Angie Parker
Loved your post as well Dr. Dave! It's so nice to hear about all the wonderful things you're doing there. A big shout out to my BFF Diane. Heard from Rachel that you were on construction duty. She's very proud. Loving the updates and missing you all. Thanks for all that you're doing.
God Bless,
Karen
Hi everyone from FPC! Emily, I gave this website to your grandpa, so hopefully he can read what you all are doing. It is well after midnight here and I am washing Dan's wrestling stuff so we can get up early and go at it again. He went 2 - 1 tonight, so will have to try to come back through the consolation rounds. We are all great, though I'm really pretty heartsick. It sure would be nice to hear from you... Love, Faith
Hi Courtney, Dad here.....So your on your way to Gulu, sounds exciting...will love to hear all about the farm in Koro also. I've been watching the weather there and would like to trade you for what we have here in Ohio...Ha!
Love you...Dad
Dr. David - good blog !! The note on the little girl was great. I remember what a chore writing those blogs were when tired and late. Ina and I both wish we were with you. Take care of our little boy - and keep doing good !! We will want to hear all about it when you get back - so take some notes. God Bless you and the entire team. Bob
Great post, Dr. David! Made me wish I were there again too.
Now to clarify -- I didn't think David was locked in the room WITH Laurie. I just thought they were locked in their OWN rooms -- both having had the same mechanical problem. Remembering how "luxerious" those hotel rooms were, I knew something like that could happen.
Anyway, I think of you all and pray for safety and health! Love, Ina
Dear Aunt Jacki,
We hope you are having a great time. We have been praying for you and we hope you are doing well!! It is great to be able to read about what everyone is doing. It is really interesting. We hope you are doing well. Love you and miss you lots!!
Love Gabrielle and Kim
Hey mom! Your trip and everything you guys are doing sound amazing! (except for the sewer part... That's helpful and all, but kinda gross!) I can't get over how you guys helped 175 families in just one day...that's incredible! I saw mrs Koenig the other day and she wanted me to tell you that she was thinking of you and she hopes your having an awesome time, and I called pop and dee dee and annamarie and Gordon back from my birthday and they wanted me to tell you the same thing. Everything is good here! We all miss you like crrraaazay and can't wait to see you soon! Rachel, Alex, Noah, Olivia and Daddy
Very typical Saturday at the Ralston house! Laundry!!! Hannah Banana had ballet, Sarah slept in, Catherine ran 6 1/2 miles at Blendon, and Andrew, well, was Andrew. To distract us today,we all cleaned out the basement storage closet. The kids were thrilled as you can imagine! Dusted off the Boro Class of '82 Varsity jacket and hung it back in it's spot. You received a letter from them-must be wanting their world famous track/hoops star and Hall of Fame member to come and talk at the ceremonies this year. I emailed Sue your info to give to Simon, although you probably have already connected with him. The kids were feeling a little lonely (to say the least) so I let them get a new pet...his name is Timmy the Tricky Worm-Sarah named him. Not a show cat mind you, but great for providing hours of entertainment!
Ma and Pa Ralston called to check in and see how you are getting along and send their love.
So proud of the whole team and all the blessings you are bestowing! XOXOXOXOXOXO. Love, Love, Love you. Teri, Hannah, Catherine, Andrew & Sarah Grace
Great post Dr. Dave....Keep up the good work and when you get a chance one night while sitting around the campfire, you need to recite your great ghost story about "Stumpy"...that will keep everyone up until 2 in the morning....take care and God Bless...
Dave M.- So fun to face time with you today! It's amazing that we can do that when you are half way around the world!
Hunter played a great basketball game today, just like his daddy, and they won by 1. The kids had fun at Lilly and Matt's, but they all miss you. Annie tells everyone she sees that she is 3 and that her daddy is in Africa.
Praying for your sermon at Gulu Community Church this morning. Let them know how blessed you are to be a blessing!
xoxo L
Gurd Family: Hello all! Beautiful Saturday here in Ohio. It reached 50. Thank you for the post Dr. Dave. We really love the updates. The Gurd kids were up early today with swimming and basketball. Carolyn swam four events today at the Middle School Championships, did well. Patrick's team tied with the only undefeated team in the league. It came down to the free throws, the other team had five to our two. Luckily for us they missed all five for the tie. Catherine helped me cheer them on. We finally got all the outdoor holiday decorations down, still working on inside. Patrick had baseball this evening. Played a 12U team. He pitched one inning, caught one inning and played third base, got on base twice and struck out once, scored also. They lost but played well. We are all well and hope you all are too. Andy we miss you lots!!! Many hugs and prayers are being sent your way.
Love- Kim and kids
Hi Courtney,
Glad to hear everything is going well! Look forward to hearing all the details soon. Thanks for taking time to visit the Karo farm....:). Makes the " mom" in me feel better!
And how I would have loved to have been there to hug the little girl holding Doc Dave's hand.....precious!
We miss you! Caitlin is calling more since you've been gone and I think she misses your conversations. I know I do!
Love you love you love you! Xxoo. Mom
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