As neither of us cried today, you could probably say that we are the least qualified two people to write the post for the last day of teaching.
Duncan: Needless to say, this was an emotional day for many of us, as we have spent the past 5 days teaching these children and bonding with them. At first we didn’t know much about the children, but over the week they have begun to open up and let their personalities and gifts flourish, which makes the tearful goodbyes we witnessed (from both children and team members) all the more justified in my opinion. The last sessions ended with a presentation in the church building with the children and their parents. We demonstrated what we had been doing in class, showing them the t-shirt designs and banners we had made the previous day as well as singing and dancing from both classes. I think I have learned a lot this week, about how life is for people like the Acholi. I also think I have been pushed out of my comfort zone, going as far as talking audibly to a class of children and even getting used to kids walking up to me and grabbing my hands, sometimes pulling me around with surprising strength. This week has been amazing, and I can safely say I have never done anything like this before, and I am unlikely to ever forget it.
P.S Thank you Mum, Dad, Sue and Chris for you supportive comments. While this has been an amazing experience, I have been missing my family and I am looking forward to seeing you again. Yes, even my brother.
Caleb: The last day allows us to reflect on the amazing and exciting week we have had. Looking back on my first arrival my vision and opinion of the places we have been surrounded with have changed. The mini bus once being a small bus now becoming a safe zone after a busy day and the houses we are living in once a strangers room now a humble place to crash out and ’sleep’. Today I finally learnt the word for sit down “bed combe” and what’s your name? – “neeya” which are safe to say very useful phrases!! Saying good bye to the kids was without a doubt difficult for everyone however this sadness of leaving didn’t prevent the smiles of the children leaving an imprint in everyone’s hearts, this being proven by the frequent selfies being taken from almost every direction!! Later in the evening we went to a restaurant. I proposed the question, “if you had one word to describe this week what would you use?” I used the word precious as to me this week has shown how precious life really is. The food was brilliant – not as good as Sophie’s…. but nice still.
p.s.
- No need for a gym when you’re carrying around children all day
- Family thank you for your lovely messages but the x’s need to improve
- On that note, Jamie getting a gazillion x’s is unfair.. he was upset but not that upset.
- If anyone has any songs that can take “sorry “by Justin bieber out of my head don’t hesitate to mention, thank you!!
Caleb
CJC
It looks so fun but hard work and I can’t wait to go there my self missing u lots love u sissy.i enjoyed reading the blog see u soon. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx????
Thanks for that! It’s just the answer I neddee.
I would like to thanks for that attempts you have stated in setting up your blog publish. I hope the same decent subject material from you soon likewise. In reality your current inventive posting talents has got stirred i am to begin mine blogging site. Really the writing will be putting on it’s wings instantly. The formulate ?s really a ok illustration of it again.
Sounds like an emotional day! you’ll never forget the week you’ve all had & the difference you’ve made to lots of children. Can’t wait to see you Sunday KC, it’s been very quiet without you. Enjoy your last day & see you soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Well you 2 bloggers may not be crying but I am! (Sorry Duncan but you know me…). You have all done a brave and an amazing thing and we pray that what you have given these children will be a blesing to them for a long time and that what you have seen and felt will shape your lives for ever. Can’t wait to hear lots more in person. Enjoy your last x
So proud of you all this week! Sammy I’m getting a minimum of 2 snuggles a day from Smudge ( you have officially been replaced ). Love you loads xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and a hundred sloppy kisses from grandad please don’t drown in them!
XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo Hugs and kisses for Sammy
Jordan ,can’t wait to hear of the fun you have had and the tears you have cried! Your sister is determined to go on a trip now and I’m very jealous I’m not with you . Can’t wait to see you Sunday so you can tell me all about all the experiences you have had.We are all proud of you and the difference you have made to the children you have worked with lyl xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
We’re looking forward to seeing you Daddy!!! Love from your girls and mummy xxxxxxxx
Well done all of you! Sounds like a totes emoshe week! Enjoy your day off tomorrow and can’t wait for Sunday! lots of love x
Jordan I can’t wait to hear all about your experience of your amazing trip , and you telling me all about the fun you had with the Acholi children x Love Nan and Grandad xx
I know Eric would have cried, never mind it is an experience. We missed you darling. You’re all so wonderful, amazing team. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Can’t wait to see my baby hopefully this experience has been one that will leave a forever print in your life love u always mum xxxxxxxxxxx❤️
Beth, yes you guessed it, I’ve had tears in my eyes reading this (my excuse its good for the hayfever) remembering how you all were two years ago saying goodbye, i hope there’s plenty of photos, Chloe looks all the time to see if there’s been a blog and will ring me from school to tell me and this morning before doing her paper round at 6.45 she said mum theres a blog, you have one amazingly proud sister!!! (It’s a shame Chloe probably won’t get to do a trip out there until she’s eighteen now) I love you beyond words see you sunday xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx p.s. please let there be one really good photo of you and Brenda, so you can have a before and now photo on your wall. Xxxxx
Well done to you all you have done so well? Phoebe we are looking so much to seeing you on Sunday. Enjoy your last day in Uganda. Lots of love, kisses and hugs from us all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ❤️
Enjoy your day today and safe trip home xxxx
So proud of the amazing difference you are making to their lives Jordan and the rest of the team! I can’t wait to see you Sunday, not only because I miss you like crazy but to hear about everything you’ve been up to out there! Must have been so emotional saying goodbye to the children. I am unbelievably proud of you as I know this trip has pushed you out of your comfort zone but it will be an experience you never forget. Love you millions bestie xxxx
I hate goodbyes too! Happy sad tears are ok though because you know you’ve made a difference. Well done all of you. We are all waiting to hear your stories, but you’ll need a good sleep first. Speak to you Sunday and a hug on Monday LeonieX love and prayers Debbie and Stuart xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
We wish you all a heart-felt safe return to the UK – God bless all – Graham & Marion (Jamie’s m&d) 🙂 🙂 🙂
…and another gazillion x’s, from his mum this time (Mum’s who are also grans are allowed to cheat, especially when it means she is kissing her little boy).
Hello Caleb! Soooooo good to read your post today, Saturday! Dad is just reading it over my shoulder too! Wow, what a week you have had, can’t wait to hear all about it. We are blown away by you and your desire for adventure, mixed in with a man of deep thoughts and feelings. Yes, life is precious. See you on Sunday xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Duncan – thanks for your message. What an amazing week it has been. Really looking forward to seeing you again and hearing all about it. It sounds as though you have learned a huge amount but I am sure you have given a huge amount as well. Fantastic.
Nay, hope you have a fabulous last day and a safe trip home. Can’t wait to see you and hear all about the amazing things you have been doing and about the amazing children you have met. It also sounds like you have all pulled together as a team. Well done to all of you. Jamie, June, Duncan and Shaun, thinking of you too each day. Well done on all you have achieved. Can’t wait to hear all about it. Rich and Deb xxxxx
Love you Caleb!! Have missed you lots and lots and lots – so glad to hear how your adventure has been in your own words x
Love you to Uganda and back
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tors – Hope you’ve had a great last day – has gone so quickly, but I’m sure you have made the most of every second!
Will see you tomorrow – still roast for dinner is it? 🙂
Love you loads xxx
Hi Caleb,
What a wonderful description of your time in Uganda. It has obviously been a very special trip that will help to shape your life as you continue to grow and step out in faith. We are looking forward to having you home.
Love you
Dad x
What a wonderful moving thing to read! Made me feel all emotional! Can’t imagine how you all must feel! Hope you’re last days were fun and rememberable!
Stay safe on the way home!
Michaela xx