Filming begins...

There are about 3 million people in the greater Los Angeles area.

Kampala is 1/8th the size of Los Angeles and is inhabited by over 3 1/2 million people everyday.

There is not a single place from corner to corner, suburb village to suburb village and every road in between that is not filled with people. Everything is counter-intuitive here.

Don't stop for pedestrians. Don't let another car in...5 will fill the same space. Stay on the left side of the road.

This trip has been a blur of activity...jumping back in full swing, spending my time not only in one home, but divided between 7, and the kids in the village who all live in separate areas now.

The days start early, are filled from start to finish with work, and at all times contain huge groups of people.

I've had the pleasure and insane task of getting the supplies, new clothes, and making necessary improvements with the money people sent me with.

Today the kids at Bukesa opened up their new school backpacks, filled with towels, clothes, a new pair of shoes, bed sheets and underwear. All of these came from two grueling days Owino Market (a large 3 square block enclosed area that is like some insane circus of vendors who grab you and yank you to their stand, two foot wide walkways filled with hundreds of people, constant yelling, and which requires a 10 minute bartering yelling match to get the price on each piece of clothing, pair of shoes, or bath towel you buy.) Needless to say all the kids have new stuff.

We've been eating rice with vegetables which is a big change from their usual staple posho and beans.

We're building a chicken coop and re-painting the entire home.

And I have officially begun filming. Its taken a 7 days to spend enough time, and talk to a majority of the home's mentors, and cornerstone workers to see how to tell the story.

There is still a huge fear I won't be able to get enough shots, or have enough time, or capture what I need to in the next four days to create what is taking place in my mind, but I'm pretty hopeful.

I'm so blown away at the transformation so clearly seen in the lives of so many of the kids, and former Leadership Academy graduates. I'm so excited to share this story with everyone when I return.

4 days till my plane leaves, every hour between then and now planned out.

I hope it all works out.

See you when I return.

Written on 1/13/09

It's the dry season right now in Uganda. The tropical smell of warm morning is through the window before my eyes open, and the air is filled with craziest sounding birds; calling in long honks, and sharp chirps among insects and a host of other sounds creating a buzz that radiates loud enough to wake you.
I have finally adjusted to the 11 hour time difference, making the full transition into being awake and active when my body is used to sleeping, and staying awake longer than a nap at night when I'm used to being awake.
The days are moving swiftly, but are full and productive.
This entire week has been devoted to becoming fully acclimated with Cornerstone's way of life, and the way the children homes, Bukessa especially, function within this "family of friends."

There are two main types of NGO's in Uganda; the development organizations that are here to develop the roads, the land, the clean water supply etc, and the non-profits that are here to do humanitarian work.
What is unique in Cornerstone, is that in formation, after being associated and working in both sides of the NGO's, the founders decided what might be most productive for the country is developing people.
You develop roads, they eventually break down. You give food, people become hungry again. You invest deeply in the character formation of someone, make resources available, and promote healthy living, and suddenly your work begins to multiply. But it is work that needs longevity and continual commitment. It is one thing to invest in the education or a few years of help for someone, it is quite another to make a lifetime commitment in young people, bringing them into a family of support and love.
The young men and women I have spent the last 5 days with are unbelievable examples of what can happen through mentorship and community. They live and work with children from the streets and simultaneously attend classes at the University. They laugh easily, love to speak about the future of this country and look you directly in the eyes as they listen to your words. They are eager to learn and quick to work.
They are mentors for kids off the street, in the same way they have been mentored.
It is a pleasure to see our kids in their care.

It has also been so wonderful to be around the kids again. MAN IT IS GOOD TO HUG THEM AFTER A YEAR APART!!
They are all much taller. But they're personalities and mannerisms haven't changed a bit. I know it is much different for them, but most of our interactions so far have been like picking up where we left off...a lot of wrestling.

Back In Uganda

It's been a full year since I (Chris) left Uganda.
When Kami and I left, everything we worked to build through out the year, and all that we hoped the future would hold for the home and kids, was falling apart.
We left heartbroken and unsure of just about everything.
Yet, there was still an assurance that the same Spirit of God, that cared for the kids every month we were at the home, bringing food, or volunteers unexpectedly when we were at our greatest need, was still as apart of the work as we had seen Him throughout our time in the country.
And today, all the kids are still cared for, have been moved to a new home, or are living with relatives with their school fees and needs still provided for.
It is exciting to be back.
It is a true honor to return to this country hopeful, when I left so discouraged.

I am here for two reasons. The first is to be with the kids. Tomorrow morning after a few meetings will be my first chance to see the kids, and it is my hope to return to a daily living with them for the full amount of time I am here.
They are all a year older, many have grown out of their clothes, need new sandals, need new mattresses or school supplies for the coming year, and by the generous giving of family members and those of the Ridge Crest Church of Christ in California, I have the money to address some of the immediate needs not covered in the monthly budget. It was as hard for the kids to see Kami and I leave, as it was for us, and I am grateful to return to their sides in order to reassure them that we will stay committed to them and support their lives as they grow into young men and women. Raising money is one thing, but children who have known abandonment many times before, need far more than support. They need a continual presence of familiarity and to know those who support them can be trusted.

The second reason I am here is to gain a full understanding on the changes that have occurred in the kids lives as they have moved into a new home apart of the Cornerstone Family. The needs, budget, and daily life is different in the Bukessa Home, and in order to continue linking support with the specific needs of the home, I need to be able to have a thorough understanding of its functioning. Kami's trip last May helped her to do the same.

I cannot express how happy I am that our work has joined with Cornerstone.

Cornerstone's mission is:

"To be a family of friends in the spirit of Jesus who love and support each other while committed to:

-Equipping and advancing a movement of "servant leaders" with a shared vision for the transformation of their communities, nation and region.

-Compassion for the poor

-Working across the lines of culture and faith differences"

They are a community of workers committed to be focused on "who they are" first and then secondarily "what they do." In this way, the quality of character is the focus, and the achieving of the work they set out to do is secondary.

For most of us, we think its the other way around. But its incredible what transition takes place when personal character takes precedence over any of the amazing works we accomplish.

This was clearly seen in Cornerstone when we worked side by side with them in 2008, and I have felt it so strongly in even the two days I have spent here so far.

They invest every year in mentoring a core group of young people in their last two years of high school, mentoring them in the precepts and spirit of Christ, and then assist them in studying at a University. During this time, these young men and women work in children homes through the city with street kids, living with them, and mentoring them in the same way they have been mentored under coordinators of the homes. It is a community of Ugandans working with, mentoring and loving each other, and those overlooked by others.

During the second week of my time here, I will be shooting for a film on Cornerstone and the work they do through the Children's Homes.

Thank you for the many prayers and the continual support so many of you offer in this work.

I will keep you posted as these weeks unfold.

Coming to a close.

Tuesday afternoon.

In the past two days so much has happened.

We have had numerous meetings to settle where the kids should go, what is best for them,

meeting with the kids to help them understand, figuring out how to get their things from point A to B...

Abaduh, Musisi, Eddi, Bayla, and Meddy were all moved to the Bukessa Home.

Mohammed, Senfuka, Frank, Kato and Juliet are in boarding school.

Bosco, Wasawa, Sebuma, Choto, Moses, Reagan, Marvin, and Muyingo are being moved home.

Meeme and Nakato are in the Mango Home.

After assessing their situations, we have made these decisions based off their needs, coming to fellow Ugandans for their opinion and consulting Cornerstone.  It has been very hard for all of them because none of them want to be apart from one another.  For some, they feel left out or not as special because they didn't get what they wanted.  We've had to sit and watch some of the boys cry and plead for us to make an exception.  It is so difficult to explain to such young minds that since they have family they must go home, that this is not a game of favorites.

Some of them are very worried that when we go they will be forgotten or not cared for, but all week, we have purposely worked alongside Michi and Peter for them to see we trust them and know they will work diligently.  Even for Kami and I, everything we have asked Michi and Peter to do, it was done quickly, above and beyond what we could have expected.

Today, we are going through the final budget under Cornerstone so that things can finally get rolling.  Money for moving them home, school fees, uniforms, transport for Michi and Peter, monthly visits, planning for the future as they change schools, emergency money for sickness, bicycles to get to and from school, shoes (because they all have holes in their current ones), pocket money to help improve their diet (posho and beans)... 

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All the while, it has been such an emotional roller coaster for us all.  As an American, all of these kids seem in desperate need, but we have to trust that God completes all things.  Though we all long to see, in times like these, we must listen to the Spirit when we can't understand.  

I recollect when my parents changed school and church for my siblings and me.  My little brother accepted it with open arms, loving every second.  Whereas, my sister and I were somewhat angry and slow to the change.  It must have been hard for my parents as we weren't making it easy, but looking back, I would have had it no other way.  Likewise, with our kids, where the young ones are fitting in just fine, the older ones (Bosco, Sebuma...) are finding it hard to accept that things are changing.

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Today is our last full day.

We leave tomorrow at 10pm!? and arrive back in Greensboro at 8ish on Thursday.

Thank you to all of our supporters and we can't wait to share with you more 

the things we have seen, gathered, learned... Things are growing and our hearts 

are filled with hope.

Let us pray.

God blesses us.

It’s Saturday morning, Eric Kruetter is picking us up from the guesthouse at 7:10am.  We are headed out to the Bukessa home where some of the boys will be relocated, Abaduh, Muhammed, Eddy, Musisi. We have decided to start moving the children back to their homes on Sunday.  Yesterday, we sat them all down and explained to them that we are not deserting them but simply want to do what seems best.

In Uganda, family is very much a part of their culture.  We have come to see that if we continue to try and take them out of their origin, then what will come down the road when we have to let them grow up?  Who do they have as family?  Of course, they have us but we are hardly someone they can run to if we are thousands of miles away.

We are setting up a partnership with Cornerstone where a man named Michi will be traveling throughout each month to visit with our boys in Nansana, making sure their school fees are covered, their health is good, that they are shown love and care.  We explained to them, we need to create a file for each child to take back to America to find them proper sponsorship, some stability in their lives. We took a lot of pictures and everyone got a minute or two on the camera to introduce themselves, dance, sing, laugh, be shy… it was all so surreal.

The truth is we never wanted to become just sponsorship.  It has been tough accepting our current need and role to be supporters.  But it doesn’t really douse out the fire that we want more.  We long to be next to them, touch them, and show them attention. We long to embrace the hardship they carry and show them we are all equal. It is hard to be 22 years old and have to accept that we may not be able to do everything we want to do.  We know it is for the better and that God has planted this desire for a reason. May we always overlook our own desires for the greater good, continuing the kingdom.  God is good and knows all things.  We are praying that we can come to understand why things must be this way for now, trusting in His divine power and wisdom.

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We visited Kato yesterday morning and he is doing very well.  The headmaster knew him by name!  Seems his scores have caught quite the attention.  He introduced us to one of his friends in S-4, Chris, what a character he was!

He told us of all the books and materials he needed and how he is still keeping from all the girls.  S-4 is one of the biggest years for any Ugandan, so we are going to be taking a second trip out there to make sure he has everything he needs.

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Okay! Eric is here, must go… update later!!!

Thursday, May 28th

Thursday night here.

 

Yesterday, We went to the meeting and got a complete update on the kids from three mentors working with Cornerstone, Michi, Peter and Desmund. We spoke a lot about what to do next, relocation, immediate needs, whether the kids were being good or bad.  It didn’t take long for Kami and I to look antsy about visiting them, so….

We saw the kids yesterday!  Since we didn’t know exactly where their new home was, every turn intensified our anticipation… Eventually we passed Choto on the road and he simply waived, kept walking… hahaha! The hugs and laughs came to us before we could really get off the boda. I found myself wrestling, trying to film it all while Kami immediately became a jungle gym for the young ones.  Abaduh was under the weather but looking out the window at Kami with tears running down his cheeks.  The boys introduced us to Moses, the older brother of Bayla and Choto, and Wasawa, a young fella that joined after Kami and Chris left.

Peter, the mentor from Cornerstone, has created a beautiful relationship with the boys. You could instantly see how much he has a passion for helping the youth in Uganda, especially how they respect and treat him.

They all seem happy and healthy.  This is going to be a difficult weekend, seeing that we must talk to them about relocating, reassuring them that we will be taking care of them, though we are not always near.

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Today, we went out to Cornerstone’s ranch, the primary and secondary school, and saw both leadership academies.  We spoke with all the headmasters personally, each telling us about their mission and desire for the children.  It was a comforting trip, reaffirming that Cornerstone truly has a grasp on the Ugandan culture, making a God-filled impact.

I loved that the headmaster of the boys’ leadership academy kept using the word contribution when referring to society instead of difference, as to note that we are people with gifts and blessings to help, not enforce or burden others with our ideas, but approach people, places or situations longing to simply offer a contribution, to share God’s love.

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We got back into town around 2pm and spent the rest of the day trying to organize, assess, and document as much as possible.  We are making individual files for each child, their situation, location and our commitment to them.  Both days have been filled with picture taking, writing, filming, asking questions, visiting all that have and will be a part of this next step. Tomorrow we are going to visit Kato at boarding school, and then spending the rest of the day with the boys.

On the coming schedule is to visit the Bukessa home where some of our boys will be staying, visit the girls at the Mango Home, go to Owino Market to get necessities and small gifts for the boys.

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It has been difficult to take it all in, but rewarding to see how God cares for all the little children.  The change taking place in our hearts has shocked us with some of our current interactions.  I never would have believed or understood this, but today, I did not hand money to a paralyzed street beggar.  Instead we sat and talked together about the necessity of spiritual food.  It was a relief for him to understand I could only offer him a sweet banana and love from my heart, to which he showed gratitude to be seen as an equal, perfect man.

 

Let us pray.

God is moving.

May 27th

For many of you, the last you may have heard was the wonderful news of the children being moved together into a home with Cornerstone. The organization was renting a home in the same village and the boys and girls were continuing to go to school. A huge thanks to those who were able to help get those costs covered so quickly. 

Since the move we have been in conversation with Cornerstone on where to go from here. About 3 weeks ago we all came to the decision to relocate the children, who still have living relatives, to their families. For the children who have no family, they will be moved to an already established home with Cornerstone, the Bukessa Home. There was much thought and many prayers put into this decision. The thing most weighing on our minds was the need for a stable home environment, which is very important for the development of the children. We will continue paying their school fees so an education can be obtained. 

 When this decision was made, Joe and I (Kami) were able to collect enough support to make the trek to Uganda to assist in the process. We booked our flights, packed our things, and that now leads us to the present...

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Good Morning!
It’s Wednesday already?! May 27th and we have arrived safely in Kampala.
All three of our flights were delayed, with a grand finale landing in Rome because someone on our plane was dying. But we finally touched down at 11pm last night and moved into the guesthouse at Cornerstone Development off Acacia Rd.

Got up around 7am this morning, walked to the local Forex, exchanged our monies, now having the best tea in the world at Speke Hotel. (African Spice Tea, such simple ingredients, but I have yet to taste anything close in America even when we try.)
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We have a meeting with Eric Kruetter and staff at 10:30. For those that do not know who Eric is… He is the son of Tim Kruetter, the founder of Cornerstone Development. Cornerstone is the organization that has been housing our kids for the past 6 months, now housing us, and the community that is helping us move forward.

The meeting will be with the directors, supervisors and mentors of their schools and homes. Kami and I (Joe) will get a much better view of how things function within the community, seeing how we (all the Dorcas Children’s Home people) might fit in and continue to make a difference.
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We’re hoping to see the children today. We have no idea who we will see and find ourselves quite anxious. We’re going to try and see them most every day. However it turns out, there is much on the list of seeing and accomplishing. Kami and I made about 5 different efforts to organize what we would do each day, only to recollect how the Ugandan culture is. It is nostalgic and surreal, yet things seem more civilized and structured… Kami says it’s because it’s not new to us, I think things have changed.

My little brother lent me his video camera, so I’ll be documenting as much as possible, save that I don’t run out of film.
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All in all, many thanks must be given to the Lord God Almighty. How He works with His community is astounding and humbling. We couldn’t be here without you guys and the faces we will see today have changed all of our lives. Kami and I said the prayer of Francis Assisi this morning and the words of my little brother keep passing through my mind, “Remember it’s about the kids.”

Since this is a community effort, then please contact us with questions, concerns and desires. Kami and I aren’t over here individually or separate. We want to work hard and accomplish as much as possible while we are here, so feel free to remind us of things we might forget. joseph.d.hedrick@gmail.com or kamicoy@gmail.com

May all things under this sun be done with the Love of Christ.
Thank you for everything.