Forever Changed

Sometimes I have to be reminded of just how important our attitudes are. They affect so much, and it they can influence people too. I never imagined Kelsey would've been able to come with me on this trip, but looking at it now, things would be so different here without her. I never imagined that i'd have my 1st teaching job at 15 yrs old, but here I am now. I never imagined that these kids could change me in the way that they have, but... they have. And the attitude I have everyday makes a difference. If I choose to drag around all day, they are gonna do the exact opposite, but they can tell i'm not being myself, and they start to think it's because they've annoyed me in some way (which they haven't). So looking at our last 3 days here at the school...

Attitude means everything.

As we pulled up to the school this morning, I was tired. I just wanted to go back to bed... I had the wrong attitude. And my kids turned it right around, before I had even said goodmorning to them.

It was no sooner than we had turned onto the bumpy road to the school, that we saw this massive group of little children in green uniforms, running full speed towards our car! And Michael looks back at us and says "Oh! Oh! Oh! They want to see their teachers!" I honestly felt like I was going to cry! Suddenly we were surrounded by little kids, banging on our window, wanting us to come out. It was a feeling, that I wouldn't trade in a million years. "Can we get out and walk to the school with them?!?!" Kelsey asked in a very excited, yet serious look on her face. I don't really know why she asked, considering we were out the door before we even got an answer! We walked, skipped, and danced the rest of the way up the hill, in the middle of a sea of children.

Words can not describe, how happy I was, and still am. And looking back at it now, i'm almost in tears at how much they really love us! They've given me so much more than I could ever ask for. They are so, incredible, and I love them... more than they will ever know.

Yesterday, 2 little girls came to the school. Ritah, is in P3, and Vicky, is in P1. I had the privilage of spending some time with Ritah, and she is absolutely precious. She has a beautiful smile, and she hides her face whenever I ask her a question (which I find rather adorable). She likes football (soccer), and enjoys singing & dancing, and her favorite school subject is English. And Vicky has the most ADORABLE little laugh, and a big, bright smile. And just like her sister, she loves to play and dance around. And both of these girls like matoke(a meal made from bananas).

This afternoon, I spent a few hours with our other Ritah, who is in P4. But that time wasn't spent playing, or laughing, or dancing around.

Ritah is sick.

With a headache, a stomachache, and a fever, sweet Ritah slept on my lap for quiet some time, only waking up long enough to eat and drink a few sips of her water(not filtered, of course). And everytime I looked into her eyes, I could see that she was hurting. As I rubbed her back and hummed softly as she slept, I longed for the chance to see her beautiful smile. But when she woke, there was no smile. Christine suspects that Ritah has Malaria. I don't know if it's that serious, but if she's right... I don't even want to think about that. Ritah is a strong little girl, and she's a fighter, and I have no doubt that she's gonna be just fine. But having known how horrible headaches feel, my heart aches for this sweet little girl.

With a new Ritah, and a new Vicky making my day a little brighter, and then with our other Ritah being sick, my heart longs to spend more time here. We only have 3 days left at the school, and then we won't be their teachers anymore. We'll be leaving Uganda a week from today. I can't imaine waking up one day and realizing, "I'm not their teacher anymore." It just seems too strange. Adjusting back to my day-to-day life... not seeing these beautiful faces everyday... not being here... it's so hard to imagine.

Just a fair warning everybody... I will never be the same. These children have left a big mark on my life, and no matter what, I will NEVER forget them.

Jemima (Nursery)
Shakira (P4)
Rose (P3)
Reyna (P2)
Prossy (P4)
Vicky (P1)
Jovan (P4)
Moses (P3)
Marvin (P2)
Ian (P2)
Aisha (P3)
Ritah (P3)
Jessica (P3)
Anisha (P3)
Jonathon (P4)
Ritah (P4)

These are just a few of the children that have changed my life... Forever <3