Inky Fingertips and Silence

I was so certain that upon my arrival in Nakaale blog posts would begin to flow from my fingertips like ink from a fountain pen. But though I journal and travel, visiting villages that have both changed and unchanged drastically since my last visit, I have found it difficult to construct sensical prose from the many impressions and comparisons that have so overwhelmed my mind these past three weeks.

It's truly been three weeks already.

I've been to Namalu several times observing literacy and community develpement lessons, attended the church of our friend Pastor Zachary Emuron in that town and been welcomed into his home for a meal of goat and posho. He was beyond thrilled to learn that my fiance's name was also Zachary and Emuron now refers to Zack as his namesake. *smiles*

I have been to the Kopetatum and Atedewe for Bible Studies, walking several kilometres through the echoto (mud) and ducking through the low entrances in the thorn fences of the manyattas. The villages still look the same, though the paths and trails leading to them have altered many times in the past 18 months. The children still run around half clothed, grinning shrieking and stroking my white arms in fascination. They still hold my hands (three pairs grasp each of my arms) as I leave the village, and they still beg for my bracelet (for I am now only wearing one of my seven).

Now the try to pinch my engagement ring as well. A young girl of six with a bright smile and shaved head, stares at the diamond on my hand left hand and tells me its beautiful.

"Alakara nooi," I thank her, thinking that she has never in her life touched anything worth quite so much money, and feeling rather guilty that I should own such an extravagant piece when her village is hungry. She tries to pull it off my hand when I am not looking, and I am thankful that it fits well enough that no amount of tugging can wrench it from my finger.

My sister and her brand new fiance arrived just over a week ago. Come Sunday our swollen family of nine will drive south and plan to spend a of week adventuring on a Safari to Murchison Falls game park. We are all eagerly anticipating that retreat and are oh-so-thankful to blessed with the opportunity. Til then are here. Working, serving, resting and praying to be useful.