Team Five Morris

So today was the big day. We went to Bank of Africa to pay their school fees and to take them for their first day at Ebenezer Primary School. Well, the bank was a fiasco. In Uganda you have to pay school fees and uniform fees at the bank before you start school. I guess they just assumed we do the same thing in America so they just gave us a handful of slips and said go to the bank. Of course we filled them out wrong and had to re-do them. Dan got back in line, his patience wearing thin just to find out we still did it wrong. He was about to snap so we left in a true American huff. Pastor Joel told us we could pay the fees a the school if we paid extra and they'd deal with the bank for us. So we went to the school with the kids all a-twitter in the back seat. We pay the fees successfully after explaining that we have no idea what we are doing. They looked at us like, "well duh...we knew that". So we expected the kids could then enter their classes. No, they needed an interview with the headmaster. We were at our breaking point in the office with all the miscommunication going on and meanwhile Aiden has hit Hannah in the face with his back pack to stop her from anoying him any further. I literally thought I might lose my mind right there in the school office. The nice secretary, realizing our lack of African patience stepped in and said of course the kids can go to class we'll work everything out. So we marched off through a mass of curious Ugandan kids to Hannah's class. Her teacher hugged her and got her settled and I waved through the broken glass window to her as I walked away filled with anxiety. Next we dropped Aiden off at his class and he also was greeted with hugs and smiles. He seemed like he'd survive so we left him too. Ben was clinging to me at this point and all these well meaning Ugandan ladies were pinching his cheeks and saying Oh Baby Muzungu and trying to hold him. I thought this isn't going to work, I cannot leave him here to play in the re-bar laden play ground and eat God knows what. But we made it to the "baby class" and he released his death grip on me, but I didn't release my death grip on him. I choked back tears as the teachers wrenched him from my arms hugging him and showing him the classroom. I thought he was going to freak out but instead he said,"aren't my shoes cool?" to his teacher so I made my exit before he saw my tears. Dan met me in the playground and asked if I needed a moment to hide in the car and compose myself. I said I was fine. And we left. I left my three most precious things in a school in a third world country with strangers. It was a terrible feeling. I got home and cried and prayed and questioned if it was the right thing. Later when I went to pick Ben up he was happily playing and fitting in. He was excited to come back tomorrow. All was well. I was stunned. The worst thing that happened was that he didn't want to eat the food. No biggie...I'll send him with lunch tomorrow.

Later when we went to pick Aiden and Hannah up (they go from 7 am to 5 pm!) I expected tears and horrible news. But once again they both came out of their classes with friends arms slung over their shoulders and smiles on their faces. Again, all is well. They loved it. They ate weird things for lunch, they learned weird things like the metric system and Ugandan geography but they loved being there. So I will keep you posted on their progress. When we were leaving Hannah said, Oh there is a boy from my class...he has the cutest eyes!" Indeed he did. I think they are going to be just fine. But keep praying for their protection against illness and hurt feelings from kids who might not like muzungus at their school. Thanks to all who thought of us today!