going away party for melissa and antwain

Change the Truth teams had a chance to reunite Saturday night at a going away party for Mel and Antwain. Mother and son will move to Uganda in just ten days! In no time at all, they'll be settled into their new east African lifestyle. Melissa will be social worker and CTT/St. Mary Kevin Orphanage liaison. Antwain will attend school. Both will be surrounded by and will be helping the orphaned children they have come to love and care about over the years. No doubt, there will be a lot of lifestyle adjustments to me made. Melissa has promised to provide us with blog posts and photos along the way.

Here are some party pics from Saturday night. Melissa had a big surprise at the very beginning of the evening when CTT board and team member Carol came in from New York for the festivities. The night was a lot of fun!

Eddie (Team 3) prepared a delicious dinner

Carol (Team 1,2,3), Mel (Team 1,2,3), Fred (Team 2), Sara (Team 3)

Kaley (Team 3), Antwain (Team 3)

Lynne (Team 1,2) Carol, Gloria

Ann (Team 1), Antwain, Jane (Team 1)

Lonnie (Team 1) and his wife Brenda

Melissa and her mom Pam

melissa returns

I received this email from Melissa written when she got back to KC:

"Leaving Uganda was very hard...harder than I initially thought it would be. Some of the kids were able to escort me to the airport, and I was able to chose the kids. Of course I would not allow Henry (my Ugandan mutabani/son) to leave my side on Friday, and others to join me in the adventure to the airport were Joan, Saka, Nicky, Tonny, Issy, Rachel, and Petra. Although the trip to the airport was quick and they stayed only long enough to say goodbye and unload my bags, it was a special send off for me having my loved ones with me to the very end. The children were marveling at the airport, for many had never seen one before. It was also very funny to hear some of their master plans to sneak on the plane with me (including becoming an insect in my bag, hiding under my shirt, squeezing in my bag rolled in a mat, etc.). Having that final send off from SMK will forever remain with me.

There seems to be one little girl that captures my heart every trip. I loved reconnecting and spending time with my other girls, Doreen and Tina. However, this trip it was Petra that literally stole my heart from me. Petra is the younger sister of Opio Nicholas and Kiden Isabella, who are two of the most phenomenal and multi-talented children that I have ever met. These children lost both of their parents to rebel fighting in Northern Uganda. Petra has joined her older brother and sister just this last term. Ah, just thinking of Petra makes me smile. Initially she was a little shy, but quickly became my Princess. She loved to cuddle as much as I loved to cuddle her. Petra took my leaving rather hard and spent some time on Friday crying in my lap for me to stay with her or take her with me. Talk about a knife through the heart to explain that neither could happen.

After this trip, I have no doubts that Uganda and SMK will continue to play a major role in my future and planning. I know that it was necessary to return home, but it was done rather reluctantly on my part. I missed little to nothing (except my son Antwain) in the states (not running water, hot showers, modern conveniences, my bed.)

I only wish that each of you could have (if you have not already) an equal experience that brings out all of the bests in you. In Uganda I feel free enough to be my very best (without the daily pressures of life), and it felt phenomenal to love as well as be loved, appreciate as you are appreciated, and live each moment to its fullest."

letter from melissa, halfway through her stay at the orphanage

“With the short amount of time that I have at the computer I will attempt to convey just a fraction of the pure happiness and contentment I am feeling with my family in Uganda. Perfection and bliss would be the closest adjectives that I can find to express how peaceful I feel and how at home I am feeling.

I have also started a group with the younger boys. I have been so partial to the girls and older boys, that I wanted to find a way to know them, too. Boys are boys no matter where they live...these boys live to play, have short attention spans, and love to tease each other. I have started teaching them American games (they love Red Light, Green LIght), teaching them to play songs with some Boomwhackers (plastic tubes that can serve as musical instruments...Ann, please tell Beth thank you for the music), hacky sacks. The boys like to run around the compound playing soldiers or police. They have given me many laughs.

There have been a couple of days that speakers have come to the school. It has been very interesting to hear their message (when it is in English). Joan arranged for community workers (police and organizers) and graduates/former teachers to SMK to return to speak to the children about their bright futures and encouraging them to be helpful members of tomorrow's Ugandan society. The children did a good job listening to the message, but children will be children.

Many of the children have continued to study during the holiday, particularly those in Primary 7, Senior 4, and Senior 6. Each group will be taking National Exams in either October or November, and these exams are VERY important to the children's futures. Their results will determine the type of school they can attend and their future course of study.

As much as I have loved my girls, I have reveled the moments with my big boys. On Friday, which was Billy's last night at the school, the boys and I ventured into Kampala for dinner. The places that I know are very few, so we ended up eating at the Speke Hotel (pizza, chicken, and chips were well-eaten that night). It was probably the best dinner I have had in quite a while. We were equally proud to be amongst each other's company. Nelson, one of the older boys, shared that he had walked by the Speke many times wondering about what it would be like to eat at such a place, and he was beaming to be on the inside. His pride equaled mine at their manners. Ugandan boys like American boys have stomachs that are bottomless pits. Afterwards we took photos in the lobby, and they were almost giddy with excitement.

This trip feels very comfortable. I have enjoyed the new experiences (negotiating transportation, traveling to new places), but the comfort of returning to SMK and my beloved Ugandan family has been better. I am not ready to think about Friday... although it is just a pipe dream, I would give all of the shillings in the world for time to slow down. I shall return with many photos, videos, pen pal letters, and love from the children at SMK.”

melissa in uganda

"Arriving here in Uganda has been beyond my expectations. I was greeted at the airport by Rosemary, Joan and the big boys (Henry, Billy, and Edward). It was truly like arriving home with them. We have been comfortable with one another getting caught up. The school looks very good...the children and staff have maintained a clean area. There is new grass growing in the compound, vegetables sprouting from the garden, buildings have been kept up. Peter, one of the teachers, has taken over duties as the Head Master. He is fair and very active with the children. It has been a pleasure and privilege to sit with Rosemary and Joan and discuss the school. I have been asking many questions and getting some valuable information about the children's progress in school.

The children have been taking very good care of me. The girls had my bed ready for me, and they have decorated it with their most valuable possessions. My posse of girls has grown, and I am making great efforts to get to know the younger boys. They are great fun and so silly. It makes me miss Antwain, cause I know that they would have great fun together. The children have been constantly entertaining me with dancing, singing, modeling (even the little boys modeled for me last night... seriously so funny).

The time has been planned well, but the days are passing too quickly for me. I am savoring every moment with my most beloved friends, and I am grateful for this time with them."