On Monday, everthing started hopping again early, as we went to MUTUNGO, where there is a church/school/TAPP Center all on one site. We were met at the gates by the TAPP women (Tuamani Aids Prevention Program), singing and dancing, welcoming us with many smiles, shouts and uulations. They had created special songs to celebrate our coming. We were ushered into the church, given seats of honor and entertained by the children of the school.
Everyone had their assigned jobs — some painted on the school “building”, (which was actually two railroad cars that had been modified. (It made me think of the books I read as a child about the “Boxcar Children”); others were teaching; others were working on putting a fence all around the grounds; others going on TAPP and JAJJA visits. This is a church that Central Community Church in Wichita, Kansas has taken on as thier missions project, and has done a wonderful job establishing. I think they send teams pretty often to work there. I just went to their blog and read about their June trip to Uganda–the pictures and stories are so familiar! ; )
The afternoon was taken up with the graduation ceremonies for the first class of TAPP grads. Again, another LONG ceremony that lasted about 4 hours, and again we were right up front. In the middle of lunch, Josh and Audrey were surprised to see Amos, their sponsored child, come in through the doors! He and his father had gotten up at 3 AM and came by bus to see Josh & Audrey, having heard they were going to be at Mutungo. 7 hours on a bus over awful roads — What gift! Amos, who at about 3 yrs. of age when he fell into a fire, had been horribly burned at about over his whole head and a lot of his body, has an amazing spirit. He loves to dance and be the center of attention. He’s disfigured for life, but not in his spirit–he is about 8 now, and is the top of his class in school. They brought Josh & Audrey a sack of potatoes. I cried when they walked in and felt like I had another grandchild! Introductions were made all around and we got to love on Amos a bit. Josh had met Amos on a previous trip, but Audrey had not, so this was a very special time for them. I gave him the ball cap I had brought, because he did not have a hat. He wore it the rest of the day. I really admire his dad for sticking with the family after the accident and taking care of them. A lot of Ugandan men just abandon their families in crisis. 
The TAPP grads displayed their beads and other stuff they had made to sell. I bought a bunch, including a little girl’s skirt and blouse. A little girl named “Brenna” had attached herself to me all afternoon and she was in a tattered dress whose zipper was broken. I had fixed the top by punching a hole in each side on the back and tying a ribbon through them. I wanted to do more! So I bought the little outfit and put it on her. She was so excited and thankful. I felt like we had all won with that one little purchase (10,000 shillings, which is about $4.40). The little girl got a new dress, the TAPP lady earned a little money and I had the huge blessing of giving. Good Day.
Just one more note … Joshua has posted a picture video on youtube that is just wonderful. I cry everytime I watch it for the flood of memories it brings back, and for the words of the song he put it to. Please use this link to watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCjV5BWeW6Q
