Hallo Muzungu! How are you? I am fine!

After 10 years of waiting and reading these emails from the Richmond side of the ocean, it is wonderful and a little overwhelming to be writing this report about our day here in Uganda. I find I am somewhat already known at Canaan Children’s Home because of the many years of loving ministry by my daughter, Megan, and my husband, Uncle B. The children are all very interested in what Megan is doing and want to see photos of her wedding to Mike the Mosquito from last year. I realize how important our faithfulness is to the children at Canaan. They cherish the relationships and the interest that we show in their lives. Not only with those who come and meet them face to face, but also those who know them through letters and gifts alone. I have spoken with many of them about their sponsors, and I see the love in their eyes for all you have done for them. On their behalf, Webele nyo!

I began this day in my room listening to music coming in the window from the open-air chapel where three young men are sitting and singing praises to God accompanied by one playing an adongo (African guitar). I recalled walking through the grounds last night and observing the older boys cleaning and polishing the bus while singing praise songs with some of the aunties who were sitting on the stoop. Then I remembered the conversation that I had with an 18 year old boy here about what he wants to do in the future. He enjoys building and hopes to become an engineer. But what he really wants to do is to teach people about Jesus. He figures he can construct buildings while talking to the workers about the Lord and that would be the perfect job. And the Canaan children in the primary school are more advanced both academically and spiritually when compared to the village children. The Lord is doing a great work here in Uganda through Pastor Isaac Wagaba and his ministry. I am impressed by the way that the people at Canaan are truly living their lives for the Lord in every way.

Each morning, Tina and I leave Canaan and walk down the road past the shanties and shops of Buziika. All along the way, we are greeted by young children waving and asking how we are. We feel like movie stars, although I’ve discovered that the first English words these children learn are “Hello! How are you? I am fine.” The nursery school children practice this phrase as a group every morning. After walking for about 10 minutes, we arrive at the newly constructed Canaan Primary School where there are 587 children in 4 classrooms with 4 teachers and a headmaster. There is no water or electricity, no books or paper, but this is one of the nicest primary schools around. We were told we would only be teaching a Bible lesson each afternoon, but after 5 minutes with the headmaster, we were set to teach all four classes an academic lesson each day! Always flexible : ) I have had the privilege of teaching mathematics and science to the P3 and P4 classes (over 100 students in one class) as well as a Bible lesson each afternoon. What an experience! Then I had the greater privilege of watching an awesome Ugandan teacher teach those same 100 children. Wow! She teaches every lesson orally by using repetition and songs. It reminds me of the call and response style of worship. She weaves history, Bible stories, morals, and grammar into every lesson. The students use homemade notebooks covered in newspaper, where they write every lesson (questions AND answers) in perfect penmanship. Then in the evening, they make all revisions and study the lessons from the day. As I glanced at the curriculum, this teacher covers every topic in math that I covered this past year in my 5th grade class in Virginia. They do all this with only a square of black paint on a concrete wall for a chalkboard on which to write notes and assignments for every subject. We gave them some blow-up globes and some sets of reading books to supplement their teaching. It seems such a tiny drop!

I am in awe of these beautiful people of Uganda who work so hard with so little. I am also in love with them. They are so open, so accepting, and so appreciative. God is working here and I thank you for letting me be a small part of this work.

Oh, and by the way, everyone is well and thriving. (These are the words I always want to hear!) No one has had any stomach trouble or other ailments.

The one-day conference went very well again today and Dr. Leaton helped save several lives at the local hospital. We are looking forward to a program by the children in the morning where they will sing and dance for us – nothing like you have heard at your local elementary school I am sure. Then we will have a graduation ceremony and end with gifts and ice cream for all!

And so ends another day at Canaan Children’s Home in Uganda, East Africa. We love and miss you all so much. Thank you for taking care of everything at home. We will return very soon.

In Christ,
Cindy Bryant