A lazy day today. It feels good to not have an agenda. The sun is out and the kids are happy. I feel that the group as a whole has made a change. Something has switched. Relationships are being forged. Our advances for friendship are finally being accepted and the kids are coming out of there shells. This is solid ground and family is being built here. We are teaching that it is good to band together once they leave camp and to hold each other accountable. As I write this post I am sitting to the left of the stage and the Ugandan leaders are preparing a video for the kids to watch. I am looking out at the kids and can see that in this moment… there is no sadness here. Coming to camp has offered a brief moment for them to forget the troubles at home. It offers a chance to breathe and they are taking it!
Soccer and volleyball are the games to play here. We have organized 5 teams or “Families” and are challenging each other everyday. Africans play with an intensity that is unprecedented. The boys will risk their bodies to score a goal and the skills for kicking a soccer ball seem standard here. Glory can be found anywhere. Winning is secondary to having fun and the losers are happy for the winners. It feels good to be apart of all of this and to be schooled in real sportsmanship.
As the sun got lower we filled our stomachs with a hearty plate of Ugandan cuisine and watched a video about the changing bodies of teenagers. The American leaders got up to sing a few songs and we wrapped up the day by singing and playing an amazing game of bingo. It’s good times here on “Monkey Hill” at camp. Good times indeed.
