Another Round of VD

Ruth House girls before a traditional dance performance

Recently, we completed our second experience with VD. Trust us, a VD experience in Uganda is nothing like a VD experience in the U.S. Ugandans routinely use the abbreviation "VD" to refer to "Visitor's Day," a once-a-term event where parents and guardians visit the students here at Amazima School. They speak of how excited they are for VD, they can't wait to have VD, and VD will be awesome. When the westerners at Amazima hear the Ugandans talk about VD, they struggle to keep a straight face. A few Ugandans have been told what "VD" means in America, but the vast majority of them, including all of the students, have no clue. Consequently, the westerners take advantage of the situation with countless inside jokes and snarky comments. Westerners will remark that you have not truly lived in Africa until you have experienced VD. VD can be rough the first time, but once you get used to it, it's not so bad. The western advisors to the student Production Club put their stamp on the video promoting Visitor's Day with a final image that said, "#IloveVD."

A Ruth House girl with her mom on VD

Setting cultural linguistic differences aside, we agree with the Ugandans: VD is awesome! Our Ruth House girls could not stop smiling at the thought of seeing their loved ones on campus. They woke up early Saturday morning, laughed loud and often, and eagerly awaited the visitors' arrival. It reminded us of young children on Christmas morning.

This past VD offered more than just the joy of spending the day with loved ones. At the end of the day, for the first time at Amazima, students were baptized. Fourteen Senior One students, who had committed themselves to Christ, wrote their testimonies and read them to all of us right before they entered the pool. There was not a dry eye in the place, including the baptizer himself, Pastor Daniel, who wept. Pastor Daniel teaches the first year bible classes to the Amazima students. As a result of his teaching last year, many students accepted Christ. When the students read their testimonies at the baptism, each one spoke of the huge role Pastor Daniel played in the growth of their faith. This was Pastor Daniel's first time to hear how his teaching had affected these students. He was affected so deeply, honored yet unworthy, that he told us if he had known what these kids were going to say, he would not have even come. The whole experience taught us the importance of planting seeds.

Click here to see photos and an article about the baptism on Amazima's website.

The day concluded with the staff, yes you read correctly, the staff (as in, Denny and Sandra) talent show.  We Thompson's have no business being anywhere near a stage as neither of us possess singing or dancing talents of any kind. We were, however, shamed and begged -- or whatever you want to call it -- by our girls to perform. We knew it meant the world to these kids to see us on stage in whatever capacity we could muster.  So, we mimed (lip-synced) Ooh Child by the Five Stairsteps.

On stage at the "talent" show

Yeah, bringing the 70's to Uganda!! The kids loved it and are still singing the song around campus.  Hey Mom Sandra, "Ooh child" a student will sing. Sandra sings back, "Things are gonna get easier!"  They thought our dance moves were cool too. Check out the youtube video from SoulTrain here. We did our best to try to duplicate the original. Our kind of dancing. Ha Ha. We have posted two very short clips of ourselves on stage here.

After the talent show, on the walk back to the house, Barbra talked with Sandra saying how much it meant to Barbra that Dad Denny and Mom Sandra care for and show love to all the Ruth House girls. Barbra thanked Sandra. Barbra told Sandra that even though she did not have a family member visit her specifically, she did talk to another girl's mom who told her to work hard in school and stay away from boys over break. Barbra loved hearing a mom's advice and told Sandra that Barbra's own mom died during the childbirth of Barbra's younger sister. Barbra missed hearing advice from a mom and asked if Sandra would give her advice. Barbra is the oldest girl in the house, age 20, and she tends to distance herself from the other girls. Sandra told Barbra that Barbra's light for Jesus shines so brightly that she needs to include herself and shine that light boldly for the Ruth House girls. We have seen such a change in her, quietly inserting herself with the rest of the girls, and coming and talking to us more.