That means 'how are you all?' in Luganda.
This is the choir that came to sing at our church this past week. And we were honored to open our home to two wonderful boys, John and Gabriel, and their choir director, Evah. John is the one with the big smile, and Gabriel to the left of him.
I loved learning about Uganda from Evah. She quickly dispelled the idea that lions and zebras were running around in the bushes. She said they are only in the zoos. And she taught us that the Nile river starts in Uganda! And, yes, there are crocodiles lurking in it.
John and Gabriel were so kind and great examples to our children. One night at dinner, Joaquin was showing off and John told him in Uganda, he'd be sent from the table, not eat...and maybe even caned. Ouch! (That really didn't deter Joaquin, but great try, John!)
The choir sings beautifully and came to raise awareness for the AIDS crisis still alive in Africa and money for their school.
They told us that instead of piano, or guitar, children in Africa learn to play the drum.
But children are children no matter where they are from, and they loved watching Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry just like my kids.
We tried to show them a good time despite the rainy, cold weather. We hit Chuck E Cheese one night and Juan Pablo's indoor soccer game another. We braved the rain to trick or treat on Halloween. And they got to see Isabela perform in her third grade Veteran's Day program. We were also able to arrange for the choir to sing for the third, fourth, and fifth graders at her school. Much better than reading about Africa in a book!
The last day we were filled with happiness for our new friendships and sadness that they had to go. But now, somehow, Africa doesn't seem so far away. We wish them a safe journey home. You can see a short video of the choir from the Times Dispatch here.
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