Strength

People keep talking about the Banyancore women (ethnic group in my future home) that they are very strong women. My host mother, that holds her own and takes care of her family’s farm, my future co- workers and supervisor, they are examples. One trainer told me that they are aware all Americans, no matter the age, are babies. That same trainer took a college exam the day after giving birth; many others, no doubt are back in the fields soon after.
Yesterday, we watched the film War Dance. It is a documentary filmed in Uganda about children from the war zone in the north. Two years ago, peace resumed in the north, but Kony’s rebel army is still terrorizing neighboring countries. To see a woman who was forced to bury her husband’s mutilated body; to see children who were forced to kill, was sombering. It was also encouraging, however, to see the way people can change and can heal. It was inspiring to see the strength of the parents, of the children, of the people. I am reminded that in our prayers, we should remember the children and the survivors of war, of the people still living with violence in other countries, or people with memories in northern Uganda. I am also reminded that we can stop complaining as Americans and being babies.