Harvesting and Creativity

Before we came to Uganda people used to ask us what we will do. At the time I didn't have answers so today I thought I would share two things I have done recently: Boy's Harvest Week and Create! class.

Boy's Harvest Week

Back in January had the opportunity to implement a week where six boys went to the Double Portion Farm to help with harvest (starts in late January). The boys from WCIA were on two month holiday with potentiality of not having all meals and not a lot to do.

The boys had a great week: full of stories, harvesting, shelling maize, good meals, new friends and knowledge about farming. They even made a little money for their work!!! The boys would have easily stayed longer and all wanted to do it again. Here is what they said they liked best:

"I liked the farm so much. Liked the people so much. Liked the food very much."

"Farming was the best. I enjoyed praying. I enjoyed harvesting."

"Good meals. Love for us. The people. The work."

"I liked the food our Freddy cooked and we didn't work for free."

I so enjoyed this work and making this great week happen for these six boys.

Create!

The second example is teaching a class of 1st thru 7th graders about creativity -- I believe one of our greatest gifts. Interesting how I feel compelled lately to teach. It is definitely a strange, foreign and scary place the spirit is taken me. Not sure where it leads but I'm enjoying it. Back to the class, in the first class we discussed our Class Rules:

• there is no wrong or right answer only not trying
• "And it was good". From Genesis 1, Pastor Ben preached on it and I used his wisdom. Basically when you look back at what you have done should be proud, know that you did your best and say it was good
• Takes trying new things and hardwork
• Listen
• Have FUN!!!!

Then we brainstormed what the word create means, I told a dramatic version (with silly voices) of the three little pigs, discussed being original, did crayon rubbings of an item from nature and ended up with game (describe an object).

The Second class was today and again it was a lot of fun. We brainstormed and word mapped about stories and parts of a story. We then started a creative writing project I found on the Internet called circle stories. I gave each student a paper with 10 circles on it and asked them to make a picture from the circles. The next step that we will do later is to write stories about our circle pictures.

I'm gonna keep trying new things in this class to hopefully get them to see the world they are used to in new ways. It's more than just art I'm trying to teach. I'm just not sure what it will all look like but I think that is part of the fun.

So these are just two recent examples of the type of work I do here. It is new, challenging and I hope makes a difference to these great Ugandan kids and Come Let's Dance. I do know this work is making a difference in me and my family.

And for all of it I am extremely grateful.


Troy