“hit the bottle.”

5.15.08

Jed, Laura, and I will be departing Africa from Tanzania in just a few weeks, so our last visit in Uganda to Remand Juvenile Home was this week. When we arrived, a tiny boy no older than a second grader was sitting on the ground in the outside classroom across from where all the other residents were seated. As we waited in the other outside classroom for the academic lecture to wrap up, the curious boy came over to us and sat down on the bench beside Jed. According to what he told Wilson, he had come to Remand after riding into town on the back of a truck. I introduced my camera to him and watched in amazement at how entertained he was, as well as how young. Such a tiny boy in a juvenile prison seemed to be an abnormal situation to find. 

            Billy led worship songs with his guitar, as we all settled into the larger classroom several minutes later. The room erupted with singing voices, clapping, and stomping. From the front of the room, I looked out into the sea of faces, and considered how some falsely believe that their backgrounds have determined their future. When there was some quiet time to reflect, the ICY team members walked around the room to offer support and prayer. One young man in particular was located in the very back corner, just behind a broken metal table frame. I approached him, laid my hand on his stiffened shoulder, and asked him if I could pray for him. He nodded his head and I asked if there was something in particular he wanted me to talk with GOD about for him. While he had barely any expression on his face, the tone of his voice indicated his vulnerability. He began to spill out stories and words expressing how he feels lost and alone as an orphan. He continued to explain how he willingly attends the worship services at Remand and enjoys the time, but has many questions about the LORD and his faith. As I prayed for him, speaking slowly and cautiously annunciating every word so that my speaking would not be hidden behind my American accent, I felt his shoulders loosen up a bit under my hand. After I finished my prayer, his entire stance had gone from stiff and defensive to a relaxed posture. He asked me if I would be back to Remand, and I told him that I would be leaving for Tanzania in the next week, then returning to America from there. I told him that ICY would continue to visit and would be happy to act as a resource for him. I smiled at him and patted his back as I ensured him that he would be able to speak with some of the volunteers in the future. His face maintained a shielding expression, but just as I began to walk back toward the front of the classroom, he flashed a slight smile, just enough to notice the hope within him.

            So many of these kids have had such rough backgrounds, but when we visit them in Remand and lead worship, games, and skits, there really is no indication that they are juvenile prisoners, except for the bars and wires surrounding the compond. They laugh and smile during our skits, anxiously raise their hands to participate in group discussions, competitively and comically play games and show off…just like any teenager would do.

            Before performing a skit, everyone gathered into the dirt-covered courtyard to watch about ten boys play a game appropriately called “Hit the Bottle”. With five players on one side, and another five across on the other, Wilson would yell out a number. With the shout of “Two!”, a player from each side with that identity would run across the court yard to a flip flop sandal and chuck it to the center of the field to attempt to knock over the bottle of water. If they missed, they would race to the other side, pick up sandal along the way, then throw it back to the target. Once on of the players knocked over the water bottle, they would return to their designated sides, and wait for the next identity number to trigger another round with two new players. It was so much fun to watch the kids cheering and laughing, and their energy wove throughout the crowd. All the Ugandan ICY volunteers recruited Jed, Laura, and I to play on a team. Benon took our bags and cameras to keep them safe so that we may fully commit to the game. I was a bit nervous about understanding the rules, but my competitive side took over and I was ready to go. I waited anxiously for my number to be called, and screamed encouragement to my teammates who were racing back and forth. After Jed returned to our side and we waited for the next number, I geared up and was completely ready to tear across the courtyard.

Just then, however, a giant tidal wave of water ripped through our line-up, followed by several more. Before we had time to react, Jed, Laura, and I were soaked. The entire Remand Juvenile Home and Ugandan ICY volunteers had set us up! As part of their send-off, the Remand kids showered us with basins of water. As Jed, Laura, and I stood in the center of the courtyard, abandoned by everyone else, we laughed and squeezed out access water from our hair and clothing. I looked around to see ecstatic faces, all the Remand kids were roaring with laughter. They were so delighted in successfully pulling off their prank, and the reaction highlighted how similar they are to any other teenager. A few of the teens sweetly gestured to take our sandals and shoes to the waterspout, where they cleaned off all the mud.

When we had wrapped up our session, I went around and shook hands with some of the teens, smiling and saying good-bye. While it was just a prank, I felt honored that the Remand community took the time to plot out a send-off for Jed, Laura, and me. It was their way of showing that they cared about the relationship we had with them, and that they had embraced our time there. While we walked through the gated door at the entry to leave, I took a final glance back and waved to Remand Home. I pray for all the teens who are currently there, and for their futures; that they make positive choices and pursue their dreams when they are released back into the outside community.