Caroleena.... yes... I was feeling down about it too, and expressed it in an email after watching the clip, then regretted sending the message.

Our challenge in working with people who have a lot of troubles is not to get sucked into it. It is hard not to feel, because feeling deeply is what moves us to do this work, but our emotions can get the best of us, and make us feel hopeless.

I had spent last week at my friend's house, and when I wasn't on the computer seeking support and contacts for the Uganda mission, I was painting her deck and window trim for a break, and even then I was totally in my head wondering what more I could do. I'd made lots of leaps forward... getting six hammocks into a fair trade shop... talking with people in government about working in the school system... connecting with people working in Uganda, etc.

But, at the same time I was seeking votes for my speed grant proposal, and had put out many requests asking for support from my community, but little was happening. I know now there were reasons why people were not voting and recruiting others, but basically I was feeling isolated. I was working alone all day, and watching online videos about police violence and war. It takes a toll on the spirit. It is so important to have supportive people around us, to encourage and say, "We are with you".

I have a lot to say about this, and will soon, but I need to clean the garage now. There is glass all over the place from my last project.

Thanks for letting me know you are there for me, Caroleeena. Just to say you hear me makes a difference. Feeling along is one of the worse feelings.

I just had a long conversation with a guy who just got back from Uganda, and he had a lot of good things to say about the spirit of the people. They are still not in a good place, with so many kids homeless, but people are just happy it is peaceful now.

People guess there are only around 200 kids still in the bush on the Rebel side, but the IDP camp has 63,000 at last count. These are people jammed together in what he called a concentration camp, with massive Cholera out breaks and only two water pumps. He said it takes hours and hours and hours waiting in line to get a can of water. He said, "The most unfortunate people in the world live in those camps."

Love you! Can't wait to play with you!