the gift of color

luwero is at the very center of uganda. the luwero triangle is the place that obote's army lined the streets with innocent civilians and executed them in an attempt to retain his position of power. the war with AIDS took the next generation. here, grandparents whose eyes can hold no more, struggle to raise children who have never known peace.

i spent my birthday in the villages here surrounded with tiny dirt covered feet ... little hands curious about my white skin ... shining eyes yellowed with disease ... swollen bellies that hint at the challenges that mount against basic need.

i expected to feel the weight of the pain that permeates this people. instead, i found laughter ... big toothy grins, playful squeals, abundant hugs ... inexplicable jOy.

at church, i found people separated by fierce tribal lines coming together to pray. i watched a community care for its children so well, that i could never match child to mother.

they say, "you are welcome," as they clasp our hands in theirs, and i'm intoxicated by their warmth.

there is heat, there is struggle ... there is depth, and there is wisdom. there is joy, and unmatched richness. there is strength, and there is hOpe.

it's hard to put words around such paradox, except to say, we are falling in love with uganda. and we notice we are not so much shooting photos in black and white.