It means “survival” in our local language - as in, weebale kwejuna, thank you for surviving (childbirth) - our tribe’s typical stoic congratulatory greetings to the postpartum mother.

Weebale kwejuna was how I greeted David yesterday as he finally arrived home from a solid six hours of singing, speeches, dramas, complaints and finally a feast that comprises the annual Parents Day at CSB.

I must be a wimp, because I decided not to go to Parents Day festivities. I helped a little in the morning with organization before the big event started but once my kids came home from school I stayed with them and the others who trickled in and out of our house on their way to or from. I ventured down to the assembly hall briefly to hear ten minutes of speeches and as usual, heard the very hardest one.

The student representative blasted the school in what all the attending missionaries agreed was the harshest and most negative student speech in CSB history. Along with an endless litany of complaints and accusations there were three promises of rioting should things not change. The complaints were very articulately and logically presented; giving me a strange sense of pride at the student’s clever politicking, and in English no less! He was clearly representing the interests of his constituents, even though it was quite difficult to hear. Many of the accusations were false, misrepresented or at best exaggerated. This is the life of teenagers everywhere. Drama, discontent and a lust for change and progress. It’s good stuff if we can help them channel it.

Standing on nearby steps for a better view, though, I just felt a sick ball of anger and sadness in my stomach. I went home to burst into tears or punch someone. The desire to run away is strong at these moments. These are not helpless sweet babies holding out their arms for a piece of candy and slowly recovering from the brink of death. They are strong, aggressive and often hostile young people who are learning what it means to have a voice and who have much anger to express. They’re not the most forgiving group to work with, nor the easiest to help.

I sat and stewed for hours following my brief glimpse of the speeches but was later reassured when David and others arrived to debrief the day with me. As David said, except for the student speech the day went very well. The parents’ representative speech supported the school and the students in positive ways. David’s speech was able to positively, transparently and honestly respond to the student and parent concerns and point to God at the same time. Answered prayers that God would speak through him. And Scott wound up the day with his “chairman, board of governors” speech which soundly denounced threats of student violence and firmly supported the staff and administration of the school. What a great feeling to have Scott and Jennifer beside us through these ordeals; they know the real stuff as it happens in the school and they stand with us to face false accusations. It’s a picture of God with us. I texted David as the meetings began ” God is your reputation - you cannot fail.” And I do believe that, in my better moments.

Watching students prepare for the day and tour their parents around the school I felt a stronger sense of what we are up against than I usually do. Students did not dress smartly and formally in their uniforms but untucked and slouched at every chance possible. And while parents all over Uganda had very firm standards for discipline in their children, our parents here barely seemed to notice their daughter’s inappropriately shortened uniform skirts or provocatively worn platform shoes. It gave me a better sense of what we are up against. Parents don’t know what to do. They don’t know how to guide their kids through these years. They send them to us in hopes that we do. And it makes it a lot harder fighting these battles without their support, as, I suppose, teachers find is true everywhere.

David and I wound up our day with a candlelit dinner after the kids went to bed; worrying about money once again and firming up our plans to form far stricter academic and discipline policies for students. Yes, we will lose some students who do not have the heart to apply themselves but in the process we will give those who do a far better chance at success. We are not afraid to lose some if those who remain can experience true transformation. But to do this right we need the wisdom of Solomon or better yet, the supernatural leading of the Holy Spirit. And we badly need your prayers.