THE ANNIE PROJECT

This is Part Three of my "The Annie Project" book that is being officially published.  In this whole book, some pieces are fictionalized... connecting people to understand the Lord in tough situations, and being loved, respected, and protected ... and some are filled with family and friends reality issues.

This next one actually did.  Cary [the lady who is "me"] is preparing to head for Soroti, Uganda, when the LRA had invaded that portion of the area.  That was reality, and the discussion with Cary's family was sometimes real and sometimes fictional.  Not too boring.  And I'm going to put it on.  However, the piece that my granddaughter, Makayla, whose middle name is Danielle and is what she's known for in the book, was a "heading out" gift. And, 10-1/2 years later, I still have it.  I never forget it.  One other small piece of reality is that it fell off my wrist in Soroti while I was walking down the main street.  I didn't even notice right away.  But people sitting by the shops, hollered at me. Instead of grabbing it themselves, giving it to kids, etc., they made sure it was for me.  THAT was a God-gift.  So here's the cute grand-girl story portion.  And, very shortly after, Cary heads out to Uganda.  [OH, and BTW, all the family members have their middle names.]

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CHAPTER 10

.....Cary said, “OK, kids.  Is there anything you want to know?”

Reid asked, “Will you be safe?  I heard mom and dad talking and mom was worried about some soldiers fighting where you’re going.”

Cary saw Sue and Lee glance at each other with an “oops” look on their faces.  Cary took a few seconds to think before she answered.  It would have been so easy to simply tell Reid that God would take care of her and not to worry, but she knew she needed to be honest.

“That’s a good question, Reid.  I’m going to be in a pretty safe place.  I’m going to the town that the refugees ran to for protection.  The rebels are in the general area around the town, but they don’t want to be caught, so they won’t usually be coming in.  Above it all, I believe God is asking me to go there and I believe that I am his child and that what happens after that is his responsibility.  That doesn’t mean I don’t have to be careful and listen to advice from the people over there who know what’s going on.  I really, really do believe I’ll be fine, or I’d be a whole lot more nervous about going than I am.”

Danielle raised her hand.  Cary smiled.  “You’re not in school, Honey.  What do you want to say.”

“How many days will you be gone?”

“I’m not absolutely sure.  My plane ticket has me returning March twenty-fourth, so that will put it right at sixty-two days.”

Noel wailed dramatically, “Sixty-two days!?  You’ll be gone for sixty-two days?”  Then she fell backwards onto the floor.  Danielle giggled at Noel’s antics.  Cary and the rest of the family laughed, too.”

After a few more questions, it was obvious the kids were ready to go play.  “I’ll be heading home in a few minutes,” Cary said.  “Come give me kisses and hugs.”

Reid hugged Cary and said nonchalantly, “‘Bye, Grandma.”  Following their personal ritual, Cary asked, “What do you know?”  “You love me.”  Cary continued, “And what else?”  “You pray for me all the time.”  “That’s right, sweetheart. And don’t you forget it!”

Danielle hugged Cary and said, “I made something for you.”  She put her hand in her pocket and took out a purple plastic friendship bracelet she had made.  She had put letters that spelled “Grandma” in the center.  “I made it purple because that’s your fav’rite color.”

“Thank you, Honey.  I’ll wear it the whole time I’m gone and think of you every time I look at it.”