Hiding in Bed

Tucked safely under the weight of my covers
Warm beneath the chilling ocean breeze
That blows through the room
I hear the waves crashing
I feel their mist on my face.
Snuggled up in my pillows -
There is comfort here,
There is assurance.

This is a time when I escape
I leave the worries of the world
And sleep washes over me.
Never long enough -
But refreshing and true.

I am hidden from the stones
As they fall around me
One after the other.
Nothing can touch me here
No new worry
No heart-wrenching news.

But my memories are here
They stay with me.
They welcome me into themselves
To lay, to sleep, to remember.
To cry, to mourn, to yearn
For a place so far away,
People I hold so dear.

They are safe here with me
Tucked in bed, hiding
From a world so big and scary
So evil, so broken.

I cannot get myself up,
Can't bear to leave this -
My little sanctuary.

Because out there its different
I must be OK and happy,
Pretend like all is well.

I cannot mourn as I wish,
I cannot be in Uganda -
For it is here that I live.

Here in this place
So fast, so rich, so arrogant.
I fight bitterness
As it rages inside.

How can we think this is best?
How can we live without rest?

Where is the love, the community, the selflessness?

I feel lost here.
Out of place -
But not wanting to fit in.

Tension, tension, tension.

What am I supposed to do with it?
How do I respond?
Its scary to ask -
But even as I do
And I come up with answers,
They are never enough.

Not enough to get me up from bed -
Not enough to make everything all right –

Not enough to put out this fire –

Not enough…yet…it has to be enough.

It has to be enough to keep on pushing,

Enough to see hope of change,

Enough to persevere when others give up.

Lying here in bed,

Overwhelmed by this state I find myself in.

I know I have hope, dreams, wishes, passions,

That get buried beneath the pain

And I just have to let them be enough.

Living in Tension...

How can I honestly be expected to live in this kind of tension?

My heart is so torn, my emotions so fragile.

Living in a new place, the people became so dear to me. Like family, bonded in a love that to me feels different than much of what I have felt here. Companions, brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers. It was all so different, so new to me - so unique. Something that I will never experience again, but will hold on to for forever.

Not so for them, my dear family. They hosted students before me, and will host many after me. Some they will connect with better, interact with more, love more?? The thought rips at my heart. What about what we had? Do you miss me? Do you remember me? Do I have any right to hope you do and claim you as mine?

Such selfish thoughts...they would not be happy. They value community, everyone a part of the family - how rude of me to ask anything else of them.

Apparently I didn't learn much.
Yet they also forgive, more graciously than most. So I ask, can you forgive me, my dear family? I'm sorry. I don't know how to be strong in this, how to let this happen, how to let you move on. But I will try, maybe pray if I can figure that out again. I just ask for mercy, for love - please can you keep loving me too? I know you will...how can I even ask? Know that you have my love and my heart forever. Nkwagala nyo.

The memories, the laughter, it all feels so real and so true...but so far away. So. Far. Away. So far gone, so far lost. But I know it is not gone, it is not lost. As evidenced by the tears streaming down my face, those people, their stories, and the memories remain very close to my heart - in my heart.

Hearing Dan Nelson talk about Rwanda in chapel last week was amazing. (Ask me if you want to hear his story) His connection with those Rwandese is beautiful. But talking about the genocide and seeing the pictures of the skulls lined up...my heart breaks once again. It's like my head, my brain shuts off and my heart takes over and just screams...It hurts! It hurts! It's so real. It's so real. It's so much more that just pictures, or just a story. It's mothers and fathers and sons and daughters, neighbors, and church members. It's Charles. (Please ask about his story as well, I would be honored to share it) The love and reconciliation is amazing and its so good and so necessary to remember and recognize. But the evil, the pain, the death, the betrayal is all still reality. It still happened.
And I don't want to hold on to that more than they do...but how? How do I recognize that and not make light of it...but live in the home and promise (?) of reconciliation that is going on there? How do I "live in" anything there while living here? How do I see that in chapel and then go work on a lab report? Really? Really.

One step at a time. That's the only way I can do anything right now. One little step at a time.

Back in the States...missing Uganda.

So I've tried multiple times to blog since being home...but now more than even it seems there aren't words to describe what I'm thinking/feeling. As I did many times while in Uganda I am just going to record some thoughts I've written in my journal in the past month or so since being home...

Day 5 back from Uganda. Loving that place more every second. It has been to good to talk to different people and share stories and pictures. I am so thankful for the questions people ask, and the genuine interest behind them. My cousin reminded me to not give myself too hard of a time if my outward way of life doesn't automatically look super different...I know inwardly I am forever changed - no doubt about that. And it's also good to remember that I did not have control over where I was born - so here I am in the US, and there they are in Uganda - for some unknown reason. But it's not my place to criticize and freak out about being here - I'm here for now. That needs to be enough.

Day 6. Amazing how distanced I already feel from suffering around the world. Just like Shane Claiborne talks about in Irresistible Revolution.. This morning I was sitting at the kitchen table in our huge beautiful mansion of a house sipping orange juice and enjoying a freshly made gluten free muffin with butter and jam on it after having worked out in a super nice gym facility, driven myself home in our car, taken a hot shower, and put on new clean clothes...reading the paper. I read an article about a soldier in Iraq who killed 5 other soldiers, apparently because of stress. Unfortunately, it is only too easy to read that, sigh, take another bite of my muffin, and go on with my day. But what am I supposed to do? ...Don't know yet...

Day 7. Flight back to San Diego - sat next to a friendly woman who ended up asking me what I like about Ugandan culture...I said I like the slow pace of life, the simplicity of life, the focus people have on relationships rather than tasks, and the deep deep sense of community they live by. As for their traditional religions, I appreciate the way their religion is integrated into every part of their life. Unlike the US, with separation of church and state, and so many "Sunday Christians" it was refreshing to meet people whose faith is their life and their life is their faith.

She asked what I didn't like about their traditional beliefs and I mentioned traditional healers - simply because God should be enough to meet all of my needs (easier said than done, eh?), but especially when they are advocating child sacrifice, I simply do not know how to be okay with that.

Day 8. Was I seriously in Africa 8 days ago? Wow. Seems like an eternity. Feels like a totally different life.

Day 14. Walking around Westmont's campus seeing the devastation from the fires and remembering what I saw/experienced in Rwanda (more on that later) inspired this...

Burnt and Broken.

Ripping through the air they destroy everything in their path
No concern for how ancient nor how beautiful is this place I call home
Tree after tree and plant after plant - I cannot do the math
The flowers fall and the life they brought vanishes
Like dust in the wind - so quickly all is lost.

The destruction they leave behind tears at my soul
Reminding me of my broken condition.

I see death so near to life and I am chilled
I feel the skulls next to my face and the bones lined up
How can this be?
Such tragedy. Such darkness.

Much like the burnt trees surrounding me
I doubt if I will ever be the same.
Can such beautiful flowers ever bloom again?

But as I question I am slow to remember
My God is greater than all of this.
He makes the sun shine down on this broken world
My dad will triumph once again
He will transform the broken to the beautiful
My Healer will restore my aching heart.

Praise be to my King, for He will lift me high.
He will bring life, where fires have sown death.

And later that day down by the beach:

Walking. Thinking. Feeling.
Breathing. Hearing. Seeing.
Seeing what's hidden out there - all the little things we usually miss as we cruise past in our cars.
Seeing the courtyard with a fountain hand crafted in love -
Reading the stories, the words of so many languages - speaking so deeply to my heart.
Words from faraway places,
Stand together here - as one.
Will I ever feel that whole again?

Seeing groundhogs - so innocent and small - yet still so loved in my Father's eyes.
I cannot forget my place in His heart.

Seeing the water surrounded by trees and tall grass threatening to overtake it.
Seeing the white flowers poke their heads above the ice plant.
Seeing the birds flitting freely through the air.
Seeing the sun, feelings it's warmth on my skin.
Seeing the open sky, the life it looks upon
Seeing the bench, FOR MIKE it reads.
Seeing the girl upon it, cradled in her Father's arms.
Seeing life anew...again.
So slow. So full.

How could I drive by and miss this?

Such glory. Such beauty.

That's gonna be all for now...just me - still lost and confused, asking way more questions than I thought a person could have. But so thankful to be clueless and questioning, much like the disciples were, rather than thinking I have it all figured out - like the Pharisees. Depending on God's grace now more than ever.

Peace and love.

Last days in Africa...

So today is my last day in Mukono...tears...tomorrow morning (I never thought it would be soo soon!) we leave for Rwanda at 5 am. After a full 13 hours of traveling by bus we will spend 10 days there learning about the genocide and the work the church has done/is doing to rebuild from that. It should be interesting...but also challenging and hard stuff to learn about just cause of the topic. IMME students are separated from USE, which is a bummer, but it will hopefully be a good last two weeks with everyone I have gotten so close to. Right now, since I'm in the process of saying goodbye to everyone here, I would rather just come home. That seems to be the consensus - if we have to leave our families, just let us go home! But alas, we must go to Rwanda. I'm sure it will be a good time once we get there - this is just the hard part. Anyways, prayers would be greatly appreciated...

I am so thankful to be so sad to leave. As backwards as that sounds...I have had such a great time, and have come to love and care for these people so much! Saying goodbye to my brothers this morning was tearful to say the least...what a blessing they have been in my life this semester. They have loved us and showed us so much grace in our time with them. I could take about them for days. Oh that the Lord would continue to bless and care for them.

And if you could be praying specifically for my mother and brother Elisha - they both have malaria right now. They are on the road to recovery, but just that God would give them strength to do all they need to everyday. Especially Elisha, since he is taking exams at school right now. But it is beautiful - he still wakes up just singing songs and praising the Lord as always. What amazing grace the Lord gives us.

I miss you all very much and am truly looking forward to seeing you when I get back!

A song we sang at the Easter sevice at the Cathedral:

"Because he lives, I can face tomorrow. Because he lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives."

Sorry this isn't longer...let's chat when I get back. :)

Baptism, Worship, and Questions

So I started typing out the details of the story but decided I would really rather tell you all in person. So suffice it so say, I was baptized in Lake Victoria on Saturday - with my close friend Kaia and another friend Aaron through a Calvary Chapel church we have been going to in Kampala...it was amazing. It definitely felt really real - not just something where I was going through the motions. God was definitely there and working and changing mine and other people's lives. Glory to Him on high! I am so thankful to be His beloved child and to be able to live my life for Him only.

Something else that was really cool recently - yesterday USP led community worship (the rough equivalent of chapel - we have it twice a week). Our group (the Americans) lead a service every semester - and we were free to come up with whatever we wanted. We started with worship songs - with all 38 of us up on stage singing/playing guitar, bass, drums, and piano. Then Kristen and I led the congregation in intercessory prayers after which we performed a skit/drama. It was to the Linkin Park song, "In the End". It was really intense. With no speaking, just acting, it showed two people struggling with their sins, trying to pull away from them to God. (They were held back by ropes held by "demons") They were pulling and trashing but could not reach Jesus until they let go of the ropes (sin) and went to Christ. It was really powerful - and everyone clapped and cheered when Geoff finally let go of his sin and fell into Jesus' arms...but the other girl Lillie, couldn't let go and fell back into sin's grasp. It was really powerful. They we had a short message - more about how as Christians we are called to let go of our sin, give it up to God, and hold onto the hope of Christ. Eph 3:15-21. After that we did what is called cardboard testimonies. Those of us who were willing has written a sin, or something we stuggle(d) with on a piece of posterboard, and on the back written how God redeemed or restored us. We walked up on stage one at a time and held up the sin side. Then we flipped it and walked on. It was amazing. It was cool to see so many of us willing to be vulnerable and honest before the whole school community - and even more amazing to hear everyone applaud as we revealed how God had restored us. The focus was very much on the freedom received in Christ and God's redemption. Some people make some pretty intense confessions, and it was really moving. Then to close we sang Amazing Grace...which just summed it all up. Truly how great that grace does appear, the hour we first believe. What a blessing to witness that first-hand. God is so great. It was also incredible to talk to UCU students afterwards and hear them be honest with us about things they struggle with, and tell us we were not alone in our stuggles, and just hear how touched they were by it all. God's grace truly covers all. His love his amazing, steady, and unchanging. Even in Africa. God be praised.

Sorry for the preachy feel to this...but God has just been really good. I am so thankful. I was gonna write out some questions I've been having through class discussions and stuff but I am so overwhelmed by it sometimes I don't even know where to start. Basically, I would love to chat upon my return. And I am grateful that God is the same God yesterday, today and forever. In the US, Africa, and the world. What more can I depend on but that.

I would really appreciate prayers as we finish up school here with finals in a week and a half. Just on how to best spend the rest of my time here, and to deal with the craziness of having to say goodbye to such close friends possibly forever. I am so thankful to have formed these relationships that I will be sad to leave...but still sad to do it. Anyways, God is good. And I am just going to keep following his lead step by step. Striving to follow Joshua 1:8...

Lastly how about a little poem about my little 2 1/2 year old brother, Anooke:

Big eyes and a loving face
Calling my name over and over
Each time he speaks with grace
Full of joy he shares with us

His eyes tell of his innocent love
His prayers betray his kind heart
His small hand smooth as a dove
His hug sweeter than any other

Such a blessing to have as a brother
We learn from him and he from us
I only wish I could explain to his mother
What a beautiful treasure she bore

Hope you are doing well, and enjoying the joy of God's goodness and love.

Love and peace to you all.

Adventures both internal and external

Let's start with external...

This weekend a group of the USP students (26 of us) went to Jinja and went white-water rafting and bungee jumping on the Nile! We stayed at a hostel that was SOOOO chill. The staff was awesome - full of guys with dreads and fros and great senses of humor. The white water rafting was on up to class 5 rapids which was more than absolutely epic! Our guide's name was Nathan and he was HILARIOUS! The boat I was on was a blast, we joked around the whole time, but also got serious for the insane rapids we had to tackle. A few funny stories...one time when our raft flipped my friend Charles and I who were in the front got tangled up as we launched into the water...once we figured out where the surface was he goes "Oh no, Nicole, we're going the wrong way!!" He was so disoriented he thought we were being pushed upstream...how that would even work I have no idea. But it was super funny especially because then I was confused for a minute, too. Anyways...we did make it safely back into the raft. On another rapid, called Silverback (like the guerillas) I literally could not breathe. We got rocked down the falls and seeing as Charles and I were in the front got the brunt of the waves to the face. The only thought in my head was "Can't breathe, can't breathe, can't breathe, ahhhhhh, need to breathe, I see air, must breathe....ahhhh!! Gasp!"It was crazy. And awesome. Bungee jumping the next day was also completely epic and such an insane rush of adrenaline I don't even know how to describe it. I highly recommend the process to anyone considering it. Oh and after diving off the platform at the bottom I was dunked into the Nile waist-deep. Definitely went through the whole "Can't breathe!...water...can't breathe... so muchwater!..." thought process again. It was such a blast hanging out with USE people that I don't usually get to spend alot of time with. Ahhhh, I'm just so thankful to be here!!!

Ok so to more internal adventures...a little list of the plethora of things I have learned/am learning...

-The water bottles full of awkward yellow colored liquid substances on the sinks are SOAP! Yes...I JUST figured this out...and only because someone told me. :)
-How to stave off a cow when walking by a stray one...pick up a stick and wave it in its face
-Being okay with Ugandans not answering questions when you ask them...whether by way of just laughing it off or simply not answering. (Just not required here...)
-Consequently...how to avoid answering questions or requests if you so desire...just laugh :)
-When passing through narrow pathways or doorways if there are Ugandans in the way they will move out of the way, but that means leaving a good inch for you to push through...don't feel bad though, just go.
-Crossing the street involves insane amounts of trust and boldness...but you better just get up and go or you will stand there forreeeevvveeerrrr!
-Rejecting offers from Boda Boda men (motorcyclists who are EVERYWHERE to give cheap rides to people...the source of most of the proposals I have received)...just say "Kula" (grow up) and your problems will be solved!
-Stopping, catching, riding, and stopping a matatu (taxi vans)
-Appreciating the night bucket in my room (for short calls)
-How to quickly drink SUUUUPer hot tea (trick from dad...ask him if you could also benefit from this :))
-Walking to school without being run over by bodas or cars who are trying to avoid the crazy ruts in the road...they will drive literally inches next to you
-How to make a huge group of school kids laugh...just say "Hi!"
-Cutting pinneapples
-Making juice the REAL way
-The beauty of febreeze and fabric release spray
-"Fake" bathing when you are in a rush and don't feel like tackling the basin...just clean your legs and feet and they will think you are clean ;)
-How to truly appreciate even the smallest piece of chocolate...mmm...
-Appreciating my friends' parents and relatives for the packages they send and sweets I therefore get to partake in
-The widespread influence of Spanish soap operas
-What it means to offer my presence to others
-To appreciate/value other people for the presence (not necessarily deep conversation) they offer
-Seeing God's beauty and bounty and blessings in a WHOLE new way
-the joy of a simple life
-What all you really DON'T need to get by...everything from a big bedroom, to running water, to lots of clothes, to a huge variety of food, ...
-Africa is beautiful. The people. The food. The smells. The sounds. The geography. The trees. The birds. The cows. The insects. The faith. The love. The community.
-Oh so much more...but this list is getting long...so I will leave you with that for now. Can't wait to share more later!

A few other random things - sorry for not responding to e-mails in a long time, mine hasn't been working for a while now...its very temperamental. Also, I was just talking to one of the interns and he said that if people are going to send letters/packages they should probably do it in the next week or so or else they won't get here on time. We leave campus April 22nd - he said that they usually get alot of packages after everyone has gone and its very sad. Not to be rudely asking for things - but just a warning that if you were going to...the sooner the better or it may be best to just save the postage. Thanks. :)

Love you all. Be blessed.

Phil 2:3-4

a week in the village

So I just got back from a week in rural Uganda - specifically in Kaptchorwa (which means friend, btw). We stayed with families and just hung out with them living life in the village. It was nice to have a week off from school - but certainly nothing like your usual Spring Break vaca. It's so hard to try to describe what it was like so I will try to give you a brief idea, post some pics when the internet cooperates, and hope to talk to you more in person eventually.

First of all Kaptchorwa is BEAUTIFUL! It is in the mountains, with fields everywhere and hills and waterfalls and amazing hikes. Hikes were probably my favorite part of the week. We got there Friday night...Saturday my host father (a very kind primary school teacher, and translator at the church and for a radio station) took me on what he called a "short walk". This ended up including hiking a mountain...in a long skirt and sandals. Gotta love it. It was really nice though - we had a great view of town and home and on the way down greeted every family we passed (I had to learn to greet in the language quickly). The families were always friends and often relatives in some way. Sunday was church - about a 45 minute walk away. It was a typical Ugandan Anglican service...which are interesting and need a whole blog of their own... After church we were invited to lunch my a couple in the church. They hosted both my family and another family who was hosting a student (cooincidentally Megan - the girl I live with in Mukono - so it was really fun to see her and have lunch). Monday also included a hike with my cousin Cherub. It was incredible. We went up to the falls and frolicked through the tall trees - I seriously felt like Pochantas! It was nice to spend one-on-one time with her and talk while we hiked. She is 19 and SO nice - it was interesting to hear the questions her and my family had about the US...lots of stereotypes that aren't true AT ALL!

One frustrating thing through the week was my family not believing me about alot of things. Not a big deal really - but after a while it was a bit annoying. Things like the fact that it was colder at home than it was there (it was cool at night which was a welcome relief from Mukono but still barely sweatshirt worthy), the fact that we had mountains and that I wasn't afriad to climb them, and lots of polictics. It was fun to sit and chat with my dad about these things though, and just interesting the view they had of the US.

Tuesday and Wednesday were the hardest days for me. I literally did not leave the compound of our house and just sat around with my sister, Charity (9). She is really nice, but couldn't move around much because she is in a full leg cast. It was fun to play games with her and talk about stuff, but after 14 hours a day I was a little stir crazy. It also didn't help that my mom and Cherub were working around the compound all day...but refused my help anytime I offered it. I thought about home WAY more than I have being in Uganda...and then was frustrated with myself in that. But God totally worked through it and proved ways He was faithful in that. For example Tuesday night my parents both mentioned something about how grateful they were that I could be there with Cherub since she had just gotten out of the hospital a week ago (after 3 months) and had been pretty depressed till this week. Just little ways God showed His continued goodness.

Thursday was really fun. I fetched water from the river with Cherub and carried it back up the hill on my head! She's much better than I am...and was somehow able to balance the huge jerry can without her hands!!! Oh man. Hardcore for sure. Then I had the pleasure of watching my mom slaughter the beautiful rooster that had been chillin at the house all week...then helped her pluck the feathers off and begin to prepare it for cooking. We then ate it a few hours later. So sad. For lunch my dad came home and brought a visitor who was very eager to interact with a Muzungu. (Typical) He was very nice, with lots of questions, and it was refreshing to be eating lunch with people rather than by myself. After lunch my dad took me on an EPIC hike up to the highest point of Kaptchorwa. This (again in an ankle-length skirt) involved legit rock climbing up the side of the mountain. Even more hardcore were the people climbing with huge bags of flour or cabbage or milk on their heads! Woah man. Beautiful view again, and after we got to visit Megan at her house and take some tea. Then we went to the Bishops house for dinner - who is my dad's brother. Took tea again, and had more lively discussions involving many questions about the US.

Friday I was reluctant to leave, but also ready to be back with white people.

We spent the weekend at Sipi Falls - reunited with both the IMME and USE group - as well as some Ugandan Honors College students from UCU. SO FUN! It was so nice to swap stories and relax and laugh and make jokes people could understand, and just be at ease with friends. We also went on some intense and sweet hike up to waterfalls - and even got to jump in and swim for a bit! We even played a game of rocks (spoons the card game but African style) which was crazy funny. The weekend was seriously such a blessing - and made me even more grateful for the friends I have made here - and am continuing to make.

Oh and let's not forget the bed bugs I brought with me from Kaptchorwa! Too funny. I have a ridiculous number of bites...but think I have successfully rid myself of them - Praise the Lord.

And this is random but nonetheless important - I had the immense pleasure of helping my neighbour/brother (back in Mukono) Samuel with his chemistry homework two nights ago! What a treasure. I've been thinking about just what it is I want to do with my life and this was a strange affirmation of my passion for chemistry and possibly for teaching. Just another cool God thing.

I have been so encouraged by the ways God has been working in this group. Thanks so much for all of your prayers! I love and miss you all!! Take care. Be blessed.

Off to the Village!

So just for a quick update and prayer request. We are heading to rural homestays tomorrow - which means we will be out in rural Uganda staying with host families in villages. IMME students will be in Kapchorwa and the USE students in Soroti. Both villages are up north, closer to the areas where the LRA has been through at one point. So they basically live very different lives than what we have seen thus far in Mukono. I am thrilled to meet a whole other family and get to know them and share in their lives for a week. I will not still be paired with Megan, and may be on my own - which I am a BIT nervous about. But excited nonetheless. I would very much appreciate your prayers for safe travels (its about 6 hours on crazy roads) and just health and safety while we are there...for everyone. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us. Thanks so much for your prayers and support. I love you all! God Bless!

Oh and I should be back in contact March 2 or so - have a blessed week till then!

Fun Friends!

Sitting on the porch with Anooke and Samuel - eating Jackfruit - a delicious new fruit discovery!

Learning some African dance moves from Ivan!!

Tea time with Megan! Every morning at about 7:45 or so we have tea and popcorn, and evenings when we get back from school we usually have milk tea and either popcorn, ground nuts, bananas, or my new favorite - kagalagala (little pancakes made from sweet bananas and casava flour! yummy!)

Megan, Imme, Rebecca, and I sitting on my bed. Its weird now at home with our sisters gone to school - we miss them terribly! But are having fun getting to know our brother and neighbors better.

Some super cute neighborhood kids Megan and I played with for an afternoon!

Sorry this isn't a whole lot of pictures - but I lost my camera so I have to go hunting for times when I can steal pictures from other people. Hopefully I will be able to post some more soon! Love you all, take care!

What's Up, Mzungu?

(One of my favorite greetings I have received on a consistent basis walking through Mukono town..."What's up, Mzungu?" Just makes me smile.)

Ok the infamous task of attempting to write an update on all of the things I’ve been up to here in beautiful Uganda.

Last weekend IMME took a trip down south (5 hours or so – CRAZY dirt roads that it literally blows my mind we drive on…potholes the size of the Pacific Ocean…not kidding) to Rakai – and specifically the little rural village town of Kibaale. We were visiting the Kibaale Community Center – a mission set up and run by a team from Canada (yes, Christa, Canada!). They are sponsored by a private school up there and are very blessed with funds. They have a school with about 800 students from the surrounding villages (some walk 2 hrs to school), a medical clinic, and a farm. One of the things I thought was so cool was the ways they are working towards self-sustainability. For example on the farm they are experimenting with different projects to earn some money for the center. They have cows and chickens right now and are thinking of building a fish pond. The team was so nice and it was great to see the ways God has blessed the missions and is so at work there. Oh, and one of the guys, Sean, works in the communities around fixing and digging wells! I had a great conversation with him and he gave me some sweet ideas of ways I could get involved after I graduate – who knows! Most of the IMME group went on a hike up a “mountain” of sorts – it was awesome. Once at the top we could see Tanzania! (About 14 miles away) It was so beautiful – there just are not words. We had a great time just relaxing and enjoying time with one another. I am so grateful for how close I have gotten with the other IMME students. We went to church in the town and it was wonderful. It was a very simple newly constructed brick building with wooden benches and full of brothers and sisters on fire for Christ. The service was incredible. They had two men playing drums and multiple choirs that came up and blessed us with songs…I could have stayed there and worshiped with them for eternity. I can’t wait until every tongue, tribe, and nation is united together worshiping our Lord.

Another quote from Ragamuffin gospel:
“The gospel of grace calls us to sing of the everyday mystery of intimacy with God instead of always seeking for miracles or visions.”

I am definitely trying to do this while being here. Truly every morning is a new day and God continues to be SO faithful. I am so grateful to be here.

“The deeper we grow in the spirit of Jesus Christ, the poorer we become – the more we realize everything in life is a gift. The tenor of our lives becomes one of humble joy and thanksgiving.”

Lunch the other day was amazing…just a beautiful time of fellowship with a few Ugandan ladies I have gotten to know and one of the USE guys. We had so much fun talking and laughing and I was reflecting on God’s wonderful treasures he has created:

Their brilliant smiles
Cast light into my small heart
Each time I see them

Such genuine warmth
Is exchanged in their greetings
Each time we pass by

What are we missing
Back at home with just a nod
Each time we rush away

We are too busy
To stop and greet a brother
Each time they are there

Now that the neighborhood kids are back in school its brought a whole new light to our walks to and from school. When we pass by groups of kids walking to/from school we greet them and then as we pass hear them bust up laughing and saying things about mzungus (that’s us..white people). It’s so cute, and so funny. We have met several and hope to continue getting to know them as we journey together.

I’m continuing to learn SO much. Classes are going really well – they are challenging my world views and ideas about salvation and Christianity and missions and way of life. It’s awesome – but definitely a lot to be thinking about and trying to work it all out. I’m journaling a lot and plan to continue working through most of this when I return to the States. For now, one foot forward is the way to go. I’m loving every moment of this.

Hope you are well. I love and treasure you and am praying for you!

The craziest/coolest things I've learned so far...

Ok so some other quick highlights from the last two weeks…

So last week we went down to the clinic our father owns (which I thought was a hospital and told them I wanted to help out in it – when we got there found out it’s a little pharmacy with one woman working…awwwwkward. So now Rebecca has told the woman I want to help – but there is nothing I can do. Gotta love miscommunications). Anyways it turned out to be a huge blessing because we started playing with some neighborhood kids outside the clinic. Soon it turned into a mob of 20+ kids all running around like crazy. They pretty much would just follow anything we did – we played circle games, did the chicken dance, the hokey pokey, and then when we were out of ideas they started teaching us some of their games! It was so much fun. We played with them for almost 2 and a half hours…so cute!
A few haikus to go along with it:

Small children laughing
Their hearts are so full of joy
What precious smiles

Struggling at home
To find my place in it all
Hoping it comes soon

Also last week I had the privilege of learning how to milk the cow! Instead of the milkman who was coming now its our new friend Samuel – who is 16 I think – the brother of the family up the road who we have gotten to know well. He just got back from a trip but now he's over every morning and night to milk and feed the cow. He’s so sweet and fun to have around. He sings songs every night while he’s milking – sometimes in Luganda and sometimes stuff he makes up about Megan and I. After the second time I helped him milk he said that I’m becoming a pro and when I go back to the US I can tell my mom to buy me a cow and then milk it for my family! What an honor that would be. Funny cause if he only knew where I lived…what a different culture.

Musumba (host father) is now done taking classes at UCU so he has a lot more free time at home which has been such a blessing. He has started playing cards with us almost every night after dinner. Turns out he’s SUPER competitive! But its all in a very nice, playful way. During the game, though, he’s full of trash talk “watch out for the train (loser train), its comin your way!” “go down (draw) go down, I know you don’t have it” “I’m gonna ‘changa-changa’ (shuffle) you – be ready” – he’s too funny! Can’t wait to come back and share the card game though – its like crazy eights, but better!

Ok we also learned how to do laundry. Dang. I have never given washing machines the credit they deserve. Its hard work, and they do it so well! The key phrase here is “power and energy, power and energy!” Rebecca and Imme helped us the first time but subsequent times mostly just correct/rebuke us – they have been known to make us re-wash things. Which is for our benefit, I know. Its funny though – we have to bend over (no squatting!) our basins and scrub scrub scrub! And of course a few days ago we came home during a break from classes to do laundry because it was sooo hot so it seemed like a good time to get the clothes to dry quickly. Of course as soon as we were back at school it started pouring rain! Awesome. We just looked at each other and laughed. What else can you do.

Also last weekend I went with a few of the IMME girls to an orphanage – which was really cool. They house about 50 kids, mostly girls – ages ranging from 4-23. We helped the girls with their laundry in the morning (they are so nice – even when you do something wrong they let you do it and then will just redo it after you are done so as to not have to criticize you for it), played games with them, and then spoke to them after lunch. We just shared some testimonies of what God is doing/has done in our lives and prayed God spoke to them through us somehow. I’m excited to go back and be able to spend some more quality time with them.

Went to church in Kampala last Sunday – learned how to take a Matatu (15-passenger van/taxi) into the city. Met up with some friends of friends who are living in Kampala (they studied abroad here a few years ago). Heard some CRAZY stories that I will relay upon return. But something one of the guys said really got me thinking – he asked if we thought we would return to Uganda after this semester. It is weird to think about coming back here – I have no idea what I could be doing by the time that would be an option…but even more weird to think about going back to the US and living life as normal there without ever returning to Africa. We’ll see what God has in store.

In class we just finished reading a book called Primal Vision – by John Taylor. Its about Africa and their religions here and what Christianity looks like for them, and the different ways that a Western view is perhaps insufficient or even incorrect as we try to present the gospel to them. It was a really good book – and really challenging. I have never thought before about just how limited my faith is. Especially things that sitting in the US I know I would have completely disregarded as false – now sitting in Africa I am forced to really look at and realize there is truth in them. Prayers would be appreciated as we continue to pray through and sort out all the challenges of the book and of life here.

Also this week Megan and I cooked dinner for our family. Each student is supposed to cook an American dinner of sorts for the family. We decided to do fajitas (I know its Mexican, but it worked) and they turned out really well! Our sisters went with us to the market and helped us buy everything (including a whole chicken and some beef that was sitting out in the warm sun gathering flies). When I was pulling apart the chicken and out flew its gizzard I just laughed thinking I would never cook like this in the US. But it was fun and they loved it! It was hilarious watching them stuff huge tacos into their mouths. Oh and I made guacamole and that was for sure my favorite part! We are hoping to make no-bake cookies soon – which should be excellent.

Oh but how could I forget?!? The MOST IMPORTANT/CRAZIEST thing I have learned yet!!! Ok there is this mysterious noise that sounds like an electronic beeping all over campus. For the last three weeks I was so baffled by this – what on earth is that? Like a GPS or satellite or something? It sounded louder in some places but then the next day non-existent there. So confused. Then I learned that it’s a BIRD!!! The intern adequately named it the catchphrase bird because that’s EXACTLY what it sounds like. We also have them near our house and now I just laugh every time I hear it because I am so blown away by the fact that it’s a bird. I love it.

Ok that’s it for now – thank you all for your prayers, they are greatly appreciated! Thanks for keeping me updated on your lives too – for those of you I haven’t heard from, tell me what’s up! Miss and love you!

Nze Nalubega.

Nze Nalubega. (My name is Nalubega - pronounced like na-ru-bay-ga)

Megan and I have officially been initiated into the family. We are no longer visitors, we are part of the Magembe clan. Megan's name is Niyiga (pronounced niye-ga). And I for certain am feeling more and more a part of this family as the days go by. I am so thankful to say I am finally feeling comfortable enough to feel like I am truly being myself. Not sure what was preventing me from this before - but its a welcome change. Much more laughter and just feeling more engaged and interactive with all the people and culture around me.

So here is another gathering of various thoughts from the week or two since I last blogged...

Obama's inauguration. SUCH a big deal here! It kindof blows my mind. Well first of all that we were watching the inauguration ceremony on our fuzzy TV here in Africa - what a different perspective I had watching it. I have never before appreciated the peacefulness of our transitions of power. 44 times the president has peacefully shaken hands with the president-elect and passed on the torch. Uganda has NEVER once had a peaceful transition of power. Never. And the current president, Museveni, has continued to stay in power mostly because "he's not kicking people out and killing people like Amin did". Crazy. Never realized how blessed I was in this way to live in the US.

So last weekend we went on our first trip with IMME (the group of Americans from our program that are staying with families (versus on campus) and learning about missions). We traveled an hour and half or so to Jinja - the source of the Nile. Friday night we met two missionaries from the area - Jesse and Beverly. They work mostly in prison ministry. It was awesome to hear about the ways God has been faithful and working in their ministry - they have been here for 11 years. But a big moment for me was when Jesse said that there is at least one day a week that he says "Ok that's it - I'm going home. I've had enough." Yet God continues to provide strength for each day and he's still excited to be here. I can't imagine working in prison ministry - where soon after you make friends with these people they are either released or killed and you never see them again. They were so trusting and completely dependent on the Word of God. It was beautiful.

We then had some free time to just hang out with the 16 of us – we grabbed the guitar and sang worship for a while out by the pool. It was really nice. Then a few random guys came up and asked if they could join us. As we got to know them we found out they were missionaries as well – with AIM – on the “World Race”. They basically go to 11 countries in 11 months. Intense. They had a lot of good advice for us – and mentioned how so much of the trip was learning about themselves and how they deal with different situations. They reminded us to make sure to have some fun and be crazy with each other amidst everything we are learning and being challenged with. Seems like silly advice – but I think we are really going to have to be intentional about doing that – just cause its so easy to get caught up in the hard stuff here and only talk about that all the time. We need to loosen up, too. Also he said that “God didn’t call us here and forget about January.” Just encouraging to remember that God is at work even when we aren’t feeling it or feeling good about it. So that conversation was a huge blessing.

The next day we met up with some other missionaries and heard their scoop. They talked a lot about the differences they have seen between Ugandan and American cultures – a lot of which we have seen, but a lot of which we have yet to see. Interesting to hear about how business is not about competition but solidarity. For example a street of drum sellers will all have the same price for their drums – so no one is one top or on bottom. If someone were to lower their prices, their monetary success would not outweigh the loss they would experience from the drum-making community. These missionaries have a cool ministry – they have started a coffee shop/souvenir/restaurant/library/internet café/meeting place called the Source. It’s run by mostly Ugandans with these guys overseeing it. All the profits go back to the Source and to paying the people that work there. We got to go there and have lunch and look around – sweet spot. They also have felt led to start a water-well building ministry and a reforestation ministry. God is definitely at work there.

Next one of the guys, Bobby, took us on a devotional tour through Jinja. We would drive to a spot, get out, he would talk for a bit, read some Scripture and let us meditate on it for a bit and on we went. It was intense. Some of the more impactful sights…we went to a fishing village which was right next to a sailing club. Standing at the crux between rich and poor was really interesting. Also just thinking about where Jesus spent his time – with fisherman. To think he walked up to a place like that and called out for those men to come and follow him is beautiful. Also thinking that it’s not about walking up to these people and giving them money – that’s not going to fix anything. We are called to follow what Jesus did – walk up to them and be with them. Love them and show them how accepted they are in Christ. We then went to a place he called “Ting Ting” which was the workplace of all kinds of metal workers. The conditions they work in are intense but we walked through and got to see him interacting with these men he knew as friends – they were so kind and smiling and laughing. They work there because their fathers did. No choice in the matter. We are both blessed and cursed to have so much choice in the States. The take home point for me here was that these are still just people – doing what people do. They work and some enjoy it some don’t, they go home to their families and have dinner, they do chores. Yes its different – but really we are so much the same. Lastly we went to a government hospital – which was really hard just seeing the lack of care there. Ashley, they really need you nurses! No one has attendants so your family has to come and bring food to you and care for you while you wait weeks and weeks to see the doctor when he comes around. We walked around and prayed with some patients – which was powerful. Bobby talked about how in the US when we are suffering we ask “Why me? Why did this happen to me?” Yet here in Uganda you never hear that. Suffering is a part of life. When you are healthy, that’s the surprise. What a change in perspective. It was also good to hear that they cling to their faith so tightly (those who have it) because they know it’s the one thing that cannot be stripped from them.

Later back at the resort we took a boat ride to the source of the Nile – so cool to touch the water that carried Moses and turned red and is just full of so much history.

Wow so I have so much more to say but have to run to class - I will blog again soon hopefully. And if you think of it please be praying for my host family here...the kids start school this week - which will be a big adjustment for us because our two sisters are going to boarding school so they won't be living at home anymore. So sad! But also they are having trouble coming up with the money to pay the school fees - so just prayer that God will provide...as we know and trust He will. Thanks so much. Love you all!

So Much The Same...

Kulikayo - Welcome back. Amazing how time changes things. It hasn't even been two weeks but wow...what to even say now.

Some random thoughts from my journal in the past week or so:

"This is people's lives here. No joke. Not for a vacation, not for a few weeks or even months. People live like this. For their entire lives. Birth to death. This is what they know - and usually all that they know. They don't know what washing machines, or pizza places are.

I had this revelation while bathing tonight, missing the convenience of showers, and wondering when - if ever - this will start feeling normal. Hmm. Only time will tell. I'm up for it though. Game on."

"I feel like I am in the beginning stages of a plague. Egypt style for real. There are bugs falling all around me. And I am supposed to be reading Politics homework?? Yeah right."

"We bathe with the amount of water equivalent to maybe 5 or 6 seconds of a shower. Try it sometime. Let me know how it works for you or if you find a good way to do it. :)"

"The director's wife talked to us today about expectations of the trip and of ourselves. She said that if we learn one thing about ourselves this semester it would be a success...which was kindof a relief. I don't know what kind of pressure I have been putting on myself - but it was nice to hear that and begin reflecting on what that's going to look like for me..."

Inspired by Chris Reid here are a few haikus I wrote the other night:

many crickets sing
a soft wind blows by my face
the night is so black

sitting on the porch
anooke saying "motocah"
elijah singing

trying to process
all these things that are different
brothers and sisters

new conversation
they have such joyful laughter
i don't understand

such differences
yet I wonder, how alike?
I am still learning

"I am so thankful and filled with joy to be here. Tonight I was sitting on the mat out on the porch nestled between Rebekah and Deborah with Anooke on my lap just talking and listening to Elijah sing and "call upon the name of the Lord." All as Megan was out bathing with the "night dancers" (people who come get you at night...according to our sisters). What a great family."

"I have been very impressed with how much Ugandans want us to enjoy our time here - they love their country and hope we feel the same way. Charles, on the bus, said "We are so glad you chose Uganda for your studies. How have you found your time here?" Why are we not like this in the US...I feel like we could often care less about the impression people get of the US...?"

"Discovered today that there are squirmy little mosquito larvae in the water we use for cooking, washing clothes, and other stuff. Delicious. :)"

"Last night was wonderful - for the first time I laughed genuinely really hard and felt 100% comfortable. Dance breaks so many barriers. So Krista and Lily (two girls from USP) are on their 2 week homestay now and are staying with our neighbors. The family they live with owns the cow at our house - so they are over every night to milk the cow and such. There are 4 daughters I think, and a brother. They all came over and we had the most marvelous dance party!! They started teaching us African dances...like "The Cleopatra" and "tingisha, tingisha". I wish I could show you now. Anyways, they laughed super hard at our impressions of them. Then we taught them the sprinkler and the chicken dance - it was hilarious!!! They were SO into it. And then we pretended to be super models walking up and down the "runway" or our yard. Oh, it was great. :)"

Some of the "little joys" that we are supposed to be taking time to celebrate amidst any culture stress that might be getting us down...
-getting to help prepare dinner finally (they treat us like guests for the first week and then let us start helping out around the house! yay!)
-rebecca and imme feeling comfortable enough to come hang out in our room at night when we are doing homework before bed - feels like a big sleepover
-devotions with the family after dinner - getting to see an up close picture of what Christianity looks like through African eyes...surprisingly (or not) its so very much the same. At least with our family. I mean after all God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. (And in the US, Asia, and Africa)
-being asked to say the nightly prayer after dinner


Ok one more story before we go - this week we have been planning Megan's wedding with our neighbor, Ivan. He's about 20 and from what we hear has various other girlfriends or interests at least...but one night he told Megan that he had 100 cows and 50 goats - and would that be enough for her hand in marriage? So funny. So we sat on the porch (also with his sisters) writing out all the things Megan required before she would marry him. (joking, obviously) The list became pretty intense...involving 500 goats, 300 cows, 10 TVs, 7 airbuses, 10 rooms in the house, 7 workers (myself included...I am the maid), and on and on. Then Deborah took the sheet and said she would take it to their dad to calculate the money and bring it back. And she did! They estimated how many shillings everything would be worth...and oh man, it was alot. Haven't done the final math yet but it was millions and millions of shillings. Ivan's dad said he would be more than willing to pay it all, as long as Megan loved Ivan. haha. Our dad came home towards the end of the negotiations and thought it was hilarious! He said that Megan's dad would kill him for letting this go on! :) It was such a good time - we laughed so hard.

Ok I'm outta here - please take care, God Bless and keep updating me on your lives!
Love and miss you guys!!

First Pictures!

Here is Mukono, the town nearby...a beautiful sunrise taken from our house...me with Rebek, Imme, and Anooke...and me with Anooke (cutest little boy EVER!)

Life in Uganda

Matoke (mah-toke-eh). “The food of the heaven.” And dinner and lunch every day. Its basically green bananas (unripe kindof but I think they are different somehow) mashed up and cooked for a long time. It’s yellow/brown and mushy. Weird flavor, but I have discovered that it’s WAY more tolerable with some kind of sauce on it. The ground nut sauce is one of the best…its purple and grainy. The food here really is good though, I’m thankful that I haven’t really had any problems finding things I can eat. My family is super good about my wheat allergy which I am so so grateful for. For dinner every night we usually have rice, cabbage, Irish potatoes, matoke, and some kind of meat in stew-like sauce. Thankfully Ugandans like their food cooked well, so we don’t have to worry about health stuff really. We have lots of tea…which can be black or mimick (evaporated milk we think...which I am officially afraid of because sometimes its really clumpy and scary!). This morning for breakfast we had tea, scrambled eggs, and popcorn.

We have lunch at school – which is rice, beans, matoke, and posha (corn flour and water – made into a sponge-like flavorless cake). Its good, but the nutritionist inside me is hurting for some fruits and veggies. Also, breakfast is small, and dinner isn’t until 9 or 10 at night…so somehow they get all their calories from two meals. And yes, I am hungry ALL the time. But adjusting slowly.

Every thing takes more effort here. Thus, I find myself pretty exhausted at the end of each day. Its funny when my sisters notice we are tired. They say, “You look tired. You may rest for some minutes.” So nice.

Everyone walks slowly. Which is nice, actually. Makes you sweat less since it’s so hot here. Oh and they walk on the opposite side...and drive on the opposite side...still do a double take everytime I see a car with noone in the "driver's seat". Haha...I'm such an American.

People are way dressed up for school rather than casual sweatshirts and sweats - which I actually really like. Though I do feel bad for the guys all wearing dress shoes, slacks, and long sleeved dress shirts. Bummer...

Ugandans also seem to be much blunter than we are in America. It’s a compliment to be told you are looking fat and my host sister yesterday told me she wanted my big hips! :)

We learned that our mother is at school all week – she is at nursing school in Kamplala and they can’t afford to get her home during the week. She will be back Friday night. Its sad she's gone but nice because the kids are much more open with us when their parents aren't around.

Classes are quite the rude awakening. I’m feeling right now like it’s so unfair to expect us to be able to sit and read and do assignments when we are still trying to figure out the things of daily life like using the squatty potty and bathing. But, alas, we are here for school. Just another thing that will take some adjusting to.

Quote from my daily devotional that just fit so well with what’s been going down here:

“He removes from my life everything that would make me earthbound, self-dependent, or experience-centered.”

I’m looking forward to waking up in the morning looking forward to God’s call and plan for the day rather than dreading the long process of getting ready in the morning. Not dreading really…I don’t know. The sunrise was beautiful this morning...red and magnificent as I was bathing…which was refreshing.

We are making some headway with our family. Some neighborhood girls came over last night and we had fun sitting out on the porch with them playing cards and taking pictures. Uganda won the football game last night against Kenya! Very exciting! We have asked the Reverend a good amount of questions and last night after dinner he even asked us if we had any questions from the day so we sat and chatted a while.

Musumba’s one rule for the house is this: you must pray before going to bed. We usually pray as a family after dinner, but he said if we don’t, we need to do it ourselves. So cool. The first night he prayed for us, and for our families back home...I almost cried. So heartfelt and compassionate.

The USP students are really cool – I’m looking forward to getting to know them better. Already had some quality conversations about stuff. Please keep us all in your prayers as we adjust to life in Uganda…

Ahhhhhh!!!

Learning lessons quickly. Just wrote a blog and as I was posting it the internet disconnected and I lost it. Here it goes again.

If only there were words to describe this place. There are words I suppose, words like “webale” (thank you) and “oli otya” (how are you?) and “ente” (cow – like the one in our backyard). I wish I knew them all already.

Ok…where to start. There is too much too say. And no way to say it. The trip out here was good…long…but fun to start to get to know the other students on the program. Very cool cats – it should be good. We spend the first night at the university and the last two at our homestay. I am paired with a girl named Megan, who is super nice and we get along great – I have been SO thankful to have her around. Can’t even say.

Our family greeted us with “You are welcome” “You are so very welcome” – to show they are happy to have us there. As everything here, this greeting is backwards from the States – they say you are welcome and we say thank you.

Our family consists of Reverend Henry Musumba, Mama Irene, and little brother Anooke (2 years old – soo cute!!). But there are always more kids around – some live there we think. There’s Rabek (17), Marie (17), Ima, Steven, Elijah, Rita, Deborah, Sandra, and the list goes on. All but Anooke speak at least some English, which is great – but hard to understand still. They often speak Luganda to each other and then look at us and laugh…we have no idea why. Its like being in a nail salon…but worse.

What I have learned so far…I know nothing. I have never felt so stupid or out of place. I am hoping that changes quickly. Megan and I are constantly asking each other what on earth we are supposed to do. Our family is very kind, but quiet – and it just feels like we are supposed to know what to do. And when we ask – sometimes they don’t understand what we are saying…but kindof pretend like they do…which is funny.

I can't imagine not feeling completely out of place here. But I am hoping it feels more and more like home as time goes on.

Our house is much nicer than I expected. Megan and I have our own room – with two beds and a window (that’s it). The backyard is my favorite – with the cow and its one week old calf – so cute! But its loud…it wakes us up each morning with its mooing…we laugh every time. The toilet is outside in a little shack and consists of a rectangular hole in the ground…complete with cockroaches, spiders, geckos, and bugs galore. We have a bucket in our room for if we have a "night call" (have to go at night) because it isnt safe to go outside after midnight. (Just a precaution mom, dont worry!) The bathroom (bathing room…where they shower) is a little cement area where we bring our basins and water. Its right next to the cow. I literally looked at the cow while I bathed this morning. Hopefully the whole bucket shower thing gets easier…its pretty rough right now. My hair is a frizz ball. But I only know from seeing my reflection this morning in a window – no mirrors at home. Which I love.

Ah there is so much to say! Food is good – and plentiful. Ima and Rebek run the house as far as food is concerned and I am blown away by all they cook! They spend most of their days cooking and cleaning up. And they are probably 13 and 17 years old. Very impressive.

Family is very important to them. Whenever someone introduces themselves they always tell about their family too. Really cool.

We went to church to hear our papa preach yesterday and were 2 of maybe 5 white people. But it was in English and we actually knew some of the songs! Our sisters then took us to the market in Mukono (10 min walk away) which was fascinating. I think I got proposed to at least 30 times…haha. More on that later…

I hate to say that I have wished many times that I had chosen the USE track – the people staying on campus…because it would be SO much easier. But I know I will be thankful to be where I am soon. I am grateful at least that I am still excited about all the things I thought I would be…if that makes sense…all one big adventure!

Ok – that’s it for now – I’m gonna TRY to keep these short for those of you (Nate) that don’t want to read a lot…shoot me an email if you care for more details – goodness knows I have plenty to tell. I don’t have internet on my computer yet – just borrowing someone’s right now.

Hope you are all well, I love and miss you!

Africa here I come!

Well I am on my way to Uganda here in under a week. As a muzungu (white person) in this new land I will be posting my thoughts, wonderings, confusion, overwhelmed-ness, discoveries, and whatever else I decide needs sharing. I don't expect to have much internet - but will update whenever I can. Enjoy, stay in touch, take care, and God Bless. Love you all!