The First Week

I apologize to everyone that I have not been able to blog in a very long time. There are many reasons including lack of an internet connection where I stay, the presence of the team of friends from Calvary and busyness with many things. I am beginning to get settled in my little place. I'm not sure really how to refer to it. It's not really an apartment, not really a guest house, but they refer to it as a guest house. Yesterday, we purchased a dresser and a desk for my room. That along with the refrigerator, stove and cabinets put the house closer to being completed. In addition, Robert installed a mirror and some other things in the bathroom. Finally, there is warm water to use to take showers. There are only a few things left to complete the place. Most importantly, I have internet access in my place now...guess how fast it is...64K/s. Archaic.

So let me give you an update on some of the highlights of our time here in Uganda. The team of 8 that I was a member arrived in Entebbe, Uganda on July 2, 2008 to a warm greeting by Pastor Dongo and Samuel. Unfortunately, we were missing one bag. Luckily for me, it wasn't one of my 6 bags to move me out here. However, it was a critical bag in that it held art supplies that Tracey needed for the project to raise money for the children's camp later this year.

Dan Auten, Grayson Kemp, Ashley Cordero and I settled into my new place while David Dimas, Patty and Peter Gilette made their way to the first five star resort in Uganda, The Speke Hotel. This hotel is where many diplomats stay and there were many meetings and parties while they were there. This was the place I stayed on my first trip to Uganda. It is also one of the main reasons that I had to come back last summer. It doesn't feel like Uganda there.

Our first days, some of us spent time going to classes to gather information for each student while others spent it taking professional looking pictures of every student. All of this so that we can better inform our sponsors about every child in Buyamba. David had the opportunity to fulfill part of his dream of going to places that former missionaries to Uganda did their work. He was able to visit the church that Alexander Mackay started as well as the well and cave where he shared the gospel with the native people. He also went to the site of another missionary's death. (Hannington?) Dan, Grayson and I all contributed to purchase a special meal for the students at the primary school that included rice and beef or chicken.(Feeding 600 kids = $300) David on the other hand spoiled the children at the high school by purchasing soda for them. Students at both sites were extremely grateful for God's provision for them. Tracey was able to get some really beautiful artwork from the students at the school. (Stay tuned in future months to see how you can purchase some of their work!) We also got to see some interesting cultural dancing including a ceremonial dance for the circumcision of a boy indicating that he has become a man.

It has been a blessing to have this team escort me to my residence for the next 3 years. On Thursday, six of them left to return to the States. It was especially difficult to watch Ashley and Dan leave as Grayson and I had spent the past 10 days with them almost 24 hours a day. We have missed them in the past few days as our place seems empty without them. Dan would make us tea every morning after cuddling up on the bed with his blanket with red hearts all over it. Ashley was like a little sister. I watched over her everywhere we went. What a blessing to have such loving friends see me off to begin this new adventure that I have embarked on.

A second team has also been here in Uganda during our stay. This team consisted of many students from my days as a youth leader in Middle and High School Ministry at Calvary. Their trip was the reason that I moved up my departure date to the beginning of July from the middle of July. I wanted to be blessed to be around them during my first few weeks in Uganda. I can tell you that I didn't make a mistake in this decision. I have been blessed to be able to spend time with them, serve with them, but most of all eat meals and fellowship with them. Our favorite by far was Fang Fangs. Who knew that there would be such amazing Chinese food in Uganda. Not cheap, but well worth the price for a splurge every once in a while! We would visit them at night after dinner and play games, and and just generally mess around. I will never forget Thomas (Reiten) saying "Yes, please" on the phone...hilarious! This team departed yesterday. They blessed me with their love, their laughter, their notes, their tears (when they left), but most of all, my former Bible study blessed me with a going-away "TPing". They TP'd my mosquito net and bed before they left. You may wonder why...I just know that it's a sign of their love for me!(There's also a literal message of their love - see the close up on the bottom left!) I'm going to miss seeing them every week.

Grayson is still here and we're planning to take some adventures, but who knows what those will be at this point as the safari we were planning on is booked next week. Stay tuned...