During the summer of 2008, I had the oppertunity to become part of an ORU missions team that spent a month in Uganda, traveling and ministering to people. Seven strangers were basically put together and became family through all of the events. I tried my best to keep a journal there, writing down details of the trip. A year later, this summer, I decided to open up my journal for the first time and read it. This Blog is basically little parts of this journal. We did lots of church services and other types of ministry. However, this covers more of what was happening between times of ministry. Enjoy friends and thank you again to those who supported me!
May 13, 2008
We landed in Entebbe. I didn't sleep much last night. Used a mosquito net over our beds for the first time. I was so ready for the day to come. I took a VERY cold shower before we went into Kampala. It was so busy there and crossing the street was terrifying.
May 14, 2008
I can't quite process all of the feelings I have inside right now. I am excited to be here in Uganda, but I feel inadequate, almost like I am scared of the people! Everything is unfamiliar. But I know all I have to do is show them love.
May 15, 2008
It's our second day in Masaka. I have lots of new bug bites and two lovely ones on my face. Can't miss them!! I cannot tell that the net and bug spray are working! I awoke this morning to the sounds of cows, chickens, and a crying baby. Life here seems simplier in some ways, but lots of very hard labor. People living and working to survive. Can there ever be a thing as too much organization?
May 16, 2008
A girl named jennifer asked me lots of questions yesterday. She was to know why muzungos (white people) drink so much water. She says she goes 3 or 4 days with out drinking water. I told her it was diet related and a cultural thing. Everytime I look a water all I hear is, "drink 6-8 glasses a day". I feel like people are appearing out of the bushes to come stare at the white people. I am not used to being continuously watched!! I've noticed there are no trash cans here... I cannot throw my trash out the window!
May 17, 2008
Today we traveled to a village where they are building a church. None of them spoke any english. They gave us lots of cookies and soda for coming to visit them. Pastor Israel told us these people have been waiting a very long time for a team to come visit them. They were so joyful.
May 18, 2008
We're traveling african style. 7 passenger van with 12 people stuffed inside! A man asked me what would I say if a dark african man were to ask me to marry him. I told him someone was waiting for me in america to come home. That was awkward! Uh, Im not sure if that was a proposal or if he was just testing the waters, but I burned that ship!
May 20, 2008
We had a late night serivce last night. I think it went well. We slept in our tents last night and I am sure all the village children stood around our tent screaming all night. It hard for me to be loving and patient right now when all I want is some sleep and there is absolutely no privacy right now. God, I know you sent me here to love these people but I just want to hide!
May 22, 2008
May 23, 2008
Two or our team members are sick today. Fevers, vomiting, etc. I've been busy checking temperatures, covering them with damp cloths, and praying really hard! We've all been working together to take care of them. I'm putting my nursing skills to the test. David said he was going to write to the dean of nursing and tell her to give me my diploma now. Tomorrow I get a shower, it has been 7 days. :)
May 25, 2008
At todays service they wanted us to sing. we sang two songs that I had never herd before, so I was basically making up my own song. At least is was in english and they had no idea. Ha ha. I'm sure it was okay. :)
May 29, 2008
I got to email home yesterday. It was like christmas and I was 10 years old again! Although, while we were there Pastor Israels bag was stolen. He tried to chase them down. I'm thankful he wasn't atleast hurt physically by them.
May 31, 2008
Yesterday we went out into the market to talk to people, but a small riot started. The villagers are on edge right now, a young boy was killed a few days ago. We quickly left that area of the market!
June 3, 2008
Yesterday all the girls got our hair braided. We are getting ready to go a game park.
June 4, 2008
I cannot sleep at all. It's just past 4am. My legs are so restless. Maybe its the soda I had? In a few hours we will be heading out for a safari. Hopefully, we will see lots of animals. The gorrillas have moved away from here and up into the mountains in the congo and rwanda. I am really starting to miss home. I miss my own bed! I am always thinking and wondering how things are back home!
June 7, 2008
Yesterday I tried to email home. I wrote a very very long email. It took me about 30 minutes to type it. A few keys were missing from the key board and the space bar would stick. However, during the time I was typing the internet went down and I lost it all. That was very disapointing! But I'll be home soon so I think i will survive! We stayed with a family near the Rwenzori mountains. It was beautiful there. I felt like I was in Ireland, very green and foggy. This family had 14 children. Their home was very nice! I've been hearing things about an outbreak of ebola around here. Praying against that!! Malaria was enough for our team!
