Update---

As I write I am watching my dear friend Juliet cook by candlelight – only in Uganda. The power is out again but it isn’t stopping us, we’re listening to great music, cooking and having a wonderful time. I love it here.

From the minute I arrived it was so clear that this is exactly where I want to be. After 3 flights, 6 airplane meals and a full 24 hours of traveling I was greeted at the airport by Gift, Roger, Brian and Sarah – the children I love so much. I am convinced I experienced a bit of heaven right then and there.

In the few days I have been here I have taught the kids how to play Baci ball with rocks (this was fun for about 10 minutes until rocks were flying everywhere), been told by a friend that I have gained weight since June (that was awesome), taught the children how to blow kisses and on any given day held over 20 children in my arms – and loved every minute.

I also had the opportunity to meet with Pastor John to discuss my responsibilities for my time here. Here are a few things he mentioned:
· Work with the teachers in the elementary school to help organize their schedules, student evaluations, etc
· Learn Luganda (this should prove interesting, it turns out they pronoun their R’s as L’s which explains why nobody can say Cara J
· Learn how to drive (again this should prove interesting, they drive on the other side of the road, there are more scooters than cars, people everywhere and no stoplights anywhere)
· Spend time with the high school girls, mentor, lead Bible studies – this I can do and am so excited. We have our first Bible club meeting on Thursday night.
· Work with the children that are sponsored by people in US – take them to the clinics, mentor, help with communication between the children and their sponsors
· Help plan an annual pastor’s conference in January

Within a week the list had grown and while my first instinct is to be completely overwhelmed, I am choosing to be grateful. What an amazing opportunity to be a part of this community?! There is no way I am capable of doing all of these things but I know that God is capable and I will make myself available to be used by Him.

I will end this entry by listing a few prayer requests for our kids:

· Brian Nyombi would like to attend a university in the US. We are going to sign him up for the SAT and help him apply at a few schools. Please pray that God would open doors for him. He is an absolutely amazing boy and a heart-wrenching story and this opportunity would be a wonderful gift for him.
· Sarah N – one of the kids Emily and I sponsor is behind in school. I don’t think she attended school when she was young and she is having a hard time catching up. I was just told she that she will need to repeat 3rd grade. Please pray for Sarah.
· Health of the children – it is the rainy season here and many children are sick with Malaria and other sicknesses. Please pray that God would protect their bodies and keep them safe and healthy.
· General well being of the children during their break from school. Many of the children that live at the school return to their families during their one-month break from school. Please pray that God would protect them and keep them well as many of these children will go home to very difficult situations.

Weebale Nyo – Thank you so much.

Wabale Nyo - Thank you so much!

I love it here! I have been here for just over a week and am consistently reminded of why I decided to return.

Last night I was in an office at the school looking at a few pictures on the computer, with me where 19 kids all huddled around the computer screen each screaming when they saw a picture of themself - it was hot, I had 3 kids on my lap and I was tired but I absolutely loved each minute.

This is just one bit of what my life now consists of - it is truly amazing and I am extremely grateful to be here. God is so good.

This week has been truly amazing and I feel extremely blessed by all the support and prayers of my friends and family back in the US. I would love to write more but have to run, time is up on my computer at the internet cafe. I will write more later.

LOVE YOU

Last Day of Work

I gave my notice at work 11 weeks ago and I remember thinking that my last day would never come. But here I am with only a few hours left, packing up my boxes and files and it feels like just yesterday when I told my boss that I would be leaving.

I am so excited for what is to come in the next few weeks but leaving my job is still hard. I have come to love so many people that I work with and am going to truly miss seeing them everyday. I truly feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with this company and these amazing people for the last year and a half.

As many people know, I come become very close over the last year with a couple in Arizona that started an organization called Remember the Poor. Frank and Cindy May have been involved with Nkumba Ministries (organization I will be working with in Uganda) for years and through Remember the Poor started the child sponsorship program and funded several projects at the school. Earlier this week Cindy sent out a blog on my journey and a friend in Uganda that is coming to the US to help us build relationships and raise funds. The link is below:

http://rememberpoor.org/

I would encourage everybody to sign-up on their email list as they send out frequent updates on the status of projects, current needs and share wonderful stories of the kids and staff at Nkumba.