So Much!

So much is going on here in Jinja. The quick version is: I now live by myself at the Light Gives Heat Volunteer House, which is nice sometimes and then not so nice at others. It’s been fun! I’ve been learning how to spread myself very thin; being in charge of everything is not always easy. The Suubi building is finally finished. It has taken what seems like forever, but we will start to meet there next week. All the Ladies are very excited. I love just spending time with them on Sundays and Tuesdays. They love to show me around all the places they call home. They have been working extra hard to make enough necklaces to fill up a whole suitcase to send home with Lindsay. It is difficult and costly to send anything that bulky from Africa and there’s always the possibility that it may never even leave the continent (!) so it is a blessing to have a personal courier!

All the Amani(orphanage) kids are doing great! We are down to a low number of about 43 (when I came there was 60). It feels so empty without them. Ten of them went to their adoptive parents last month – the largest number that have ever been adopted in a years time here. My little buddy, Eddie, went home with his mother who walked to the orphanage to pick him up the day that she was released from prison. I almost didn’t get to say goodbye, but the Lord sent me there just in time to meet his mother and give them a ride home. It was hard watching him leave but I am grateful that he has a mother who loves him and wants to try to raise him. Some of my favorite times are spent at Amani playing, putting the kids to bed or just holding a baby or two. Under the dirt, grime and snot these are some of the most beautiful children in the whole world, inside and out! Sometimes I forget that on a day-to-day basis. On those frustrating days, when 43 kids are all whining or your piki (motor bikes with a driver for hire that are the Ugandan version of a taxi) breaks down at 11:30 at night in the village, it’s then that I just have to remind myself that I am living my dream. Uganda is where God wants me right now and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My sister, Lindsay, came to visit me for 2 weeks. It was wonderful to have someone to tag along with me; it was also like a little vacation, which was also great. We had a lot of fun together. She got to meet the Amani kids, Suubi ladies and see all the places where I spend my time. It was really fun to have her here!! We took some video while she was here to send home. I hope that many of you will be able to see what the people are like here and get a glimpse of what my life has been like here in Africa.

More in a few days, thanks all!