Hospital Visits

Tuesday morning I met up with the children’s chaplain at 8. She was in a Bible study for anyone that wanted to come that works in the children’s ward. I sat in for that. It was very encouraging to study the word with them. After that we started making rounds visiting patients. I was a little nervous about this because I don’t deal with sickness too well and I don’t speak Swahili but it went great. Most of the children had spinal bifida from what I could tell. There were also some teeny tiny babies there.

Chaplain Mercy made name cards for each of the new children that had arrived and I gave the kids stickers. Then one of us prayed for everyone in the room. After a few hours I told Mercy that my dad worked in hospitals as a pastor as well and she said I must take after him because I did a great job. That was very encouraging for me because I was definitely out of my comfort zone!

Mercy had to go see someone for counseling so she asked me to finish two rooms on the main hall by myself. I was a little uncomfortable with this because some of the mothers do not speak English. I thought, how am I going to spend time in two rooms interacting with people for the length of time it will take her to counsel someone!! In the first room there were 4 mothers with their children, I visited and prayed with them and it went by pretty fast. The next room there was only one boy and his mother. He is a teenager. I thought this room would go by really quickly, as well, since there was only one child. I wasn’t sure what I would do next but God was faithful…they spoke English!

David is a 16-year-old boy who is disabled and lives at a disabled children’s school called Joy Town. He has four sisters. His mother, Elizabeth, was very sweet. One of the first things they shared with me was that David had a sponsor in Michigan. I told them I sponsored a little girl in Uganda and they said, “God bless you. Thank you.” I just love how people can be so grateful even when you aren’t directly helping them but you are helping someone in Africa. I visited with them for quite awhile before Mercy came for me.

After that we visited the children in the Amazing Baby Centre then I went back home. After lunch I went to a Bible study with Megan. They were interviewing one of the ladies who has been at Kijabe for 34 years and is getting ready to move back to the states next month. I really enjoyed hearing her story. They have an amazing testimony.

We had visitors from Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, NC over for dinner. They are touring a few of the hospitals in Kenya that they have doctors at. I enjoyed visiting with them. 

Made it to Kenya

The flight was just an hour from Entebbe to Nairobi. The VISA line was long in Nairobi but otherwise the travel was very quick and painless. I even found the driver without any problems!!! Traffic getting out of the airport was bad and in Nairobi. The driver was very good to tell me about the different areas we traveled through. Kijabe is a little village of maybe 5,000 people. It’s pretty chilly here but it’s absolutely beautiful. The view of the mountains all around is amazing.

There is a large camp of internally displaced people living in a valley we can see from a distance. They have been there since 2008.

There is a missionary school here and about 2/3 of the students are boarded while their parents are missionaries in other parts of Africa. Megan and I went there to the library for story time with one of their kids and drove around campus.

Kijabe Hospital, where Rhett works, is a mission hospital. People from all over East Africa come here for surgery and treatment. Doctors come in from all over the world to treat patients, sometimes for a week, sometimes for 25 years!

Megan gave me a tour of the hospital today and tomorrow I will make visits with the pediatric chaplain in the morning. I met the chaplain today and she seems really sweet so it should be a fun morning. Megan said that she made visits last week and the Somali parents make loud noises to try to drown out your prayers when you pray with other patients in the room so this should be very interesting. There is a pediatric ward and an ABC ward for children born with physical deformations. We will probably make rounds at both wards. 

Church and Goodbyes

Rebecca gave me the choice of going to a African church or Watoto Church which is in English and is pretty well known. I was ready for a little English and figured I could attend the African church next time. I really enjoyed Watoto. We sang Hillsong and Chris Tomlin music!

I really did not want to leave Uganda. We went home, packed up and the girls gave me cards they made me. I knew I would bawl when I read them so I asked if I could read them later. Rebecca and the girls laid hands on me and prayed for me before I left. I gave hugs and cried.

We were about to leave and Rebecca asked if I wanted Ruth to come to the airport. I really didn’t because I thought it would be too hard for me but Ruth was crying so we thought it might be good for her to get to go to the airport (she’d never been) to see me off. Another girl was sobbing when we were leaving, as well. They were all very sad but most didn’t show their emotions like Jessca and Ruth did. Ruth did come to the airport with us and I’m glad. I think it was good for her to be a part of seeing me off at the airport. 

Last Full Day in Uganda

Saturday we hung out at the house with the kids most of the day. Momma Phoebe came by for a visit. We were so blessed by her visit. I pray she and Rebecca will become good friends and Phoebe will be Rebecca’s Uganda momma. I started packing up some things in my room for leaving Uganda and Ruth was helping. Since she doesn’t speak much English we weren’t able to talk about my leaving but the look on her face was not good. She was not happy about me leaving. A little while later one of her sisters wrote me a note that said, “If you leave I will miss you. From Ruth” Heartbreaking!

Michael, Rebecca, Ruth and I went to an African market and I got some nice things to take home. I was amazed by Ruth’s manners while we were in the market. She only asked for something one time. She just walked around with us holding my hand just enjoying being with us.

When we got back the girls had make all kinds of decorations and cards for Rebecca. We had a birthday party for her and then the power went out. Thankfully my computer was charged so we watched Annie on it. 

Pajama Party

When we got home Rebecca called all the girls into the girls’ room. We had selected a shirt and pajamas from the stuff I brought from the states for each girl. We passed out the shirts first. They celebrated getting a new shirt like you wouldn’t believe. There was a lot of screaming, dancing and singing…over a shirt! A shirt I got for $1 each at Wal-Mart. Who knew a $1 could bring that much joy! They immediately put them on as quickly as they could.

After each girl got their shirts we passed out the pajamas. These girls have never had pajamas. They sleep in their clothes. They looked and felt like princesses when they put them on. They were so giddy! They were excited and so grateful.

Can you imagine a child in America getting excited about a shirt and a pair of pajamas???

Friday

Friday we went to school for church. Rebecca, Michael and the head teacher take turns preaching and it was Rebecca’s turn. Her topic was “With God all Things Are Possible.” She had one of the older girls from the home, who is definitely a leader in the school, share her testimony. She wants to be a doctor. Her parents both died and she wants to go into medicine so she can help people so less kid’s parents will die. It was very moving. She thanked Michael and Rebecca for taking care of her and giving her the opportunity to have an education.

After church we ate at school and then took a teacher and student with us to go to Kabalagala to pick up Phiona. The student from Royal Hope got sick during the school break and they did not know what was wrong with her but it appeared that she was possessed by demons. She hadn’t been eating, she had random convulsions, and her eyes were just staring into space. She was not herself at all.

Rebecca, Michael and I met all the kids at Rays of Hope school when we picked up Phiona. Phiona was very timid about going with us. I couldn’t tell if she was just sad or if she was scared but she was very timid.

The doctor we went to was a British doctor. I’m sure the cases we brought to her were a bit unusual for her. Unfortunately the results for Phiona were not what we wanted to hear but I think there is still hope for her. I want to talk to some doctors when I return home.

We took Phiona back to Rays of Hope, had dinner at a restaurant, then went home

Thursday

Thursday we went to the school and played with the kids. Rebecca and I helped Auntie Cook with serving lunch to the children. I can really appreciate all of Auntie Cook’s hard work after helping for like 20 minutes. She works hard! After school we just hung out at the house during the afternoon. We helped the kids make birthday cards for Joyce.

After dinner all the kids were dancing in the sitting room. They were having a party for Joyce! Joyce looked like she was having the time of her life. Then we sang happy birthday to her and had birthday cake and soda. Then the kids danced and gave Joyce her birthday cards. She loved her presents, especially her new backpack. She also got a new Bible, 2 movies, a nightgown and some other things. 

Joyce's Birthday

Joyce is Ruthie’s oldest sister. She has never had a birthday celebrated. All throughout Wednesday every time I saw her I told her happy birthday and hugged her. Rebecca asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday and she said she wanted to go to a cultural dance show. Rebecca let her bring another girl from the house and Catherine from Canada joined us, too. When we were purchasing necklaces from Mary and Molly I asked Rebecca if I could let her pick out a necklace and a bracelet for her birthday. She picked hot pink! My favorite!

The dance event was outside in a small stadium type place. It was very impressive. Joyce did not even want to go through the food buffet line because she did not want to miss any of the show. Her eyes were glued to the performance. She was soaking it all in.  Seeing her take it all in was amazing. I think I watched her face more than I watched the show. She was so happy.

Rebecca and I told the people at the show that it was her birthday so they made a special announcement and sang everyone there happy birthday to her. She was very shy but I think she really enjoyed that. 

Wednesday

Yesterday we had two visitors from Canada spend some time with us. They are working with another ministry in town but wanted to come by to meet Rebecca and see Royal Hope Academy. We were visiting with them at the house and were about to walk down to the school when we discovered that Uncle Michael had been cooking eggs for us. We had already had breakfast but I guess he just wanted us to eat again. I love Uncle Michael’s heart. He is such a kind spirited man.

Rebecca and one of the Canadian girls did not want to eat so they went on to the school. I did not want Michael’s hard work to not be appreciated so the other girl and I stayed behind and ate with him, Charity a few of the kids. Then Martin walked us to the school. When we arrived all the children were lined up at the school entrance singing and clapping to welcome us there. It was such a beautiful sight!

Then it was time for the children to have a break and have breakfast. During this time all the children swarmed the three of us. They just soaked in having visitors. Ruthie was a little jealous when I gave other children attention. She would call me “my muzungu.” She definitely loves having a special visitor.

The children had prayer and worship time at the church. This was a special time as well. Then they went to class. I sat in on one of the classes. Then they had lunch.  Some of the older girls were in the chapel praying while the smaller children had their lunch first. Then one of the girls made plates for Rebecca and I. They have such sweet servant hearts.

We spent some time hanging out at the house for a little bit then went to a slum area to visit the ladies that make the bead necklaces. We had Joyce and Flavia with us because we were going to the dance afterwards. One of the ladies that makes the necklaces has 8 children. She is married to a minister. They were living in a very small room in the slums. Thanks to the money they have earned from selling necklaces they were able to move to a bigger home (still in the slums). They were so excited about our visit and grateful for our purchases.

When we walked back to the van through the slums a little girl, maybe two years old, walked up to me smiling and wanted to hug me. That was so sweet. 

Royal Hope Academy

After we sorted the supplies and put them away Ronnie and Ruth came home. They forgot they were supposed to eat at school. Martin went to pick up some lunch for us so we all ate together and then walked to the school. People would say, “a muzungu, a muzungu” (a white person, a white person) as we passed. To be completely honest the walk to school felt a little worse than the Guatemala City dump. I don’t know how to describe the poverty here and how it compares to the poverty in Guatemala. I will try to get some pictures and come up with a description.

Ruth and Ronnie held my hands while we walked to school. They are so stinkin’ precious. I think I had envisioned the school being in a remote village or something. I didn’t realize that there were homes, churches and other schools all around. There is a small office, a church, kitchen, several classrooms, and African style bathrooms at the school. Some guys were painting the outside of the school. We visited a few classrooms and talked to the teachers. The sweetest thing, though, was this little girl just came up to me out of the blue and took my hand. Her name is Sophia. She is 3 years old. She is in the baby class that Ruth and Ronnie are in but apparently just stays on the schoolyard until her older siblings are out of class and they walk home together. She literally held my hand and followed me everywhere we went. Will post pictures of her later. When some of the older kids finished class they came out and a few of us sang a few songs (chicken dance, head, shoulders, knees and toes). 

When we left the school I didn’t know what to do about Sophia. I literally had to just let go of her hand when we 

My Father's House

We stayed at the house the rest of the day. The kids play hard outside after school. They know how to entertain themselves without ever turning on the TV or video game. They just run around and play in the yard. All the kids sit at the table for dinner, they can’t eat until everyone is seated and Auntie Becky (Rebecca) selects a child to bless the meal. They take their dishes to be cleaned and thank Auntie Charity for cooking the meal then play some more. After playing they have a time of worship and prayer. The children have such beautiful voices. They really sing from the heart. They played or did homework for a bit and then all went to bed. There is a girl’s room and a boy’s room.

The next morning I watched all the children get ready for school. They looked so smart in their uniforms! They had breakfast and then walked to school. The school is down the dirt road. It’s about a 10-minute walk. They rent the land that the school is on but would really like to buy it (it’s about $50,000, though).

After the kids left Auntie Charity, Martin, Auntie Becky and I had breakfast. While Rebecca was showering Martin and I unpacked all the supplies I brought and put the school supplies on one couch and the home supplies on another couch. Rebecca was so excited when she came in. I took pictures but I’m going to wait and post pictures when I return since it takes awhile to upload and you pay for internet by usage, it’s not unlimited.

We sorted through the supplies for a long time. There were 30 nightgowns and pajamas and we picked out one for each girl. I didn’t realize there were boys in the home so I did not have anything for them. We also picked out a dress shirt for each girl. I had managed to get one for each girl (from Wal-Mart for $1 each) for all except Ruth so Ruth is getting a special princess looking outfit instead. I did not plan for getting one for each girl when I was shopping it just worked out that way. Thank you Jesus!

Rebecca joked because I had so many clothes in Ruth’s size but not the other girl’s sizes. She will save them for another time. She is getting two pajamas, though, and the other girls are only getting one. Gotta make her feel a little extra special! We are giving them to the girls on Thursday night! The girls sleep in clothes so this will be a big deal for them! Will take pictures! 

Meeting Ruth

We finally arrived at My Father’s House. It is down a long dirt road in an area called Busega. The kids were at school when we got there. So I met Martin, an 18-year-old boy living there who helps out a lot and Auntie Charity, who helps with the cooking and cleaning.  I am rooming with Auntie Charity.

I did not know this but the younger kids get home from school earlier than the others. After I got my things settled Ruth arrived. I saw her from the corner of my eyes when I was in my room. When I went out in the hall Rebecca introduced us and Ruth came over and hugged me immediately. I just cried. She does not speak English so we did not share too many words. Rebecca told her I was the one that sent her stuff at Christmas and she lit up. It was such a special moment to get to meet her when the other kids were still at school. God really blessed this time for us.

The other children came home and I met all of them. They are so polite and precious. Ruth truly felt special, though as she knew I was “her” sponsor. I am the first sponsor to ever visit their child. What a privilege and honor.  It was such an honor to see her face light up when we met. I read them a few books and then Ruth and Ronnie (the other young one in the house) were play fighting over whose Auntie Manda I was. So cute! 

Arrival In Africa

The Entebbe airport is very small and it was a breeze going through the arrival process. Once I got my luggage and headed towards where people meet you I spotted Rebecca! Praise Jesus!

Michael came up to me first to get my luggage cart. At first I didn’t know who he was so I was about to fight him for taking my cart but then I recognized him from pictures. Michael is the “father” figure in My Father’s House. He is Ugandan. There were three of the girls from the house with them. Faith, one of Ruth’s sisters was one of them. Faith held me hand everywhere we went or had my arm wrapped around her. She is 8 years old and doesn’t speak much English. The other two girls with us did, though. It was raining when we went to the van and Rebecca said rain was a sign of blessings in Africa. I pointed to the suitcases with all the supplies and said “blessings.” I was so thankful everything arrived!!!!

We went to a shopping center to get the girls some shoes for school, a few school supplies and hooked up my internet card ($12 for a month. Thank you, JT!!!!) There was a food court there that we ate at. This was a huge treat for these girls. They had never been to the airport or been to this shopping center. Rebecca said white people tend to go to this particular shopping center. We ran into a Canadian man who also has a school close to Rebecca’s. We visited with him for a bit.

We took the girls to the dentist next. I could tell Faith was very scared about going so I tried to comfort her the best I knew how (given that I don’t speak Luanda!) After that we went to My Father’s House. 

Getting to Africa

I did not sleep well the night before leaving for Africa so I was ready to take an Ambien and get some sleep on the plane from Miami to London.  The travel agent got me a great seat with lots of leg room so I was excited, well I get to my seat and find this couple with a screaming baby. I had an aisle seat and the wife was trying to get me to switch with her husband, who was in a center seat next to her. (they both had center seats).  I didn’t switch.

Finally the baby went to sleep after take off and my Ambien kicked in and I don’t remember much from there. I don’t even remember throwing away my trash from dinner or putting my tray table up. I woke up about an hour before we landed in London. I had trouble finding the place to leave my luggage but after that I got my day pass for the tube and hit the city! I stopped by Harrods’s and just walked around there for a bit. I love Harrods’s!

It started to sprinkle as I was leaving Harrods’s so I decided to go to Hillsong Church for the 1 service even though I knew I would be a little late.  I had planned to go at 3 but wanted to let the rain pass. The service was pretty good. After that I asked where Starbucks was so I could get on the internet for a bit. It was right next door, lol. After that I went to see Big Ben and then walked along the Thames River before heading to Buckingham Palace. It was nice to get out and about in the city. I love London! After that it was time to get back to the airport. Most of the people at my gate were going on a mission trip to Uganda as well.

I was so tired and again couldn’t wait to get on the plane and sleep only to discover I was sitting by another baby! This little guy wasn’t crying, though. The parents are from Uganda but live in London and the mother and son were heading to Uganda for a visit. He slept most of the trip.

I also met a Christian journalist on the flight who had a copy of Radical with him. When I told him Platt was my pastor he asked if he could interview me. I said yes….only this was after ½ Ambien so I have no clue what he asked me or what I said!! I slept some, but not much. 

Africa Prayer Calendar

For those of you who are praying for my trip to Africa here's a prayer guide.....

Friday May 20^th – Pray for safe travels to Jacksonville and that God will use my 7-hour drive to prepare my heart for the trip. Begin praying that God will bless my time with the children at My Father’s House and Royal Hope Academy. Read Rebecca’s story on how she found her home in Africa and ask God to continue to bless her and her ministry. http://rebeccakristen.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-i-found-home-in-africa.html. Praise God for the work He is doing through Rebecca.

Saturday May 21^st – Pray for safe travels for my mom and I as she takes me to Miami and then drives back to Jacksonville. Pray for my parents as they care for my dogs while I’m gone. Pray that my big momma’s boy (Roscoe) will not have anxiety issues about my leaving and will enjoy his two weeks in Florida at his nana and papa’s house with a backyard to play in! Pray that I will be able to get some rest on my overnight flight to London. 

Sunday May 22^nd – Pray that I will be well rested and can enjoy my pre-Africa day trip in London. Pray for safety as I wander throughout London enjoying stretching my legs before I have to get back on another overnight flight. Pray that I will get to worship at Hillsong Church and that my time in London will be blessed and bring God glory. Pray that I will rest well on my flight from London to Entebbe. Pray that I will grow closer to Christ over the next two weeks and that I will see the African people through His eyes. Pray that people will see Christ in me. Pray that God will directly use me to love His children. 

Monday May 23^rd – Pray that I will be well rested when I finally arrive in Africa. Pray that ALL suitcases and boxes will arrive and that every blessing from God will still be in them! Pray that I will make it through baggage claim with all items and find Rebecca easily. Pray for peace (no riots!) around the airport and on our ride to Kampala. Pray that I transition into “Africa time” easily. 

Pray for the 400 orphaned children that will begin a new term at school today at Royal Hope Academy after having a break. Praise God for their opportunity to get an education through the support of sponsors! Pray for the teachers. Praise God for His provision for many of the school’s needs through the help of many friends and family members.  Praise God that I will finally get to meet Ruth and her sisters (and all the other children living at My Father’s House)!!

Tuesday May 24^th – Pray for the development of friendships with the children and with Rebecca. Pray that God will use this time to help us meet other needs of the school and home and will stretch our financial resources to meet all of the most urgent needs. Pray that God will reveal to us the best use of the resource He has made available for us to meet these needs. Praise God for providing so many of their needs already. Pray that I will make contact with others in Uganda to plan times of fellowship and ministry. Pray that I will be open to every opportunity to serve.

Wednesday May 25^th – Pray that we will get to meet Joel and the children of Rays of Hope. Pray specifically for Joan, Derrick and Fiona. Pray that God will continue to bless Joan and Derrick’s adoption to the Reeves’ family. Pray that their family will be able to come to get them very soon Pray especially that God will allow me the opportunity to love on Fiona, make her feel special, share Christ’s love with her, and for a positive outcome when I take her to the doctor. Pray for those making important decisions on getting her to the US on a medical visa. 

Thursday May 26^th – Pray that God will continue to strengthen and develop friendships formed this week. Pray that God will use me to love His children. Pray that I will have the opportunity to learn more about the vision and future of My Father’s House and Royal Hope Academy and what role God wants me to be a part of this ministry.  Pray that God will continue to bless this wonderful ministry. Pray that in every interaction and conversation that Christ will be glorified. 

Friday May 27^th – Pray for the opportunity for me to plan an early birthday party for Rebecca for this night. Pray that I can find a way to get her a cake, possibly take her out to dinner or just do something special for her for her birthday. Rebecca does not take any income for her work at My Father’s House and Royal Hope Academy so pray that I can help make her birthday time special. Praise God for allowing me bring her an awesome birthday present, too! 

Saturday May 28^th – Pray that I will be able to visit with the Sozi’s before I leave Uganda. Pastor Peter and his wife Phoebe run a school and church in Bwaise, Uganda. I met them twice in Birmingham and they are so precious. Pray that God will continue to bless their ministry, Divine Care Ministries.  

Sunday May 29^th – Oh this will be an emotional day for sure. I will need lots of prayers for emotional stability. Pray for me as I leave Uganda and travel to Kenya. I can’t imagine how emotional it will be to leave these children. Pray for a safe flight to Nairobi, that I will meet up with my driver at the Nairobi airport easily, and that we have a safe ride to Kijabe. Pray that God blesses my time with the Shirley family. 

Monday May 30^th – Tuesday May 31^st - Pray that God will use me to minister to the Shirley’s family this week in a way that brings His name honor and glory. Pray that they will use this opportunity to take a break from their routine life in Kenya to spend some time together away from their children. 

Wednesday June 1^st - Pray that I will have the opportunity to minister to the patients at Kijabe Hospital. Pray that I will be able to love on children and elderly patients, specifically, that are there getting treatment. Ask God to give me words to comfort them with. Thank God for sending Rhett to work with these doctors and HIV/AIDs patients at Kijabe Hospital over the past year and 1/2 and ask God to raise up and send out more doctors.  

Thursday June 2^nd – Pray for all the volunteers and employees of Samaritan’s Purse all over the world. Pray for those doing disaster relief and community rebuild work specifically in Alabama, Japan and in Haiti. Also pray for the physicians and their families, including the Shirleys, serving in various capacities all over the world. 

Friday June 3^rd – Pray for safe travels back to Nairobi and for rest on my overnight flight to London.  Pray that God will use this time to allow me to process all that I have seen and done in Africa and how that effects how I live my life moving forward. 

Saturday June 4^th – Pray for safe travels from London to Miami and Miami to Jacksonville and for continued revelation as to the effects of this trip on my life. Pray that God will give me the words to communicate my journey with others in a way that will bring His name honor and will encourage others to go and serve Him in another context as well. Pray that lives will impacted when they hear how He worked in my life on this trip. Pray that they will see that it is Christ in me that is good. 

Sunday June 5^th – Pray for safe travels from Jacksonville to Birmingham and for plenty of rest before I transition back into the real world. 

Ready for Africa!

I can't believe I leave for Africa in just a few days! The other night I cried tears of joy because I just couldn't believe I will finally get to meet sweet Ruth! I'm almost done packing....I think. I'm waiting on some water filters that Rebecca had shipped to me for me to bring so I can't completely pack until they arrive. It's hard to believe how much stuff I'm taking to the school and home. I am so thankful that I have been so blessed by so many so that I can in turn be a blessing to them. I have looked over Rebecca's wish list over and over and over and thought long and hard about what God wants me (us) to bless her and the children with. I know that everything that makes it to Africa is exactly what He has planned for them to receive. I've got a list of everything purchased or donated and will email it out to everyone, probably when I return. 

I guess I was a little naive thinking that wi-fi is available everywhere but apparently it's not. Rebecca and the Shirleys don't have wi-fi. They do have internet access, just not wi-fi (which means my iphone is pretty much useless). I was pretty bummed about not being able to use my phone or computer (I know that sounds crazy to some). Then Sunday morning my friend, J.T. brought me a Uganda cell phone and internet data card for me to take. I will have to load minutes when I arrive but there should be enough loaded already so that I can call Rebecca to let her know I'm there. It will be very cheap to place calls with it. I haven't found out yet if it will work in Kenya, but I'm so thankful to have a phone in Uganda! While I don't plan to go to Africa and be on my computer and cell phone all the time, it will be nice to check in from time to time. Be on the lookout for an update here and there! 

All in all I am pretty much ready for the trip! Leave it to me to think to go to the vet's office to weigh my suitcases (on the dog scales) to determine how close I am to 50 lbs per suitcase/box so I will be doing this Wednesday before work. I tried the whole lift Roscoe (who weights 50 lbs) and then lift each box or suitcase but that's not too accurate, lol. I want to utilize every pound for supplies so I'm anxious to see what they weigh! (Pray that aren't already over 50 lbs!!!) 

 

A good friend reminded me that I might want to come up with a prayer calender so that people can be praying for me while I'm gone so I hope to send that out soon. It's in process.

 

Thanks so much for going on this journey with me! I can't wait to tell you all about it!

~Amanda

PS - I had the above saved as a "draft" to send but hadn't yet. Late afternoon today a friend here in Birmingham emailed saying there were more riots in Uganda this week. She said she was just "making me aware" of whats going on over there. I'm sure that some people would think, well, I guess I need to cancel my trip, but not me. God is greater than any riot. He protected my life from 200 tornados that passed through my state and He is powerful enough to protect me from riots. Please continue to pray for political stability and that my time in Uganda will be peaceful. Unless Rebecca says it's not safe for her to pick me up at the airport I will be going.