Jill's Africa Journal

2008-10-05T20:53:00.002-05:00

I was in Uganda again this past June, but I did a REALLY bad job at journaling this time. I tried making up for it and doing it for on here, but too much time has passed so I think this time I will post pictures on here and just type up some stories to go with some of the pictures rather than doing the whole journal each day thing. I will try to do better next time I go!

TAPP Office

2007-12-03T13:14:00.001-06:00

As you many know, we have started selling the necklaces that the women of TAPP make in Uganda here in the United States. We are the North American Headquarters of TAPP and we now have our very own office! It is in Park Place Church of God on Anderson University's Campus & our hours are Monday-Friday 10-12 & 1-4 so if you are in the area stop by to check it out, get a brochure, ask questions, visit, and buy jewelry! Here are some pictures of our office.

AIDS Walk & Ride

2007-10-15T20:30:00.000-05:00

Sunday I participated in the AIDS Walk & Ride in Indianapolis. My goal was to raise $200. I raised $402! I was very surprised & pleased with this so thank you those that donated. The overall total raised was over $160,000! 6 girls from AU participated in the walk & it was fun to hang out with the ones I knew & get to know the ones I didn't. The walk was really fun & a cool thing to be a part of. I hope that wherever I am next year, I will be able to participate in one again.

AIDS Walk

2007-09-20T22:58:00.000-05:00

On October 14th I am participating in an AIDS Walk in Indianapolis. My goal is to raise $200 by then. If you would like to donate, you can do so at http://AIDSWALK2007.kintera.org/jemulligan
If you would prefer to mail me a donation, let me know & I will give you an address to do so. Thank you so much for any support.

Click here to donate

Videos

2007-06-18T13:42:00.000-05:00

I posted links to Africa videos before, but I found a way to view them from here easier so here are my Africa videos for your viewing pleasure:).

Slideshow I made of pics from both of my trips to Uganda

Slideshow of pics of my family from my most recent trip

My Sponsor Girl, Rachael

Child Sponsorship

Dancing Sauda

Tree Planting After Working On the New TAPP Center

Singing At The TAPP Training

Judith Leading Us In Song At The TAPP Training

Cassie Leading Us In Song at the TAPP Training

In The House of the Lord- Uganda Style

Safari Drive

Safari Drive

Rhinos

Crocs on the Nile

Crocs

Lots of Crocs!

Crocs & a Monitor Lizard

Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls

Crowned Crane- Uganda's National Bird

Lion Documentary

Driving

Driving in Kampala

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffe & Elephant

Elephant Crossing In Front of Our Van

Boat Ride on the Nile

The Most Beautiful Sound in the World

Usa Family

2007-05-22T13:50:00.000-05:00

Here is a fun video I made of the group that went to Uganda in Dec/Jan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsdb5NymKqk

Watch it, leave me a comment, enjoy your day.:)

Recent Happenings

2007-04-29T12:38:00.000-05:00

A lot of "Africa stuff" has been happening lately. I've talked about the TAPP program in Uganda a lot & how the women there make necklaces. We have started selling those necklaces here and have made so much money for the women in Uganda. A group of us are turning it into a business thing where the women there will be able to earn a steady income from making the necklaces. We're still in the planning stages, but are selling the necklaces & it's going great.

My school has an Acting on AIDS group on campus. A group of us planned an AIDS summit recently. We got together every other Sunday for awhile planning it and 2 weeks before it happened we started our advertising for it. We made posters and flyers all out of used cardboard & paper & used spray paint and some of our Africa pics. We all either used a red shirt we already had or bought one at goodwill, turned it insideout, & spray painted an AIDS ribbon on it w/the date of the summit & wore the shirts for 2 weeks to advertise. It is a great way to recycle shirts so if you need a shirt for some event or something, the spray paint thing is great.

Throughout the week before the summit we had different activities. On Wednesday evening we showed the movie AIDS in Black America. On Thursday evening we showed the movie Blood Diamond, you know, the new one w/Leonardo DiCaprio. It's sad b/c I know people who bought the movie b/c it's him and a good action movie. It's real life!

After the movie a girl who spent last semester in Sierra Leone (where the movie took place) spoke. She told about a pastor she lived with while there. During the time of the diamond conflict, the pastor and his family was saved from the RUF many times. One time they needed to cross a bridge, but the RUF was letting people go, but shooting them as they crossed. The congregation needed to cross so they just started praying & walking. When the started to cross a bridge, a soldier a little ways away started going crazy & all the other soldiers left to see what was going on and the congregation was able to cross safely. As soon as they had crossed, the soldiers shot the soldier going crazy, went back to their positions and again started killing people that crossed the bridge. Another time the RUF took all the women in the pastor's congregation into a room and shot all of them, all except the pastor's wife. They were so glad God was there for their family. But that night as I walked back to my apartment by myself I cried & asked God where he was for all the other people crossing that bridge, where he was for all the other women in that congregation.

Friday we had a big bell in the valley of the campus. We rang it every 14 seconds to represent that every 14 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS in Sub Saharan Africa.

Saturday was the summit. We had a few tables set up. Acting on AIDS had a table, TAPP, Bound4Freedom (a group that makes & sells homemade journals to raise money, we-TAPP- are partnering with them), & the ONE campaign. The day was great. Steve Haas from World Vision was the speaker & he was really good. We also had breakout sessions. On Thursdays I go to a guy's house who has AIDS as part of our local AIDS ministry & this guy led a breakout session & that is the first one I went to. He talked about AIDS in the US & basically just told his story. One of the women in the session asked him who he had for support. His answer was "myself. and these girls" meaning us that go & visit with him. It was crazy to realize how much it means to him and made me feel bad for the times I didn't go just b/c I had too much homework or something. The other breakout session I went to was about HIV in women and was led by Cassie, one of the women who led my last Africa trip, and Lolly, one of my social work professors. They are both amazing women & I have learned a lot from them since I have known them and learned a lot in their breakout session. I got teary eyed a lot during this day & one of those times was when Lolly said that in East Africa (Uganda, Tanzania & Kenya) most girls' first sexual experience is forced. I immediately thought of my sponsor girl Rachael.

For lunch that day we had a poverty meal. We ate the corn soy porridge that the US sends to Africa for hunger relief. As we ate we read stories of children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. The food didn't taste too bad, but it definitely wasn't good. Definitely wouldn't be something I'd eat if I had the choice. But the people who do eat it don't have a choice. The meal just made me realize even more all the things we take advantage of. You may think, oh the US is helping them with their hunger by giving them food so things are okay now. But still think how unequal it is. When we are hungry, we can choose what we eat. They may not be starving anymore, but unlike us, they don't get to choose what to eat. It also made me think of all the times we look in the pantry or the fridge that is full and say "there's nothing to eat."

The weekend after the summit I did a thing called Youth for Africa. One of the social clubs on campus put it together. They made "African huts" and asked people that had been to Africa &/or knew stuff about HIV/AIDS to come and talk and invited area youth groups. 2 or 3 people were in each hut & the topics were things like AIDS 101, AIDS in the US, Women & HIV/AIDS, Socioeconomics, and family dynamics/sponsorship. I was in the hut for family dynamics/sponsorship. It was me, a guy who lived in Africa for a year, and Scott who went on both of my Uganda trips with me. I told the story of me meeting my sponsor girl which was a great example of family dynamics in Africa also. Then the guy who lived in Africa told a story of his neighbors that started an orphanage & then we all just started talking about family life in Africa as well as lots of other things. We were the group that always went over our time limit:). It was really good. Not a lot of youth groups showed up, but the ones who did seemed to enjoy it and the girls in the social club got to participate and said they learned a lot.

Like I mentioned before, every Thursday I got to visit a man who has AIDS. This is part of our local AIDS ministry. The man lives in Anderson and every Thursday me & 3 other girls go to this man's house to hang out, eat dinner, and help with cleaning. He is very lonely and depressed and loves company so a couple Fridays ago we had a cookout with 13 people at his house. We all helped out with the cooking and it was a lot of fun. A lot of people had to leave around 7, but me & 4 other girls stayed until 9 and played dice with him and just hung out and talked and listened to music. It is a joy to spend time with this man and it was also fun to hang out with these other girls because they are really neat, but I don't know them very well and don't normally get to hang out with them.

This summer I am taking a course taught by Cassie, the leader of my Uganda trip. It is spiritual care for those with HIV/AIDS. It's only for a week and I just recently got the syllabus and it is going to be amazing. I am going to learn so much and I think the community in the class will be awesome as well.

I have been e-mailing David, the leader of TAPP in Uganda, back and forth a bit lately. He recently told me the news that his wife is pregnant and they are expecting the baby in July! So pray for him & his family that the birth goes well and the baby & his wife stay healthy.

Church

2007-03-12T10:23:00.001-05:00

I will be speaking in church next Sunday, the 18th about my trip to Uganda.

Sarita

2007-02-23T11:22:00.000-06:00

When I was in Uganda this last time, there was a little girl named Sarita who was around on our work days. She was wonderful. We didn't talk, but we were friends. She hung on Chelsey & I a lot & she stole both of our hearts away. She held my hand a lot, I held her a lot. One time I was sitting down & she was sitting on my lap & she would lean back & then I would tickle her stomach & she would giggle. It was a beautiful sound. Especially compared to the cough that she had. The cough that scared me because I just have no idea what it's from, what it will lead to, if it's serious, if it's not. Tuesday chapel was about AU-EA with an emphasis on our trip. Some of the people on our trip told stories in first person of some of the people we met on the trip. They all did an awesome job! Then they showed a slideshow of some of the pics from our trip & Sarita was in so many of them. Some with me, some with Chelsey, some with other kids, and some by herself. It twisted my heart up all over the place and I have not been able to stop thinking about her since. I normally think about her every day anyway, but since that chapel it has been almost constant...

2007-02-19T07:32:00.000-06:00

I got this from http://ugandacan.org. If you don't know what it's talking about then look up the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) & learn about the 21 year war in northern Uganda.

Today's New York Times includes a compelling article about Ugandans' fascination with the award-winning film "Last King of Scotland," which portrays the reign of dictator Idi Amin. Unfortunately, when speaking about the state of Uganda today, the article completely overlooks the 21-year suffering of northern Ugandans. In it, Uganda is described as "one of the safest and most stable countries in Africa." This is hardly the case. For the last 21 years, the people have been condemned to a brutal war that has left 1.7 million people displaced (80% of the region) and over 30,000 children abducted and forced into soldiering. If this leaves you outraged, consider writing a short letter to the editor to the New York Times or write an email to the article's author Jeffrey Gettleman. The neglect of the international community and media has perpetuated this conflict, and even after 21 years, that neglect will remain alive unless we speak up.

e-mail

2007-02-18T20:29:00.001-06:00

My e-mail: jemulligan@hotmail.com

Videos

2007-02-11T16:18:00.000-06:00

Please tell me whether or not all these videos work for you! Thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8MteGnkmS8 <---- this is a video of my sponsor child Rachael singing to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St84qrN3uAU <---- this is a video of a game the kids in Uganda taught us. I love the end with the kids on the winning team jumping around celebrating. It's a beautiful sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGggUnKoNy4 <----- this is a video of Sauda dancing (I wrote about it in my post about my last trip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffxks5uTTcQ <----- this is a video of everyone singing the song "All Around" at the TAPP training.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2xpR6um_Ck <----- this is a slideshow of some pics from both of my trips to Uganda. The song is by the Paul Coleman Trio & the words are PERFECT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRMipR5uXtI <----- this is a video of our boat ride on the Nile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5LPJE2DCR8 <----- this is a video of some crocodiles that we got pretty close to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPv12TeNrYM <------ a video of what we see as we drive through Uganda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhbTTuplOSw <------ video of some crocs & a monitor lizard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH4XjZb6ovg <----- video of Murchison Falls, part of the Nile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDFh8MrLqks <----- video of a giraffe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AJc8mvp2x8 <----video of lots of crocodiles on our Nile boat ride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umNAT8bRx18 <----- video of an elephant as it crossed the road right in fron of our van

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixB6iZvGDw8 <------ this video has a story behind it. our group would often have "true confessions." One of Chelseys (the girl filming) is that she lies a lot, but always admits it. This video is an example of one of those times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9QaEelhszI <------ this video is of a crowned crane which is the national bird of Uganda & on their flag.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVOINRrR_po <------ this is a video of singing at the church service we went to. recognize the song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxV2lSOpM0Q <------ this is a video of giraffes and elephant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uyk_HSamG_Q <----- this is a video of the tree planting ceremony we had, it is Brittany who is planting her tree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOlG0TmnT9k <----- this is a video of the rhinos!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOFbPO3BlEg <----- this is a video of my friend Judith leading everyone at the TAPP training in a song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0M5dCxRPNA <----- another video of lots of crocs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-JQ_E80WoQ <----- this is the video "documentary" we made on the first day of the new year when we saw lions (lioness, lioness', lionesses, lionessesses? -you'll understand when you watch it). :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBSFgsNTQHM <------ this video is more singing at the TAPP training.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFY1C0iEHMo <----- this video is on the safari

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrQo52TNKbE <----- this is a video of a couple giraffe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdgqmlKlKzM <----- this is another video on the safari

HIV/AIDS

2007-02-11T16:16:00.000-06:00

Before I went to Uganda for the first time in May, I had never met a person with HIV or AIDs (at least not that I was aware of). I cared about the issue. But that's what I saw it as- an issue. I knew some of the basic facts, I was in Acting on AIDS & participated in a lot of the activities, I felt bad when I heard the stories, etc. But it wasn't a part of my world.

Then I went to Uganda in May of 2006. There we did things with the TAPP program. We went on home visits. I met people with HIV & AIDS, I touched people with HIV & AIDS, I sang with people with HIV & AIDS, I prayed for people with HIV & AIDS, I heard their stories out of their mouths. It wasn't just an issue anymore, it was something affecting people I know.

So when I got back I had a choice. I could leave everything I saw in Africa, I could leave it an ocean & many miles away from me, or it could stay a part of my world. Actually, I'm not sure if it really was a choice. I don't think I could forget if I had wanted to. When I got back I read. I learned in class. I went to other informational things. I got involved in the local ministry. I told others.

Then I went back to Uganda again and it became even more a part of my world. Again I went on home visits, I met people, touched people, sang with people, prayed for people, talked with people that had HIV & AIDS. I learned about HIV and AIDS with and from people who's lives it directly touches. I held children and played with children who's parents have HIV & AIDS. And so much more. When we got tested for HIV in Uganda, I even got a glimpse of the fear of possibly having it, what people who don't have choice of whether it's a part of their world or not go through. It became not only more than an issue to me and a part of my world, but a part of my heart.

2007-02-10T01:09:00.000-06:00

check out the awesome shirt I designed, had made, & bought!

More Pictures

2007-02-06T18:39:00.000-06:00

Images from Africa

2007-02-06T16:24:00.000-06:00

2007-02-06T15:50:00.000-06:00

In my last post I mentioned that on our last night there were papers w/each of our names on them & then everyone wrote notes to us. I just wanted to share mine (more like put it on the computer b/c I'll most likely lose the paper).

"I can see your heart and I love it. Continue to pursue what draws you and you will be significant in great healing stories." ~Cassie

"Africa. I was able to see you where you thrive...where your heart is. I believe that I have fallen in love as well (hope you don't mind sharing). Thank you for encouraging me. I'm glad we squeezed in some moments even though there was a secret conspiracy to keep us seperate. I just love you..." ~Sal

"In Africa you are alive. I can see the passion you have for this place in your eyes. I hope that you will be able to make many journeys to Africa. Your passion to help people will truly change lives. Plus I think your sense of humor is probably the coolest ever. Keep me posted on your future travels and updated on your child as well." ~Aaron

"Jilly Bean-- it has been a pleasure getting to know you better on this trip. What are the odds that we would find eachother on myspace & end up together in the country that we love. Thanks for taking good care of me. You are thoughtful, loving, & compassionate. Don't be afraid to express your emotions- they are as beautiful as you are. I love you. I will look forward to joining you in your journey." ~Kristen

"Thanks for bringing a smile to my face as I think about your tender heart which compassionately reaches out to those around you. May the Lord continue to inspire you on to who He has called you to be! Prov. 3:5,6." ~Josh

"So, um, I love you. This place brings out the best in you my dear. I am so glad I got to witness you in this pace with these people whom you clearly love & adore. Your quiet smile does my heart good Jill. you are going to shake things up babe, I can't wait. I love you." ~Britt

"My African friend! More than just that though, you have meant a lot to me this past year. I remember feeling so comfortable around you when we first got on the plane last time, and it just keeps getting better. Your heart for Africa, and your committment to these people is so inspiring. You're awesome, you're awesome, you're awesome. I wouldn't mind if everytime I came to Africa you were with me. To be honest, it's going to be weird if we come without eachother. I hope this trip deepened your passion for Africa, and I can't wait to see what God is going to have for you down the road. Your heart is contagious, so keep it up!" ~Scott

"Thanks for introducing me to Africa! It has changed my life. Oh Jill, we have known each other for awhile, but this trip has definitely strengthened that relationship. I admire you in so many ways- your passion just shines from you. You are just so genuine & I am thankful for your friendship. Can't wait for our many classes together! Much hugs & kisses." ~Chelle

"I have so greatly enjoyed getting to see your heart. Your passion. I love listening to what you have to say-seriously-always. Thank you so much for your openness & your humor. I love you Jill." ~Chelsey

"I love you and you better be giving me calls to hang out when we get back. This friendship is lifelong I can already tell. Thank you for loving so much. Thank you for giving and for being yourself. Thank you for standing next to me even when I smelled bad. I love you and have been so blessed by your heart. We are going to have a fantastic time as friends." ~Christy

"You are truly good people. I have grately enjoyed your dry sense of humor and beautiful compassion during this African adventure. I am so glad you chose social work as your ministry, you have so much to offer." ~Alissa

Uganda December '06/January '07

2007-02-05T23:37:00.000-06:00

I am back from Uganda. It’s hard to be back, especially since I’ve been immediately thrown back into classes, etc. No time to think & process. It’s really hard to read chapters on things I don’t understand when my head is full of the amazing things I experienced just a week ago. This trip was wonderful, even more so than the last one. I loved being back for a second time & the group I was with was amazing. I could not have picked a better group of people to go with & it’s awesome because most of them I did not know very well before the trip & now we are family. Our family name is Usa (USA, get it?). There were 12 of us all together. Our leaders were Cassie (who was in Uganda when I was last time) & Kristen (who I actually met on myspace when I got back the last time…). The rest are fellow AU students- Josh, Scott, Aaron, Christy, Brittany, Sally, Chelsey, Chelle, & Alissa.

I am going to post like I did last time (day to day journal entry) because so many people liked it before & have asked me to do it again. But again, know that even if I was good with words (which I’m not), there is no way I can truly let you know what it was like. Plus I will forget things & probably remember things wrong. My heart was fully in it, but my head wasn’t always fully in it so if you went & need to correct me on something, please do. Please leave me your comments, thoughts, etc. I really love them. Thank you for letting me share this with you.

December 29, 2006

I’m flying over Africa for the 2nd time in 7 months. How weird. With all that has been going on since break started, I kind of lost my excitement & even though I’m on the plane, it still hasn’t really sunk in that I’m actually going to be back in Uganda again in a few hours. Well…I hope no more than a few hours. I’ve slept a little bit so I don’t really know what time it is. I feel like I’ve slept a lot, but I don’t think I have so I have a feeling I’ll be disappointed when I find out how much longer there is. Oh well, at least I feel rested enough.
I’m really looking forward to this trip. I think I’m going to enjoy it even more than the last one. I think we have an amazing group & can tell already that we will have lots of fun just by the random convos we’ve already had (like the worst words ever invented).:)

Later…
We’ve arrived! When we got off the plane I smelled it—Africa. This time I wasn’t the only one doing a little happy dance when I stepped onto African land. Everything was just as I remembered. Driving, the sights, the sounds, the smells. I would not trade the fact that I have been here before for the world. I love that Amanda, Moses, Phillip, etc recognize me & everything else; however, a part of me does envy the people who are experiencing it for the first time. Just the complete newness, never-before-seen-it-“ness”, the realizing-your-dream-has-come-true-“ness” of it. We head to the game park tomorrow (eek) bright & early so need to get to bed. I can’t believe I’m here! This is going to be an awesome trip & I’m looking forward to getting to know the others better.

December 30, 2006

When I went to the kitchen this morning looking for Apaphia, there were two women. One I recognized, one was new. The one I recognized was Olivia & as soon as she saw me she said “Welcome back!” & shook my hand. It feels so cool to be remembered, but I found out Apaphia got married & doesn’t work there anymore. Disappointing since I had a picture for her.
We left for the game park today & are there now. It’s not nearly as scary as last time. No giant flying ants, no billionepedes, no scorpions, & a lot less lizards in our bondas. We are all in 2 different vans when we travel, I wish we were all in the same one so we could all be able to share the same experience. My van is me, Chelsey, Chelle, Kristen, & Cassie. It’s fun. Lots of laughs. I love driving & waving to the kids. While I said before that I envy those who are here for the first time, I am really enjoying how comfortable I feel here. While we were driving I literally pinched myself to make sure that me being here was a reality.
We stopped at a place they have rhinos. We walked to go find them & so got some close pics. Crazy. They are pretty tame here though because the guys can talk to them to get them to do stuff (like sit back down if they stand up), but they still had guns so it’s a little scary, but in a good way. We stopped at the same restaurant that we did last time & we stopped at the falls again & got some good pics. I think I could watch the falls forever, kind of like fire, just puts me into a little trance. We are staying in the same “campground” but it’s better this time. I’m sharing a bonda with Brittany. I am loving this trip. Love Cassie & Kristen as our leaders. So good to get to know them.

December 31, 2006

This morning we went on the boat ride down the Nile. We had a different boat this time. It was smaller. Just our group & then like 2 other people. We saw lots of hippos & crocs, some elephant, waterbuffalo, warthogs (who we affectionately named Richard, all of them), monitor lizards (mona lisa?), fish eagles, etc. This time my camera didn’t break before we got to the falls thank goodness. It’s nice to have a digital camera this trip. Talked to Kristen a lot on the way back & I may do my next internship with her at the adoption agency she works at.

Later…
When we got back from the boat trip we ate & talked a bunch & then went on a safari drive. We had the same guide that I had last time, Sarah!

I told her that I was there in May & she was my guide & that I was the group who’s bus got stuck & she remembered that. We saw elephants, a couple crossed the road right in front of us & then started to charge the other van. We also saw giraffes, buffalo, kob, lots of birds, Jackson harvest (not the real name, just what they got called by usJ), bush buck, waterbuck, hippos, crocodile, warthogs (Richard), etc. The vans’ tops went up so we got to stand w/our heads out which was awesome, except the multiple times I banged my head. The drive was really good though seeing the scenery & animals & all the other random stuff like dancing & singing etc. Seeing all of it is kind of overwhelming though if I stop & think about it. Sometimes I’m just like, “That’s cool” or “that’s pretty.” & then sometimes I think “This is Africa. This is God’s creation. This is my dream come true for the 2nd time in 7 months.” In another convo with myself inside my head (I’m not crazy, you do it too) I was thinking, “Wow, this is so awesome, can you imagine living here?” & then I was like, “Yes actually, I can & do imagine it about every day.”

On our way back we had to wait for the next ferry across the Nile & so stopped & hung out at a hotel. That’s when Dominic, one of our drivers, informed Kristen & me through actions what happens to the elephants & monkeys when they eat the things on the “sausage trees” (they get drunk.) It was pretty entertaining. I love our drivers.
After dinner we got into groups & discussed what we were teaching at the TAPP training next week. Social workers are teaching basic communication & counseling. Now it is about 45 minutes until 2007 (Uganda time). Brittany & I just got done having a pretty long conversation so now I need to brush my teeth & get to bed because we are going on an early game drive tomorrow.

January 1, 2007

Despite needing to get up early this morning, Brittany & I talked even more last night so we were awake when it turned the new year which we knew because we could hear people yelling. It was strange because we were talking about Quakers. We laughed when we realized that it was the first 15 minutes of 2007 & we were in Uganda talking about Quakers. Just weird.
On the game drive today we saw lions. They were pretty far away though. We saw more of all the stuff we saw yesterday too. On the ferry back from the game drive I was talking with Scott (he was with me on the trip in May) comparing this trip to the last one & telling him how I think it’s better this time & about my slight envy of everyone seeing it for the first time, but how much I enjoy being able to kind of sit back & watch the others see it for the first time & how I don’t think I’ve ever felt this comfortable with a group of people I don’t know very well.

On the way back to the Stevenson’s (the missionaries we stay with) Kristen shared her ipod with me & we listened to Patty Griffin & talked about all the singers we like & Cassie told us all a lot about Uganda which I always love to hear about. We stopped at the same restaurant again & heard some Shania Twain playing on the radio there.
We are now back & Eric opened the gate. We we got out I said “Eric right?” & told him I’d been there before & he said, “I remember, nice to meet you again.” I didn’t think any of them would remember me because I’m sure they’ve had tons of visitors since then, but it is so nice to be remembered. Colleen (the missionary) gets back from Canada tonight. I was hoping she would be here when we got back, but no luck. Scott & I are so excited to see her again. It’s so great to be here with him again.

January 2, 2007- morning

Nothing like a cold shower at 5am in Africa. I took one that early because I was the only one who still needed a shower & I didn’t want to be in anyone’s way in the bathroom this morning. Plus I couldn’t really sleep because I have to teach about body language & ending a session at the TAPP (Tumaini AIDS Prevention Program) training. We weren’t suppose to go until like Wednesday, but found out last night that some stuff had already been taught so we may have to teach today. I hope not. I’m not a big fan of speaking in front of people & I’m not good at it either. We also found out last night that Colleen won’t be back until tonight. Sad times.
Every night we are going to have devotions & “interview”. We all in pairs have to lead devos one night. Chelsey is my partner. I’m not a huge fan of leading devos because I don’t feel like I know God-stuff really well & am always afraid of getting something wrong when I’m with people who are Bible & Religion majors & stuff, but I did it last time so it will be fine. It’s good to do this kind of stuff because I would like to be someone who is comfortable with it & it is one of my goals to get out of my comfort zone.
I have some wonderful news! I was told that if I just write a letter saying why I want to meet my Compassion sponsor child, they will probably be able to work it out! If so I will get to meet Rachael this time! I didn’t think it was going to be able to happen, but it sounds like it will.

January 2, 2007- afternoon

Today was the 1st day of TAPP training. We taught a bit. Everyone did a great job. I taught body language & ending a session. Pretty sure I sucked on the 1st one. I shake so bad & I hate it & the shaking made me even more nervous & so I talked way too fast. The 2nd part was a little better, but still definitely not good. Oh well, either way, we all did better than we did when we had to teach at the youth convention on my last trip. It worries me though, what if I can never do it well? How am I suppose to live & work here when I suck at teaching groups? (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ---added January 15th as I was rereading this). After we taught we had lunch & then a woman spoke who once had a CD4 count of 4! She was very sick, but looking at her now I couldn’t even tell. I’m not sure what her CD4 count is now, but much higher than 4, praise God. We also had some singing & dancing in there of course. At the end we split up into groups & went on home visits. Out of us United Statians (my word for what I often inaccurately call Americans) I was with Scott & Kristen. We walked to an old woman named Justine’s home. I LOVED walking there, seeing all the people & the beautiful children so excited to see us & waving & yelling “Mzungu! Mzungu!” On the way I talked to a guy from Paliso district which is the same district the village we visited last time is in. He was teaching me words in his language. When we got to the home there was a baby crying inside & cute kids outside. The woman we visited was the grandma of 2 children that lived with her. One was a boy who was 2 & a 4 month old girl named Jennifer (my future African baby’s nameJ). None of them had been tested for HIV.
Kristen, George, & I & a young girl went to get water. As soon as we started walking toward the well a ton of kids suddenly appeared with water jugs following us. It was the most beautiful sight as we were walking down the narrow path toward the well with the beautiful trees & plants lining it & I turned around & saw Kristen walking with tons of children surrounding her & holding the hands of 2 of them. Gorgeous.
We got the water & even more kids were down there. I love them. We brought the water back & talked a little more with the woman & then went back to where the training was. On the way backed I talked with Joshua. I was telling him how I had been there before, that I’m studying social work at university, how the weather in the USA is, etc. & then he asked me if I went to Anderson University because he was at a conference sometime last year and there were students there and one had an AU shirt on. I said yes & asked him if it was the youth convention in Kasubi. He said yes so I told him that Scott & I had been there with that group. Scott & I then talked to him about having been in Uganda before & how glad we were to be back again & that we wanted to come back again. Joshua said to me, “When God opens a door, no one can close it.”

We got back from our visits & just hung out waiting for everyone else to get back & a couple people shared their testimonies. Then there was a little African style dance party & we headed back to the Stevenson’s. I knew this before, but I found out even more so today that Cassie is an amazing person. Anyway, when we got back to the house we got greeted at the door by Colleen. It was so good to see her again & I found out that I get to meet my little Rachael! It’s REALLY going to happen. I am going to go to the Compassion office tomorrow to sign some papers & then will go to meet Rachael later this week, probably Friday or Saturday. I can’t believe it.
Right now there are 3 amazing women (Kristen, Cassie, & Colleen) talking downstairs that I admire so incredibly much. If I could be a fraction of the women they are, things would be good. I am so blessed, we all are, to have them to look up to on this trip.

January 3, 2007

I’m at the house by myself which is very strange. We went to the TAPP training again & it was good. Sat with Christy on the way there & we decided we need to have a movie night when we get back because we like a lot of the same movies. We also sang some En Vogue & Madonna.
The training was really good today. Cassie taught & it was great. One of the things she taught on was relational needs. At the airport in Chicago she gave us a paper to do & give back to her that figures out what our relational needs are that way we are aware of them and can provide each other with what we need. Mine were acceptance, affection & comfort. Mostly the whole group had affection so that need has been greatly met on this trip for everyone. I was kind of surprised by comfort because when I’m sad or upset I normally try to hide it, but I guess just because I don’t get it, doesn’t mean I don’t need it. I guess I just am waiting for someone I’m comfortable with before I seek it, or just wish someone would see through me & know I need it & give it to me. I know I want it, but since I hide it & am too chicken to actually let people know what I need & feel, I don’t always get it. (do those sentences make sense?)
At the training today there were some kids around that we played with bouncy balls with & stuff. We also tossed around the football with people some. At 3 I went with Edrin to go to Compassion’s office. On the way there Bob Marley winked at me. Well, maybe it wasn’t Bob Marley, but he had dreads & it sure looked like him. I also saw a kid who’s shirt said, “It doesn’t look like crap” on the back. Very interesting. I also talked to Edrin about Irene (a little girl I met multiple times last time I was here & who wrote me this summer) & showed him the letter she wrote me. He knows her, but pretty sure I won’t get to see her this time. I thought I was going to the office to sign papers, but that didn’t happen. A woman was trying to organize for me to meet Rachael, but it was very confusing. It was like I was suppose to know how the visit works. She gave me a paper I’m suppose to fill out after my visit. Colleen said she’d get me transportation but I don’t know how all that works or what time we’d leave or how long I’d stay, etc. so we are suppose to call tomorrow at 9 to work it all out, but I assume we will be at the TAPP training or on the way at that time. I really don’t like being unorganized, but I guess that’s just how it is. I hope it works out okay.
Edrin brought me back to the house because he said it would be too late to go back to the training. I hope the others get back soon. I’m sad because at the training this afternoon they were going to play games & I’m missing that for something that took less than an hour & didn’t really accomplish much & actually made me more worried than excited. I’m worried, but normally the things I’m most worried about turn out to be some of the best experiences & my worries are never justified.

Later…

After dinner tonight while we were waiting to start devotions & interviews I was lying on Kristen’s lap while she played with my hair talking to her & Chelsey. Chelsey is really awesome & it’s neat to see her opening up as she gets to know us better. I’m really glad I’ve gotten this opportunity to get to know her outside of classes. Plus she’s freaking hilarious.
I did my interview tonight. The 1st question was just people who most impacted me & how that & other things led me to this trip. I said how my dad died so my mom was left with me & my brothers & my grandma moved in & so her & my mom were the most influential on me. I don’t really know how or when my love for Africa started, but I told them the things I assume contributed & how I signed up for the Tri-S trip for last May & it confirmed my love & then I was invited on this trip & so here I am. Two questions are always asked in our interviews, pet peeve & something they don't know about me. For my pet peeve I said hearing people chew their nails. For something most of them don’t know about me I said that I skinny dipped in the Chesapeake Bay twice this summer. They seemed to like that answer.
One of the questions they asked me was if I had any siblings so I told them David & that Adam died & that I sort of have a stepbrother & so I explained that Mom & Dennis are in the process of divorce & that that is why I had to move out of my house 2 days before Christmas. Then Alissa asked me what one of my happiest memories was & I told them about last trip & we went to the village & they started singing for us & I started happy bawling because that was the moment I realized & it really sunk in that my #1 dream & goal in life had come true. As I was telling this story I unexpectedly started crying right there in the living room with everyone looking at me. I was afraid of crying during my interviewbut did not think it would be happy tears for that experience. Weird.
Devotions after interviews were really good led by Christy & Sally. They talked about the word ubuntu which means “I am because we are” in South African. It was really good & a lot of what was read & said touched me. Good stuff.
Scott noticed I was sort of upset tonight (just the worry about meeting Rachael & such) & asked me about it once & was smart enough to ask me a 2nd time which I was more honest then. I just told him that I was a little worried & that I’m someone who likes things to be organized, but that it will turn out okay because it always does. It was sweet of him to see that I wasn’t okay & care enough to ask multiple times.

January 4, 2007

I called Compassion this morning & set up my visit. I had to call later than I was suppose to, but it’s Uganda so it was okay. I’m feeling much better about it now. The plan is (whether it will happen this way or not) that Edrin, his wife Annie, & I will go to the Kampala Compassion office & meet Habba from the Jinja Child Development Project. Then that person will go with us to see my little girl. I’m excited. Still worried, but not as much. At TAPP training today Colleen, Brittany & Cassie all taught & did awesome jobs at it. While we waited for lunch I talked to this woman named Judith. She’s doing an internship with TAPP. She’s so sweet. Before lunch David took us to see where & how our food was prepared & we helped carry some food back & then had lunch. Colleen talked about her parents & growing up in Africa. Amazing. Seriously. I cannot imagine. She has so many awesome stories.
After lunch we planted trees. We each got a tree & chose a partner from Africa to help us plant it & care for it. I don’t know the name of the guy I chose because I can’t say it, but he is the one I met on our home visit who was teaching me words in his language. I thought about choosing Joshua or Judith, but they had already been chosen. The guy I chose seemed very happy. He grabbed my hand & tried to hurry out the door because he wanted to be first. We weren’t, but that’s okay. My tree is along the road, closest to the building. As we walked around planting trees there was an amazing soft warm rain coming down. We sang “This is the day that the lord has made” & then replaced the word day with just about everything we could think of “rain, place, people, tree, country, etc…” as well as some other songs. It was just a really awesome experience.

When we got back from planting trees we “graduated” & all got certificates, Bibles, & T-shirts. My Bible was in Luganda so I think I should learn it. Each district got a bike also. We went out to take pictures & say goodbyes. There were 3 young girls & a young boy around & I took them a big bouncy ball. They said thanks & I asked them their names. The boy was David. Then I took a picture of them & let David take one of me & the girls. On the car ride home I rode with Moses, Josh, Chelle, Chelsey, Kristen, Christy, & Sally & we sang Disney & musical songs the whole way home. Good times.

January 5, 2007

Today is a work day. They are working on a new TAPP office, but not me. I’m going to Jinja to meet Rachael! When I came out of my room Kristen asked why I was wearing a skirt & them remembered & gave me a big hug.
At breakfast we listened to some great pop music (Christina, Britney, TLC, LFO, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Mariah, Spice Girls, etc.) & had some little dance parties. Christy & Cassie’s was the best & luckily Scott got some of it on video.
Now everyone has left & I am waiting on Edrin & his wife so that I can go & meet Rachael. I can’t wait to meet her & I’m looking forward to coming back & telling the others all about it. Still a little nervous, but my excitement outweighs it.

After…
I just got back from my visit! Edrin picked me up a little after 10, was suppose to be 9…welcome to UgandaJ. His wife & cousin came along. We stopped at the Compassion office & picked up Habba who works for the Jinja Child Development Center. On the way to Jinja there was a big traffic jam because of a big accident with three big trucks. We made it though. The ride to Jinja is so beautiful with the tea fields & everything. The sky was SO blue. In Jinja we crossed the Nile & I saw big monitor lizards & on the way back I saw a big snake in the water.

We got to the church/center & met Auntie Sara & took a tour of the place. Then they had soda & water for us and after they were done we walked to Rachael’s home. She greeted me part way and gave me a big hug. She is so beautiful. And almost as tall as me & she’s only 10. We went to her home and her uncle & grandpa greeted us. Her grandma came shortly after & did their happy yell which is call uvelating (I’m guessing that’s how you spell it, but I like to call it ovulating). She was so pleased I was there. Rachael gave me two necklaces & a bracelet she made for me that were like the TAPP necklaces. I gave her one of my bracelets & all the things I brought for her- bubbles, yo-yo, bouncy balls, paddle ball, floppy flyer, jumprope, notebook, crayons, pens, & pencils. She recited 5 Bible versus & sang a song which I videotaped. She’s so smart. She wants to be a lawyer. Edrin & Habba took pictures for me.
The family wanted to make us a traditional meal, but they tell them not to because we did not have a lot of time and because it can cost a lot of money, but they had bought us sodas & water & muffin-like things. Rachael told me that within the past year she had fasted & prayed that her sponsor would come visit her & now she has a testimony because it came true. Then she said “I am so happy, the tears come to my eyes.” Then she started crying & put her head down & cried. We went outside & I played with the bubbles with her & two little boys who live near her. Then we played jumprope & Frisbee. Then we went inside, Edrin prayed, we sang a song & then left. Rachael, her grandma & her uncle walked with us back to the project. Rachael carried my bag & we held hands and talked the whole way. We said our goodbyes & hugged. As I waved goodbye as we drove away I started crying. She was so beautiful, sweet, & smart. Dimples. Absolutely wonderful. Edrin, Annie, their cousin, Sara, Habba, & I all ate “fast food.” All the normal food we’ve been having, it was just already ready. Then we said our goodbyes to Habba & Sarah, who is the sweetest woman ever. She kept thanking me for being there & telling me how wonderful it was that I had come. On the way back Colleen called us to see how the visit went so I got to tell her a little about it. I can’t believe I really met Rachael! I can’t wait for the others to get back so I can share my joy.
When we got back I just hung out outside with Castro, Godfrey, Annie, Edrin, Thomas, & the dogs. It was fun. They were funny. Just chilling with the Ugandans.

Later…

When everyone got back they asked me how it went. Colleen hugged & kissed me. It’s nice to have people share in my happiness. Stella (an artist) came & we ordered wall hangings from her. I got Mom another one that goes with the one I got last time. Dinner was good & fun as always. Afterward I told Kristen & Christy all about meeting Rachael. Chelsey & I had devos. We just asked people if their expectations had been met or exceeded or about the day. I told about seeing Rachael & read Psalm 100 & Chelsey prayed & now it’s time for bed.

January 6, 2007

We had another work day today. We fixed a floor to cement it, plastered, painted, got water from the well (it’s hard to pump that thing!), etc. There were lots of kids. Wonderful kids. They always helped out so much. They saw what needed to be done & just jumped in & did it. A pile of bricks needed to be moved & so we made an assembly line to do it & sang songs as we did it.
There was a young girl there named Sarita. Chelsey & I shared her. She hung on us so much. She had a cough. I don’t want to know why.
There was an awesome boy there that I talked to a bit & who always helped out a lot. He had a great shirt on too. It said, “Don’t swallow your gum” & had a dog w/a bubble coming out of his butt. It made me laugh.
At the end of the day we planted a tree. David, the leader of TAPP, said some really nice things. I was holding Sarita & started crying. Most everyone did. We did some singing & then said goodbyes. There were lots of tears today from everyone.

January 7, 2007

Today we split into two groups & each group went to a church. I was with Josh, Kristen, Chelsey, Brittany, Christy, Moses, & David. It was good. Lots of singing & dancing. Scott gave the sermon at the other church and Josh gave the sermon at the one we went to. I guess it was really good, but Chelsey & I missed it because we had to teach Sunday school, but luckily they taped it. We didn’t really know what to expect for Sunday school or what we were going to do, but I wasn’t really worried. As we walked in I looked at Chelsey & said, “how about the story of Jonah?” We taught the kids “This Little Light of Mine” & then I asked if they knew the story of Jonah. After a kid told me that Jonah got eaten by a fish I told them in more detail the story & talked about how Jonah was trying to run from God when he asked him to do something. I asked them what things God asks them to do. They said things like pray, praise him, worship, sing, etc. It went pretty well. I guess I do better when I’m not prepared. When I was done talking to them we had them sing a song for us & then Chelsey prayed & it was time to go back in.
When we went back in the rest of our group was praying for people. People would come up to each of them & they would pray for them. I wasn’t fully sure what was going on so Chelsey & I just went in & stood back. Since I didn’t really know what was going on & am not really comfortable praying out loud & don’t know if I feel like I have the “authority” (not really the right word, don’t know how to explain it) I wasn’t really comfortable with it, but then David said “this boy has malaria & needs someone to pray for him” so I did it.
After the service they gave Josh a pineapple & then we headed to Sam’s, the restaurant we ate at on the last trip. We had a good lunch & then went to the mall so people could buy tea & coffee. The rest of the day was just to relax. We hung out, threw the football, listened to music, & played an intense game of Disney Trivia Pursuit.

January 8, 2006

Last night for devotions we played fun games like mafia. Chelle’s idea. It was a good one. Afterward Colleen jokingly told us to be ready to take HIV tests the next day. She just wanted to scare us & see our reaction, but we all got excited so she decided to set it up for us. So today we all took HIV tests in Uganda. We went to the AIDS center & then had a group counseling session. A guy came & talked to all of us together & answered our questions. Then we went in individually and answered a few questions & then went for our blood test. The lady who took my blood was so good. It didn’t hurt at all. We then had to wait a ½ hour for our results. We went in individually & got our results. They then asked what we were going to do to maintain our negative results, who we were going to share our results with, etc. I had no reason to think that I may have it, but it was still scary. Just kept thinking, “what if.” & if it came back positive how would I react, would I tell the others, what would I d?. I was worried & really had no reason to be, I can’t imagine what it would be like to have reason to believe you have it. I now understand why people who could be positive don’t want to get tested. It was a really good experience. I want to get tested in the U.S. now to compare the two systems. In Uganda they did so well, but I have a feeling from things I’ve heard that in the U.S. you just take the test & get your results. I doubt in most places the counseling happens like it did where we were.
After our test we went to Kasubi to the TAPP center. We divided into 2 groups & went on several home visits. It’s so sad. I can’t imagine not having God. It would be so hard to have hope without Him. There is so much I could write about these home visits, but I really don’t know what to say, I haven't really been able to process it yet.

After our visits we went to the church there & had lunch. I saw Hanson, the guy who led worship at the youth convention & 50th wedding anniversary on my last trip, so Scott & I went up to him & introduced ourselves to him again. It was neat to see him again. Scott got to meet his sponsor boy, Vincent & after lunch Sally went to meet her sponsor girl through Children of Promise. It’s so neat.
After lunch the rest of us went back to the TAPP center for the women to show us how they make the necklaces. As soon as we walked up to the building Sauda, a little girl we met the last time we were there & the sponsor kid of a friend of some of us that was in Uganda last time I was there also, ran out to us. I recognized her right away because she had on the same outfit she wore to the 50th wedding anniversary. She ran out to us & I was like “Brittany, this is Sauda!” & Sauda jumped into my arms. She sat on my lap a lot & I got lots of pics of her because she’s adorable & because I knew Chelsey (her sponsor) would want to see them. She danced for us a lot. So cute. She took my other bracelet which was good because I was planning on giving it to some little girl & I couldn’t think of a better one to have it than her. She’s precious.
The women showed us how to make the necklaces & then we all bought some. At the end David said some really nice things again getting us all teary eyed since it’s our last day. I wasn’t actually crying until I hugged Annie, Edrin’s wife. When she hugged me she started crying & wouldn’t let go & said “I’ll never forget you.” That’s when I started crying. We then said our goodbyes to everyone, David, Edrin, Judith, etc. Sauda ran to me right before I got in the car & gave me a big hug goodbye. I cried part of the way home. I really don’t want to leave. I hate this part & I think it’s even harder this time than last.

When we got back tonight we put a lot of people in Kristen’s extra large Goodwill skirt, played Taboo, etc. We also each had a paper with our names on it & then wrote notes to each other on it. Such a good idea. Cassie’s an awesome trip leader.

January 9, 2007

Today was our last day. We went to Heritage International School in the morning & talked to the principal & took a tour & then went shopping. I only bought Charity’s Christmas present because I wanted to give us much money to TAPP as possible. I raised over $800 more than I needed for the trip & gave it to Colleen. It is going to start building staff housing for TAPP. It’s cool because Cassie bought the land & everyone who helped me out is paying for the start of the housing on that land. So to all of you who helped me out on this trip, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

We didn’t leave until evening so after shopping we just spent most of the day around the house packing, playing mafia, relaxing etc. It was hard. I went out & sat on the back porch a lot just enjoying the last of the warm weather, sunshine, & color. I was on the porch swing & Josh saw me through the window & so came out to hug me & talk a bit. I almost started crying. I did cry on & off today out there. Cassie came out & layed on the couch out there with me for a little bit & talked. I just really didn’t want to leave. I love this place, I love our group. I don’t want to leave any of it. I know that all us students go to the same school, but it’ll still be different.
Colleen’s kids came back a little bit before we leave so it was good to see them & spend some time with them. When I said goodbye to Colleen she hugged me & told me to come back & do social work there. Right after I said goodbye to her I started really crying. I tried to make it to the bus, but Kristen & Sally saw me & hugged me. I cried for a little while on the way to the airport & then Chelsey, Chelle, Kristen & I just talked the rest of the ride.
At the airport there was something wrong with Brittany’s ticket & so we weren’t sure if she was going to get on the plane. Cassie came to tell us what was going on & say goodbye to us incase because if she had to she was going to stay behind with Brittany until they got it figured out so we all went & got on the plane without them. Luckily though she & Brittany made it.

January 14, 2007

Now I’ve been back for a few days. Had to start classes the very next day. It’s a hard transition. Not sure it’s going so well, but I don’t think it’s going too well for most of us. I’ve had classes with Chelsey & Chelle which is nice & I’ve seen Brittany a few times. Sally & I are going to get together sometime this coming week. I’m going to be able to do my internship for Social Work Practice with Kristen and all of us are having a reunion on the 28th at her house.
I’m sure I’ve forgotten many things in my telling of my Uganda adventure & if I remember more I will try to add stories. I definitely know I did not at all capture what the experience was really like, but if you ever want to talk to me in person or see pictures let me know. I have been asked again to be the “sermon” at church sometime & tell/show about the trip so if you live near me & want to come let me know & I’ll tell you when I do it. Thank you for letting me share this with you.

Uganda May 2006

2006-12-20T12:11:00.000-06:00

I am going to share with you about my trip to Uganda. I wrote in my journal while I was there most of the time, but got behind a few days, but I’m going to share like I wrote on each day. Everything is accounted for to the best of my memory. If you went, correct me if I got something wrong.

I learned something while I was in Africa. Well, I learned a lot, but this is something I want to share before I actually start telling you about my experience that is important to know. I learned that no matter how much you read about Africa, watch on TV and movies about Africa, hear about from people who have been there, look at pictures from, etc…etc…, you can never fully understand unless you have been there. I know that in everything I write and share, you will not understand it the same way that I experienced it, but I still look forward to sharing it with you.

This is going to be long. Really long. And I probably won’t even tell everything. But I hope you still read it all eventually and leave me comments.

I went on the trip with five other female students (Jessica Berryhill aka Yac, Tabby Lang, Ashley Allen, Ashley Madriz & Kelley Mitchell), one male student (Scott Schomburg who we named SAS b/c those are his initials & he drinks tea like a girlJ), and 3 older men (Dr. Shively, Bob his brother, and Bernie) who we called the Three Wise Men.

Tuesday, May 9, 2006

I am flying over Africa right now. All I see is lots of desert and lots of clouds, but it is amazing. Just knowing Africa is below me makes the fact that I still have a few hours left on my second 8 hour flight just fine. Beside me is a man from Uganda with his almost 2 year old son. He now lives in England and is taking his son home for the first time to visit. The son is adorable of course and we have been playing back and forth this whole flight. There is a woman on this flight who 20 years ago started an orphanage in Uganda with her husband. Another woman on the flight is a professor at Wheaton. Airports/airplanes are great for people watching. They make me want to know everyone’s story. Where is everyone from? Where are they going? Why are they going? Where have they been?
We flew over the Alps today too which was beautiful! I took a pic out the window. I hope it turns out. Plane pictures can be cool if they work.

Later the same day

And I’m in Africa! As soon as our plane touched down in Entebbe, Uganda I whipped out my journal and crossed off the very first thing on my list of things to do before I die (go to Africa). I stepped of the last step from the plane onto the ground Africa and did a little happy jig. When we got out of the airport and where putting our luggage on the little bus that would take us to the Stevenson’s house in Kampala, I looked up into the beautiful African night sky and the first thing I saw was the big dipper. The same group of stars I can see every night from my backyard back in South Whitley, Indiana. It’s like it said “You’re home.”
It took about an hour to get to the Stevenson’s house and the ride was crazy. The guy drove so fast, got up on the bumpers of other cars, and passed every car possible, plus this was all happening on a completely different side of the road than I’m used to and tons of people were walking & riding their bikes right there. We passed so many stores & tons of people. Loud music was coming from various pubs and the smell varied from the latrines at camp, to wood smoke, to I don’t know what, but it’s one of those smells that if I ever get the hint of it anywhere else I will immediately think “Africa” and memories will flood back. We got safely to the Stevenson’s house & were greeted by them, unloaded our stuff, moved into our rooms, had a snack & went to bed.
The Stevenson’s are Tim & Colleen & are the missionaries we stayed with. When I think of missionaries I kind of get the image of self-righteous people who shove Jesus down people’s throats and are very strict about only “God stuff”. I know that’s not an accurate description of most missionaries, but that is the first thing that comes to mind. Sorry. The Stevenson’s are AMAZING people though and that description doesn’t fit them at all of course. Tim reminds me of Dave Socha so if any of you know him, you know what that means. He’s always joking & you can never really take him seriously. It’s great. But of course if I really had a question, I always made sure I asked Colleen so I knew I’d get an honest answerJ. These people are from Canada (Eh?) and both of their parents were missionaries too so they really grew up in Africa. Colleen went to school at Anderson University too. They have started 500 some churches, 120 schools, and many many programs including TAP which is an AIDs program, women’s programs, a program that builds wells, they do the sponsorship program Children of Promise & Colleen is also on the board for Compassion International & so so so much more. I don’t know how they keep it all straight. They have a great staff too including Moses, Eric, Philip, Godfrey, Apaphia, Olivia, & others. And they have good taste in music.
Their house is really nice & pretty big, which it has to be because of all the people they always have coming & staying with them for trips like this. Part of the time we are here there will also be 2 other groups here at the same time. There are little Geckos that run around on the walls.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Today we just kind of relaxed for the first half of the day to get over jetlag & whatever. I woke up around 6:00 because of loud birds. I was too excited about the fact that I was in Africa to fall back to sleep so I got out of bed about 6:15. Colleen opened up the back doors to the yard so I could go back there. It’s beautiful! There are awesome trees & flowers & a fountain, etc. You can see part of Lake Victoria. On their back porch there are HUGE snails, little tree frogs, and geckos. I touched a baby gecko tonight that their 11 year old son Logan caught & thought he’d freak me out by. I also ate a fried grasshopper. It didn’t taste too bad, but the fact that I could see its eyes when I put it in my mouth & stuff made me limit myself to only one.
Before lunch we had orientation just telling us what we’d be doing, things to expect, culture differences, rules, etc. After lunch we went across the street to work. They had recently purchased this compound & had build little guest rooms, a bathroom, and showers over there because they need more room for big groups. Yac (Jess Berryhill) and I planted some flowers & then she, Scott, Tabby, Dr. Shively, and I planted grass. This is not just putting seed out like in the U.S. No, this stuff was grown already with roots and had to be separated, then holes had to be hoed, and then each thing of grass had to be planted in the ground. We called where we were planting the Ant Hotel and changed the words of Hotel California around to fit. An African man named Eric who is also the night guard taught us how to do all this & helped. I’m so happy it was an African person telling us what to do and that we were working with rather than a bunch of white Americans doing something our way & expecting it to benefit them greatly.
Other people were painting the guest rooms. Each room had a theme including colonial, Masai, and Zebra. The Zebra room didn’t get done so Yac, Tabby, Dr. Shively, Bernie & I stayed longer to get it done. I’m scared of heights. The reason I have never had stitches, sprains, or breaks is because I’m a pansy & don’t do things that could get me those things. Well, I climbed to the top of a rickety old ladder & painted. Yay for me.
We came back & showered & had dinner. The power went out (normal occurance) while I was showering so my hair got washed in the dark. After dinner we got into groups and planned what to do with the different ages we’d be working with in the village later this week.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Today I really really felt like I was in Africa. We went to a school in town called Murchison Bay. Driving through the town we saw tons of people, cows, goats, chickens, etc. It was a holiday today so school was not in session (although one class was going on while we were there). The pregnant headmaster showed us around and then we painted the whole day. We took a break for lunch and while we were waiting for it to be ready I got out some bubbles I brought along and walked over to where some kids were playing cards. A really little girl saw us and starting crying and ran to her mom and wouldn’t look at us. It was sad, but funny. The mom and the boys liked the bubbles and we left them with them and then went and ate our lunch of rice, potatoes, beans, chipattis, fruit and coke. It was really good.
At the end of the day when we were done painting, we were cleaning up all our paint stuff and a group of boys & 2 little girls were playing nearby. We smiled and said hi a lot and then when we were done cleaning up we talked to them a little and took pictures. Most everyone (except me) have digital cameras so we got to show them the pictures after we took them & they really liked that & laughed a lot. I got teary eyed a bit of course which I knew would happen tons on this trip because back home just thinking about going on this trip got me teary eyed. This must be what heaven is like. Beautiful children with smiles and laughter, beautiful trees & birds & Lake Victoria in the background. One of the two little girls especially kept watching me & we smiled at each other a lot & talked a little.
On the way back to the Stevenson’s we rode in the back of the truck and saw so many beautiful kids & people in general with smiles and waves as we passed. We stopped to get gas and got told by a guy with a gun not to take pictures. The radio was on & the news was talking about 20 people getting gunned down so we listened to him. After we got gas the truck smelled like gas & the part we were sitting in sparked a few times so that was a little scary.
We stopped at a market to buy wrap skirts b/c we have to wear skirts in the village. It was a little overwhelming with all the people & just knowing how much we stuck out. It was still neat though & I saw a few Masai people! I learned about them in my Intercultural Communication class & we watched videos about them so I recognized them right away by their clothes. I just think it’s really cool.
When we got back, we showered our incredibly dirty selves and ate a dinner of lasagna, garlic bread, pumpkin baked in banana leaves, avocado, cucumber & apple salad, and then baked bananas & ice cream for dessert. Tomorrow we are going to the village so we planned some things for that. On the way we will go to Jinja which is where the little girl I sponsor through Compassions’s project is. I’ll be SO close & not be able to see her. I want to do an internship here sometime though so maybe someday.

Friday, May 12, 2006

It’s been a steady rain since about 6:00 this morning and it is now 9:18. We leave for the village soon. Normally it only rains for a little bit here, but today we are going to the Nile & the village so of course it’s been raining for over 3 hours & shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. I pray it stops before we leave, or at least before we reach Jinja.

Later
The rain stopped. On the way to Boliso II, the village we stayed in, we stopped in Jinja at the source of the Nile. We took a boat ride. The boat and life jackets definitely wouldn’t meet ACA (American Camping Association-I’m a camp counselor) standards! But we lived and it was fun. Someone had to use a bucket to throw out the water that was leaking into the boat as we went along though. We saw about five Nile lizards called Monitors.
They were about 4 ft. long. We also saw tons of birds including the African fish eagle which is like a bald eagle which has been my favorite animal since I was a little girl. I’ve never seen a bald eagle so it was cool to see this which is so similar.
Then we had a picnic and went on our way again.
We got to the village called Boliso II in Pallisa district with Iteso people and tons of them were there to meet us. One woman came running up to the car making this yelling noise & waving her arms. I don’t know how to write it or make it, but it’s a yell of joy. The people greeted us and ushered us into the church/school/community building where there were seats in the very front on the ‘stage’ facing everyone else. Everyone came in and then they sang a song for us. I looked out at all the beautiful people & tears filled my eyes, but I couldn’t hold them in this time. The tears streamed down my face & this time I wasn’t trying to hold back my tears, I was trying to hold back sobs. My dream has come true.
After the song & some introductory remarks & stuff we all introduced ourselves. I told them my church at home sends them greetings and they went crazy clapping & cheering. We then set up our tents. Everyone just stood and watched us. We were always on display with our every move being watched by hundreds of eyes.
After we set up our tents Yac got out a Frisbee and we started playing with the kids and taking pictures. The kids would like mob us for pictures. I was standing there with lots of kids around me, especially this one little girl who stood really close. She got brave and would touch me & then hide behind her friend. She didn’t even care about the picture being taken, she just wouldn’t leave my side. She didn’t speak English though, only Ateso.
Some people started playing music so a lot of people went over to join and dance so I played Frisbee with some girls and then a few boys and adults joined us too. It was me on one side & all of them on the other and I’d throw to them & they’d throw it back to me, but the one little girl kept standing by me. If the Frisbee went far from me she would get it & bring it back to me but I got her to throw it a few times. Then she starting picking up sticks & piling them on their head (b/c that’s how people carried everything) & then I turned around a little bit later & she was gone. I guess she had to go home and I don’t think I saw her againL.
After that we went inside for dinner. Beef, chicken, rice & potatoes. Same we had for every meal. The beef was too tough to chew though. I tried so hard though b/c I know these people were giving us their best.
After dinner they sang a couple songs & had a choir competition. I said that this trip would tell me if Africa is truly to be in my future and while I was listening to these people sing to me & looking at all these faces that were so honored to have us as visitors, I knew that the answer is yes.
After the choir competition we went out to get ready for bed, but the people stayed and were playing music & singing until early into the morning. A few kids were dancing on a big rock so a few of us joined them, but then tons of people came out and watched us so we stopped dancing & started teaching the kids how to give five, thumb wrestle, and other hand games. I made friends with a little girl that night. I don’t know her name because I couldn’t understand it, but she sat by me and we asked each other’s names and we played the games together.
We all took our “baths” that night which was hot and cold water in small tubs. So it was just washing off with soap and a washcloth in a brick building w/a few holes and a huge open window. They gave us water for these baths every morning and night which is such a sacrifice for them. The village used to have a well, but it wasn’t dug deep enough so is now empty so they have to travel pretty far to get water. We got nothing but the best from these people who have almost nothing.
When we all got in our tent to go to bed for the night I started to feel sick. Around 1:00am, a little after I fell asleep, I woke up & threw up. That continued about every 20 minutes all night long.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Still throwing up in the morning. After breakfast (I couldn’t eat), Colleen prayed for me. In the first half of the day we broke up into groups- kids, youth, women, & men. Tabby, Kelley, & I did things w/the kids, Yac & Ashley M. did things with the youth, Colleen did stuff with the women, and Dr. Shively did stuff with the men. Scott. Bernie, and Ashley A. helped lay bricks for the new school they were building. Amazingly I did not throw up the whole time we were doing things with the kids and had enough strength to do all the stuff we did with them which included jump rope, bubbles, games like Duck Duck Goose, Ring Around the Rosie, and Red Light Green, songs like Father Abraham, The B-I-B-L-E, This Little Light of Mine, If You’re Happy & You Know It, etc. We were running out of ideas & the translator told us it was almost time for lunch so we should just take a break. That’s when I started to feel sick again so it was good to be able to sit down. I’m so glad I was given enough strength for that time though.
While I was sitting down I played with bubbles with some of the kids & youth. A young boy (probably about 10?) was sitting across from me w/an even younger boy (probably not quite 2) with a ratty old t-shirt & no pants. He was so cute and kept smiling and the young boy tried to get him to come to me. He would come part way & then run back to the other boy & laugh. He eventually got brave enough & came all the way to me. The people in the village spoke Ateso and sometimes language was a challenge, but you don’t need to communicate with words to make a connection with people, especially kids. While I was sitting there a woman brought up her beautiful baby girl and put her in my arms. It was precious.
We had lunch, but I couldn’t keep it down and started to get sick again and feeling bad again so even though it killed me to do it, I took a nap since I hadn’t slept the night before because puking the whole night & because I felt too light headed to stand up. I woke up & puked right after they passed out candy and I’m happy I missed that because I guess it was basically a mob scene. Don’t know if I could have handled that. Well, I could have, but it would have stressed me out.
Then two men named Edrin & David came. David is in charge of the AIDS program TAPP and Edrin is in charge of the sponsorship program Children of Promise and was a sponsored child himself. They taught the kids about AIDS and also taught them & us a new Jesus Loves Me. “Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me. Halleluiah, oh, oh, oh, Jesus loves me. Halleluiah, oh, oh, oh, Jesus loves me.” It figures their Jesus Loves Me song is upbeat & danceable while ours is slow & not.
They showed the Jesus movie to the village that night. They got me sprite & bread to eat since they all knew I was sick. Which means someone probably had to walk or bike into town to get it for me. But that’s how giving these people were. I thought I was going on this trip to serve but I am positive Africa touched me more than I touched it. I ate my bread & drank my sprite out on the big rock during the movie. After awhile the little girl I made friends with yesterday and some other girls and a few young boys came over and sat w/me. A few of the young boys would get brave & touch me & then hide behind a friend. I went to like tickle one boy who did it & scared him & he fell backwards off the rock (not a high rock, don’t worry) and everyone giggled. The girl from the day before talked to me a bit. “Madam, what is your name?” “Madam, where are you from?” “Madam, I would like to be friends with you.”

Sunday, May 14, 2006

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
I didn’t throw up again, slept through the whole night, and feel fine today. Despite being sick, the time in the village was one of the (if not THE) best experiences of my life. Other people in my group were saying that out of everyone, why did it have to be me that got sick when this trip meant so much to me. Scott told me that he thought I handled it really well and I’m glad he told me that because I felt bad taking a nap & sitting down sometimes.
Today we had breakfast, church & lunch in the village. The church service was full of music including a couple songs by us and a beautiful solo by Ashley A. Dr. Shively preached. These people have so much enthusiasm for God. A person will yell Praise the Lord & they echo with a loud Amen! If music starts, they immediately start clapping & dancing. They will cheer so much for things that are said that they like. You see little kids with bony arms & legs, but big tummies. Not from obesity like in the U.S., but from not enough food, yet they gave us so much. They have more problems than we will ever be able to understand here in the U.S. yet the joy they have in the Lord is so much more enthusiastic. It’s all so overwhelming.
After the service a girl came up to me. I think she was in the group that sat out on the rock with me the night before. She kneeled and shook my hand (a lot of children and women did that when they greeted us) and while she did she handed me a piece of paper that had a note from her (Esther) and an address to write her. She started the letter “To my best friend”.
We then had lunch and said our goodbyes. We had to strap a live chicken to the top of the car to take home because Scott got close to a 25 year old teacher named Vincent and Vincent gave him the chicken as a gift which is an honor of course. In Africa it’s normal for men who are friends to hold hands so Vincent held hands with Scott over the weekend. It was actually really neat, but it was fun to make fun of Scott for it.
Leaving was so sad and of course the tears came to my eyes again as we drove away, especially when Esther ran after our car waving goodbye.
When we got home from the village we all took showers and put on kind of nice clothes & maybe a little makeup and went out to eat at a nice restaurant. We kind of felt guilty about it after having been in the village, but all enjoyed having something other than beef, chicken, rice, & potatoes.
We also found out that while we were gone to the village they found a green mamba (mambas are the most dangerous snakes in the world) on their property, and a 10 foot crocodile in the channel by their house… too bad we missed that…

Monday, May 15, 2006

Monday was a work day. Did some painting on the guest houses and had to clean out this crate of Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes from Samaritan’s Purse. There was a hole in the crate so water had gotten in and ruined some of the boxes so we had to separate the good ones from the nasty molded ones. Then we moved into the guest houses because that night a group of Canadians came with Colleen’s parents (the started of the Church of God in Uganda) and Cassie Trentaz (who came to Uganda for the first time her sophomore year at AU too with Tri-S) was bringing a group of 2 AU students & another girl the next day. When the Canadian group got there we just all met and socialized and had dinner. Then we came to the guest houses & planned what to do for the youth convention tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

We went to a youth convention in Kasubi this morning. We were in charge of 1 hour of it on living a life of integrity. There were 600 youth (about 12-35 years old) there so we were pretty nervous about it, especially when we said the word integrity and the translator, Hanson, didn’t know it. We were thinking “great, they ask us to speak about something they don’t know,” but we got it worked out. I’m not really sure how it went, but I think it was okay.
Throughout the convention that day our group went in small groups to make home visits to people with AIDS. For a lot of us this was one of the events with the most impact on us. I went in the 1st group. It was me, Yac, Ashley M., and Bernie. Colleen, David (the Tapp guy, and a social worker (woot woot) for TAPP came too. We 1st went to the TAPP building and David told us all about the program. TAPP stands for Tumaini AIDS Provention Program. Tumaini is the Swahili word for hope. The program does things like counseling, advising where to go for testing and treatment, programs for kids with parents who have AIDS, training others to care for people with AIDS, educating people, small projects for women with AIDS such as sewing and making necklaces, home visits, etc. David remembered that I had said I was studying social work when I introduced myself at the village and he had wanted to talk to me and said they could use me someday. I told him that this is what I wanted to do so maybe a practicum or internship here someday really could happen. We then toured the small facility and went on two home visits.
We then visited a woman with AIDS. I call her a woman because she is a widow dying of AIDS with a three year old son and a 6 month old daughter, but really she is only 20 years old. I am 20 years old and still call myself a girl. Her son’s name was Fred and her daughter was Flo and she had beautiful big brown eyes. Praise God because Fred has been tested for AIDS and is okay, but pray because Flo has not yet been tested and will not be until she is at least 1 year old. Why am I living in a big house in America and getting a great education at 20 years old while this person is dying from AIDS as a widowed mother of 2 babies at 20?
The second visit we went on was a woman who is not sure of her age but thinks it is close to 25. She has a 10 year old son, an 8 year old son, and a 4 year old adorable daughter. Her brother just died so his child will soon be living with them also. Her husband left her and now has a new wife, but wants to come back to her. This woman and her children live in a tiny home that costs 7 dollars a month. The landlord has raised it to about 10 dollars a month though and she can’t afford that so she is looking for a new place to live. She can’t pay rent and feed her family. She can’t pay for school fees for her kids. She goes door to door offering to was clothes for pay, but people don’t do the wash that often even if they are willing to pay someone else to do it so she never has a steady income. The little 4 year old girl sang a song for us & then I prayed for them. I’m not a big fan of praying out loud in front of people anyway & it’s even harder when you are trying not to really take in all you are hearing so that you don’t bowl for these people. The woman was so grateful for our visit and we got pictures with both the families. As far as I’m ware of, this was my 1st time meeting someone w/AIDS. You hear about AIDS a lot, but it doesn’t become real to you until you are listening to someone who has it tell their story while you’re holding their child who it may have been spread to. Everyone else in the groups were touched just as deeply by their visits as me & the other people who went on the same visits as me.
When we weren’t at our TAPP visits we stayed at the youth convention and listened to the speakers and music. They sang a few songs like “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” which was really neat b/c we could all sing together. People from Uganda, America, and Canada. People who speak English, Ateso, Swahili, and Luganda all worshipping God together with the same song. Sitting diagonally across from me was a little girl who looked really familiar & we kept making eye contact & smiling and waved a couple times. I didn’t specifically remember her from the village, but I figured that must be how we knew each other. After the conference she came up to me & asked me for my address. Tabby thought she looked familiar too, but when we asked where she was from she said Kampala and then she told us we were at her school. She was the little girl from Murchison Bay where we painted!!!! Her name was Irene & we talked and I got a pic with her & gave her my address. I asked for hers but she didn’t have one. I thought about her so much after that. I was planning on sending Colleen the pics I have of her to give the headmaster at the school to give to Irene since she didn’t have an address.
Whenever we went anywhere in Kasubi the little kids would yell “mzungu!” (which means white person) & wave & wave & wave. It was awesome. As we left the youth convention some kids said “Mzungu, give me five!” so I put my hand out the window & gave them five. Also when we were stopped at a corner to turn a man asked us if we had husbands. We just laughed but Moses told us we should have said “yeah, Jesus.” But we decided that if we ever got asked again we would all just point to Scott.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 (my half-birthday!)

We left for the game park at 6:30 this morning. We kind of didn’t want to go though. We wanted to work more and be with the people more, especially since Colleen wasn’t able to go with us. It took about 4 hours to get here. I refuse to sleep when driving in Africa because I LOVE looking out the window and waving to the kids and other people. I never want to miss anything. The ride here gave me a lot of time to think. I thought about the people I met with AIDS, I thought about Irene a lot, I thought about how incredibly amazing the Stevensons are, I thought about the fact that I’m leaving in a few days, I thought about the fact that I HAVE to come back. That this is where I’m meant to be. I thought about if I’m really capable of it. And I thought about the fact that I’m not capable of it at all. Not alone, but that God will provide me with the skills and strengths needed. On the way I also saw 2 monkeys and when we got into the park we saw baboons, birds, warthogs, and different types of antelope. We stopped at the top of the falls and then went to our camp sites. We had these little building with a bedroom and a bathroom. 2 of us were in each one. They were scary. Nasty bugs, centipedes (but they were so big we called them billionipedes) in the shower, kind of dirty. Warthogs were walking around. Plus the fact that we were in northern Uganda & the LRA has attacked around there before. Of course they had also attacked Boliso once also, but that was a really long time ago.
When we got to our camp & in our rooms we walked down to the Nile & looked around. We came back & ate dinner & then took showers. Yac & I made Scott get the billionipede out first though. While Yac was showering Ashley A. & Tabby were yelling so I went over and found Ashley in a towel b/c I lizard had crawled out of the drain while she was showering. Poor Scott. Being the only boy on the trip, he has to be the brave one. Tabby & I went over to get him. It was dark by this time so we held hands. There are these big ants that have wings & then loose them in the morning. The guys’ porch ligh was on & all these ants were flying around the door so we refused to walk up & knock so we just yelled for Scott to help. Shively told us to just shoo it out, but luckily Scott was more sympathetic and came to the rescue. But as we got back to Tabby & Ashley’s room, Ashley comes running out b/c now this big animal/bug with pinchy things ran into their room. Scott took a deep break, said “I can do this” & went in & saved the day. By this time Yac was out of the shower & killing the flying ants that had found their way into our room. I helped her kill them it then it was time for my shower but another billionipede had found it’s way into the shower. We got it out & I took a quick shower & we all decided we are NOT showering tomorrow. We kept saying “I wish momma Colleen was here” or “I want to go home.” Meaning the Stevensons, not Indiana. We went to bed quickly under our mosquito nets before anything else scary could happen, but 1st Yac & I shoved towels under the crack at the bottom of the door & the bathroom door. Sometime in the night or early morning I woke up in the pitch black from a bad dream and wasn’t sure where I was. Home? No. Stevensons? No. Then I remembered. “Ah, go back to sleep, go back to sleep.” That’s what entered my mind along w/thoughts of the LRA and the fact that if some kind of bug was crawling toward my face at that moment I’d have no idea b/c I could not see ANYTHING.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

When I woke up to my alarm this morning it was still dark out & the power turns off from midnight to 8:30 so we got ready by flashlight. When we moved the towels from under the bathroom door a scorpion crawled out. Yac was brave & killed it in the light of the flashlight. We then ate breakfast & watched the sunrise. It was really cool to see a full sunrise in Africa. We then rode down to the Nile to cross & start our safari. We saw some hippos as we crossed the river & on the other side were a bunch of baboons, including a baby being carried on it mom. It was scary being so close to them though & not being in a vehicle. We got back on our little bus & started on our safari. Before we got too far though our bus got stuck in the mud. This all happened after Sara our guide w/an A K 47 told us that she has the gun b/c sometimes elephants charge & she has to scare them away & that we don’t get out of the vehicle. Well, when our bus got stuck we had to get out or it would have tipped. This all happened on a main road so a truck w/a bunch of men in it stopped to help. One guy wouldn’t help though since we were white. Probably the first time I’ve experienced racism towards me which is a good thing to experience actually, considering many people experience it everyday & in my 20 years this is the first time I can think of that I have experienced it toward me. The men couldn’t get the bus out so our guides, along w/the gun, left us to go get someone to pull it out. Here we were on the side of the Nile they tell people not to go b/c of the LRA, on a main road w/people passing by including at least one who doesn’t like white people, right by piles of elephant poop. Yeah, the elephants that sometimes charge. After our guides found someone to pull us out, Sara came back right away to wait with us b/c she was afraid of elephants coming. After waiting 2 hours the tractor came & pulled us out & we went on our safari and it was great.
We saw elephant, antelope, other antelope-like animals (can’t remember all the names), monkeys, baboons, giraffes, waterbuffalo, a jackal, birds, and a momma lion! I REALLY wanted to see a lion. That was the coolest part. We then ate at a nice hotel and then went on a boat ride down the Nile to the falls. My camera broke right before we reached the falls thoughL. We saw crocodiles, hippos, birds, elephants, & waterbuffalo & the falls were beautiful. After the boat ride we all just wanted to go “home,” but we’re going on a chimp walk tomorrow. We’ve heard it’s like 2hrs long, we miss Colleen, we don’t want to sleep w/scary things again, and we are sad that we have to leave for home soon. We all sucked it up though and had some great bonding time tonight before & after dinner. We talked until about 11:00pm about relationships, love, God, people, Africa, religion, Heaven, and how amazing we all think the Stevensons are.
We then went to bed, but Yac & I found one of those pinchy animal/bug things, but again she was brave & killed it while I stood on a chair. Then we saw a big lizard crawl by the window in our room. Ashley A., Tabby, Yac & I almost all slept spooning together in 2 beds pushed together, but we decided to suck it up & sleep w/the lizard.

Friday, May 19, 2006

We got up early enough for the sunrise again. Yeah, it was cool the first time, but I’m not really a morning person so once was plenty for me, but we had to be up that early for the chimp walk. The walk that was 3 & a half hours in the jungle in sandals & we didn’t see any chimps. Just a few scary baboons that barked at us, another kind of monkey high up in a tree, and ants that bit our feet. At first the trees and stuff were really cool, but after walking around in the jungle crossing log bridges with a guy with a machete for 3 and a ½ hours it got old, especially when we all just wanted to be “home” anyway. One time our guide took his machete and left us alone while he went off the path to look for chimps. We made a “last entry” in the video camera incase we died, but he came back before we got eaten by anything. He was unsuccessful on finding the chimps though.
We made the 4 hr bumpy drive home and stopped to shop for a bit. We were SO disappointed when we got home b/c everyone was gone to a cookout. As soon as they got back we ran out to Momma ColleenJ and hugged her and told her all about our crazy adventures & how much we missed her. Then we watched the Lion King! When we were on the safari we kept singing the songs & quoting it and had a huge desire to watch it.
Seeing the animals was really cool, but I would have rather been with the people. That’s what I love about Africa. Maybe if Colleen had gone w/us it would have been better b/c we wouldn’t have taken a bus so we probably wouldn’t have gotten stuck, we would have felt safer, and we would have gone out again in the evening to look for animals.
The ride home made me really sad too b/c I though even more about the whole trip and the fact that I have to leave in a couple days.
This whole trip has confirmed my love for Africa. I was in love with it before I ever came & now that I’ve been here I can’t even express it. This trip has let me know for certain that Africa is not just my plan, but God’s plan for me.

Saturday, May 20, 200

Today we went shopping in the morning and then to see Heritage, the international school they started. After that was a surprise celebration for Colleen’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. It was really neat b/c they did it like a real wedding. Traditional dress and entrance and music. We ate and then went into the church & different people spoke, choirs sang, people danced, & women put on a skit. One choir was little kids with one really little girl, probably five or six at the most, was the lead singer. They were so good & so cute & Irene was in it! I was so happy to see her again but I was afraid she’d leave before it was over.
At the end of the celebration (it was now dark out) there was a lot of singing. The last song we knew so we got to sing along. It was great & I was so sad this was the last time I’d be hearing African music, worshipping with African people, & luckily the power went out (like I said, normal occurance) just as my tears started to fall. We kept singing in the dark. When it was over & we started to leave, Irene found me. She told me she was worried I had already left & I told her I was worried she had already left. She had gotten an address of a relative that I could write her at. Now I can send her the pictures & write to her! I hugged her goodbye and started really crying as I got on the taxi van & waved goodbye to her out the back window. I cried on & off all a few times all night.
God provided so much for this trip. I wrote letters and talked to my church & raised over what the trip actually cost so I was able to give Colleen about $450.. She asked what I specifically wanted it to go towards & I told her just wherever it was needed the most. She asked me if she could use it for the TAPP training that is happening next week. I told her of course & she got teary eyed & told me that this was a miracle, an answered prayer. She said that David had asked her if they could do this training & she had told him yes even though they didn’t have the money for it. They had no idea where the money would come from so they just started praying. They had come up with the money for a lot of the stuff needed for it, but still needed money for food & some other things. She had just talked to David this weekend & told him she had no idea what they were going to do about it so they were just praying really hard that some how it would come before next week & she held up the money I gave her & said “here it is.” Then she thanked & hugged me. I cannot wait to share w/the people who gave me money that they were part of a miracle.
I talked to Colleen about maybe doing a summer internship in 2007 and she said it’d be possible. But then Cassie saw me almost cry when someone said something about us leaving tomorrow & told me to come back. I told her that I wanted to & that I had talked to Colleen about it. I told her that I was a social work major & stuff & she asked my name & said she’d heard about me when I told her. She said that she is leading an invitation only group here in January & they are inviting 2 student leaders, 2 ed. Majors, & 2 social work majors & told me to plan for January & then I could plan another time to come for even longer. I’m not sure if that means I’m definitely going to be invited, or if it just means they’ll consider inviting me. I REALLY REALLY hope I get invited. That’s less than 8 months away!!!!!

Sunday, May 21, 2006

We got up & ate breakfast this morning & then said goodbye to all the Canadians and Cassie’s group. We then packed up the bus & said goodbye to Tim & Colleen. It was so sad & most of us cried. I cried driving to the airport some too as I watched and waved out the window. At the airport we had some trouble b/c we had e-tickets & I don’t think they really knew how to work them, but we got it worked out. Tim & Colleen’s daughter was on the same flight as us so we got to wave to them again before we left. It’s so hard leaving, but I know I will be back. Hopefully in January, but if not I will find some way to get back there. I have no question about that in my mind now. Next Sunday I am giving the “sermon” in church. Really it’s just me telling & showing pics of my trip. So if you live nearby, come see me.

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