Today was my first day of meeting in the Opeta village with the women of married age. We talked about HIV/AIDS and being faithful in their marriages. It went really well...52 women came despite several large town meetings going on at the same time. The women asked some very good questions and expressed great appreciation for my coming to inform them. However, I cried on the way home. There is so much infidelity here, on both sides, which is why HIV is spreading like wild fire. I read scriptures to them and felt like I got my point across but there is so much corruption it feels a bit overwhelming. I know they heard what I said, but it is hard to know if things will change. There is obviously great depth to the problem. But, on the way home I read "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galations 6:9 I need to learn to trust in that. My mind knows that God is in control of all of this, but my heart is struggling to find understanding. I also need to remember that this is only the beginning :)
On a happy note, while waiting for the truck after my talk I sat under a big shade tree, sipped on a warm, orange fanta and played cards with Wes and a couple of Ugandans. It was great!! There will be joy and there will be sorrow, but we will press on!!

Week One

I am loving it here! It is rather HOT and I've officially started my farmer's tan! It started yesterday with riding in the back of the truck on the way to a village (almost 2 hours away). The people here are trying to get me to turn black, so they say ;) We went out to the villages on Thursday and Friday. The good news...50-90% of the people have left the IDP camps and have returned to their villages!!!! The rebels have not attacked in many months (they have moved to the Congo). Wes says the people have higher spirits now. However, the people are still desperate for help. I was able to assist with a medicine distribution on Friday for those who have tested positive for HIV. The people were so welcoming - singing and dancing as we arrived. I know this is exactly where I am to be right now. In the following weeks, my schedule will be filled with traveling to 8 different villages and beginning the HIV/AIDS class with women. I have fallen in love with the women here so I am very excited to dive in further! I have already been faced with emotional challenges however there has also been joy. These people are so wonderful! We have several Ugandans on staff who are extremely helpful and have a great sense of humor. That's how you deal with things...you find ways to laugh. I am blessed to be surrounded by the staff and Wes and Jolene. I wish you all could see it here. Lira is a smaller town and the main form of transportation (other than foot) is by bicycle. The women ride side-saddle on the back of the bikes! I'll have to try it and pray that I don't fall off. They'd just call me a crazy muno (white person)!! Sorry this I'm jumping around everywhere...there is just so much to tell :) Common animals around here - mosquitos, goats, cows, bats(tons of bats), and oh yes...rats! Last night I went into the pantry and spotted a rat with a furry tail!! One of the staff guys told me today that those are the bad ones...they eat the other rats. Great! I'm convinced it was a RUS (rodent of unusual size...for those of you who have seen Princess Bride, ha!) Well, I should get this sent being as I don't know when we might lose power. It was just off today for about 6 hours. They turn it off and on randomly, no rhyme or reason. Good thing we have candles. Thanks for the comments - it's nice to hear from home :) Love you -

I'm Here...FINALLY

So, after 52 hours after I left my house in Denver we arrived at our house in Lira.  Three flights, a layover in chaotic and unfamiliar Amsterdam, a lovely sleepover in Kampala (an actual bed) and a fabulous bus ride lasting 8 hours.  Imagine a bus dated back to the 70s, every seat filled including children sitting on someone's lap and people standing in the isle.  For eight hours No food, little water, no bathroom and our bus was burning oil the whole time....notice the picture!  We were clean before the bus ride began :)  Oh yes, forgot to mention that we will literally have bruises on our knees from hitting the seat in front of us due to the road.  But once we arrived in Lira, Wes was waiting for us with the GRI truck to take us to the house where a warm meal was waiting for us!  During the flights and the airports, I started thinking "what the heck did I get myself into."  However, as soon as I stepped off of the plane and took in a deep inhalation of the Ugandan night air, I somehow felt at home and a sense of calmness come over me.  It's been a long journey so I now will turn into my bed and pull the mosquito net over me for a nice, restful sleep.

How this works

Hello everyone! So, this is the page that I will write updates and various experiences during my trip. I am not yet sure how often I will be able to get online being that we only have electricity every-other day :O) Feel free to post comments or use my yahoo email address to send emails. We are 10 hours ahead of Colorado time. My flight leaves Monday at 9:10am -->Minneapolis-->Amsterdam-->Kampala, Uganda Tuesday night at 9:30. We'll stay the night in a hotel then ride a bus 6+ hours north to our house in Lira. I'll be in touch! Love ya

Are we there yet?

This is driving me crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!