Masese

Before I came to Uganda last year I could say "Things aren't really like that."
After going to Uganda last year I could say "I never knew things really are like that. I had never seen things like that with my own eyes. Those things aren't real in my world."
Today as I am in Uganda once again I can say "My eyes are no longer innocent. My mind is filled with their suffering. My heart hurts for their pain. Things are worse then I even knew."

Today we went to the slums of Jinja. A small village populated by a tribe called the karamojong who migrated here some years ago populate this area called Masese.
I knew the area was bad. I knew there were many health concerns (ringworm, jiggers, scabies to name a few) that should have kept us from touching much. I knew there would be children running astray, half clothed, malnourished. I knew. But I did not know. Really.
As we entered the village a mass of children swarmed the van all yelling "muzungu" white person. Once the door was opened and we set foot on the ground we were swarmed. There was no one spot on my white skin that was not being touched by small black, searching hands. I can say I am somewhat used to this. It's a typical thing for children. But then we were led off the of the main road into the real village. Where clothes lines with grubby clothes weaved the path overhead, the smell of smoke, urine, mud, and cooking rice, overwhelming our senses.
Trodden down by the multiple children attempting to use me as a tree to climb I decided to sit on some higher ground near the houses. It was then I really saw what I had been looking at. Holding a baby, not even a year old, who wore only a dirt covered shirt, malnourished to the point where he had no bottom fat, my eyes absorbed what I had not thought to be true. This small child who clingged to my neck had sores covering his back, the onset of ringworm on his small head. He had been given a piece of bread to eat, by who I am not sure. I held him and I could not hold back the tears. As others pulled at my skirt, ran their fingers through my hair, and asked for pictures I sat in my own thoughts, crying, praying a silent prayer that these things could not be true.
The small child was soon taken from me by a young woman who I am guessing was his mother although she looked hardly older then me. The children took advantage of the free space and climbed on my lap. I found myself seeking the smallest, the weakest, the children who had been pushed down, shoved to the side, forgotten by their siblings because these muzungus were here. I took three by the hand, one by one. They came willingly into my embrace and I placed them on my lap. The older children who had been seeking my attention quickly caught on and ran to their younger siblings or simply those who were crying. After most were calmed and tears were dried I began singing with them a song I knew from a program I only assumed they attended called Amazima. Although I knew many songs from my own childhood and they sing them in similar ways they always laughed when I would add in an extra word or phrase. I loved it. All of them singing and laughing. They were making this ugly place beautiful.
Exhausted and my hair throughly combed through by small fingers, we loaded back into the van. Trying to find trusting hands to take the baby that had fallen asleep against my chest was a challenge. Finally his what seemed to be six year old sister came to me, motioning for me to put him on her back. Hesitantly I let him go. With hands still reaching I crawled back into the safe van to drive back to the safe house to continue living my safe life (with the possibility of having ringworm).
Sitting here now I still have not showered. I needed to post this to say something. To let everyone know who is reading this that those things, they ARE real. Reality. That is their reality. Everyday. Scabbing scalps, bleeding feet covered in flies, infected skin, swollen bellies. That is all the sweet baby boy I held for nearly an hour will know. Saying it breaks my heart does not suffice. Things are not meant to be that way. For anyone. And as I grow older and advance in my education I am going to do my best to not let them be so. My challenge to you, see it with your own eyes too.

Day 1

One of the best days of my life.
After completing our first full day in Uganda, I believe I can speak for my team when saying it was amazing. After waking up from our restless, jet-lagged, but much appreciated sleep, we had a lovely morning orientation. As we sat out on the veranda with eggs and toast filling our plates we opened our hearts and minds to all that is Uganda. God is simply so evident here. Everything. Everything seems to sing His name. I cannot wait to experience all that He has in store for us. A very good piece of advice one of my closest friends said to me before leaving was "Let Gods love wash over you. Just soak it all in." My prayer for this journey is that my team and I can do just that. I believe that with God's love in ones heart there is simply no way to not share it with others which is exactly what I think we are here for.
We headed to Rock of Ages School around 10 a.m. and the dirty work began. When I say the dirty work I do mean that literally. We began with shoes. Passing shoes out to around 130 children could have been somewhat overwhelming but I am speaking only the truth when I say it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Although we passed out shoes last year there was just something about yesterday that put such a joy in my heart I could have easily broken into tears. Removing familiar but now ratty shoes from the children's feet (many were wearing shoes we had given them last year) and placing new, clean, and correctly sized shoes on their feet was more of a blessing to me then I think to them. As I pulled fresh socks over their small feet and gently massaged them, smiles as wide as can be arose from their little faces. When I placed the new shoes on, grabbed another pair from the extra pile when the size was off, and tied them snuggly to their feet, a happiness overflowed from somewhere deep inside me. Best way to physically describe it was, I had the tingles all over. Goose bumps in the dead heat. God is so good and I often forget that.
After a long and hard days work we headed back to the compound and took some downtime. After showers and some rest we headed over to Sera's Caring Place for some fellowship and introductions to her boys. I have missed them so much! How they have grown! I didnt recognize half simply because they are now as tall if not taller then me and many because they are new. A few of the Dove Voice Boys sang for us to open our worship time and then one of the girls who we are also sharing the compound with spoke. After her one of the Dove Voice Boys also gave a message. I never cease to be amazed by watching others who are close to my age speak the words of the Lord. I admire them so much. I know many dont see this but I dont think I could stand in front of a crowd and speak that way. Give me a speech, directions to be given, or have me do an introduction, okay. But speaking from the heart. That is a whole new ballgame.
I am a bit behind on my blogging so I apologize for that. I will do my best to get caught up for to the actual day. Thank you all for your love and support. I will write again tomorrow morning.

As the adventure has begun...

We are now in Jinja, Uganda. I am sitting on a cool tile floor in the wonderful home of Pam and Paul Hunter, simply enjoying the opportunity to stretch my legs. After travelling for over 48 hours I can honestly say I am exhausted, but there is a joy that cannot be described within my heart knowing I am "home". I have missed Uganda. It's a totally new experience being here for the second time. I can not say I felt the same thrilling adrenaline excitement throbbing throughout my body as I did last year. It was a different kind of excitement this time. A peace. Touching down on the red tinted runway I felt as calm and collected as ever which was a bit surprising to me. I would have thought that after dreaming of that moment for an entire year I would be bouncing off the walls! Not that I mind having gone with the more toned down excitement.
Our time in London was fun. We took the tube into the city and spent over an hour simply walking, trying to get our bearings and find the best route to the "main attractions". We finally received some much needed help from a man who was visiting from Spain on an extended stay who of which only had to say "Ciao Obama" when we told him we were from America. We took the trolley to the nearest stop by Buckingham Palace had a nice walk around. There were tons of people in hats, everywhere, so we asked one if there was some kind of event taking place. Turned out the queen was having one of her annual garden parties and the requirement for her guests was they had to wear a hat. Very British.
Totally exhausted and drenched from getting caught in the rain we hurried to the underground tube so we could make our way to the airport. It was a long, but pleasant day.
I am so excited to see what tomorrow will bring. We are planning on going to rock of Ages in Mbiiko to begin our work for Hands4Uganda. We don't have a specific plan yet but this is Africa. Plans tend to fall into whatever God seems to have on His agenda for us so I am not worried. I learned two new words today, topapa, and kakana. You say both of them slowly as they are closely related in phrasing and usage. Topapa means "Slow down" and kakana means "Chill out". As Americans we tend to lean the opposite way of both of these words. We so often get caught up in the most efficient way and the least time consuming process that we forget to enjoy the journey of making the product. If anything that is a main goal I have for my team and I, to enjoy each part of the journey, whether it is boring, busy, hard work, easy work, sweat, rest, happy, sad. I want to embrace very part of this journey, topapa, and kakana.

Goodbye United States...Hello Uganda Africa!

And we're off! Almost.
It is currently 5:30 a.m. and my team and I are packed and ready to go. With passports, reservation numbers, malaria pills, sunscreen, and iPods in hand we are prepared to face Africa...and the 48 hours of travel it takes to get there.
I can now honestly say it's hit me. I am SO excited. After packing for almost a week, after cramming everything we possibly could into bags, after blood, sweat, and tears were shed (seriously) we are leaving. It's happening! God has blessed us so much with this opportunity and I cant way to watch and learn as my team and I grow in Him and in each other.
For those of you wondering we fly out of SLC to Chicago, have a 5 hour layover, fly to London, England, have a 12 hour layover (we will be taking a tour of the city, then fly to Enttebbe, Uganda where we will meet our hosts, Pam and Paul Hunter, and then, finally, we will drive two hours to Jinja, Uganda.
I will keep this updated! Thanks to everyone for their love and support.

11

11.
The number I have now come to on the calendar of which has been counting down the days until my return to Uganda for over a year. Eleven more days until I and four others will board the plane that will take us to Chicago, London, then on to Entebbe, Uganda. Eleven more days until we will embark on a journey of a lifetime. Going to Uganda is such a privilege, a blessing. Travelling there last year changed my life, gave me a continued focus, and spawned Hands4Uganda. While this year I will be travelling with a much smaller team I know that with our five pairs of hands we will change at least one life. Show at least one person that they have a Father in heaven who loves them more than life itself. And that is worth the entire trip. The whole thing.
I never imagined I would be leading a team to Uganda at age 17. At age 11 my mother told me I would be allowed to go to Africa for the first time once I was 18. Obviously that was changed to me going two years earlier.
The mix of emotions I am feeling at this point is mainly overruled by the excitement of going. The team and I still have many preparations to make and things to do. Our largest feat will be packing, so many things, so little space. And we are still collecting things! Our biggest needs include items for packets we are hoping to pass out to the children at Rock of Ages including things such as clothes, shoes, toiletries, small toys, coloring books, stickers, and any kind of hard candy. If you would like to help us in our quest to make 130 packets visit
http://www.hands4uganda.org/News/sendagifttoyourchild for more information.
I will be updating this blog often as the trip approaches and unfolds. I ask for your prayers of safety and blessings, that this experience will not be taken for granted, that our eyes will be opened to Gods extravagant love, and that we will submit to His plan for us while there instead of trying to stick to our own agenda.