Some thoughts and pictures

Our first week in Uganda has passed and is fading into the horizon.

I can not believe how the time has gone so quickly. We've done so much, yet seems like so little at the same time.

Every day is much different from the last, some days we are out all day, some days we are just here at the compound, some days we spend hours driving in the van. . .and we are always meeting and greeting people everywhere.

It is somehow difficult to communicate because of the language bearer. . .luckily most people know enough English the exchange a greeting, and "how are you!?" Never the less, it is hard not to get discouraged because I can not communicate the love, care, and compassion that I desire to communicate to these people.

I know that actions sometimes speak louder than words, but here. . . being able to speak to the people and understand them when they are talking to me is something I long for.

Sometimes speaking the language is uncomfortable, because they may laugh at the way you pronounce a word. . . but in the long run my comfort doesn't matter. I left comfort far behind when I got on the plane to fly 10,000 miles across the ocean to a third world country.

I feel like I'm talking in circles, I apologize.

It is frustrating not being able to communicate, even here on my blog, the things that I am thinking and feeling, and the opportunities and experiences that God has given us here.

But now let me just give you a taste of life here though a few pictures. I will be writing and highlighting more of the events as the my time (and the internet) allows. For now there will just be a few pictures, not in any particular order. But I hope you Enjoy.

I can not take the credit for these pictures, as most of them have been taken by our dear brother Ezra.

This is the Church we attended our first Sunday, with nearly 800 people



 

Ezra and Peter have begun to do a bible study with a group of Muslim people, right in their own village.

Ezra and Brenna 

This is Masese

And so it begins

It is hard to even begin to explain in depth, as I wish to, about all the things that have gone on in just these first 4 days that Brenna and I have been in Uganda. God is doing many things in our hearts already! And I think I may just fail to relay all that is on my heart right now. 

Our first day was so full of excitement as we went to meet some of the people that Papa Paul Hunter has been writing about on the Next Generation Ministries page on Facebook.

The first girl we met, her name is Olivia. And from the time she was in high school has been paralyzed from her waist down. No feeling in her legs at all. Papa Paul, along with a few others, took Olivia to the hospital in Kampala to be operated on.

Olivia had many visitors this day

Isn't She beautiful!?

We are very hopeful that she will be able to use her legs again. Such a sweet girl! We only visited her for a short while, but she asked when we would come back to visit, because can you imagine how lonely it would be to sit in a hospital with no company!? Brenna and I look forward to visiting her again very soon! 

The second girl we visited was Sharon. Sharon is only 8 years old, but some time ago she was run over by two boda's (motorcycle taxi) and received 6 fractures in her legs, arms, and various other places. Paul Hunter took her to the hospital in kampala to br operated on after she spent some time in Jinja without care after the acident happened. Now, we are taking her tomorrow to get her last cast off!! You would not believe how good she is looking! And to see a smile on that little girls face after all the pain she has been through.

These are the scars from the surgery that corrected the fractured bones in Sharon's arms. Her right arm looks the same.

The last place we visited on Friday was the house of a lady called Sarah. . . A single mother, who has 12 kids under her care. Not all are hers, but she has taken those other children into her home. Some days they go hungry, because for Sarah it is very hard to make enough money to feed all those children. So, before we went to Sarah's house, we went to the market to buy food to bless Sarah's family with. When we arrived at their home we were invited in, the children gathered all around and we just had fellowship. I am looking forward to building relationship with this sweet family. 

This is a picture from where Papa Paul and Chris bought bags of rice and beans.

These are only a few of the children that are under mama Sarah care.

These are Sarah's two oldest biological daughters, Ester and Rita.

And this is Sarah's youngest biological daughter, Precious.

So, that is just a little peek at our first day here is Jinja, Uganda. And SO MUCH more has happened in the days following. But I will share more later. For now, I hope you are blessed by the pictures and stories. 

The t i m e has come!

It's less than 24 hours till we leave!!!



I can hardly believe this day is already here. As many of you know, my dear friend Brenna and I will be leaving for Uganda, Africa in less than 24 hours! We will be departing from Seattle at 1:43pm tomorrow afternoon, and not returning till May 7th.

God is so amazing!
I am beyond excited for the adventures and struggles that I will be facing over the next 3 weeks.




As we have been preparing for this trip, the least enjoyable part has probably been packing. What to bring and what not to bring.....Oh, the stress of leaving something important behind.....but alas, we are ready to go.



Our personal luggage. . .

...and the extra luggage we are taking that is filled to the brim with things to bless people in Uganda with.

Thank you all, so much, for your prayer and support!!!
Keep in touch for updates and pictures of our adventures and ministry over the next few weeks. I am going to do my best to share stories with you as much as possible. <3

[The sun setting on the eve of our last full day in the U.S.]

To God be the Glory