January 2014 Update 3
Happy New Year!!! I hope everyone had a safe and joyous New Year!!
I left you on tuesday morning as we were preparing to come to camp. It is pouring rain this morning. We awoke to the rolling thunder. Not a bad way to wake. I think we all slept very well. This morning we had a lot to do, but the idea of venturing out in this rain isn’t very appealing. We decided to get all our things packed and hope the rain stops. Finally it became a drizzle around 11, so we decided to walk into town. A boda ride would be a little messy. I had to pick up a few more things for camp and the girls remembered a few souvenirs they forgot to get, so we headed back to Ritah’s. I think Ritah is getting very used to seeing us. She will be sad tomorrow when we are at camp. The girls have masted Main Street, so I have left them to shop while I do my last errands.
I have developed a bit of a cough and congestion, so I picked up some meds just in case. One of the things I love about Uganda, I can walk into the pharmacy and get anything I want without a prescription. After gathering the last few things for camp, I met the girls back at Flavors, our favorite hangout where were enjoyed some ‘chips’ french fries and then Dennis collected us to begin transporting everything out to camp. Dennis works with Emma’s transport company and is his cousin. They didn’t have a very big car and we had 6 people to get out to camp as well, so we did 4 trips to camp. It was a long process, but we made it! All of my friends were there when I finally made it out (I was on the last trip). It is so much fun seeing all these guys again. I am so blessed by the community God has provided me here in Uganda.
We spent most of the evening setting up the accommodations for camp. This year we are using a different facility because the Discovery Centre we usually use is closed for the holidays. We are at Lords Meade, a boarding school. This has brought a new set of challenges for me. Discovery Centre literally provides everything, so we can focus of facilitating camp. Here we have to gather and set up beds/mattresses/mosquito nets. I had to hire a caterer for the week as well. I have been so thankful for Allan and Cathy, two of my older friends here who stepped in to help me in amazing ways!!
After getting all the beds set up, we got to enjoy our first meal. The girls really have been spoiled until now, so I wonder how they will do with the ugandanfood. We had chicken, rice, greens and potatoes. The rice was really good!! We also got some pineapple for dessert! Super sweet, so good!! I think the girls were excited that they recognized all the food.
We spent time doing team building and getting to know each other this evening. We spent some time in prayer preparing for camp as well. I love joining with these brothers and sisters and coming to the Lord’s throne together. It is a glimpse of what heaven will look like!
My illness seems to be gaining speed. I am exhausted and am losing my voice. Even though it is New Year’s Eve, many of us headed to bed to be rested for the kids in the morning. Many of the boys plan to stay up…God speed!
The day was very good! I am excited for the kids to come tomorrow!! It makes all the stress of organizing so worth it when those kids arrive with their beautiful smiles!!
Join me in praising our great God for the staff that He is building here. Pray for safety for the kids and that God would be working in their hearts even now. Continue to pray for Madi as she is in transit. I did hear that she is on the plane headed to Amsterdam, so we are hopeful that she will arrive safely without any other interruptions.