Our trip officially started on the 6th though in reality it has been in the plans for over six months. In January we had our first team meeting and there were six of us, only one other that had ever been to Uganda. A few months later I was in Colorado visiting a dear friend when I got an email from a Ugandan pastor. He asked if I could contact someone he had never met to discuss her making some hygiene kits we could then take with us. Turns out Kathy lives outside of Denver and she not only was willing to make the kits but decided she would like to join the team. Her goal is to teach the locals how to make them for availability and business opportunities. Also turns out she has a friend that wanted to go as well. So then our team was eight strong. Then our Worship leader asked if he could join the team. So just like that our six became nine. It is always exciting to see the enthusiasm for our journey escalate as we get closer and closer to departure. Wednesday night we had a team dinner, were prayed over, and packed. We are each allowed two big suitcases and two carryons. This trip we have a total of 17 big bags (for the six original) plus everyone's individual stuff. Amazing the amount of stuff we are taking with us, but it is hard to say no when someone asks to deliver an item half way around the world! And so we are taking the hygiene kits, items Musana has specifically requested, seed for the Village Health Workers, vitamins for children and pregnant women and the requisite chocolate!!
So Friday morning my phone started ringing at 3:30 am. The flights out of Denver were delayed (and then cancelled) to Atlanta. Kathy and Patsy weren't sure if they would be arriving Thursday with the rest of us, or on Friday. Fortunately, they were able to reschedule and were to meet us in Amsterdam. Meanwhile, our flight out of Atlanta by delayed by over 3-1/2 hours and it became very questionable as to whether or not we would arrive in time to catch the next leg. Fast forward eight hours and we disembarked to find they were holding the plane! And so, for those of you old enough to remember the O.J. Simpson commercials with him sprinting through the airport, that was us. Good news we made the flight. Bad news… only four of our 17 bags arrived. Yes, that read four!! And so we spent the next two hours in the airport filling out paperwork, and with luck they will arrive at Musana tomorrow.
So we arrived at Banana Village around 1:30 a.m. and bless Jemimah's heart, she was there to greet us. We all fell into bed, and this morning upon awakening there were NO monkeys. We then started our trek to Musana. It was so good to see the countryside again; to see the people and children along the side of the highway. Ironically, as we were driving here, we passed Umar driving to Kampala. What are the chances? It was so cool to be driving through traffic and see a familiar face. We arrived at Musana and immediately saw Tony, Grace, Evan, Dezi and Sarah. (You wouldn't recognize Dezi). It was like old home week. Then we took a detour down to the school where I was able to see both Atwiiya and Rashidah. Atwiiya still doesn't say a word, but her eyebrows are working overtime. Rashidah is as beautiful as ever and more shy. Jen, I saw Reagan and he wanted to know why you were not here. He said to be sure I said hi to you. Vicki, I saw Vicky and she too said to say hi. I am supposed to tell you both that you have to come back next year. Then we saw Jacob, Isaac and so many other familiar faces. We got a huge hug (no bigger than what we gave back) form Florence and then later tonight got to see Susan. We also got hugs from Giddeon. Being back is amazing and once again I am so thankful for all of you who support me, and the team, on this journey.
Needless to say we are exhausted but invigorated. Tomorrow our work begins and I can't wait to see what is in store for us.
Love you all,
Suede
No comments:
Post a Comment