Saturday 7/29/17

It's 9 pm sat.  We landed safely in Uganda at 230 pm on Thursday.  We normally arrive in the late evening, so this was a welcome change. Emmanuel and Rachel were there to meet us. It was such a happy moment to finally see them again after 6 long months. Rachel greeted me with a bouquet of flowers- as always. 💐🤗  After they drove us the 1.5 hours to our inn, we had a brief meeting over dinner to plan our stay.  I showered and went to bed by 10. I woke Sat at 730 and had a solid nights sleep. We ate breakfast and then left for the new campus site. When we arrived at the village where the new land is located, there was a funeral gathering at one of the villager's homes. There were hundreds of people everywhere. That is a strange site for a village that is fairly remote but Rachel explained that every local villager is expected to attend the buriel of a fellow villager, whether they want to or not.
Pulling up to the future campus was an awesome feeling. Realizing just how far God has brought this ministry in such a small amount of time humbles me beyond words. The security fence was up and surrounding the entire property.  The iron entry gate was up as well as the guard's station. The well was in and there were many trees already planted.  They planted flowering trees, green trees, mango, orange,  and avocado trees. The beans are planted as well. I can just envision it when it is finished and how beautiful it will be. But...we do not have any money raised for phase 2 yet - so the property will remain as is until we have enough to continue. God willing -  The dormitory and kitchen will be next.  Sometimes we find ourselves worrying - wondering how on earth we will ever be able to accomplish such a task. But then we remember that these are God's  daughters we are trying to clothe, feed and educate and that He loves and cares for them so much more than we do.  And because He is faithful, we can rest in Him.
Matt and I sat up talking to the wee hours of the night, so needless to say - I was exhausted today. Actually that's an understatement. Is there a word that means more than exhausted?  If so, that's what I was. A little better after some African coffee 🤤 and crawling out of my tranquilizer fog after 1.5 cokes.   😕🙃
We finally got to see the girls today. Indescribable moment.  Lots of hugs and, "I've missed you so much."  We gave each girl a letter from her sponsor which brings them each so much joy that it is just sweet to watch. They pour over the letters again and again and do not stop until an adult moves them on to another activity. They treasure these letters because it's the only ones they have ever received and for most of the girls, the words of love and affection are the only ones they have ever heard.  As I sat there and watched them smiling and full of joy and peace, i could not help but to picture them 6 short months ago, on the streets of kampala - so thin due to starvation, weak eyes and expressions, dirty little hands cupped in the air hoping for food or water or money from a passerby.  Today they look so much brighter and healthier. They have joy and hope and it is so evident that they praise God for this gift that was unexpectedly given to them.
They danced and sang for hours and we finally left as it was getting dark.
I'm back at the inn as I write this. I'm eating a dry biscuit and a water for dinner. I shared the lunch table with a cockroach this afternoon until Matt finally decided he was going to remove it. I, of course, did my best to be brave and polite to our guests as to not embarrass anyone. (I did keep saying, "What is that bug," and when noone would answer I finally said, "Yeah, it's a cockroach," and I think I said something like, "Matt, it's coming to get you."  So maybe I didn't actually do my best. 😶
I have fierce jet lag this trip - could be a bit of dehydration. 😴😪
Tomorrow we will have a church service at the project house. Matt has been asked to preach. He is sitting at his computer as I write this preparing his sermon.
I am blessed and I am so grateful to Jesus - our love, our peace, our joy, our redeemer, our saviour.

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

 He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. 

 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.  ~ Psalm 107: 19-21

Day 1: Wednesday 7/26/17

It's 5:00 am. My alarm went off at 1 am and we left the house at 3. I'm sitting in the airport waiting to board. This day is reminiscent of my first trip to africa when i sat alone waiting to board. But fortunately I will be meeting my brother, Matt in Philadelphia to board our next flight together. We will fly from phili to Doha and it will take approx 13 hours. Then Doha to Entebbe which will be about 7 more hours. We will arrive in Africa at 2 pm on Thursday - 7 am US time. I am so excited to see Rachel. I miss her so much in the months we are apart. This trip is for the purposes of visiting the new property and seeing the completion of phase 1. The 5 acres have been leveled, the well and electricity are in, the security fence is up, trees planted, and gardens started. When we return we will begin fundraising for phase 2, which will be building the dormitory to house 100 girls. Currently we can only hold 33. It will also include the building of the kitchen and latrine. When phase 2 is finished, the girls can finally move in. On this trip, we will also get to visit with the girls, and of course we will have numerous business meetings. We fly back on Aug 6th.
Preparing for this trip has been a bit overwhelming. I've been emotionally and physically drained for weeks.  I'm taking some good supplements that my nutritionist suggested and I think they are beginning to help. I also had, what i believe to be, a sinus infection brewing but I am on an antibiotic for malaria prevention, so hopefully that will do it. I'm not sure which is worse - the mental and physical exhaustion I've been under or the emotional. Over the last few years, I am beginning to understand what is meant by spiritual attack.  This is not something that made much sense to me before but when you are actively engaged in His Kingdom work, it can be relentless.  BUT, I know Jesus is with me and will strengthen me to do His will.  I'm not ungrateful for this special mission- I'm so very thankful and blessed.  But this is me being real.  It's not easy work but I would not trade it for anything the world has to offer. Please pray while we are in Uganda. Pray that His Will be accomplished in all things. Not ours. Never ours. Only His.
Just landed in Philadelphia and will be headed to Doha soon. Waiting to meet Matt now.