Uganda: London Layover
(For the record.. I had this written and prepared a week or so after we got home.. but it wouldn't publish!! So... 6 weeks later...)
We had just under 24 hours to spend in London before our flight to Denver. Most of us went to dinner Friday evening at a local pub and enjoyed some actual fish and chips. (SO GOOD.)
The next day Smokey and I left pretty early to go see the sights!! I just thought I'd share a few of my favorites until I found enough room on my desktop to move all the trip pictures over and finish them up for the projects I have in mind.
Final Day
Today was our final day in Uganda, though a few will remain and continue working for another week. We spent the day at the orphanage playing with the kids and doing dental clinics. (A few of the doctors went to a hospital in Kampala. Apparently they've got some crazy stories to tell, but I wasn't there… so you'll have to ask them when they get home!) It was an emotionally charged day for most of us… meeting new people, falling in love with them, and then saying goodbye.
We leave for London dark and early tomorrow morning. I will probably write one final blog upon our return home.
Please keep us in your prayers. We have to make it through Kampala traffic tomorrow morning to meet our plane. Thank you for your faithfulness to us and to God on this adventure!!
These are some of the "Moms" that care for the orphans at Adventure Village. Ricki and Bev hosted a little shin dig for them this morning and gave them gifts and prayed over them. Smokey led them in worship and real JOY shone on their faces!
Playing!!!
Yup. That's me. I handed over my camera for a few minutes to Kathy, who was determined to take a picture of me with my camera. It only took 2 weeks, but she did succeed!
Music class
Saying goodbye...
Obligatory Cute Kid Photo of the Day
-- What? YOU try to pick just one out of 900!!
Awesome Photo Op
-- Jason, Rudy, Smokey, Gavin, Danielle, and myself took a stroll into the streets near the orphanage to witness to the people who lived in the area, specifically the boda boda (not sure that's spelled right) drivers. They're basically taxi drivers, but on motorcycles instead. We handed out candy and made sure each person we spoke to had at least heard of Jesus. We ended up on a corner where the boda boda guys park and wait for clients. I took this man's picture and he asked how he could get it! I promised him I'd put it up on the website tonight. SO.. this is me keeping my promise. :)
Jinga - The Source of the Nile
Today, many of the team who sponsor kids at the Seeta orphanage were allowed to take their children on a field trip to Lake Victoria and the Source of the Nile River. The rest of the team stayed back at the orphanage and served 48 dental patients! We met up again at dinner time. We were able to swim in the pool and enjoyed a special outdoor BBQ dinner hosted by the hotel. For many of the team, including myself, tomorrow (Thursday) is our last full day in Uganda. We will begin our journey home early Friday morning.
One thing I haven't written much about are the devotions we've had each morning, led by Rudy, Gavin, Sarah, and Danielle. These teaching moments have been especially beneficial for many of the team, with incredible insight from the young people on this trip. We've spent time in prayer and worship and refreshed our focus for each day. I quit taking pictures during the devotions because I felt it was more important that I participate in them, but I did want to mention a little something about them here. They've been fantastic!
Thank you for covering us in your prayers. God has kept us safe in health and in all our travels. And believe me, travel in this country is chaotic. Please continue to pray for us, especially for those sponsors who will be saying goodbye to their kids for another year or two. Tomorrow is expected to be a very emotionally taxing day, and I'm certain that many of us will need the Peace and Comfort of God to make it through saying goodbye to these beautiful people and this amazing country.
Lunch
Dave, teaching his kids how to pop a straw.
Doug and his kiddo enjoying each other
Enjoying the boat ride
Passing by a fisherman
I love these white birds... this one decided to begin flying out of my frame.. but I like the image anyway. Of course, it's late and I can't be 100% sure of the name.. but I think it's a White Herring, or something like that.. we saw many of them on safari too.
I caught Larry cuddling with his kiddo after swimming tonight. I also caught him showing her pictures at lunch and dancing with her by the pool when a slow song came on before dinner. It was difficult to pick just one picture of them together to post on the blog.. but this one... just makes me so happy.
Obligatory Cute Kid Photo of the Day
--- Morris. John was squeezing the ketchup bottle and when he'd let go he'd make a noise and Morris would jump and laugh! Every time. He is a small, quiet 7-year-old... sponsored by John, Melissa, Karleen and Tori. This kid can EAT. You know that first picture of the fried tilapia? That was his. And he ate it all. Like a PRO.
Safari! (2 days)
The group split in two yesterday and today. Half of us went on to the orphanage at Seeta and the other half took a detour to Murchison Falls National Park for a safari. I was with the safari group, and was able to capture a few images of some of the animals we saw. The first day was spent slipping around on muddy roads in a bus and checking out all the animals of the savannah that were out enjoying the cool weather. The second day was spent on The Nile hanging with hippos and crocodiles.
*Just a little reminder. Please remember that these images are not print-quality. They are hardly even web-quality. Please do not pull these and try to print them. They'll look terrible. I will upload the full-resolution images upon my return home! Thank you!
Obligatory Cute Kid Photo of the Day
-- You can ALMOST see this baby baboon clinging to its mommy's belly. :) The baboons made me laugh today. A lot.
Our trip is coming to a close. The next two days will be spent with the kiddos at the orphanage here in Seeta. Many of the team have kids that they sponsor, and as of right now it looks like they'll get to spend some special one-on-one time with them tomorrow. We thank you still for your prayers!!
Sunday - Day of Rest
Today was a relatively relaxing day, with little work and more play.
This morning we were up a little earlier than normal and went to church at Victory Outreach Ministries. We were led in worship by both the School of Worship from Colorado Springs and the church's worship team. This church knows how to worship! They are always singing, dancing, shouting, or clapping… and sometimes jumping! They are purposeful, lively, and so transparent in their devotion to God. It was very refreshing to be at church after the long, tiring week of work at the hospital.
The kids are off to their own classes for church
After saying goodbye to the School of Worship team, which is on its way home today, some of us chose to walk home from church instead of take the bus. Nothing very spectacular happened, but it felt good to walk the streets… which is what so many of the people here do. Many of us decided to eat lunch at an American restaurant. They had pizza and burgers… but the sign out front wasn't very comforting. ;) Good luck?!
Tonight we pack up and head out for the next leg of our trip. Some of us, including myself, are heading out on a two-day safari, while the rest are headed to the orphanage at Seeta. The safari group will meet up at the orphanage at the end of the safari trip.
Obligatory Cute Kid Photo of the Day
-- The very shy Esther was somewhat attached to Gavin
Prayer Requests:
Please continue praying for the health and wellness of the team members. We have more travel and work ahead of us tomorrow. Please pray for the safety in travel. Please pray that God continues to penetrate our hearts and mold us as He sees fit. At church this morning, we saw several people welcomed into the family of Christ. Please continue praying for the people of Uganda, that their hearts also will be softened and open, ready to receive Him.
"Apwoyo." ("Thank you," in Luo, the language of the tribe of Lango, who lives in this region.)
© Summer Williams