Fading away.

So it has been a while since I posted. This is what I did not want to happen. We got home and the memories started fading away. And I don't want it to be that way. I miss Uganda so much. I think about the people every single day and I just can't wait to be back there next summer.

Monday, June 7thMorning:

It's really early. Everyone else is asleep. I don't know why I am up right now...
Today we are painting, you know what that means?? WE GET TO WEAR PANTS! YEEEEES! I am SO tired of wearing skirts. It will be so nice to finally get to wear pants out in public. (The little things!)
Last night Hannah adopted a child and Becca got 4 avocados for dowry.
Afternoon:

We painted the school this morning. It was alot of fun, but I think I lost most of my brain cels because of the fumes. We had to sand all the walls first which made me look EXTRA mzungu. After we went to Pastor Stevens to eat lunch and tonight we are going to youth group!
Night:

Youth group was awesome. The worship here is unbelievable!! The spirit is moving in all of us and it is such an amazing thing. The people are serious about their worship and teachings. I love it here. It is so amazing!

there are no words.

Saturday, June 5th

The stars here are beautiful.
We got to sleep in this morning which was so nice. I did devo this morning. I didn't think I would have to cause Billy man busted in, but I did. Thanks Billy!!!! After, we headed to pastor Steven's house and he showed us the house he is building, it is massive. He is calling it the "dream house." It is for missionaries to stay with him when they come to visit. The house was 8 or 9 rooms, with an apartment in the back. We ate lunch at his house and played soccer with Samuel. The ice cream man came! And ignored us. I cried. It's totally because we're white.
After we went to Entebbe for the crusade. I feel like a celebrity. Actually... It's more like a Pee-wee Herman kind of fame. It's just weird.
There is major spiritual warfare going on. I have never experienced anything like this. God is present but at the crusade you can feel the darkness from the city. It's such a heavy feeling. It's very real.


Oh... I AM SO TIRED OF BEING A MZUNGU!!!

Quotes of the day:

"Sorry my mouth wasn't open. Say it again." -Mason

"I like you Mason. You laugh at my jokes and hold my rocks." -Becca

"Is it ok if I smile at a cop?"-Me
"No, it's inappropriate to kiss them."- Niana
"No, it's inappropriate to dry hump them."- Hannah

Attack of the Flies

Friday, June 4th

I was attacked by flies... I literally thought I was going to get eaten to death.

Night:
Today was so humbling. Our room woke up late... totally my fault. We woke up to the voice of a Ugandan man pounding on our door. My heart stopped.... It was Jesse. Ugh. We then walked to Pastor Steven's house and hung out. This team blows my mind. I love every single on of them. Each person brings their own spice to the group. We could not have a more focused, or united team.
We went to Entebbe and split into two groups. One group went to a high school and spoke. My group went to a visit a hospital. It was such a somber place. We prayed with patients and spoke to them through a translator. There were so many beautiful people! One of the patients just had a baby that had been diagnosed with malaria. They hadn't named him, so they asked for suggestions. Tyler, Jacob, and Josiah were the suggestions(I suggested Josiah) and they picked Josiah!!! I named a baby! :D

We had lunch at a really good restaurant, where I broke their toilet with the help of Hannah... Oops. After we went to the crusades. The crusade tonight was mind-blowing. My life has been changed and I have only been here for 2 days. I know this field is where I am called. I have so much to learn, but I have plenty of time. There were women that were demon possessed, and the pastors on stage were casting them out. I was not prepared for this. But it is a opportunity for growth. This is the most real thing I have ever experienced. I am spiritually exhausted, but God is working on our hearts.

We got back to the hotel and talked as a group, ate food and goofed off, I love my roommates. We are inside and talk about farts all the time. I like it.

GOODNIGHT!

Quotes of the day:
"I don't say the F word, I say 'fluff."-Sunnee
"Well, fluff you!"-Hannah

"I'm picking my nose, just so you know"-Hannah

"You really gonna fluffing say that to me? Cause I'll fluff you up." -Hannah

A Beautiful Wedding

Justin and Diane's wedding was this past weekend. Probably the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to. I was honored to be apart of it.
Thursday, June 3rd
Morning:
First night in a bed since Monday! That was pure bliss, even though the beds aren't very comfortable. I slept like a rock. The shower was interesting... no curtain. Awkward.

It's a beautiful day outside. Thank you Jesus for this beautiful weather! We're going to the church today. I am really excited!!
Night:
Today=Mind blowing

Woke up and ate breakfast at the hotel. It was delicious. The food here is awesome and I haven't gotten sick yet! YAYY! We went to the church after breakfast. Church here is very lax, but people are on fire for God. It's so awesome. Pastor Steven is really nice and all the people we are meeting are so welcoming.
We hung out at the hotel for a few hours to rest and played with some children that live around here. They were so fascinated with the cameras. A few tried to steal mine, but I whipped them into shape, haha just kidding. The children here are beautiful. They all have such bright spirits.

We went to the crusade in Entebbe tonight and it was amazing. You could feel the presence of God there. It was beautiful seeing hundreds of people, dancing, singing and praising the Lord. This trip is opening my eyes so much to the world. These people are living in poverty while we sit back and do nothing. But they have more faith than most Americans ever will.

Quotes of the day:
"Can I worship with my farts?" -Hannah
"Oh crap! I just swallowed... I'm gonna die." -Hannah

Let's just keep going...

Since I'll be gone for a few days I'll post a second entry.
Wednesday, June 2nd
Morning:
We just landed in Dubai. This airport is sick. But what do you expect from the richest country in the world. There's pretty much a mall in here. And a pond. So cool.
It's 4am and I have gotten about 4 hours of sleep since Monday, I am exhausted!
We spent a few hours in London. It wasn't what I expected. It is a lot like NYC, but older with more history. Our spirits were dropping, and we were all exhausted, we still are. So we were all kind of in bad moods, so that didn't make it fun. Lack of sleep can really get to you. And the airport workers become annoying very quckly.
We flew Emerit Airlines and it was sooo nice! They have so many choices of movies and TV shows. But of course I watched Glee! :D I feel like we have been traveling for weeks... but it has only been 2 days. Weird.
God is definitely granting me patience on this trip. I am so ready to get to Uganda, only a few more hours!!!!

Afternoon:
We are on our last flight to Uganda, FINALLY! We had a connecting flight in Ethiopia. All I want to do is lay down in a bed. I have not slept or laid down in such a long time. But tonight will make up for that! We met another missions group on our flight. It's always a blessing to know there are other people out there with the same passion as yourself. I am so ready to land!!
Oh... I do not like planes ore plane food... ICK!

Late night:
We have arrived!! :D It was a long drive to Kampala, but we are here! What a beautiful place, but so sad. While driving through different cities, my heart broke. This is 3rd world. I no longer can say I can't do anything because I have only seen it on TV. I have seen it with my eyes, it's real. We are so privileged to live in the USA.

Our hotel is really nice. It is pretty much an apartment. 2 rooms, a living room with a large plasma screen TV, a dining room, and a kitchen. I thought I was going to AFRICA! Ha! I am rooming with Brittany, Hannah, and Niana! Partyyyy! I am so excited for the next two weeks. But traffic scares the crap out of me. It is crazy, no lights, no rules.

We met a few of the people we will be working with, including Pastor Steven. Everyone is so welcoming! The most exciting part of getting here was pulling up to the hotel and a group of kids running after the bus and getting excited to see us. That moment reminded me of why we are here.

I am so excited for what God is going to do with us these next 2 weeks. It is going to be life changing and will begin to mold me in to the woman of God that I am striving to become.

London Town, well almost.

I leave for Justin and Diane's wedding today! I can't believe my adopted big sister is getting married! Haha. I miss her and will probably cry when I see her. We are leaving for Chattanooga this morning and I will be back on Sunday night!
Tuesday, June 1st

I had my first over-night airplane experience. It wasn't too bad except the screaming baby I wanted to strangle... just kidding. Good thing I had ear plugs! We ate dinner on the plane, it was pretty good... But I can tell I am going to get tired of airplane food very quickly.

There are lots of movie choices on the plane, but I find myself having movie ADD. We are currently an hour away from London. I am so excited for this! But please get me off this plane!!!! I am freaking out!

Day One

After 5 flights, 5 countries and multiple cities, I'm finally home! What a marvelous journey. These last 2 weeks have changed me in so many ways. I have fallen more in love with the Holy Spirit and have felt the presence of God more than I could have ever imagined. I am beginning from day 1 and will post my journal entries day by day.


Monday, May 31st

We are finally on our way to Uganda!!! (Via London and Dubai)
The last few days went by so slow, but we are finally on the plane to London. Taking off was terrifying. I hate planes. So much. Get me off of this thing and to Uganda, PLEASE!!!!! I am doped up on Dramamine and there are plenty of movies and TV choices, including GLEEEEE! This will be an OK flight if I just watch Glee the whole time. Haha. This flight is 7 hours long, Jesus, help me survive this. I really want to make it to Uganda... I am trusting in you!!