safari.

Despite African seeming to run on a slower time and pace of life, I know that isn't an excuse for keeping the world updated on my life : )

We returned from safari quite satisfied. Our accommodations were beyond beautiful and the food was a nice break from what we have been eating. The hotel also had a pool which was refreshing in itself. oh yeah, and we went on safari : )

I shall post pictures soon when I have better internet, but we saw lions, elephants, warthogs, hippos (too many !), crocodiles, baboons and water buffalos! The scenery and sunsets in their vastness were almost just as amazing as the beautiful creatures.

Returning home in three weeks, I'm having many mixed emotions. Excited to see my family and the comforts of home, but at the same time looking back on my time here with extreme fondness.

Sometimes when we only have a narrow 'earthly perspective' we can underestimate God's plan for our lives and I believe have the potential to miss out. But when we look with an 'eternal perspective' and respect God's sovereignty in our lives for whatever happens, well I think we live differently. It's hard and it goes against human nature to look at life through with a different lenses, but it's through different lenses that God helps us see the world more clearly. And by praying and reading his word is how I think we see the world how he sees it, not only presently but how he longs to see it change!

passion week

Last week was Passion Week; therefore the church we attend here in Kampala, WatotoChurch Central, had many activities going on. One we attended was the Praise Rally on Thursday night. Once again, hard to convey in words; often it seems you just really had to be there.

Here is my best description:

I’m talking a community of believers, mostly young people, gathering in love and gratitude all coming together for hours to worship their God.  To sing, to dance, and to pray with ridiculous excitement. 2000+ people all together in the church building, the stairwells, and the parking lot which was packed with overflow. The speakers are pumping and the big screen is screaming the passion that’s happening inside.

I didn’t have my ipod or camera to video this amazing moment that formed this beautiful memory. However, you know those moments where it actually may be ok that it wasn’t captured to be played over…for fear of the joy of the memory may be lost? It was a moment like that because the place it has been captured is a place it will never be tarnished but remembered with ecstasy at being surrounded by the presence of God.

 
So we sing, clap, yell, and attempt to dance. If you aren’t aware; this culture can dance. We get down. The men, the women, the children. Everybody gets down. Except the white people, where the dancing is more an attempt. We get down all the way to the floor. Yes we dance in church. All the time. :)

Let them praise his name with dancing…. Psalm 149:3

This is a video I got from a friend, I hope it conveys the energy and excitement that was at the praise rally. Enjoy !

new

So doing things by African time, we only moved to Kampala on Friday. Since then I have had quite the experience of a lifetime : the extreme sport of white-water-rafting, on the Nile! Grade 5 rapids (the more dangerous end of the spectrum) I can say I’ll never do it again, but it was worth the experience I guess. I thank God that my two friends and I stayed safe throughout the entire day. Only a little sore with muscles we never knew we had the days after. Praise Jesus. The adrenaline of those rapids is something I’ll never forget. pictures aren't in yet, but this is a sample of what we did.
yep. on the border of insanity.

Before we left Suubi I got my hair done by some of the vocational students. Even though it is mighty uncomfortable to sleep on it, I won’t lie, I quite enjoy this different hairstyle. I wasn’t aware I was getting black extensions and with 6 people working on my long unfamiliar blonde locks, well I didn’t really have a moment to protest. In a short 4 ¾ hours it was finished! And ta-dah!! This is the outcome !

For now we are back to work at the babies home here in Kampala, called The Bulrushes. I’m not particularly at peace with being here, which is resulting in not a willing or positive attitude. I am attempting to try and hold out hope that God has a plan and even though change is hard, it is good. There are very few toddlers here (small toddlers is what I usually worked with in Suubi) so mostly small, new, and sick babies are here. It’s significantly different in regards to personality, smiles, hugs and feeding. It’s different and new. Never mind oodles of new babies to learn, but a whole new staff team as well. As well as a new apartment, which comes with new problems (relevant to Africa:) and just a whole new load of new challenges.

It’s unfamiliar. 

I won’t lie to you. Life is hard. And sometimes I can’t even write hopeful or encouraging words, cause I feel like I barely believe them. Sometimes, well I’m just miserable. So there is the real truth. Sometimes I just wanna mope. Eat oreo’s and listen to harsh rock music.

 So I do.

Teeth update : the dentist told me he suspected I was grinding my teeth, so with that being said I’m persevering here until May!

I promise to write soon on my experiences in Suubi! :)