I'm Here!

I've been in Uganda for a day and a half now! The trip over went very smoothly. When my mom and brother dropped me off at the airport, I barely had time to start feeling lonely before one of my best friends from high school called me- she was in the terminal too! God has given me many such reminders that I will never be alone. On my first plane, I met a delightful group from MOST Ministries, who took me out to eat and kept me company during a long layover. I also had a blast talking to 3 adorable kids during our refueling stop in Rome.

Uganda is so beautiful! Masese is right on Lake Victoria, which is gorgeous with the low mountains behind it. I love the trees here, which are very different from those in South Carolina. They are lower and bushier; actually, they do look a fair amount like those in The Lion King.

Masese is a poverty-stricken village. Houses are made from mud, sticks, pieces of wood, metal, or anything else they can find. Trash is everywhere. The paths through the town are rough and made of dirt. But boy are the children gorgeous! When we pulled up to the gate of the house, kids immediately swarmed around the car. They all clamor to hold our hands. They call me "Auntie Elly," and they have some of the most beautiful smiles in the world.

Today, I played with children a LOT. There are 9 children living at the Serving His Children mission house. Most of them are here because they are sick. Giving them medicine is one of the epic adventures we have here. Little Judith, who has malaria and an upper respiratory infection, tends to throw a fit when we attempt to give her medicine.

Also today, I boiled water for us to drink, washed a massive amount of water, and rode into town on the back of a piki piki. A piki piki is a motorcycle (gasps of shock from those who know me well). It was fun! Although tricky because I was wearing a skirt. All the women wear skirts here.
We went into town to go the market and by lots of skirts and underwear for the girls here. The market is huge! You can buy anything there, from mangos to clothes to pig guts, in the words of Renee. It is a little hard because the people there double the price when us because we are white. I am learning to be assertive. I am also learning how to not be a germophobe (more gasps of shock, I know... I would appreciate prayers for my immune system. It seems to be holding up well.)

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!