notes from the "american african" :)

I know it has been a while since I blogged about this amazing adventure! A lot has happened since last time so I will try and catch ya’ll up! I officially have 2 weeks left here in Uganda, so on that theme, here is my update in 14 bullet points:

14. I am all healed up from my boda boda accident. All I have to show now from my dangerous time in Africa is a few small scars. I also now wear a helmet, and look even cooler on a bodaJ Here are a few pictures from the accident, and of course a picture of our awesome matching helmets.

Road Rash.

This is the spot on the road where the accident happened. Michael now calls it "Carolina's Place."

13. Dawn has received a few different donations from people at home. We received a donation from some friends of mine in Albuquerque, Ben and Angelica Williams, which bought Dawn its first tank of propane for the stove. This has been such a blessing!

Vaness with her favorite part of the kitchen! Vanessa is also the mother of Victor and Clever, my Ugandan Family!

12. A group of people also sent Christmas gifts to the children. Though not all of them made it here, my greatest thanks and appreciation go to you for going out of your way to bless people you will never meet. The children were so excited to open something that was sent just for them.  Thank you to the Florendos and family, Justine and Andy Williams, George and Tov, Mr. Edelman, and to others who have donated to help these children live better lives.

11. We had a 2 week holiday from work as a precaution for the Presidential and Mayoral Elections. We were stuck in our apt for four days straight- I can say that I got caught up on reading and watching movies! The Presidential elections went much smoother than anticipated, but the Mayoral elections were postponed due to one of the candidates cheating. There has been some unrest in the city because of that, so prayers are still appreciated for peace and safety!

10. I spent yesterday with my Ugandan family. I took Clever and Victor on a walk in our little neighborhood and then we watched movies and ate ice cream. Then we skyped with my Mom, Bryan, and Mariam. We also got to skype with our much missed Heather! They were pretty impressed with how cool skype wasJ

My man Victor on our walk around town.

Hangin' out at Auntie's. Clever wears this the entire time he is at my house.

I have an excuse for my laptop being so dirty...I am in Africa:) Vanessa and I skyping with Heather!

9. Being one of the only “mzungus” in our little neighborhood, I am pretty well known. Walking down the street is always a production of children running after me and people waving and such. But now, since the accident, everyone knows me now as the “cow mzungu.” Awesome. Even people I have not met ask me, “you are the one who got in the accident with the cow.” News travels quickly here. The people are so sweet and are still asking if they can do anything for me.

8. My roommates and I spent a week painting a wall inside the Dawn Centre. It has brightened up the room that the children spend most of the day in, and has become a helpful tool in teaching!

Vera and I trying to use our creative skills.

7. School has started again in Uganda, and I love seeing all of the children dressed in their uniforms walking to school. Children here love school, but it is expensive. If you want a great cause to support, look into sponsoring a child’s education. What a great way to have a huge impact in the life of a child and their family.

6. The church I attend, Calvary Chapel Kampala, has been an amazing part of my experience here in Kampala. It is such a beautiful sight- people from all over the world worshiping God together. One of my favorite memories was the Christmas Eve service. The last song we sang was “Feliz Navidad.” I thought that was a funny song choice, seeing as we are in Africa, but it had this funny way of making me feel at home.

5. One of my favorite boys at Dawn is Joel. He is 5 years old and autistic. He is absolutely precious, but he is very difficult to manage. He does not follow instructions and he has said very few words since I have been here. The only words I can remember him saying are “auntie” and “teacher.” One day I was making sure to take time out to play with Joel and I was chasing him back and forth throughout the daycare tickling him. We played for about thirty minutes when I told him I had to go to the office to do some work. I said, “Joel, I have to go do some work. Thank you for playing with me!” He looked at me and said clear as day, “Thank you Auntie. See you!” One of the best memories!

4. Prayers needed** My roommate, Sophia, was diagnosed with Thrombosis in her arm this week. It has been a very stressful and scary week for us and especially her. She is only 18 and she is waiting to get a flight back to Germany to receive treatment. Please pray for her health, and that she will be able to return to Uganda. Also pray for our other roommate Vera, who is having to say goodbye to us both!

3. I have spent a good amount of time with the staff at Dawn teaching them how to use the internet, more specifically email. I quickly found out how hard it is to teach, especially since using a computer comes as natural to me as breathing. I am leaving them my laptop to use at Dawn for email and research and I am excited to now have a way to keep in touch with all of them! They were all so excited to learn, and were so impressed with how fast I can type. J

2. I am so excited about the Chicken Coop Project. When I was asked at first to head this project I was wildly overwhelmed. How in the world was I going to raise money for something when I was so far away? The fact that with the help of all my dear friends and PHCC, we were able to raise enough money to fund the entire project! (My initial goal was to fund just stage one.) God’s faithfulness is amazing. The coop will be completely built by Monday, and then the first batch of chicks arrive March 7^th. I can’t wait to see it! Thank you to all who helped. You have helped in a way that will continue to bless the children and staff at Dawn.

1. These last two weeks are going to be very full, and I know they will pass by quickly. I am very excited to come home, but I am also sad to leave the people I have come to love so much. More, now than ever, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for this experience. I am amazed that God chose me to come here. In my work to help people here I have been blessed beyond measure. I have experienced God like I never have before. These 4 months have been very difficult, not just because of homesickness and not having the conveniences of home, but because God has used this time to change me. Change is never easy, and in my experience comes with some painful looks inside. Africa and Uganda especially, will always be on my heart. One thing that God has taught me here is how to love his people. I want to take that lesson and make it one of my life’s missions’. I want to extend my Father’s love, grace, and mercy to everyone that I meet. And hopefully with every face I meet I will also see the faces of my dear friends in Uganda.