Oli otya (Greeting in Luganda)

Lots of things have happened this week, so I will let you pick and choose what you would like read about :)

Retreat at Garuga Beach Resort
I was able to attend the Kampala Unit retreat this weekend. It was at a nice little resort on the edge of Lake Victoria. We studied John 15 and abiding in Christ. It was very fun to meet other AIM missionaries and hear about how God is using them. The only downside is I got sick for 24 hours and missed most of a whole day :(

The Pool at Garuga Resort

View of Lake Victoria from the Resort

Visiting Kireka School (where I will be working)
We took the day on Monday to drive to Kireka where I will be working and living. It was a very difficult and yet exciting experience. It is hard to describe the school, but the children are so friendly! We were instantly greeted when we arrived. Everyone is so excited for me to come and made sure that I knew they could not wait for me to move there. After I left, I felt very re-assured that Kireka is where God has called me to be for this time. There is a great need for a physical therapist at the school.

American Food!!!!!!!!!! :)
Not to far from the Kireka School is a restaurant called Cafe Java. They have LOTS of American food on their menu! I was so excited because I had a greek salad wrap - complete with FETA CHEESE! To say that I was ecstatic is an understatement. Eating lunch for $7 blew my food budget for the day, but super worth it!

So excited for American food that I took a picture of the menu

SOOOOOO EXCITED!

Ladies Night with Mercy for Mamas
On Tuesday night the AIM ladies were invited to a women's night for all of the ladies that are volunteering in Kampala. (Over 60 women were there!) It was such a blessing to hear what other ladies are doing and how committed they are to serve in Uganda. We also had an amazing time of worship over looking the city lights of Kampala. They even brought goodie bags for all of us with fun stuff from the States! The women's night was organized by a group of ladies from the organization Mercy for Mamas. (www.mercyformamas.com) They help provide "Mama Kits" to pregnant mothers. The kit includes all necessary items to have your baby in a sterile environment at home. Uganda has a very high death rate with child bearing, and they are hoping to help decrease that.
 

Language Training
For the last 4 days I have been learning the LAMP technique for learning language. We discuss techniques for learning language in the morning and then go for about an hour walk in the neighborhood to practice what we learned the day before. In the afternoon we meet with our personal language helpers to practice the phrases we are suppose to learn. It is a great way to learn Luganda. On top of that it has been a great introduction into the community - we have visited many different shops. Today we talked with gentleman who makes African drums!

Week 1 - Part 2: Boda Bodas

So I made it to Uganda! The place where I am staying is called the Matoke Inn and it is just to the south of Kampala. Part of the focus this week has been to get registered as a "physiotherapist" here and to learn how to get around on public transportation in Uganda.

Matoke Inn Sign

Lesson 1 this Week: Figuring out Public Transportation
There are 2 main forms of public transportation here. First, there are the public taxis. They are large vans that they put 14ish people in and they stop as needed along the side of the road. If the taxi is full, it is actually nice because you do not stop as much looking for more passengers. The other form of public transportation is boda bodas. These are small motorcycles that you ride on the back of. The real impressive part is the Ugandan women ride side saddle in their skirts!

Some of the boda drivers that drive us down the hill from the Matoke Inn to the main road to catch the taxi

Lesson 2: The Capitol
Living in Chicago for the past 3 years you would think would prepare me somewhat for venturing into Kampala. However, I don't think anything could prepare me for how busy and chaotic it was there. Thankfully, I was with some wonderful Ugandan women who took very good care of me. Below is a picture of the market downtown Kampala. You cannot tell but all along the edges are open shops and the center is where you catch a taxi.... it just takes a while to get out.

Taxis at the Market

Lesson 3: Food Courts
When you go to a food court here, you sit down and a server from each restaurant brings you a menu. However, bringing you a menu is not all they do, they continually try to get you to look at their menu, and pointing things out on it. This isn't so bad in itself except that 5 or more people are doing this at the same time! It was a little overwhelming, but we were satisfied with our food!

Lesson 4: Money
This lesson isn't as entertaining, but I am really struggling to figure out money. I am so use to not carrying cash and just using my credit card. Here, many places do not accept credit cards so I have to have cash, plus I am constantly trying to convert from thousands of shillings into dollars to understand how much money I have..... Interesting!

In the market in Kampala: Andrea on the left is an optomotrist from New Zealand, Rhona is our Ugandan tour guide for the day! (she was SO patient!)

View of houses on the edge of Kampala

While all these experiences seem very different and interesting, they are in no way bad different, just an adjustment. The country here is so beautiful and the people are so friendly and have such beautiful smiles! I am so thankful that God has brought me here for this time, and I am excited to see how He is at work among the people of Uganda!

Week 1 - Part 1: London

First of all, thank you all so much for your support and prayers. I arrived in London Monday morning (middle of the night at home) and had 12 hours to kill until my flight to Uganda. I took the Underground into London and walked around for about 3 hours. If I wasn't tired enough after my flight... I was exhausted after that!

Where I got off the Underground

These signs on every cross walk were very helpful since they drive on the opposite side of the road!

I was able to see Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and a few gardens

After my adventure in London, I still had 3 more hours to wait at the London airport before my flight to Uganda.

31 Bits

My grandma was in a store and shared with an employee about how I was going to Uganda. Some how this women is connected to a company called 31 Bits and told my grandma all about it. I was looking at the website and all of the stuff is very cute PLUS made in Uganda. My understanding is they employ around 99 women that have been displaced by the war in northern Uganda.

I believe these women design the jewelry and then sell it to 31 Bits. 

Just an idea if you are looking to start your Christmas shopping a little early! Or just want to treat yourself!

www.31bits.com

 I leave in 2 Days!!!!