African Safari

The Monday before we departed Africa, we had the amazing opportunity to visit Murchison National Park. We arrived at the park entrance Sunday evening, an hour or so before dark. Upon entering the park we started to see the animals. It was so awesome! During the short time we were at the park we got to see: giraffe's, African elephants, African buffalo, Jackson's hartbeest, Uganda Kob, Bushbuck, warthog, Hippopotamus', Lions, monkeys, Waterbuck, lots of birds, and much more.

Murchison Falls National Park

Giraffe

Crock

Lions

Hippos

Wart hogs

We left behind an ant, spider, and mosquito infested guest house and came to the amazing Paraa Safari Lodge. We were greeted with cold clothes to wash our faces and passion fruit juice to drink...and the lodge staff took our bags up to a beautiful, clean, room ~ that had HOT water! I think I was in a state of amazement the entire stay! I couldn't help but think...'This is too awesome, I don't deserve this...can you believe we are here!?" Emily and I enjoyed a few hours of peace, quiet, and rest while overlooking the pool and Nile River from our balcony.

'Welcome Karibu'

Emily and I with the Paraa Safari Lodge in the background

The view from our balcony

Our room

Emily and I during the ferry to see the Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls

Random globe: Greg, Emily, and myself

'Goodbye Kwaheri'
(This is how we felt as we left)

(My sisters and I have a tradition to get a 'misery' picture with each family outing or camping trip...this was no exception!)

What an amazing trip we had to the beautiful country of Uganda! The two weeks spent there definitely went way too fast. However, I know that GOD has a specific plan for my life, and I am willing and ready to walk as He opens the doors. There are several different overseas opportunities that I am praying about. Please continue to pray that God will lead and guide me as I listen for His prompting. Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Ministry

Saturday was a very busy day for us. In the morning we held a VBS for the children ages 3-12. Each of us at were at different stations: Bible story, crafts, snacks, sports, music, etc. After 20min or so we would rotate the groups so each child could attend each station. We started out with about 75 children and ended up with about 375-400 children! The children had a blast even though it was the first time for them to ever make a craft -- they didn't have a clue of what to do, even after being shown! It was the same way with the snacks --what ARE Oreo cookies?? They soon found out and enjoyed them -- we even had adults asking for Oreo cookies. :)

Denise and Emily teaching in the craft room

The finished project

When we arrived at the Olelai church that morning, there were already women lined up waiting for the lecture and clinic which we were going to have in the afternoon. After lunch I taught some community health information like clean water, worms, etc., Carrie shared a little about purity, and Emily taught the women about Cervical Cancer. The women chose that subject since a large majority (75-80%) of the women have Cervical Cancer in that village!

Discussing our presentation

Medicines

Making envelopes for the medications

Emily speaking about Cervical Cancer

Vivian, Emily, Carrie and myself

After teaching the women, Emily and I set up a small clinic so the local women could get medical treatment. We had two different interpreters with us so we could communicate and diagnose their medical problems. They were such a great help! Some of the issues we treated were: ringworm, aches and pains, UTI's, STD's, eye and ear infections, etc. We were also able to give each family water purification tablets as well as de-worm medication. I believe we saw close to 500 people in less than 4 hours!

Emily and I seeing patients

Me working with my interpreter, Salome

Emily with her interpreter, Vivian

Me and Solame

Village rounds

Some of the most memorable and amazing times were at the little village compounds in Olelai. When our brick carrying, digging, shoveling, etc. was caught up, we took the liberty to go into the village to visit with the people. Not one visit proved to be a disappointment! We started down the little road, and as we came to a foot path that lead into the tall grasses, we would follow it...until we came to a 'compound'. I use the word 'compound' because I don't know what else to call them...each compound was comprised with one to several homes where families lived together. There was always a home and usually several other huts for their animals, family members, etc. There was always a garden close by and the courtyard was always swept clean. Some of the foot paths were even decorated with flowers and bushes.

Walking down the road to the foot paths

Stopping along the way to get a picture in the grass

Entering a compound

Visiting the people...

...and their animals!

As we came close to their home, we would let them know we were coming by saying, 'Good morning. How are you?' Immediately, we would see them come out of their homes or from their gardens to greet us. They always seemed to find some homemade chairs for us to sit on, or if they didn't have a chair, they would place a grass mat down on the ground for us to sit on. We enjoyed giving their children little trinkets and salvation bracelets. Most of the men could speak a little English, so our communication with the Ugandans was pretty good for the most part.

The children loved getting their pictures taken

Putting a bandanna on a little girl

Not sure what was so funny

One little lady was so excited to see us. When she saw me she just reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck and held on for a long time just hugging me...when she finished hugging me she hugged the rest of the group one-by-one. She kept staying over and over "Apwayo totwal!" (Thank you so much). She kept making motions-- pointing to the sky, to us, and to her...I think she thought we were angels! :)

The little lady

Hugging Emily

Apwayo totwal

Beautiful hands

Greg giving a Salvation bracelet to her

We went to one of the gardens and spoke with a man and his wife. Soon a lady, Caroline, met us along the path and asked us to come to her home as she had something she wanted to show us. We followed her to her home and sat down on the chairs she provided for us. She went into her home and came back with a little boy in her arms. His name is Job and he has Cerebral Palsy and a seizure disorder. He is only 3 years old but his mother said he didn't recognize her or anyone else. The little boy's arms were all twisted and he was choking on his saliva. Greg asked to hold him, and prayed for his healing. Emily and I took a turn praying as well for this little boy. God chose not to heal this little boy, but our prayers offered up in faith were heard. His mother was so happy that we prayed for him that she ran to her chicken coop and came back with 3 eggs. When we tried to refuse her days food, she insisted, saying it was from her heart to ours. We accepted humbly and left her home with a mix of emotions. Humbled. Confused. Sad. Overwhelmed. Blessed.

Caroline with Emily in the garden before we went to her house

Holding Caroline's little girl at her home

Caroline holding Job (on the left)
and her friend who also has a disabled child (5 years old)

Caroline holding her friends 5 year old disabled daughter

Me, Emily, Daniel and Caroline

While we were at Carolina's home, the man we had met in his garden came with a pineapple in his hand for us. We went back to the Olelai church with a pineapple and 3 eggs! These people have so little, yet, they gave so much! It was definitely very humbling to be on the receiving end.

The pineapple garden

Greg and the man who gave us the pineapple

We went to yet another home. When the lady of the home saw us coming she hurriedly placed a grass mat down on the ground and disappeared inside her hut. Soon she came out with a 3 month old baby, washed his face, and wrapped his bare bottom with a clean linen cloth, and placed him in my arms. She was GIVING me her baby!! She wanted me to take him back to the United States knowing he would have a good life there. We convinced her that she was a good mother and she needed to keep her own baby. But, wow! First a pineapple, then eggs, and now a baby?!

The home where the mother gave me her baby

Me holding the baby