Hmmmm, how to even begin to express the journey I have been on here. I was nervous about flying back to Uganda, but the Lord provided wonderful seat-mates who kept me company during the flights. One of them was even a nurse who assured me that I would be fine and often told me to walk around and stretch. I praise God for a good trip.
Then a few days in Kampala - to rest, get over jet lag, shop, and look for a "new" car. Scoobie Doo, my old Subaru, remains at the garage in Kampala and I'm hoping to sell her soon. I went to a few car dealerships, but the process is very overwhelming, and after communicating with friends and a faithful mechanic, I am now having a car shipped over from Japan. Another Subaru Forester!! But that means I will be without a car for almost 2 months.
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| At the garage... again! |
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| Scoobie is now addicted to the attention of mechanics |
Now I have been in Soroti for just over two weeks and I don't know how I am adjusting. My house was super dusty so I spent a long time cleaning up 8 months of dirt and rat poop. Thankfully no termites or other destruction. I'm grateful for Helen, who helped me to wash all the bedding, curtains, and more. Trust me - the house is now organized! I was greeted with love and tears by the neighbours. I have truly missed them over the many months that I was away. They delightfully made sure that home was protected and prayed for my timely return.
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| The kids in the next flat |
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| Vanessa at work, and the twins visiting their sister. |
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| Opio and Ochen love moving to town with me. |
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| The neighbours in an upper flat |
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| Playing in my kitchen... I love their laughter |
I am trying to get back into ministry, but my body is struggling still. I have a lot of pain in my waist and every few days my legs, feet, and sometimes hand swell. I have never experienced this before, so it makes me nervous. Also, I don't have the energy to walk much, but I am trying. Since I don't have a car, I am forced to walk to the market... which moved and is now even further from home... but after walking to the market, I again need a nap. I still don't feel like myself and that has me concerned. I will be going back to Kampala in the next two weeks to work on the car issues, but to also see the doctor there and have another check-up.
All that being said... I am meeting up with friends and getting out to a few schools and churches for follow-up, encouragement, relationship building, and to set up future ministry opportunities. A partner missionary was in Soroti last week, and so I was able to travel with her to visit a couple of ministry sites and I enjoyed that immensely.
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| Guiding teachers in crafts and creative teaching methods. |
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Together we made lion masks and turned them into
hanging mobiles (not the phones. ha ha) |
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It was fun seeing each different personality come out in the
simple art... things new to these preschool teachers. |
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| Lesson Preps with Diana Boot |
So, I am taking it slow. Trying to get around, but also trusting in God's timing. Since I gained weight while in Canada, many Ugandans believe I was never sick and that I have lots of money from there... so there's that. I didn't bring my laptop with me during all those months, so I am also getting caught up on my financial/donor reports and hoping to write a newsletter soon.
I just thought I should send a little update.
Please keep praying for me. I still feel weak and sometimes scared, but I'm so very happy to be HOME and serving God in the little ways that I can!
