Pearl of Africa

After a 14 hour bus ride starting in Nairobi we arrived in
beautiful Uganda on July 28.  We first
went to Jinja and camped for three
nights with the amazing Nile River as our backyard. On July 30th we went river
rafting down the Nile. It was my first time ever rafting, rafted six major
rapids, capsizing twice, and nearly drowning. We did a full day of rafting
which included stopping on an island for lunch (Sandwiches packed with
cucumber, lettuce, salami and cheese- this may sound funny to you that I am
mentioning this but this was the closest thing to Western food I have had in
months- it was so good!), we then had Chapatti and meat kabobs at the end.  It was an outstanding experience that I feel
blessed to be a part of.

After that day of rafting and working muscles I have not
worked in seven months, we packed up and left for Kampala, which was a 2 hour drive. We stayed in Kampala for two
nights at a guest house (which is not as luxurious as it sounds; it was a
mattress on the floor which needed to sleep five girls). We then packed up our
bags and took a five hour bus to Mbale.
I seem to always pick the spot on the bus where the window does not open or my
chair is broken but this time I pick a spot where every bump when straight to
my tail bone.  We then were greeted by
our contacts and jammed in a van and drove one hour to Sebei, Uganda (final destination). Sebei is on the beautiful
mountain side (a remote mountain village) and is where we are staying for the
next three weeks. Uganda is truly the pearl of Africa (it’s no lie).

We are sleeping in a house made of mud, with no electricity
and no toilets (not even a squatty potty) just an outhouse for privacy (which
let me note, has holes all around it), plus there are two different outhouse
depending on if you go number one or two. 
We do have our own beds, but my first night here consisted of a rat
waking my up from 2:30 am (which was crawling on my arm) and then at 4:30 am
the rat and cat were fighting on my sleeping bag.  I had 3 hours of interrupted sleep, finally
falling asleep at 5:30 am, and then woken up at 7am to be told water was ready
for a bath. That was night one of twenty!

Food is being prepared for us this month- which consists of
Chapatti, rice, beans, cabbage, eggs and Matoke (which is like boiled and
mashed bananas)- Eating two to three times a day (8am, 5pm and 9pm). Also fresh
milk tea and coffee (milk cannot get any fresher straight from the cow, and
fresh beans)

As we travelled into town to talk at a school, we jammed
eight people into a five passenger taxi (apparently that is legal here) four
people in the front and four people in back- it was hilarious.

Our first day in ministry started with milking a cow (first
time) at 7am and then venturing out to do some door to door evangelism. We
first went by the school where over one hundred kids swarmed us touching our
skin and hair with amazement. Every experience we have on this race really does
feel serial. Today as I was walking up and down the mountain side to get to mud
hut after mud hut to talk about the hope of Jesus, we had the view of
waterfalls, green pastures, cliff sides, a donkey carrying rice, fruits and
vegetables (bananas, eggplant, red beans, coffee beans, pumpkin, plantains, etc)
and much more. Side Note: Sebei is known for making coffee (which we will be
learning how to make; starting from the picking of the bean, then drying, roasting
and grinning)

 As we split up I got
put alone with a translator, I was shocked knowing I would have to speak at all
the houses (two months ago I would not have done this, but God has really put a
new spirit of boldness on me). We went to over twelve houses and God showed up
in big ways. A man came to know Christ and truly looked different as we left,
and another man recommitted himself to God. 
I know God is working in Sebei in big ways, and his creation tells of His
glory. I just kept giving God all the glory and praise. His mighty work is
being displayed and done powerful throughout Uganda.

Please be lifting Sebei, Uganda up in your prayers, there
are some major issues that are attacking this place (HIV and AIDS are some of
the serious problems).