First Impressions

Here I am in a new country, in what feels like a world away from anything familiar. At the same time, so much is similar to my experience in Zimbabwe 6 years ago that I feel at home too. I have to admit that the first day was the most difficult. I have a lot of culture shock to get over but today was much better. When we first landed, we walked off the plane and felt at home. I could smell Africa exactly as I remembered it. After going through customs (which took an hour and a half, even though there were only a few people there- our transition to Africa time) we got a taxi. Our driver, Sard, was eager to tell us about things to see in Uganda and pointed out various sites to us as we drove the 45 minutes to Sanyu Babies Home, where we would be staying. Only a little ways from the airport and our driver was pulled over for speeding. It was quite entertaining actually because the police at that stop knew his name and seemed to know him well. They peeked in and asked how we had like our 5 km journey.

We saw the beautiful Lake Victoria to our right, and Sard pulled over to let us take pictures at one of the beaches on our way. Then we rode the long main road to our house. I loved being able to see so much of the country on our way. It is so green you wouldn't believe it. It feels like i am in some tropical place. Once we got to the city, it was less green and more like any other city- crowded and dirty. We got to our home and had plenty of time to settle in. Basically, we're in a guesthouse, next to the Babies home, with about 13 other guests. They all volunteer at the home so we don't see them much.

A few hours later, our fearless leader, Jess picked us up and we headed oer to the other guesthouse, where a team of about 20 were staying. They are from Colorado, a few from Oregon and Canada. Most are teenagers, which surprised me. what a mission trip to go on as a teen!
Anyway, they'll be here for 10 days so we'll see them for a short time. We got to spend the day with them as we were all oriented to the city. Jess planned a lot for us to do so we would stay awake and get over our jet lag faster. It worked!
We walked about an hour to the center of the city of Kampala, which was a little traumatic. I have never been more on guard or my life as i have been walking the streets on Kampala.
There are taxis (which are like vans that fit about 13 people that don't stop for anything. You have to just walk out into the road and walk right next to cars, which seem to have a mind of their own. There are no lanes, no signal lights, no rules! No wonder every one tells me the number one way people die in Uganda is by car accidents! The team became very close to each other yesterday, as we had to grab onto each other for dear life just to cross the streets. Seriously, groups have a better chance of getting cars to stop so we all stuck together. The one guy from Canada, James, became a protector for Raquel and i and stayed i the back and heped us et where we needed to o. He said, "I need to watch out for my girls". (He's looking into adopting another baby from Uganda- he has three from various countries in Africa so far).
Anyway, after lunch and exchanging money and sitting at a coffee shop, we all went to Sanyu Babies home and helped the kids eat and get ready or bed. Another crazy experience! 50 babies, 30 volunteers, mayhem.

We fed them, changed their diapers and put them to bed. A few hours later, we were all exhausted but much better for it. Those babies were adorable. They range in age from 0-3 years.

They don't always have more than 2 volunteers so the fact that we had about 3 and still had a crazy ordeal, I don't know how those women do it everyday. Honestly.
Needless to say, Raquel and I slept like babies and woke up refreshed after 10 hours of sleep. Time to start a new day.

Today we visited a street kids program at a church in the city. After lessons, we hung out with the kids or over an hour. They loved taking pictures on our cameras and teaching us card games.

Jess, our leader/coordinator, is in the picture above, with Paul, another African Hearts leader.
We spent most of our morning there. I loved those kids. They reminded me of my experience at Just children foundation in Zimbabwe. That was always m favorite part so I fell in love with these kids instantly. After that we took a long taxi ride to one of the orphan home in Senge. This home was started by African Hearts and houses 13 boys who have been taken off the streets. Now they lie at the house and go to school and are in a marching band. Awesome The were fun. We took a taxi most of the way then took Bodas down the road to the house. These are motorbikes. Everyone in town takes them. You usually see women straddling them sideways with skirts on. It was a pretty fun ride. Thank goodness I've had plenty of experience on a motorcycle to prepare me because it could have been scary otherwise.
We hung out with the kids at the house for hours, playing cards. It was pouring down rain once we got there. Thunder storm and everything so we just stayed inside. we got a car ride back this time, rather than Bodas in the rain.

Well, that's the short version of everything so far. I'm at the internet cafe now and only have a few minutes left. Wow, 20 minutes at a cafe flies by. I wanted to at least give everyone an update so that's it for now.

There's plenty more i could tell you but that's what we've been up to. I am glad to say that even though I had a tough first day things are looking up. I miss people at home like crazy but God brought me this far. He will not abandon me.