So, I know I didn't really post anything during the weeks upcoming to my trip but...


I'M HERE! As I am typing right now, I am in an internet cafe on a dinosaur computer, checking up on my facebook and trying to get my thoughts together for a post. I guess I will just start from the beginning.

On June 16th, I hopped on a plane and flew out to Atlanta for training camp. Training camp included (but was not limited to), interpretive dancing, smores, surrending to God, discovering our true identities, seeing a black widow spider, learning a drama as an evangelistic tool, 13 other girls and I sharing a big bowl of ice cream, dancing in a thunderstorm, and bonding with my team. On June 20th, we left for America and after about 38 hours of flight we arrived at the Entebbe airport in Uganda. After that was a three hour bus ride in the dark to Bugiri. Now, mind you that we had had minimal sleep over this time, but we were still greeted at 3:30 in the morning with tea and a meal. Finally at around 4:30 we got to crash, not even knowing what the building we were staying in or Bugiri really looked like.

So today is my 6th day in Africa and I'll try my best to sum things up:

-Ministry has been a little rocky at the start, but we are enjoying it. We have visited a hospital in Bugiri twice to pray for people in the wards. I wish I could portray to you the things that I have seen but my words cannot do it justice. Yesterday I saw a woman giving birth on a garbage bag, a baby suffering from diarrhea, and a 4 year old with a large hernia on his stomach. There is so much you would never see in the states (which I expected) but it never truly impacts you until it's living and breathing and staring into your eyes.
-Besides hospital ministry, we have been going to schools and have been doing some street evangelism.
-Cows, chickens, and goats lounging around are a common sight on the street.
-We have drawn a crowd of about 100 children who wait outside our house every morning for us to come out. The kids will follow us everywhere.
- I'm pretty sure I've been called a munzugu about 8782375285783 times.
-One of my teammates, Molly, killed our dinner (chicken) the other night, African style (you grab the neck and swing it around in circles till it's neck breaks)
-I love the girls on my team a little more every day and I couldn't ask for better people to be with. They are hilarious, compassionate, beautiful, and strong.
-I really miss my toilet...
-The African night sky is beautiful!
-I am healthy!
-Every night, we have tea around 7, and then actual dinner around 10.
-I have about 349578380 mosquito bites.
-I like it here. :)

Well... that's about all for now! We should be able to visit the internet cafe about twice a week so expect more hopefully... :) I love you all!


-Emily