Wednesday, July 29, 2009
We Are Back!
The last day in Africa we went to Kampala and then an Orphanage called "New Hope." The orphanage has approximately 900 kids. Although it was not the best of conditions, it was well organized and also had a school on the property. The children were precious and they were very welcoming. We gave the rest of our supplies to them and then headed to the airport in Entebbe. As we made our way to the arport I found myself sad to leave Uganda. This country is so beautiful, the people so gracious and the needs are so great!
The trip home was very long. I had some guy fall asleep on me during the trek from Amsterdam to Detroit. That was interesting!
I was so exhausted that when I got home I spent some time with my family but then dropped. It felt so good to sleep in my bed!
Some things that I learned from this trip:
1) You can have nothing and yet have everything. IT is all in perspective.
2) Materialism is no match for family.
3) No one is perfect or has a perfect life.
4) Red clay in Uganda stains your feet like tanning lotion.
5) American's use 200 gallons of water a day, Ugandans use 2 gallons a day.
6) Albendazole (de-worming medicine) in the states costs approximately $60 in america for a bottle, in Uganda it costs approximately 1 cent per pill.
7) Most Ugandan's do not know how old they are.
8) The children all appear younger than their age, the older people look older than their age.
9) Children are not just the parents responsibility. As a community they watch out for the children.
10) Wikipedia is not always so accurate with statistics (already knew that but still trust it at times, haha). There is a very high population of Muslims in Uganda even in the small villages.
Thanks to all who have supported me financially, emotionally or through prayers. I love and appreciate you all! God bless! :)
The trip home was very long. I had some guy fall asleep on me during the trek from Amsterdam to Detroit. That was interesting!
I was so exhausted that when I got home I spent some time with my family but then dropped. It felt so good to sleep in my bed!
Some things that I learned from this trip:
1) You can have nothing and yet have everything. IT is all in perspective.
2) Materialism is no match for family.
3) No one is perfect or has a perfect life.
4) Red clay in Uganda stains your feet like tanning lotion.
5) American's use 200 gallons of water a day, Ugandans use 2 gallons a day.
6) Albendazole (de-worming medicine) in the states costs approximately $60 in america for a bottle, in Uganda it costs approximately 1 cent per pill.
7) Most Ugandan's do not know how old they are.
8) The children all appear younger than their age, the older people look older than their age.
9) Children are not just the parents responsibility. As a community they watch out for the children.
10) Wikipedia is not always so accurate with statistics (already knew that but still trust it at times, haha). There is a very high population of Muslims in Uganda even in the small villages.
Thanks to all who have supported me financially, emotionally or through prayers. I love and appreciate you all! God bless! :)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Nile rapids by Kate
Yesterday we had our free day. Four of us were able to go white water rafting down the Nile. It was an amazing trip and I'm happy to say we all made it out alive.
The trip was about 8 hours long and there were five grade 5 rapids that we went through. Our team was called Team Tutu, that was because Tutu was the guide on our river boat. He was a Ugandan and a fun guide. Our boat included 8 people and from our group there was Rebekah, Bennie, Tiffany and myself.
When we first got into the boat, they made us go through a series of exercises for safety. One of them was flipping the boat upside down, turning it back over and then climbing back into the raft. It was actually pretty funny but the thought of it happening in a rapid was slightly terrifying.
Some of the highlights including taking the raft over a waterfall, seeing a mamba lizard and having chipotlay at the end of the day. Photos and video to come.
Tonight is our last night in Jinja. We head to Kampala in the morning and are going to a straw market and orphanage. Then tomorrow night we get on a plane to Amsterdam. It feels like we have been here for 3 weeks. The thought of heading home is exciting but it is also sad to leave our friends here. Uganda is a country of the most welcoming people. Please pray for travel mercies and for health. I can't wait to share with you when I get home.
Love, Kate
The trip was about 8 hours long and there were five grade 5 rapids that we went through. Our team was called Team Tutu, that was because Tutu was the guide on our river boat. He was a Ugandan and a fun guide. Our boat included 8 people and from our group there was Rebekah, Bennie, Tiffany and myself.
When we first got into the boat, they made us go through a series of exercises for safety. One of them was flipping the boat upside down, turning it back over and then climbing back into the raft. It was actually pretty funny but the thought of it happening in a rapid was slightly terrifying.
Some of the highlights including taking the raft over a waterfall, seeing a mamba lizard and having chipotlay at the end of the day. Photos and video to come.
Tonight is our last night in Jinja. We head to Kampala in the morning and are going to a straw market and orphanage. Then tomorrow night we get on a plane to Amsterdam. It feels like we have been here for 3 weeks. The thought of heading home is exciting but it is also sad to leave our friends here. Uganda is a country of the most welcoming people. Please pray for travel mercies and for health. I can't wait to share with you when I get home.
Love, Kate
Friday, July 24, 2009
LAST day of Clinic
Yesterday I was able to spend the day with a rally team and take a break from clinic. This was a great experience. Peggy does a great presentation of HIV/AIDS to the school children and the Ugandan team that has been helping us from a local church are a blast to be with. They are very patient with teaching Kate and I songs in lugandan as well as lugandan vocabulary.
The church service in the middle of a corn field as Kate mentioned was amazing! The fact that the tent was "orange" made me smile. If I could stay in that moment for a little longer I would have because it was just perfect and beautiful.
Today we went to Njeru village at Pastor Henry's church to have clinic. This was a great set up because it was sheltered but yet had a great breeze coming through all day. During our little break I walked through the village which was a village that you picture in your head when you mention "Africa." Mostly mud huts with straw roofs. I am not sure how it happened but we saw approximately 400 patients! We worked a little late today because we wanted to see everyone which was fulfilling at the end of the day. We did not see so much sickness or malaria as we have the previous days. I think the difference is that last year 500 malaria nets were donated and water missions set up clean water for the village last year. It was great to see that such a "small thing" has made such a great impact on the health of Njeru in just one year! :)
Tomorrow is a free day. Right now it seems like both the safari and rafting trip are not going to happen so not sure what tomorrow will bring. I am still supposed to get pictures of Jinja hospital for a friend writing a screen play but apparently I have to get permission from the hospital. Pastor Henry is going to help us with this. What a process but hopefully it will work out.
Kate was in the dental clinic today helping out the dentist at Pastor Zachariah's church in Jinja. She is still at the crusade in Mayuge right now so have not seen her all day. I am taking lots of pictures and can't wait to share this incredible experience with everyone. Hope all is well with those at home. Feeling very blessed. :)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Church in the corn field, by Kate
It is hard to believe that each day could be as amazing as the day before but that is what happens here. Today I went with the rally team to schools where we entertained children with puppets, did skits, talked about Jesus and taught about HIV. It was a very interesting day.
At the end of our day we were told we were going to a bible study. We were told we were going to Pastor David's church and pulled into a corn field. There in the middle of the corn field was an orange tarp held up with pieces of wood and underneath it was the congregation. The people were there praising Jesus. One of our members taught scripture, I sang and then we asked people if they had any prayer requests. We stood at the front and about 6 people came up to speak with us. This village is very poor and there are a lot of orphans. A young girl about 7 came up to us and she was very shy. We asked her what she would like us to pray for her for. She said "wisdom." Can you image a 7 year old girl, probably an orphan, thinking to ask for wisdom? The next boy was 9 and we asked him what he would like us to pray for him for. He said "knowledge." After we prayed for everyone Pastor David came back up. He told us they cannot offer us money or food because they have none but they would like to offer to pray for us.
In a land that seems so poor the people are so rich. No rich with money but rich with joy and rich with the love of the Lord.
Rebekah was with me today and she was a fabulous puppeteer and she shared her testimony as an elementary school. She was supposed to be with us today because her medical knowledge was put to use. So cool how God works.
My Mom was at the dental clinic today at Pastor Henry's church and tomorrow she is going out with rally team tomorrow. She will be so blessed when she visits the schools. I'm sure she'll find a few things to bring back.
Emotional roller coaster of a day. Time to go journal and call my hubby. Thank you for your prayers and support. I feel like I might be catching a cold so please keep my health in your prayers and my energy level.
See you, Kate
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Day 6---I think
I am sitting in the internet cafe here at the hotel. The connection is extremely slow. I can't log onto my facebook so no greetings from there. Sorry. But yes, I am doing God's work (To my co-workers).
Today was a good day. We went to the village of Mayuge again but this time in a different building for clinic. It was in a church that had no roof so it was very hot!! It really is sad how much education the Ugandan people are lacking in the rural areas regarding health. The doctors here give them incorrect diagnosis. Today I saw a man with elephantitis. He could have been treated early on but was not and therefore now has to endure such hardship. I am trying to take pictures of everything that I see here but I know that even a still shot will not really show what I am experiencing.
Last night I went up to the cat walk of the hotel and stared at the stars in the African sky. Very beautiful! Tonight there is supposed to be a lunar eclipse.
After clinic today we went on a little sight seeing adventure. We went to Bungali falls (Nile River). Kate was with the rally team so she went to Lake Victoria which she said was also beautiful. Despite all the poverty, I do see what Winston Churchill was talking about. He appropriately described this place, "The Pearl of the Nile."
I am getting better sleep now so not so exhausted. Trying to drink lots of fluids at night and not so much during the day because I don't like to use the bathrooms in the bush. Mission trips are definitely interesting and definitely take you out of comfort zone but it is already an experience that I will never forget. I feel truly blessed. Hope to post soon.
Today was a good day. We went to the village of Mayuge again but this time in a different building for clinic. It was in a church that had no roof so it was very hot!! It really is sad how much education the Ugandan people are lacking in the rural areas regarding health. The doctors here give them incorrect diagnosis. Today I saw a man with elephantitis. He could have been treated early on but was not and therefore now has to endure such hardship. I am trying to take pictures of everything that I see here but I know that even a still shot will not really show what I am experiencing.
Last night I went up to the cat walk of the hotel and stared at the stars in the African sky. Very beautiful! Tonight there is supposed to be a lunar eclipse.
After clinic today we went on a little sight seeing adventure. We went to Bungali falls (Nile River). Kate was with the rally team so she went to Lake Victoria which she said was also beautiful. Despite all the poverty, I do see what Winston Churchill was talking about. He appropriately described this place, "The Pearl of the Nile."
I am getting better sleep now so not so exhausted. Trying to drink lots of fluids at night and not so much during the day because I don't like to use the bathrooms in the bush. Mission trips are definitely interesting and definitely take you out of comfort zone but it is already an experience that I will never forget. I feel truly blessed. Hope to post soon.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Hi Alive and well in Africa!
Kate and I are sitting in the hotel lobby sucking on sugar cane on wireless internet. Today we were in the "Bush" and now we are connected to friends and family 7,000 away. How insane! I am having such a great time even though it really is fast pace and caotic at the clinic. We are operating a clinic out of a home that houses 14 people in a small village. Dr. Hartiman and I are seeing patients in a space of about the average American master bath. We see usually a family of 4-6 at one time the best we can with an interpreter (some are good, some not so good). :) The health conditions of these people are heart wrenching. It is so difficult to tell a line of 500 that we are done for the day. Some have had illness that could of easily been treated and have been suffering for years. We are pretty much de-worming every child because they have worms that cause them to have a cough, distended abdomen, etc. Very sad to see. Despite all the sadness, the Ugandan people have such joy. They are truly greatful for our team to be there. Kate has been having a blast with the Ugandans and I don't know where she gets her energy dancing for hours. I am glad that she has rhythm because I do not. haha. I think she has made in particular one girl, Lydia's year just by spending quality time with her.
This trip has been challenging already because you really have to give up all control and depend on God for his wisdom and discernment for treatment with our limitations and contraints in this makeshift environment. Please continue to pray for our team and for the people that we see each day whether it is in clinic, the schools, women's ministry, and pastor conferences. Thanks for all the support and love you all!
This trip has been challenging already because you really have to give up all control and depend on God for his wisdom and discernment for treatment with our limitations and contraints in this makeshift environment. Please continue to pray for our team and for the people that we see each day whether it is in clinic, the schools, women's ministry, and pastor conferences. Thanks for all the support and love you all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
