Uganda, I will miss you

Last Sunday a group of volunteers attended Calvary Church which is about a 30minute walk away from the guest house we stay in. It is a small church with a translated service for the mzungu (white) population that attend. They have a praise band and sang in both Luganda and English. I knew the English songs and the Lugandan songs had words on the screen but I could just not fit all the words into the time allocated! The pastor was speaking on the commandments of Christ and how we should obey them irrespective of the sacrifices we may need to make. A challenging message. Afterwards they had a baptism service in a swimming pool outside. They thought it was freezing but worthwhile!

I have just finished my second and final week at Amani Baby Cottage, Jinja. I spent the week in the boys cottage and had a lot of fun! One of my favourite moments was when I was changing the little ones (all 9 of them) just before their nap. I was changing one and then putting them in their bed to reduce chaos in the room. After I'd finished there was one empty bed and an extra set of clothes...so I began searching around the room and then in the living space and bathroom area. Could not find anyone which was pretty concerning. And then I heard someone giggling and pulled back the cloth curtain of the front of the wardrobe and found the last one sitting in a box of shoes!! He was so pleased with himself...I was less pleased and more relieved!

Twice a week we have the opportunity to take a child on an outing in the afternoon. This involves taking them with us to get groceries or going to a cafe to have a soda. (Sorry...I have spent the last two weeks with 10 Americans so I have been strongly influenced by their words!) I also got upgraded to the next level of boda riding (Motorbikes used as public transport) and can now manage with a child too! And at night! And with a huge rucksack! At the beginning of my trip I could just about hold on but now it has become part of my daily routine and I'm almost a professional!

I also had the opportunity to attend a ministry day with Sole Hope today. One of the volunteers at Amani Baby Cottage had a link with them to asked if she could go along and they offered for her to bring someone else too. So we set off for a village just outside of Jinja with two van loads of people and a lot of boxes. Sole Hope run a ministry which travels into remote villages to remove 'jiggers' (insects which lay eggs in your feet) from their feet and provide them with shoes along with health education. My first role was crowd control which I did relatively successfully. That's if you call 60 children crowded around the clinic area controlled. Then I was sent with one of the Ugandans on a quick walk around to collect some more children that actually had 'jiggers' and were not just there to watch. An hour later we returned having walked through the slum areas of the area with a lot more children walking along beside us with at least 4 holding each of my hands calling "Mzungu, Mzungu." I got to see proper African village life and really enjoyed my time with the children just playing simple games with them along the way. And then I finished off the day by helping to wash their feet. What a privilege to be accepted into a community to wash their feet.

An incredible time in Jinja. I also visited the Source of the Nile today! I was able to locate quite well in comparison to the Top Gear folks who clearly didn't do any research prior to setting out across Africa! Anyhow...leaving tomorrow morning at 7am to spend the day in Kampala with Eilidh. Hoping to attending an English service at the Baptist Church but we may or may not find it! Then on Monday Im travelling to Kenya! (Where there are lions and tigers...apparently.)

Please pray for safety and smooth transitions when travelling. God has been so gracious this far and everything has gone well so far. I plan to spend Sunday night in a hotel near the airport. Then I fly into Nairobi and an arranged driver will collect me and drive me to meet the Reid's. So it will hopefully all go to plan and I will be able to spend a week in Kenya with a family supported by my church in Northern Ireland. I hope to be an encouragement to them and to be able to help out where possible! Then taking a bus to Tanzania where I will be in another orphanage for 3 weeks. Not sure when Ill next have internet but will try to find an internet cafe in Arusha, Tanzania when I arrive on 6th August. Thank you for your support in prayer, it is much appreciated.

Farewell Uganda!

Sarah

PS. I'm over half way in my trip now!!