First post since being home, since having malaria. It's true, malaria and I became acquainted, a little too acquainted...it's a bipolar type of visitor...you feel ok, then wait just kidding you feel bad again. And a Dr decided to inform me what the little parasites were doing in my body...my body got to be their bathroom. Gross. That week, was tough...my parent's on the other side of the world would answer phone calls, my dad would talk with Drs taking care of me. They put their trust in the Lord for what  was happening. I had friends by my side willing to take care of me, stay at the hospital, bake brownies (thanks Em!)... people were praying to my Healer, God. I thought I would go home..that I wouldn't stay in London as planned.  But with a steep price to change a ticket, feeling so much better, and talking it over with my mom, I stayed in London.  Stephanie, a volunteer and friend over the summer flew on the same flight as I did going home. Just sweet details that had been planned before the dawn of time. In fact it was one of the first things I learned about Steph....that we were traveling back to London on the same day. And so we did...stayed in a hotel for a night and got to do a little sight seeing the next day! So much happened over the summer. I was able to see much, work with children, learn, was asked challenging spiritual questions, eat different foods, make new friends.  You know, I went over there... to Uganda.  I was still Sarah. I wasn't any more qualified to go there than others here...I am not even a peds nurse.  I struggled about going, not thinking I was fit to go, especially spirtually. But He choose to allow me to go. There will be more posts, there will be posts about this summer. But for now, here is the first one being home in the States :) Until next time, Auntie Sa

It's July 18th, July 18th....life goes by fast. I had committed to about 3 months and soon that time is coming to an end...this week was another trip to Mbale for CURE appointments, a children's hospital that especially deals with neuro children here in Uganda. Children walk home from school in their school uniforms..a rainbow of colors...pink, bright green, blue and white checkers..we have "little pumpkins" here in Jinja, with their orange and green uniforms. We have also named others "eggplants" and "blueberries"! I had the opportunity to meet a team with 99 Balloons that came to volunteer with Ekisa. They had activities for the children and also had a dinner that was for the community care children and their family...one of the door prizes..a goat! It may not seem much of a gift back at home, but one of our Mommas one the goat and from what I was told, she cried and was very thankful for the prize she won. During this time here, the Lord has worked on my heart...anything good that you see out of this life..it is because of Jesus... I know myself...it is ugly what is on the inside...think about how you never have to teach a child to sin...nope, it is just part of who we are when we are birthed into this world. Still..something that I need to remind myself more often is that the grace of Jesus Christ is greater than the sins we have committed and even in Christ, the sins we commit ( I know this is a long non proper English sentence). Even in His grace, He has allowed me to come to be part of a ministry called Ekisa, which means "grace." I try and attain grace, but it can't be attained...it is even Jesus that draws us to himself ...I have been part of that...He draws me, He is drawing others to himself. That is the gospel...drawing the filthy, unlovely, hurting, needy, on and on people to Himself...for life with Him here but also life after this Earth...He draws us...will you come and rest at His feet? It is hard for me to be still...often (like a whole lot) I don't want to...I would rather pray to God, than be still and listen to Him. So I don't have it all together, nor will I until I reach my home with the Father and Jesus. My time is almost finished during this amount the Lord allowed...but it was just part of the journey that He has me on..."I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and future, Jeremiah 29:11

Life here

The sun is in and out and it's hot.. Got a cold glass bottled coke in Kimaka with a straw (Not a big fan of water..can you tell?) In the evenings and mornings it gets cool here, which you may think "Africa=hot" but not always. I have said it already, but it is beautiful here! It's so green and a lot of crops: corn, sugar cane, and tea. Then of course you will see the baby chicks, chickens, roosters, goats, cows roaming around. I got to feed the neighbor's pet monkey this past week, Jack! It is really cute, though today it must have come loose because it did not want to come to Mal or I and so it wandered to the nearby neighbors' yard. Our house is still mostly full. The summer months are busy with people on mission trips and volunteers here in Jinja. People are here with different stories of how they came to volunteer at Ekisa, from different parts of the country, different stages of life. It is neat how you can become friends with people fast. It's good being able to talk with someone, hang out, pray together with new friends..friendships are so great and God has blessed me with new friends here. Yesterday several girls and I were in town, at first a few of us attempted to go to Market where you can buy all sorts of things...produce, meat, wire hangers, and then you can go to an open air clothing market..African thrift store style! Though the clothing market was closed yesterday, so I am sure that we will go soon. It has been almost been 2 months since I have been here, I have learned how to do different things! No, I don't know where I will go next or exactly what I will be doing in the next year, but He knows. I know I have a home to go home to, I have friends I get to spend time with, family to be with, and a precious little nephew on the way in August! Until then, I have time here, time to live here, eat rice, beans, g-nut sauce (like a peanut), laugh, be part of life here. Until next time!

The day of the dad!

It has been about 1.5 months since I first arrived here in Jinja! Life is more settled here, I am more familiar with the tasks the nursing aspects here, although different things can certainly spring up! I am more confident on a bota, can light the gas stove top (but I haven't been brave enough to light the oven, I need my pyro brothers for that :). Over these past weeks we have gone to different appointments for the kids, they can take a bit to get there, but the drive to a place called Mbale is beautiful! It is supposed to be dry season here, although it rained here today. It was actually cooler here today. It does get hot and humid here, but that Memphis heat, well it's that southern heat back home that still is pretty bad. I went to my first time country vs country soccer game yesterday! Uganda vs Angola, and Uganda won...it was an experience...lots of people, fanatics of the Cranes (the team name), dancing, music..from what I have been told it is for qualifications for the world cup in Brazil, which between USA and Brazil, they are my teams I support :). Today, as many people know is Father's day. My dad and I are close. I still remember as a little girl spraying ice cream out of either my nose or mouth in his truck, a song he made up about "watermelon, watermelon, scratch my head" enjoyer of vacations, and our time in Brazil, our song "Butterfly Kisses", supporter of our sport games, financial supporter of our family, father to 4 amazing children :), husband to my mom... but he would tell you that the most important decision in his life, was to become a follower of Christ. I am thankful for you Dad. You've pointed me to our Father and because of your goofiness, I hope that I can marry someone that is funny too, of course he will probably need to learn to like those Texas aggies! You are loved so much by your family, te amo muito and have a Happy, Happy Father's day to you! See you again!

Today was a longer day, started early. Two kiddos had to see Drs today. This is a shorter post, but today a blessing and the goodness of God, allowed a policeman to stop traffic and allow me and the baby I was pushing in the stroller across the road. I also had a fabulous lunch and there was a western bathroom in the mall, if you have been to Africa, then you are well aware of the restroom situation! I have had encouragement from a sweet friend back at home from a note she wrote, and met a sweet couple in the process of adopting. I was reminded today that God is for me. God is for mankind, look at   His Son, what a story, ya know? Only a perfect, loving God would send His perfect son to make a way  for us, with all of our baggage, ugly sin, some hidden, some not so hidden. He is for me, He is for you.

This marks my 4th week here in Jinja! The days can be long, and it is rarely quite here. You hear the call of Islamic prayer, chirping of bugs at night and the singing/noise of birds in the morning, and maybe a creepy sounding cat a night! I even got to see two baby goats that had recently been born and still had the umbilical cords! We sleep under mosquito nets and geckos crawl on the walls in the house. Last night I saw a roach that was a healthy size and thankfully I didn't see it this morning! I have been able to to perform malaria tests and have cleaned wounds. I have waited over a couple hours to see a Dr and because of that time, the Lord allowed us to establish a relationship with another Dr that was able to see a couple of our kiddos. I still throw out the word "ya'll," maybe it will rub off on Emily and Sam before I leave here, my British friends: ). Saturday, I was able to eat with friends and ordered a bacon and egg sandwich and it was great and also got to meet with a friend and chat and have coffee, the real deal coffee! A lot of the kiddos living in the community went back to school today, so this morning there were not as many children outside. I have heard my name as "Auntie Sarah" :) and also "muzungo" which means white person. The kids will run up and yell "muzungo"! They may give you a hug, hold your hand, and often you can hear them say "bye". Sunday, for worship and time in the Word, we meet under the Eucalyptus trees. It is beautiful here, the sky, wow! You can go in to the local community and buy bananas, coke (plastic and bottled!), avocados, tomatoes, onions, African foods, and these tasty little fried breads, known as "half cakes".  Today is a special day back in the Sates, Memorial Day. A day that is often spent time off from work, cooking out, spending time with friends, go the pool. We live in a very privileged nation! Thank you to the men and women who have fought for our freedom in the land of the free and brave. Until next time,
                                                                                          Auntie Sarah :)

A cocacola and a brownie at the table (my dentist would be so happy, at least I have a straw:) This marks my 2nd week here in Uganda. I have tasted the local food, been bare feet in the house, if you know me this is a challenge :), have been to a local hospital, let's just say we have incredible health care services offered at home, cleaned utensils (ya know the old fashion way, boil them in water!), seen a lot of farm like animals, the neighbors pet monkey in one of Ekisa's trees, met new people.... the weather here is hot but it cools off in the evening. Dry season is to come in June. Tomorrow I get to be part of a great community of believers here in Jinja. The weekend is pretty laid back here, so I have down time.  I confess, I am the anxious type, I try and move in to the future instead of staying where I am. I carry around my burdens, instead taking them over and over to my Father. It's challenging to submit. I know I have friends praying for my time here. It seems like an extended amount of time that I am here, but it really isn't that long in the scheme of my life. I had the opportunity to speak with my brother this week. He spoke wisdom when he shared how the Christian life isn't meant to be a sprint he encouraged me to soak it all in, this time I am in, here in Uganda. It's more comfortable at home, easier to call up friends family at many times during the day. Will you join in praying that I will rely Christ. This up coming week isn't booked with a lot of things, for now:) I have the privilege in working with a local nurse here. She knows a lot and is familiar with the children, pray for wisdom and compassion as we work with the children. Enjoy the weekend, time with family and friends, and for many, fellowship.  and GO GRIZ!