We Made It!

We have arrived! We had a very uneventful flight – no delays, not problems at customs and all our bags arrived no problem – praise the Lord!

The first day we spent getting to our guest home where we will be staying for the first little bit at least, unpacking and having cat naps – the time change is killing usJ (we go to bed at 10 wake up between 1-3ish and then fall back asleep between 6-7ish) – pray that our bodies adapt quickly! The evening of our first night we met a US marine pilot who was staying at our same guest home – he took us out and gave us a brief tour of Kampala – we rode in his US military vehicle complete with a military escort – very nice!

Our guest home is lovely. We have a private bedroom and bathroom. We have a flushable toilet (not all of the TP always goes down – but far better than a squattie pottie) and our own little shower that even sometimes has hot water depending on what time of the day you shower. There is a large green backyard area with many flowers. We are very safe in our area – we are in a suburb of Kampala (I believe they would consider it a rich area) we have a 24 hour guard as well as very high walls surrounding us. We eat our breakfast and supper and the home in the basement with the other guests. The food as been filling – they are very generous with their servings – so far so good – we have not been sick although you do at times feel yourself digestingJ The food is somewhat similar to ours – just with a very strong Ugandan feel to it – if that makes any senseJ

Day two we were toured around with Jonathan from Watoto – he has been our contact since we began this whole journey. He showed us the two children’s villages as well as the baby’s home. Matt met the men he will be working with and I met the ladies I will be working with. Watoto is so well set up – all of the facilities seem to be quite well run, organized and cleanJ

Today was our first day to figure out how to get around on our own. Transportation will be a big challenge here. There are three different methods…1. Boda boda’s – these are small motor bikes that weave in and out of traffic – they say 10 people a day die in Kampala on these bikes – Watoto doesn’t want us to ride these – we don’t want to either – traffic here is CRAZY – we have only been here three days and already been in a fender bender. 2. Taxi’s – this is like a mini bus – they fit 14 people in them and take the same route daily stopping at different spots – 14 people in a TINY little van with no A/C 3. Private Hire – the most expensive of the three – basically the same as hiring a taxi in north America

Today we took a private taxi into downtown Kampala to buy cells – we did well for our first trip in!

I think that is about it for now – we will see how many pictures we get up here – I understand that everyone likes the pics so I will do what I can – internet is SLOW here!

Matt and I both start work tomorrow. Thank you all so much for your encouragement, support, love and prayers – we appreciate them all! Goodnight from Uganda!