We began this past week with an evening of Uganda culture. We tagged along with a Watoto team from Australia to the Ndere Center. It is an outdoor amphitheatre with picnic tables and chairs. We were fed BBQ meat with rice and salad. The entertainment was dancing. The dances showcased the different regions of Uganda – very interesting the dances are very different styles depending on where you are from. There was also a little audience participation/dancing going on throughout the evening!
Another outing that we had, with a number of the other volunteers, was brunch on Sunday before church at Kampala’s Serena Hotel. It was such a treat to have a breakfast buffet. Matt had four HEAPING plates full of food. The grounds of the hotel are gorgeous and the food and drinks amazing to our taste buds that are getting bored of rice six times a week☺
This past week Matt and I didn’t see very much of each other. I was on night shift, which is from 5pm-12am. It was is a quiet shift and gave me good opportunities to give Meg some kangaroo care (for all you non NICU nurses that means a good cuddle skin to the skin). Meg is finally putting on weight!!! She continues to amaze me and really truly is evidence of the power and grace of God. Keep praying for her! I have been doing many nursing duties this past week, which is nice – feels good to be using those skills! I’m really enjoying getting to know the nannies better and better and building relationships with them.
Matt was busy out at the production unit. He and his guys made 200 dining room chairs and are almost done making their solar powered timber kiln. Matt got a break from the matatu (taxi) this week and was able to travel in and out of town with a Watoto team that was here to build a house at the village.
The guesthouse that we are staying at has been greatly increasing in numbers of Watoto volunteers. Matt is now here with 7 females! This past week we had small group at our guesthouse as there is so many of us here. Matt lead it – I wasn’t able to be there as I was working, but I heard he did a GREAT job!
This past Friday was Uganda’s independence day. Amazingly, it is not that big of a deal here. It is considered a national holiday and some people get it off work. Some shops were closed, but not all. It seemed as though it was just another ordinary day in Kampala. At the babies home we had a little party. Decorated with the colors of the Uganda flag. We had games for the nannies to play and everyone had a small piece of cake and a whole bottle of soda!
This week has had its moments of frustration. We are loving the people that we are getting to know, but there is a lot of corruption here. Being white has it’s frustrations as we are seen as money to people – things that the locals pay $2 for we are charged $10…etc. We have other frustrations as well – surprises to us. We knew certain things would take time to adjust to, but never imagined the things that actually give us the most frustration. So be in prayer for our hearts. That we would be slow to speak, quick to listen and slow to become angry. We have come to love and sometimes that is hard task!
This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving. We are missing home. The fellowship of the holiday and also the food from the holiday! Home is in our heart and mind especially this weekend! We are thankful for so many things, and are finding new appreciation for so many things living over here! May you all find time to sit and be thankful this weekend!
Love to you all and Happy Thanksgiving!
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