For starters, I am sorry for not writing in over a week. I have been very busy with fun things and traveling to Rwanda, so life has been slightly hectic with little internet connection. Thursday, June 23rd, we went to Entebbe to pick up Danelle from the airport! We visited with Joseph’s best friend, Thanx, and spent some time in Kampala city running errands. We found a great hostel for a great price. I went for a run, which was really fun and peaceful for me. While on my run, I met a little girl named Peace and her sister, Faith. Peace was so funny, she asked me for my email address because she wanted to see if I could find her sponsors in America to go to school. She was extremely bright and showed off her school notebooks so I could see her grades. I asked her why she had an email address and she said that her school required one because they correspond with students that way sometimes. I was impressed. After that sweet little encounter I took a hot shower (YES!) while we waited for Danelle’s arrival time. David and I ate some dinner and then headed to the airport, while we were waiting, I met these two American guys with two little Ugandans. One of them was mute and deaf, and the other was her little brother. I asked what they were doing at the airport, and one of the guys named Alex said, “We are here to pick up their adoptive parents. This is the first time the kids will see them in person!” I started to tear up, I couldn’t believe what I was about to witness. The kids and the new family have skyped to get to know each other, but this would be their first real meeting. When the family came through the little ones ran to their new family, and it was one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever witnessed. The mother picked up the little girl and began to use sign language to communicate with her. She probably spent the last 5 months learning as much as she could to be able to speak with her new child as soon as possible. It was so sweet, and the family was so happy. I will pray for them, they will endure challenges, but I believe that God will give them the grace to persevere. Soon after Danelle arrived, and that was also a happy moment! She has 36 kitkats, 60 chewy bars, 3 hersey bars, and letters from my community at New Hope! I was so blessed by the letters (AND THE CHOCOLATE!!!). It was really nice to hear from home and to welcome Danelle to a place I love so much.
Friday: We had breakfast at the hostel, and then began the long journey back to Mbarara. Danelle got to know David and the ministry pretty well on the way there, and we both started getting really excited to get to the JOAC house. (I really missed it, and I was gone two days… what am I going to do when I leave Mbarara in less than week for a longer period of time?) We finally arrived at the house and were greeted by some of the kids, but we got back before all of them returned from school. They trickled into the compound one by one or two by two, and I was so happy to see them. Danelle has been so fun to have here, I have really enjoyed getting to know her, she is one of the nicest people I have ever known. I have really wanted to take the house out for a big swimming extravaganza, so Danelle and I announced we were going to take everyone swimming the next day.
Saturday started with the usual morning run. Soon after, we all piled into the car and headed to “Big Fun!” and what great fun it was! Some had never been so a pool before, so that was really fun to witness. The sun was warm, and the pool was cool and refreshing. I shared the chewy bars with the kids, and Danelle shared her bananas (that David and Esther gave her as a gift upon her arrival) as an afternoon snack. We returned and everyone was exhausted. We made memories together that I will never forget. Later that evening, we had a dance competition, and after my two week winning streak Danelle took the win. It was really fun, and we all laughed a lot.
Sunday: Sunday began with church, Danelle preached about transforming the world instead of letting the world transform you. We ate lunch, and then played soccer with the boys and danced with the girls. It was a joyous day at the JOAC compound.
Monday: This morning I went for a run, and then went to the well to fetch water to wash my clothes and to shower. A lady has forbidden the boys to fetch water at her well, so it was going to be tricky to find another well nearby. As we (me, Moreen, and Ruth) were walking a kind man invited us to take from his well and his water was really clean and greatly appreciated! May God bless him and his generosity. Ruth helped me wash my clothes when we got back (I have been so thankful for her, she has helped me wash my clothes every time I have needed to). We ate lunch, and then we had our Bible study. After our Bible study, Danelle and I prepared to give the girls manicures and pedicures. It was a really blessed event, we washed their feet and hands, manicured them, and painted them. It was fun girl time, and I think the reality of leaving has really set in, so things like this are extremely precious to me. Then Danelle and I packed and got ready for Rwanda!!!!
(more on Rwanda to come)
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