June 16, 2014

Week Two

June 10
Today, our family traveled with Healing Faith in their Mobile Malaria Unit, to the village if Wakissi.  Healing Faith has been working with this village for over a year educating, preventing and treating Malaria, and ministering to the spiritual needs of the people there.It is still rainy season, so the dirt roads looked more like an obstacle course of mud holes.  It was an adventure getting to the village.  On our way, we stopped to check on a family that had recently had a new baby, and one that had just lost a baby.  This was the kids first real encounter with village life.  As we pulled up, goats, chickens and rabbits roamed around.  Marley fell in love with all of the bunnies!  





When we arrived in the village, the kids were in school.  They joined us in the field for some games and a bible study.  I watched my children interact with the village kids.  Both hesitant at first, but eventually, they warmed up.  Marley got bucked by a cow, and Miles got whooped in a game of soccer.  It was a good day!





June 11
Sangaalo baby home is where little baby Brandon lives.  I had the honor of naming him last summer.  He is about a year old now.  My Brandon finally got to meet the little baby that wasn't expected to live.  We brought the toddler Lego blocks and the kids went crazy!  They loved them!  Miles was beginning to see how much his efforts were appreciated.  










Brandon and I got to spend some time with Jason and Kari, from Healing Faith.  I'm so glad God brought them into our lives!  





June 13
Brandon left today.  This kids were so distracted playing with the Segner kids that I'm not sure they fully understood that they wouldn't see Daddy for a whole month.  Hadlee on the other hand is going to miss her Uncle Boo!  Our family really enjoyed spending time with Kari and Jason!

Today I learned to navigate around with my cane on my own without my husbands strong arm on my side.  I think I got this!

June 14
Our morning started with some family worship and a devotional.  Miles chose the songs and then read the story of David and Goliath.  We talked about what we can learn from that story.  Miles blew me away when he said that he knows that God has power over the enemy.  Miles, like most American kids, is addicted to video games.  He said that he is now going to rely on God to give him the strength to overcome that addiction.  Proud Mama here!
The kids and I braved traveling on our own today!  We stepped outside our compound gates and waved down a Boda driver.  All three of us piled onto a motorbike with my cane!  Ha....it was a funny sight.  The kids loved it! We ate lunch, got some groceries and then headed back home just long enough for a nap.  Then Brittany, my coleader from last summers team called.  She had just arrived in town.  We caught another Boda to eat dinner with her team.  On the way back home, around 8:30pm, my Boda driver got lost!  For a second I feared the end of our trip would be at some black market mzungu sale!  We eventually made it home safely!  I learned to always keep the address of the guesthouse with me!

The kids are adjusting wonderfully!  We have settle into a routine.  They wake up to the sounds of roosters, birds and all sorts of animals and insects.  I cook them breakfast.  I have been getting creative with our menu options of bread, bananas and eggs!  Then they venture out onto the compound we are are staying on and play with Boone, the guard dog, or whatever other animals are around!  They have been playing with Legos until we are able to take them to some kids. Miles has been journaling and Marley working on her alphabet.  They play and I love it!  Occasionally I reward them with some electronic time, but that is becoming less and less.  They are content running around barefoot and exploring!  I am happy they are adjusting!  



June 10, 2014

The First Week


June 5

Although flying from Europe to Ethiopia is only have the time it would be flying from the States, it still took a toll on the kids.  They were tired.  We arrived at the guest house within only our carryons,  because like true missionary travel, our bags went to Uganda without us.  So at 8:30 am, I had two very tired, hungry kids.  Marley found friends in the guesthouse staff, while Miles complained about being bored.  I was beginning to worry about his transition.  I woke him from a deep sleep for an opportunity to walk to a pizza place. It was a long walk for tired kids, he grew impatient and starting complaining about the smells, the animal poop in the road, and everything else that I have grown accustom to.  Again, I worried about him. In return for a better attitude, I bribed him with a taxi ride back to the guesthouse.  Taxi, really isn't what you would call our hired transportation, but it did the job.  As I piled both kids in to a motorcycle rigged to be a covered three seat car, also known as the blue devils, I saw Miles to begin to find the adventure in it.  

Later that evening, we joined Brandon's team for dinner at the Traditional Ethiopian Restaurant. The day was beginning to look better. Both kids ate traditional Ethiopian food!  And when the dancing began, the kids' faces lit up!  They were mesmerized by the tribal dances.  I couldn't keep my eyes off of my kids.  They were enjoying a culture that is so dear to me.  They forgot about video games, and just observed.  There is hope!  Tomorrow will be another day! 

June7
We arrived in Kampala , Uganda without any problems.  Our Driver, Charles, met us with his giant smile! All four of us piled into the van with all 12 bags.  The kids were too tired to take in the sights and slept most of the journey.  We were warmly greeted by my friends Sarah and Samuel and their three kids.  Sarah had recently had anew baby and I was anxious to hold her. As we were walking off the porch onto the grass to go to our room, I fell. I held to baby up, so that she avoided the rocky path near us.  She was fine.   I handed her off to Sarah and instantly began to fell dizzy.  As I scooted up to sit on the porch, my left ankle popped back into socket.  The toes on my right foot looked a little slanted.  At first, I thought I had dislocated them.  Thankfully, I followed Sarah's advice and went to a hospital.  Nine of us loaded up into a van and headed to get a professional opinion.  Sarah didn't want to miss out on our kids playing, so she brought her three.  Our kids played in the van while I sat in a Ugandan hospital.  They were quick to help me.  After examinations from two doctors, xrays on both feet and $20 later, I was told I had one sprained ankle and three broken bones in the opposite foot.  They didn't have the materials to cast it, so I thanked them for their time and left. 

June 8
We said our good byes and left for Jinja.  Again, my kids could care less about the scenery and slept the four hour trip.  When we arrived at our friends home, we were greeted with warm hugs and smiling faces.  My kids' faces lit up when they finally got to meet the kids that were close to their age. Even though they complained about bug bites, I could see the tone changing.  They were beginning to adapt!

We attended their home church while about 25-30 kids played outside for over two hours.  Miles said it was one of the best days of his life!

June 9
We had planned a family outing, but it poured down rain all day long.  So we improvised.  All 13 missionary kids sat on the floor for over five hours, only breaking for a bowl of rice and beans, playing Legos.  I sat with my leg elevated and iced. I began to see my kids transition to life in Africa ease up.  They were loving it.  Yes, they have bites all over them.  Marley has all kinds of scrapes from falls, but they are having fun!  
After having my foot casted, I hobbled over to a window to see Brandon helping the kids harvest fresh mangos.  Marley came in beaming with pride over her very hard green mango!  She is patiently waiting for it to change colors.
Today was good, my ankle is healing hand I've upgraded to walking alone with a cane.  Tomorrow our whole family will do village ministry together!