Well in 58 hours I will be on a plane heading off to Uganda. I leave from PHX airport, fly to Minneapolis, from there to Amsterdam, and from there to Entebbe. Entebbe is the port of entry into Uganda, where upon arriving at the airport I will request a 90 day visa and pray they grant it. From Entebbe it can be anywhere from a 3-5 hour drive to Mbarara where I will be living.
Tomorrow I will do a final “repack” and hopefully get all my ducks in a row. I am feeling very prepared now, thanks to the creative efforts of my great friends. Yesterday the gang got together in Tucson for one last “hurrah”- SV and T-town friends all together, it was great. My girlfriends, who hosted us all, came up with a game which kept us laughing. Random items from throughout the house were gathered and put in grocery bags. We split into teams and each team had to use the items in their bag to create “survival gear” for me. Let me just say, my friends are BRILLIANT! The end creations were: a pirate talisman to ward off Somali pirate attacks (worn on a lanyard), a paper "privacy screen", a starch grenade, super duper fly swatter, hazmat mask (complete with hands free cell phone device and a tissue for runny noses), utility tiara (with flashlight, emergency brownie, and jewel, and a sling shot of sorts), and a protection elephant (to snuggle with to keep loneliness away, including a miniature hatchet and a pic of a friend to inspire me). They also surprised me with the gift of an incredible travel backpack. Good food, games, and lots of catching up rounded out the evening.
Some questions I was asked last night:
1)How long will I be gone: I am committed to one year (pray the visa application process goes smoothly!)
2)What will I be doing: not precisely sure yet, but I do know I will continue working with children, and continue building relationships with the children I worked with the previous two summers.
3)What will I eat: whatever they feed me (I hope!) lots of rice, matoke (boiled green bananas), and posho (like corn meal) served with beans. Fresh fruit and occasionally goat, fish, cow, chicken.
I am thankful for all the love and support my friends and family have continued to show me. It is humbling and encouraging.
I am so excited to watch as your next chapter in life unfolds - being back with those who have held your heart from the very first visit to Africa is no doubt where you are meant to be. Those children must be waiting in joyful anticipation for your arrival. I can only imagine their excitement as they wait to see your beautiful face and feel the hugs and the love that overflows from the deepest part of your soul. God had blessed you with an incredible purpose and he has blessed the children with you. We love you Leah!!
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