Friday, April 20. 2012

                I’m sitting at the hotel in Dubai, having just had the best shower in 7 weeks!  AHHHH!

            I will quickly try to finish this up as I have to get up at 5:30 and it’s midnight now..and had about 3  ½ hours sleep last night. I have no idea why this turned blue…but I’m not going to try to figure it out!  I still have a learning curve on this laptop!

                Thursday’s events:

                Went to Sango to dedicate the well there that our small group joined with another who had already been working towards this well.  It was quite special.  First we went to the water source that they had been using before the well…a little pond that is pretty well dried up during the dry season.  It looked brown.  There were two women and some kids still getting water there! (The well had been officially opened before but “dedicated” this day.)  We were welcomed with the traditional songs.etc…and lots of hugs.We sat in the shade and  Sam gave his very thorough sanitation lecture…about  washing the pots and Gerry cans,washing your hands OFTEN…with soap or ash and hot water.  They have to make a fire of wood or charcoal to do this.  It was quite extensive but I won’t go into it all.  Many things that we don’t have to worry about or even think about!. Village dignitaries and Pastor Hillary and Angie spoke, introducing me so that I could send greeting and love  from Southside and assure them that we are praying for them and want them to be sure to follow Sam’s directions about cleanliness. All Africans seem to be so very pleased to think we are praying for them,…or even just thinking of them. And they were thrilled to think Southside was !(I even  began my “talk” with Alleluia!(like Angie had…and many Africans do)…that’s a first for me!  They respond with AMEN! J   Then onto the well dedication.  I held the pump handle along with a young boy and girl and woman and we all pumped together.  Then  I released the handle and” gave”  the well to the Africans, as they continued pumping!  It was very special and I was so proud to represent our church!  The well was decorated with fresh flowers…very nice.  I had taken a sample of water from the previous source and the well and compared the two.Wow!  Can’t imagine anyone taking water..especially to drink..from that giant mud puddle!

                Then we gave out dresses and shorts for the boys,plus mosquito nets.

                In the afternoon we met with our sponsored children.  I had saved a pillow case decorated by all of our familes..grandkids, included…and Sharon loved it.  We waited for her Grandmother to come (singing Eensy Weensy Spider..which I taught her when she was 7!)  It’s our tradition to sing it now!  Her Grandma came(and my friend Margaret also was there)and it was so nice to see her after 8 years! And that’s when I received  something that thrilled me..as well as surprised me!  A chicken!!!!I had to explain (Margaret helped)that I couldn’t take it on the plane, but that I loved it and appreciated her generosity!(It’s a very special gift…and costs dearly).  Well, she said she would keep it for me and next time I came it would probably have chicks.  I held it…so sweet…and named it Henny Penny, which they all laughed a bout! 

What a great way to end my African Adventure!

I was afraid I might be late to the airport because of all the traffic in Kampala due to school holidays.  As  a result, I didn’t dare chance going to the big market I love to go to to get special gifts.  So I had to hurry at the airport to finish up, which wasn’t nearly as much fun.

Now to bed. I should definitely sleep well!  If I’m lucky, I can send this at the Seattle airport…or else, when I get home.  Thanks for coming along on this amazing journey with me! (I still need to check out more descriptive words!)  I know I’ll never be the same again.  I say that after every trip..but 7 weeks really makes an  impact.  Now I just have to be careful not to overdo it when talking to people…I don’t want to tire anyone…but it will be hard to stop!  See you soon! (and feel free to ask me any questions…or…tell me   "Okay, that's enough already!"  (>:)

p.s.  I made it home safe and sound.  Am now "transitioning" to this real world while at Discovery Bay at the Olympic Peninsula...where I don't have to face the mound of mail that awaited me on my dining room table!

I am surprised at how I've been impacted by being immersed in the African culture for 7weeks.  I miss my friends there...and still am amazed at how I lived there.  So very many special moments...and a few traumatic ones!...and so many unbelievable  people..who work so hard and have so little (Material things, that is)..but who are so rich in their faith and overflowing with warmth for others.  God bless them all.  I will return to see them next year, if it's in God's plans for me.  I certainly know it was His plan for me to be there this year. There was no doubt about it.

“that’s enough, thank you”!)