Matoke Inn, where we've stayed in Kampala for the past few days
Virginia and I's room at Matoke Inn ~ first time sleeping with a mosquito net!
In front of Buckingham Palace...this pretty much sums up how we were feeling at this point after an overnight flight and 5 hours of walking around
In London...when we were a bit more lively...or else just forcing ourselves to act it!
London!
Disclaimer: Sorry for the terrible formatting and random order of pictures...I can't get a handle on this blogger stuff, especially with a finicky Internet!!
Well tonight is our last night at Matoke Inn. We leave tomorrow morning at 6 am to get on the post bus…literally a bus that stops at the post offices along the way to deliver mail…it should take us about 5-6 hours to get to Tororo with all of the stops ~ should be interesting! Thought I would try to get a few pics up while I can. The one above is when we first arrived to the Newark airport and got dropped off across the street…6 girls with about 15 suitcases plus carry ons and purses ~ definitely a comical moment that needed to be documented.
It has been a good weekend of orientation with Karen and lots of chances to get to know the rest of the team as well as the great couple that is also staying at the Inn with their baby. Earlier today we went to Watoto church which was wonderful. I think I was surprised at how much like an American church it was, but I think this particular church was originally started by a Canadian…so take from that what you want. The service was in English with contemporary Christian songs, announcements, and even a sermon on the body of Christ very much like what you might see in the States, though perhaps still a little more…lively? than North River What I was really blessed by was just being able to reflect on the body of Christ and how we truly are brothers and sisters in Him even when far away. It really makes what being a member of the body of Christ really means a little more real. This is also the first Sunday since the bombings last weekend so we spent time in prayer in regards to that..it was really something to be able to pray for Uganda with the Ugandans.
After church the 6 of us went to an Italian pizza place right near church…yes, you read that correctly..it was owned by this sweet little Italian lady and it was GOOD. Afterwards a couple of us decided to walk road…ok quite a bit off the road…and following a little dirt path for awhile through fields and farms. We got a pretty great view of Lake Victoria!
Yesterday we had the last few hours of orientation with Karen…it was really interesting and helpful to hear about Uganda’s history and culture and also more about Tororo and Smile and what we’ll encounter there. It sounds like we have the potential to become quite overwhelmed with the need there…prayers would be appreciated for wisdom and discernment and eyes to see what’s really going on and how God would most like to use us…as much as we would all love to help in every area and try all of it, we know that we will probably need to pick a couple areas to focus on. Many things will be possibilities such as just helping to bathe and feed the children (and just to hold and love on them as most of them are lacking these things), plan activities such as crafts and Bible stories, help out on the more academic side with tutoring and school-related activities, possibly even help out in the classrooms, mentoring the older girls around 12-15 years, spending time in the program for the women, helping in the clinic….annnd the list could probably go on. You get the picture!!
I’m not sure how much internet I’ll really be able to get out there…here the Internet tends to go in and out along with the electricity…however we are fortunate enough to have a generator here at Matoke Inn! I don’t think we’ll be quite so lucky in Tororo! After spending a few days here in Kampala, I am excited to see how Tororo compares and what is in store for us there! Again , prayer request s would just be for our traveling tomorrow which could be very long , a good adjustment to our house in Tororo (we will be pretty much on our own to figure out shopping, cooking, laundry, etc. ~ hopefully there will be someone to help us!), and that our hearts would be prepared to take on whatever God has for us at Smile! More to come soon hopefully
It has been a good weekend of orientation with Karen and lots of chances to get to know the rest of the team as well as the great couple that is also staying at the Inn with their baby. Earlier today we went to Watoto church which was wonderful. I think I was surprised at how much like an American church it was, but I think this particular church was originally started by a Canadian…so take from that what you want. The service was in English with contemporary Christian songs, announcements, and even a sermon on the body of Christ very much like what you might see in the States, though perhaps still a little more…lively? than North River What I was really blessed by was just being able to reflect on the body of Christ and how we truly are brothers and sisters in Him even when far away. It really makes what being a member of the body of Christ really means a little more real. This is also the first Sunday since the bombings last weekend so we spent time in prayer in regards to that..it was really something to be able to pray for Uganda with the Ugandans.
After church the 6 of us went to an Italian pizza place right near church…yes, you read that correctly..it was owned by this sweet little Italian lady and it was GOOD. Afterwards a couple of us decided to walk road…ok quite a bit off the road…and following a little dirt path for awhile through fields and farms. We got a pretty great view of Lake Victoria!
Yesterday we had the last few hours of orientation with Karen…it was really interesting and helpful to hear about Uganda’s history and culture and also more about Tororo and Smile and what we’ll encounter there. It sounds like we have the potential to become quite overwhelmed with the need there…prayers would be appreciated for wisdom and discernment and eyes to see what’s really going on and how God would most like to use us…as much as we would all love to help in every area and try all of it, we know that we will probably need to pick a couple areas to focus on. Many things will be possibilities such as just helping to bathe and feed the children (and just to hold and love on them as most of them are lacking these things), plan activities such as crafts and Bible stories, help out on the more academic side with tutoring and school-related activities, possibly even help out in the classrooms, mentoring the older girls around 12-15 years, spending time in the program for the women, helping in the clinic….annnd the list could probably go on. You get the picture!!
I’m not sure how much internet I’ll really be able to get out there…here the Internet tends to go in and out along with the electricity…however we are fortunate enough to have a generator here at Matoke Inn! I don’t think we’ll be quite so lucky in Tororo! After spending a few days here in Kampala, I am excited to see how Tororo compares and what is in store for us there! Again , prayer request s would just be for our traveling tomorrow which could be very long , a good adjustment to our house in Tororo (we will be pretty much on our own to figure out shopping, cooking, laundry, etc. ~ hopefully there will be someone to help us!), and that our hearts would be prepared to take on whatever God has for us at Smile! More to come soon hopefully
Hi Janelle! First of all I'm a little jealous that you got to spend some time in England...great photos! I'm glad to hear you made it safe and sound in Uganda and I'm praying for a safe trip (just close your eyes) and a smooth transition in Tororo :)
ReplyDeleteYay! I love all your pictures! Praying for safe travels to Tororo. I'm excited to hear about all of the children you will work with.
ReplyDeleteGreat updates Janelle, Laura and I are praying for your ministry to the children and your safety!
ReplyDeleteAwesome Janelle!!! Great pictures.
ReplyDelete