Five things that our Ugandan hosts observed about American visitors:
1. Americans talk loudly (yes, compared to very soft-spoken Ugandans, I would agree ;))
2. We look at the ground when we walk (I've noticed this even after coming back in myself and in passing other people.  Even if a Ugandan did not make eye contact with us in passing, they stared straight ahead and walked very erect)
3. We don't mind getting dirty (One day after working in the rain, I was particularly muddy.  In walking back to the guest house, people were staring because as I learned later an Ugandan would not work in the rain, at least not like digging or other construction work.  A few kids pointed and laughed at my very dirty pants).
4. We eat while we walk (this is a big no-no in Uganda and is considered disrespectful.  It only took us doing that one time to learn that lesson after buying food from a street vendor)

5. We don't pay attention to traffic (well..we do...we're just confused about people who drive down the middle of the street or the 'wrong' side of the street :)

I made an observation to Salema (our gracious guest house host and volunteer coordinator for Musana and an amazing young lady) one day that I didn't see a lot of people who wear glasses or sunglasses there.   And she said there is a running joke amongst Ugandans about that.  They say 'God knew we were going to be too poor to afford glasses, contact lenses, braces, or gyms...so he blessed [us] with good eyesight, good teeth, and strong bodies.' :) Poor?...I think they are rich in so many ways.

Out of the mouths of babes:

A conversation between Gideon (one of the Musana kids) and 'Auntie Judy':
Gideon: 'Auntie Judy, what are your sons' names?'
Judy: 'I have no sons.'
Gideon: 'Auntie Judy, what are your daughters' names?'
Judy: ' I have no daughters'
Gideon: Perplexed look between Gideon and Derrick (one of the other Musana kids)...followed by 'But Auntie Judy, you have gray hair!'

Judy: :)...I know dear, I know...:)

Aboti, one of the sweetest little girls at Musana (but she thought a picture of my dog was a cow :))

Our daily trek to Musana from the guest house, greeted by the local kids

Drainage team...yeah!

Judith and Judy :) - Judith organized a group of local women to write business plans and apply for microloans to start businesses lock brick making and granite crushing

Hanging out with kids in the village around the Musana farm

The Flatirons team!

The Musana kids are singing the background vocals on this video produced by Flatirons...check it out!
http://www.flatironschurch.com/africavideo/

This is why I did it...

We arrived home safe and sound yesterday afternoon!  It was the most enriching experience of my life in so many ways - so so grateful for this opportunity.  We had limited email connectivity so I will be updating this blog retroactively this week; in the meantime, check out the trip blog at www.flatironschurch.com/international. Our team took thousands of photos so look for those to be posted over the coming week or so as well. 

In 24 short hours our team will be somewhere between Atlanta and Amsterdam, en route to Entebbe.  If the journey so far has been this incredible, I can only imagine what it will be like once we get there.  THANK YOU all who have supported me and this mission from near and from far with kind words, with pictures and letters, with heartfelt donations.  I can't find the words to tell you how that touches my heart. We hear that the Musana team and the kids are getting really excited about our arrival...just to think, there's a kid in an orphanage thousands of miles away who doesn't even know that he's about to change 11 lives forever... 

I'm packed up, prayed up (but don't stop ;)), and pumped up!    I'll update as soon and as often as I can.  Peace and blessings

Ron - we know you're with us in spirit, my friend!

Thank you Brandi, T, Kiera, and Zorah - you all did a gr-r-r-e-a-t job !!!  I love the drawings and letters and I know the kids at Musana will be very excited to get them!! I love you!!!

Happy Easter everyone!  This countdown clock keeps messing with me...as it seems like it's a day off  :).  Our team is SO energized and ready to go!  

Pause and reflect...

This is the command post for Operation 'Pack Lightly'...

Thank you Alexea and Serenity for the awesome drawings!  The kids at Musana will be so happy to see them and I can't wait to show them off! 

Just 8 more days!  I can't tell if the butterflies in my stomach are anxiety about disconnecting from work for so long, or about leaving my 'girls' (Ollie and Rosie), or the fear of not being able to deliver on what I'm being called to do.  But then it dawned on me...God would not put this opportunity at my feet and not make a way for all of this to be taken care of.  And those anxiety butterflies are replaced by butterflies of excitement about seeing those kids' faces, hearing their joyous singing, meeting the incredible leaders of Musana,sharing this experience with 11 amazing people,  getting exposed to a new culture and a new part of the world, being able to serve in a unique way, expanding my world view....

p.s. still anxious about the cobras though ;)