Arrival into Uganda

1am

After a brief stop to drop off passengers in Kigali, Rwanda, we arrived into Entebbe at a little after midnight.  Took an hour to go through customs, get luggage, and meet up with John and Hannington, then drove to Sheron Hotel in Kampala.  Had been warned ahead of time that the beds were just box springs but by this point not sitting up to sleep is a plus.  Think I could sleep just about anywhere.

7:30am

Woke up before the alarm went off.  Felt pretty well rested.  Got up and showered.  Interesting shower as it is not enclosed  and I felt guilty about getting the entire bathroom wet.  Had breakfast at the hotel which consisted of toast, scrambled egg, fruit, coffee, and juice.  Then John, David, and I met up with Hannington to take an exploration trip to Jinja.  First stop was to exchange money.  One US Dollar equals 2630 Ugandan shillings.  John pointed out some of the best spots in Kampala to do shopping.  It was almost a 2 hour drive to Jinja.  Got there and it was raining and hailing.  Not a great time to see the start of the Nile, so we went to meet Shirley at Soft Power Health clinic.  Looked around their compound and got some ideas.  More connections!  Went to lunch at a coffee shop in Jinja then once it cleared up… went to see the start of the Nile.  Very pretty and the water is super warm.  Drove back discussing school stuff with Hannington.

Hitting the sack early tonight as I am exhausted!

Recurring Theme

After a 3 hour delay in MKK due to paperwork issues… a 2 hour delay in ATL due to a toilet replacement… it has just been announced that our flight from AMS will be 2.5 hours delayed due to leaky hydraulic fluid.  They have to switch the entire plane.  More waiting!  Good thing I did meet up with David (ITFM Board of Directors).  KLM did provide vouchers for 5 euros worth of snacks.  I went to one of the little kiosks and bought a cappacino and a twix.  The drink was about 3 inches tall and twix twice the size of a US candy bar.  Too funny!

Waiting in Europe

Day three of the journey and haven’t left the airport.  I feel rested however I have no clue what time it is nor the day.  After an enjoyable eight hour flight from ATL with a group from Bama, I am in chilly Schipol airport (Amsterdam).  The last time I flew through here I got a beautiful tour of the city.  To many people this may be a “dirty city” but to me it hold many fond memories.

Currently I am sitting here waiting to board my flight, watching people go by.  I especially like doing this in Europe as everyone has a story.  Most are dressed in dark colors with the occasional eccentric outfit.  Different accents and languages…. Diverse expressions and gaits… There is truly a diversity among people.

Headed out of the US

This is the first time that I am actually awake enough to write.  Last night was a bit crazy but God thankfully worked out all the details and caused a miracle.  Didn’t leave MKK until 8:45pm due to “paperwork issues”.  Got into HNL at final call for my flight to SEA so I missed that.  Was the last one on an overbooked flight to SFO.  Even got an economy comfort seat and was able to sleep.  Had a 45 minute layover and boarded a flight to ATL.  Thought I was going to spend the day with my Gramma and Aunt who I haven’t seen in years but God had another route.  Thankfully I have been able to sleep, I have a little longer layover in AMS and I don’t have to pick up my bags until I get into Entebbe.  I was kind of concerned about getting all this done and only having a little over an hour layover in AMS but God took care of those details.

And the journey begins...

Surprise, Surprise… Island Air Molokai has a delay!  When I brought my bags to the airport at 6:30am flights were already delayed by 45 minutes.  Had to drop them off to get them checked through agriculture otherwise I would have to pick them up in HNL, pay bag fees again and recheck them.  Not fun when you are traveling with two 50 + pound bags with no wheels. 

Besides spending my day with my little ones celebrating St. Patty’s Day a couple of days early, I was a bit emotional and praying that flights would be on time.  The reality that I am moving finally started setting in this morning as I was leaving my house, saying bye to the cats, talking story with friends at the airport and watching the sun rise over the mountain.  Before I even got to school I had already had my sob session.  So many changes and it is leaving my head spinning.

"I've got no strings"

 

I will not be a puppet on a string held by a mere mortals hand.  Lately I have realized how in past relationships I allowed myself to be strung along with the hope of this being "the one".  I overlooked faults that any one without strings would have immediately called out because I was too attached.  I was willing to accept less than I desired because I didn't think I deserved any better. 

After doing some soul searching the Pinocchio song "I've got no strings" popped into my head (yes my brain thinks in lyrics)...

Pinocchio

I've got no strings
To hold me down
To make me fret, or make me frown
I had strings
But now I'm free
There are no strings on me
 

Hi-ho the me-ri-o
That's the only way to go
I want the world to know
Nothing ever worries me

I've got no strings
So I have fun
I'm not tied up to anyone
They've got strings
But you can see
There are no strings on me

So I am done "hanging on by a thread".  I am a princess of the King of kings who wants the best for me.  I am not willing to settle on someone who is just using me when they have the time.  I love whole heartedly... I am kind... compassionate...honest... and ready for an adventure.  Strings put on by this world just hold me down and don't allow me to live the full, intentional life that God has put before me.

Perfect Reminders

After a weekend filled with on the go activities... dr's appointment... shopping... board meeting... setting up for a conference... shopping... conference on Oahu... conference on Maui... shopping... staff retreat... and oh maybe a bit more shopping, I arrived back on MKK Sunday night about 8:45pm to some disappointing news.  Thankfully I did realize that I was super tired, so I didn't respond. 

Sometimes disappointment can be the cause of overreaction if tired and emotional.  Ultimately the disappointment was caused by unmet expectation and things  not going how I thought they should.  On my drive home from school today I was reminded that my JOY and STRENGTH is in HIM... not in my expectations or the things of the world.  My focus should be on what He has called me to do... not what I think I should be doing.

SO I lay my hopes, desires, and future down at His feet... trusting that all will turn out for my good and HIS glory.

As for preparations for Uganda- most of the shopping this weekend was either for preschool or Uganda.  I got personal items (like soap, toothpaste/brushes, shampoo, conditioner)... school items (like chalk, coloring books, soccer balls, and games)... food items (like dried fruit, whole wheat pasta, and pretzel m&m's - my favorite!).  Having already packed one 50# suitcase thanks to generous donations,  I set to work tonight breaking down the new items and putting them in ziplocks.  This made me realize how much packaging is used mainly for asthetics.  When going to a country with no waste management system, the added packaging becomes a burden.  Also when the packaging is removed it takes up a lot less space!

At some point I do need to pack clothers.  Laundry was started tonight however choosing clothes will be a strategic process as I intend to leave everything down that I take with me this trip.  That way  I don't have to struggle to take everything down in August.

In other preparation news... my arms are not sore at all today from getting shots on Thursday.  Up until yesterday they were sore and I had a difficult time reaching above my head!  This round of shots included yellow fever, thyphoid and DTP (diptheria, tetanus, pertussis) along with prescriptions of Ciproflaxin and Malarone.

Well it is 10:30pm... packing has been started... white laundry is on the line drying... hair has been cut and colored... showered and now I shall go to bed.

More prepations to come!