Week 2 - Kampala

It is hard to believe that our time with Come Lets Dance (CLD) is already nearing its end. Friday morning we will move to Entebbe, where we will spend the next month working with Calvary Chapel Entebbe. We had a neat opportunity to visit the church last Sunday and meet some of the people we will be working with, and have lunch with the pastor and his family. If our visit taught us anything, it is that our work and daily life will all become very different once we make the move to Entebbe, but we can feel God preparing our hearts even now, and we are excited to find out what He has planned for us there. 

We continue to become more and more framiliar with the public transit system around Kampala.  Trying to remember the difference between Nansana, Nakalabya, Wakiso, Namasera, Wandegea, the New Taxi Park verses the Old Taxi Park can be quite confusing.  Through it all everyone seems to be adjusting well to getting around.

Our one year old companion still does not walk. He seems so interested in it, but then just second guesses his abilities every time and reaches for the floor as a safer, more certain option.  Interestingly enough to his parents, who have never found fear or caution to be his strong suit. The visit to Calvary Chapel on Sunday was perhaps the highlight of Nigel's summer in Uganda thus far, as he got to attend the nursery class. We were strongly warned before hand, that he may not be comfortable in the nursery, as it was described to us as being a bit chaotic, full of babies, and just one large room. But upon dropping him off, we laughed at the similarities between the Ugandan nursery and that of our home Calvary Chapel. Nigel spent the two hour church service doing exactly what he has been wanting to do for two weeks now. Which is to crawl freely on a floor filled with toys to choose from, and there were snacks!!!

Saturday, Grant was kind enough to stay home and tackle Nigel and cloth diapers, allowing Katie to help out at a medical outreach in the Katanga slum. It was a great day for her, aside from a moderate sunburn, a highlight of her trip for sure. They were able to offer help and relief to over 200 people in need.

For the past two days, Grant continues to work really hard on the project for the new school: spraying for flees and making trips to the Ministry of Education in downtown Kampala and out to the small local town council office. It is a long, difficult process of forms and application, but he seems to be working out the kinks and is in good spirits about it.

Walking is hard to do

Hi everyone,
Tonights update will be short and sweet, as we are exhausted after long days of work. Sorry, no pictures.
The past two days have been very full, but exciting. here's what everyone's been up to:
Grant: Grant has spent the past two days primarily focusing on the new school, which CLD has plans for in the future. It has been really exciting for him as he is already so passionate about education. Most of monday he spent in meetings, just going over the plans, and hopes for the school. Then tuesday he had the exciting opportunity to drive 4 hours south to visit a school which is set up, much like what CLD will want to do. He got to meet with the director and the school's principle, and ask lots of questions. He loved it! and is really on fire about being a big part of this new ministry. The rest of the week will see him probably pouring more of himself in to work for the new school, as well as working at the farm all day thursday, and a possible medical trip on friday to the slums.
Katie: Katie has had her hands perpetually full of babies. She has creatively mastered away to carry both Mercy and Nigel safely across the compound with just her two arms though, which is really helpful. She has been spending her days here at the CLD property, caring for the 2 babies, and helping the staff cook and clean and organize whenever she can.  One important praise to report about Katie, is that she has been morning sickness free for nearly 3 days now!! yay!! With the added responsibilities placed on her now, this comes as an even bigger answer to prayer.
Nigel: Nigel has finally adjusted to the time change, and is sleeping through the night here. We work ceaselessly throughout the day (as do the Ugandans) to encourage him to walk. He is getting so close everyday it seems. It would really improve life for everyone if Nigel could get down and walk, but especially Nigel, who always wants to be put down, but lacks adequate crawling surfaces. Yesterday he did sustain his first Ugandan injury (unfortunately in an attempt to walk) as he fell on a concrete floor, and cracked his chin open. No stiches, and its already looking a lot better, but we got a good picture of it.  He is adjusting well to the food, the Ugandans can not believe he eats everything the we adults eat, as well as they remark about how much water he drinks throughout the day!!! What can we say??!!! Nigel continues to steal the show, we never leave to go anywhere without people coming just to see the mazungu (white) baby. They love to touch his hair, and laugh.
We are all in excellent health, and spirits, praise God! We are just busy busy and working hard. Pray for us that our strength would come from the joy of the Lord and that He would multiply our rest, as we learn to live with a newborn again, who still wakes to eat at night :)
Love you all,

First 48 hrs

God is good! Our traveling was incredible. Our 14.5hr flight to Dubai turned into 16hrs as we sat on the plane in Houston for at least an hour and a half. First it was a mechanical issue (which we did not have any a/c for) then right as we got to the runway they had to call us back because someone on the plane had to be questioned by TSA security before we could take off. 

During our flights Nigel was always the star especially with an elderly Iranian couple who sat behind us from Houston to Dubai. They did not speak any English except to tell us they were from Iran but I'm sure you all know that Nigel didn't mind. Once in Dubai Emirates gave us a free hotel room and our bags were able to check all the way to Entebbe! That was def a God thing. We did not think we would want a hotel but it proved a real blessing. Nigel did not really sleep much once on the ground and his jet lag is still causing some exciting days and nights.

Dubai was amazing! We arrived an hour late at 8pm so we only had a chance to go to the Dubai Mall, see the worlds largest aquarium (inside the mall) the tallest tower (next to the mall) for a few seconds. The worlds largest disappointment was when we we left our digital camera in the taxi! ish...so we only have one picture from our Dubai hotel room window that I took with our video camera. I felt like it was fitting: the tallest tower foreshadowed by construction cranes.

Well these first 2 days in Uganda have been slow as we settle down into our new routine. There is a beautiful infant here at Come Lets Dance (CLD) named Mercy that Katie has quickly taken responsibility for. Tragically Mercy's mother died during childbirth or shortly afterwards and was abandoned. No one is quite sure exactly how old she is but she is only 10lbs and they are quite certain she is older than 3 months. We are all adjusting relatively well here so far. Please be praying as we settle into new responsibilities at CLD and develop relationships with the locals. I was able buy a cell phone so you can txt me or call (calling can be expensive). 011-256-78-7520-977 The time difference is +8hrs from Central Time. We love you all and are continually thankful for your prayers.