T.I.A.

T.I.A. This Is Africa.

Last week seemed to be one of if not the longest week of my life. The days went by fairly quickly, but the week itself dragged on forever it seemed like. There was much to do. Getting settled in with my family, going to classes and learning about what it's like going to an African school and learning from Ugandan professors, having a lot of meetings about health and safety and procedures about what I'm going to be experiencing during my time here. There was no routine. I was just going and going from one thing to the next without feeling like I actually had any break time. I think this week will be different because I will get into some type of routine.

T.I.A. There is a loss of routine while being here, and I hope to get one so that I don't break down.

I finally met my Tata. He came home late Thursday night and I got to speak with him Friday morning before school. I got to talk with him more when I got back from school. He is a very sweet man and calls me, "Sweetheart" and "Dear." He and the rest of my family has made it clear that I am apart of their family and that they are very honored and happy that I am there. I had great conversations with him about the tribal culture that most Ugandans come from and about different traditions that Ugandans have that we do not have in the States. When I talk with him more about those, I will be more than happy to share them with you. I am looking forward to having more conversations with him.

This past weekend the group went to Jinja which is where the source of the Nile River is. So yes, I got on a boat and got on Lake Victoria and the Nile River. I have pictures to prove it.

Jinja was absolutely beautiful. The lake was right outside my window and everything was green and beautiful. We stayed in a tourist area so everything was way nicer than what we have been used to for the past week. We had a couple of seminars over some readings we had to do for the weekend, played a game, and mostly just relaxed and took some time to do homework. Seeing as how we all had an 8 am class today.

Saturday night a bunch of us went out by the docks and star gazed. Oh man, God's creation is so beautiful. I saw stars that I have never been able to see before. i wish I could have taken a picture. It was just so good to take in God's creation and just be among friends and relax. Then a few of us went star tripping. So much fun. Then I was very blessed by the conversation we had after that. We were getting into some deep topics such as what is ministry and salvation and what not. I am blessed to know that there are some people here who are passionate followers of Jesus and are passionate about their walks and are willing to have deep and hard conversations.

Sunday we had a worship service and a few girls and I gave a bit of our testimonies. That was also a great time of community and I think it is what we all needed because we have all been tired and worn out from everything that we have been experiencing the past week. It was a refreshing time and a very encouraging time. I am looking forward to getting to know people more deeply.

I also found people that know how to play Dutch Blitz and Euchre!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This made me so happy!

I also got to meet my host brother for the first time last night. He is at university and should have been home for Christmas, but his exams were delayed because the campus was shut down. The campus was shut down due to the strikes over banks and interest rates so he couldn't come home when he was supposed to. He usually gets 5 weeks for holiday, but because of the strike he will only be home for 2 weeks. He works at a mobile money stand (in Uganda, the people do not have cell phone plans, they are all prepaid pay as you go phones so there are a lot of mobile money stands here for people to purchase minutes). So he will be gone during the day when I am at school, but I will be seeing him at night. He is a very intelligent guy and is willing to talk to me about the culture and compare it to the States. I look forward to talking more with him as well.

My feet are getting much, my sleeping habits are still pretty bad though. I have yet to have a restful night sleep.

Today in class we were discussing one of the books we are reading called, "The Primal Vision." It's kind of a hard book, but it is an interesting read. In our discussion we were talking about the Gospel. Something was brought up that truly made me think and I am going to be wrestling with this all semester. It would be nice to hear what you guys think about it. Is there a pure Gospel that is being diluted by culture or can we only know the Gospel from a culture? We will be looking more at this as the semester progresses.

So and everything is still going well. I had a couple victories at home. I got to peel the potatoes for dinner and my Mama let me do my own bathing water. So I am now able to not be treated as a guest anymore and I am very happy with that.

Prayer requests:
Better sleeping habits
To be up to date on homework
Develop a deep relationship with my family
Health and safety as always
Be committed to reading the Word daily

Someone needs to keep me up to date on what is going on in the States and how the snow is treating everyone. = )

Be Blessed!