Uganda

It's a Good Day

2006-05-20T14:41:00.000-04:00

However long our feet have walked on this world

We’ve all lived long enough to know

That sometimes life will go our way

And other times it won’t

But still I’ve got this joy inside of me

With each new dawn I do believe to
Say hey, it’s a good day

Even if things aren’t going my way

Jesus is Lord and I am saved

So, say hey, it’s a good day
Circumstance and situations change

You know life can turn on a dime

But there’s a constant hope and peace

That I have come to find

And it’s all because of who God is

And that He is alive and I am His, so
We are all as happy as we make our minds up to be

I have just decided that nothing’s gonna take this joy from me

It’s A Good Day

Michael Boggs / Tony Wood

Life is always changing, and often we do not understand it. God has brought me back from Uganda for a reason I know He will make evident in His time. I have been medically seperated from the Peace Corps and will see what the next doors to open will be. I thank each of you for the prayers and support you have given and ask that you would keep me in your prayers a little longer as God continues to heal me. I do not yet know what the future holds but am confident that God has it beautifully and perfectly orchestrated.

2006-05-07T07:21:00.000-04:00

School Boy

2006-05-07T07:19:00.000-04:00

Waterfall near Mukono

2006-05-07T07:18:00.000-04:00

Source of the Nile, Jinja,

2006-05-07T07:17:00.000-04:00

2 Orhpans

Dr. Pepper Day!

2006-05-06T15:38:00.000-04:00

The fun and challenges of Uganda continue... This week I went to visit my future site, to see where I will be living and working for the next two years. I will admit that it was a roller coaster kind of week, but I am very excited about what the future holds, the possibilities of what I can do, and the doors God seems to open and close. I will be working with an organization called VOLSET, check out their website http://volsetuganda.tripod.com/ . My housing situation is still being worked out, there was some misunderstanding from somewhere, so I do not know the details of where I will actually be staying yet. The people that I met this week where all very friendly and helpful. Lots of fun expereinces as well..the road into the village is dirt with many, many trenches, etc which does not seem to slow them down, also they fit at least 20 people into a van that should not hold more than 14, which means there are people sitting in your lap, yes it is as awkard and funny as you are probally imaging it. The scenery that I pass as I walk and ride down these roads will make you wonder how people can not believe in God. Other big news: today I had DR. PEPPER and ice cream which made everything GREAT! I only have 2 more weeks of training (only one more living with the homestay family), which is very exciting and a little sad as we have become a pretty close group. On that note, I have my language exam on Friday, and am nervous about it, I realized being at my site this week that I really need to grasp the language and be able to use it more. Once at my site I should be able to check internet weekly (any notes, pics, etc you want to send would be very enjoyed). Okay, so I know this post is very jumbled, and rambling, and probally confusing, but just want to give some kind of update and am not sure what people want to know. I will try to make the others make a little more sense, but we shall see. Also, more regular updates should be coming once I get to my site. Another blogspot to check out is http://pearlofafrica.blogspot.com , this is the site that all the Ugandan PCVs in my group are posting to. Well, that's all for right now, more later, I hope to hear from you as well :) !!

Say a little prayer for me..

2006-04-13T04:25:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone!
Everything is going well, and hopefully will be getting better. Thank you so much for the prayers, they were very needed. These past 2 wks have been rough as I had not been feeling good, but am now on medication and so hopefully will see a quick improvement. I look forward to this as I am tired of sitting around, etc and am ready to get back to volleyball, frisbee, and just in general once again enjoying the walking that I must continually do. I am begining to grasp the language as well, which is exciting, to be able to comfortably greet people and have them proud to tell others that I know Lugandan means alot, though I still have ALOT to learn. I have my first language test tomorrow. We were able to see the places asking for volunteers, many sounded really good and I can't wait until April 27 (?) when I will find out where I will be placed. Please continue to pray for the site that I will be posted, the work that I will be doing and the people that I will be living around and working with. I do have a phone and so if anyone wants to call I will talk (there are cheap international phone cards (if you search for Ugandan cellular calling cards they apparently are cheapest)). Letters work great as well, and I promise to write back. Anyway as I said, everything is still going well, I am still very glad and very thankful to be here. Have a GREAT day! Siiba Bulungi! Rachel

I will survive!

2006-03-18T05:48:00.000-05:00

Shabbat Shalom!

So, I have been in Uganda for almost 2 weeks and just in case you were concerned I am doing great! The country is beautiful, the people nice, and the dirt is everywhere. I am bulungi (well). I have had lots of new experiences, too many to tell right now, I am staying very busy and have very little time. A quick synopsis is: I have eaten lots of bananas and pineapples (and some other very wierd things and some pretty normal), I have seen monkeys very close (they are scary when they are coming after you), I have survived some scary taxi rides (you should see how they drive here, it is really increasing my prayer time, plus the roads are really bad- off-roading in GA is like taking a walk in a rose garden compared to here, ruts 3 ft deep in some places), I have moved into a Ugandan family (very nice and very big, but with tons of experiences in that situation alone). Don't sweat it though, I am loving it here, it is what I was called to do and God is answering my requests left and right, I am absolutly amazed (although I shouldn't be). I certainly feel and depend on His strength here in way I don't think I ever have, I am learning so much, and becoming so humbled. The way people here live, the poverty that exists, it amazes me the strength and pride they have. There is so much more that I want to say, but my time is running out quickly. I stopped at an internet cafe in Kampala. I don't know when I will be able to write again. Thank you for your prayers and I ask that you would continue to lift me up. I will continue praying for ya'll. Keep in touch, esp. prayer request. I welcome letters, etc :)
"Yesu Asobola" ("Jesus is able!)

Uganda, here I come!

2006-03-04T15:14:00.000-05:00

Shabbat Shalom! I know 2 posts so close together, but I found out today I will not be able to make contact for several weeks. So, some info I thought I might pass along, that may or may not be of interest to you. First off, yes, everything is still going good and I am still very sure and glad that I am embarking on this journey. We fly out tomorrow morning and will arrive in Uganda at 10:50 Monday night (8 hours ahead of Eastern). We will then spend 6 days in a Banana Village resort outside of Entebbe, where there is no access to phone or email. We will then move onto Luweero, the training village (where I will spend the next 10 wks), which is located 2 hrs NW of Entebbe. This is where I will live with a host family and really begin to experience the language and culture. We will have a chance to visit the capital, Kampala, in wk 8, this is also the week that I will visit my site, be able to see where I will live for the next two years. We will then swear in on May 18, making me an official Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV).
We will recieve all shots on March 7 (please pray), also please pray about language learning.
God is very much in control, He is taking excellent care of me and will continue to do so. We serve a very BIG, BIG God! Ya'll are missed! I would really enjoy hearing from you.
Well, off to the big 45th anniversary. Thanks for the prayers of support.

So far, so good!

2006-03-03T19:54:00.000-05:00

I am in Boston, a day of training completed, my first dose of anti-malarial has been taken, the realities of what I have jumped into are becoming known, new people being met, busy, busy, busy! So far things have been very good, I serve an awesome God, who is faithful in answering prayers, granting me more than I imagined. I am excited to be here and begin this journey, I cannot wait to arrive in country, but I must admit I am a little nervous, this is BIG! I am confident that this is what God has called me to and that He will see me through.
Thank you so much for your support. I was really touched by what people had to say. I have been so blessed with friends. I will miss all of you! The last week in town was a blur with a lot of excitement, trials, prayers, tears, etc but you helped me make it through. Please keep me in your prayers. Rachel

Leaving on a jet plane

2006-03-02T07:23:00.000-05:00

Well, the day has finally arrived!!! I am flying out of Georgia today at 12:45, with the grand city of Boston, new friends, new lessons, and new experiences are waiting. I'm so thankful for my time here, for the wonderful friends I have made. As excited as I am, it is hard to believe that the time has really come. I will miss so much. Everyone please keep in contact: I will need it. Thank you and God Bless. I must finish getting ready, for time will wait for no one.

And the race is on...

2006-02-25T00:20:00.000-05:00

Shabbat Shalom! Time is coming fast! I only have 6 days until I leave, and so much that I want to get done. This time has also called for alot of reflecting and I am so grateful for all that I have. People have really been amazing! As much as I enjoy everyone, and all the luxuries that America has to offer (including milkshakes!), I am SO ready to be on my way. The call for Uganda is getting louder and louder! Very soon I shall find myself talking to monkeys and zebras, dancing in circles, and living one of the greatest adventures of my life.

2006-02-13T12:43:00.000-05:00

They are waiting...