Week 1...a good one

Hi Everyone,

Well I have been in Kaihura, Uganda for a week now, and it's been a good one. It's been wonderful catching up with Katie and Chris Sasser, and finally meeting their two awesome boys, Kolby and Logan.

I've spent the week the learning the area and how to get around. It's not very difficult as long as you stay on the right dirt path. And if you get tired of walking, you just hire a Bota (a motorcycle taxi) to take you where you need to go.

The locals speak Rutorro, and I have started learning some common phrases and greetings. But I find myself, many times, wanting to revert back to Spanish when I should respond in Rutorro. It will take some getting use too, but I'll get it eventually.

I have also found that most of the people here are very reserved, and I'm pretty reserved, so it has been and continues to be my hardest challenge. Meeting new people has always been hard for me, and it's worse when I'm the focus of people's attention. The truth is most of the time I would prefer to be out of sight and work, rather than meet new people, but God always has a way of taking me out of the shadows and putting me smack in the middle of where He wants me...attention and all. So I will adjust and adapt because He is with me.

Earlier this week I met with Patrick, the principal at Dorcas, to discus where and when I'll be teaching. I start teaching tomorrow. My sewing classes will be taught at the local craft shop rather than the school, so the girls that work at the shop will be included in the classes. I'm excited to finally be teaching, but the subject matter is still not one of my strong points. I prefer cooking to sewing, but I will do my best.

This week I also had the opportunity to go with a small group and hang some mosquito nets in village homes. The people receiving the nets had nothing, and yet they were so appreciative, they gave us gifts of eggs and bananas. It was a wonderful experience.

I'm excited and challenged at all that God has in store in the coming weeks. Please continue to pray for the people of Uganda.

Love,

Joyce

La Gringa

P.S. The 2 top pictures are the view from the front porch of the house. The 3rd is part of the orphanage. And the last 2 are locals receiving their mosquito nets.

I'm here!

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that I'm here. Everything went great. I'll post more later

Love,

Joyce

La Gringa

In London

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to post a short note to let you know that I'm in London, and everything is fine. I had to pay extra for my baggage, but it is checked all the way through to Uganda. My flight leaves here at 8:00pm local time (1:00pm MST).

Talk to you again soon,
Joyce
La Gringa

Almost There

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to give you an update. It has been a long week, but God is faithful. British Airways Cabin Crew did go on strike, and one of my flights was cancelled. But British Airways booked me on a different airline, so I have a flight. I arrive in Uganda 2 hours later than I was originally scheduled which I'm pretty excited about

The volcanic ash is another issue. Flights have been cancelled on and off this week, and I won't know if my flight is a go until Friday afternoon.

Everything else is ready to go. My bags are packed to overflowing, and I'm excited that the day is almost here. I'm looking forward to jumping into the work with both feet, hands, head and heart.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. Talk to you again from the flip side.

Love,

Joyce

La Gringa

Preparations and Progress

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to write a short note to let you know how things are progressing. The funds are almost in (just a little bit left), and I'm almost packed.

I'm so excited; the dream is actually reality.

I fly out on May 21st with British Airways. I have been monitoring both the Ash Cloud activity and the possibility of a Cabin Member Strike. So far neither one is affecting my trip. I will continue to check the updated reports as it gets closer to the time I leave.

I also want to tell everyone a huge THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! Thank you seems kind of simple; but when I think about your overwhelming support, I'm speechless, and Thank You is all I can say. I could not be doing this without your help and support. You all are a blessing to me and to the young people of Uganda. I pray that God will bless you abundantly in return for your step of faith. I look forward to sharing with you how you are impacting the people of Uganda. Thank you all again very, very much.

Love,

Joyce

La Gringa