I think I like Kampala...

Ya, never thought I would say that...but I kinda do...as long as I don't have to drive.

On that note, the Forester family is amazing. It amazes me that I have known them a week now and it just feels like we have been friends forever. Ashley, too. Christ really does bind people together. As well as protects them when they drive in Kampala - AI VI!! But Kent is a trooper and is a great driver. PG!!

We did a lot of shopping and eating today. I do have to say that I am in major culture shock. It really has made me realize how much I live in poverty. I am obviously talking about the people and town I work in but also the way I live my life. I truly am living a life like my fellow Gulu folk - of course with water, power and food on a regular basis, but I have not really had any western influence (well, the internet and computer). I like the way I live, but I didn't realize how foreign it is to other Americans and how poor I live. I notice it when I am with other Americans. The things that they buy for their homes or even the food they eat or even the things they brought with them. All TOTALY acceptable and normal...but stuff I just haven't had in almost 5 months. Weird thought to wrap my mind around...heck seeing paved roads, American type grocery stores with shelves lined with the same thing but different brands, women in pants, cheese and guac, traffic jams, manicured lawns....oh the list could go on....but it all comes down to me being in absolute culture shock.

It also makes me think if the people here know how much suffering their own people are going through up in the north? My people...

Yes, I know I am American, but I love the Acholi so much. The Tegot Acholi are my absolute heart. I think I mentioned a couple of times before. :) I miss them.

I am feeling so refreshed. I had one of the best times with God this morning...just sitting at His feet. No visions, no questioning, no listening...just basking in His presence and loving it. I felt such joy.

And I asked Charles, my boss, if I could stay until Tuesday to wait for my passport to be processed...and he said ok and that I need to rest so I don't get too stresed out. I am grateful he is concerned about my stress level. We had a good lunch meeting and touched base on what is going on in Gulu. I am happy to say that he is still really supportive and a great leader. I appreciate all he does for us. He truly understands the heart of Team Gulu and encourages us to grow. What a good godly leader - PG!

Went to an amazing coffee place that we found from a man on the side of the road who gave us directions to it when the one we were trying to look for didn't exist anymore. It is called Ban Cafe....and the immediate smell you get from it is SPECTACULAR!! Bought some beans (to which later I bought a FRENCH PRESS!!!) and made new friends. See, Kent and I ran into the place while Becky (his wife), the girls and Ashley waited in the van. We thought we would jump out and be back in 5 minutes. Nope. As we were waiting for our coffee, a pregnant lady was next to Kent. He asked her when she was due and they hit it off...then he asked if he and I could lay hands on her stomach and pray for the child - so we did. Then one of the workers said another lady who worked there was pregnant, so I prayed over here; then another one - we prayed for her....and guess what all three ladies names were? Doreen. HA!! Then we found out that another lady who wasn't working that day was pregnant - Christine. So we committed to praying for her....and then the requests came in. Each staff member told us their names and how we could pray for them....and all women, too, I tell ya. It was super cool. They pray as a team every morning at 7:45 before the shop opens at 8. It was just neat to be able to hear their requests of a godly husband, marriage, wanting to get pregnant and pregnancies. It just made us giddy!! AND - the coffee is AMAZING!! (hence, the french press purchase).

Today, I wish I could have taken pictures of the market for you here in Kampala. OH MY GOSH!! Mass chaos. MASS! I can handle anything, anywhere, anytime....but the market in Kamp? No way, Jose. There are no words for it. MASS CHAOS. AGH! The things you see in movies about the markets and being busy and such, do not even compare to what I experienced today. AGH! I would lose myself if I got out of the car. I know I would have been robbed or snatched in a human trafficking ring...no joke. That crazy.

I am excited to go to church tomorrow, enjoy Kamp some more and then wait for Monday to come to just relax a whole day with Jesus. That is what I want to do....

And what made me really happy today was to hear from the staff that everything went SUPER well at Saturday Club. They are growing leaps and bounds. They are amazing. So good to have such a great team....I am 6 hours away and didn't freak out ONCE about not being there...knew it totally was being taken are of....and then they called/texted me to tell me. So pleased.

Someone asked me today how long will I live in Gulu...what is next after Gulu. I have no clue....I need to finish Gulu....but in the meantime...maybe I will start praying for the what is next so my heart is prepared....