The Land of a Thousand Hills

Oh dear, how long it’s been since I have posted! My second batch of classes are now drawing to a close and I’ve been on several trips! We went to Lake Kivu and—although I was bound to my bed the entire weekend—it was absolutely lovely. I only wish that I had been able to go water skiing and visit the islands and the bat caves! It sounds as though everyone had a fabulous time, though! Last Saturday, we went on safari. There are hardly words. It was phenomenal. Hippos, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, topi, impalas, water bucks, baboons…I’m sure there are more that I am forgetting. For most of the time, we rode atop our vehicles, so the view was lovely. At one point, a baboon jumped up on the roof of the vehicle ahead of us, but luckily no one was yet on the roofs at that point.

This past week was spent interviewing communities in a rural northern district as a pre-baseline survey. Not only was that portion so interesting, but we also stayed at a college in the middle of the boondocks. I must say, it was wonderful to be back in a college setting with people our age! We stayed in dorms with the students and even taught them a country line dance! I could’ve stayed there a few more days, for sure.

I’ve locked into a church here, All Nations Pentecostal Church, and I’m enjoying it so much. Their Bible study/ministry focus is very effective, and everyone is so welcoming! The service is in English, but there aren’t any other abazungu, so it’s great! It’s such an eye-opening experience to be able to worship together with people from a culture completely different than my own.

Now, the whole trip is drawing to a close. It’s difficult to fathom the fact that I’ll be back in WNY two weeks from tomorrow! Only two more projects remain and then debriefing in Kampala. I must say, I’m slightly dreading all of the upcoming travel, so I’m looking forward to a bit of respite and relaxation when I first get home. And I’ve requested that Mama make stew and dumplings… J