Nightmare

I am back in Canyon and I am crying like crazy. One of our boys from school, Davis, appears.

I can't help him.. 

Carrying dried up corn stalks, he comes walking out of his village. Davis has been looking for food but has found none. He is there and talking to me- everything is so real. With haunting eyes that are completely black he tells me that there is no food at school. I ache as Davis tells me how hungry all the kids are..

 I can't get to him. 

It is terrible. There is an invisible wall that wont let me come closer no matter how hard I try. His blacked out eyes are piercing hopelessly at me,

I can do nothing.

The scene changes and I am running. I am so stressed, lost, and yearning to go back to Uganda. The peace of mind running usually brings me is not happening- I am breaking. I get blank stares from everyone, as if no one understands. 

This wasn't the first nightmare I have had, but it was the worst. Despite the fact that I know God is in control, these dreams happen. Days have came where there has been no food at school, but thankfully God has given me the means to buy some. Yes, there is the question of what happens when I am not here to buy it? Or pay for an emergency medical situation? I realize, though, I am not God. Joel has been managing this for six years. Despite the many hard times and lack of money, he has done a wonderful job.

-

Jesus I trust in you.

Sweat, Freckles, and Money

I woke up this morning at seven, I thought my house was on fire. It was so hot. I didn't want to work out because I thought I already was.

I was doing push ups on my tile floor, like the uber girly ones where your knees touch the ground. Anyways, it was like a slip-n-slide of sweat in there.

I am thankful for cold showers, although sometimes I wish they were colder. Or in Ugandan English, "more much colder".

I went to buy some samosas and the one I usually go to only had ones from yesterday. I went a bit further to another place and just really got my 'feelings hurt'. I asked the woman if she had samosas (which I could clearly see) and she gave me a very mean look and said no. While all the other people just stared at me. I went back to the other place and bought the ones from yesterday, the sweet lady there gave me an extra one! I came home and nearly cried to Rebecca.


Day four of taking Florence to the hospital begins now..

Florence is having lots of pain in her chest. She had this same problem last year and after they checked her heart many times, they treated her for severe ulcers and she got better.

When I took her the first time that is what they treated her for, well that and typhoid. She continued to have pain, was not able to eat, and vomiting a lot. The doctor said the vomiting was most likely because her eating habits were not good and with the medication he gave her, she HAS to eat well.

She has gone everyday since Wednesday for more injections and tests. Yesterday when we left, Florence got orders to not eat or drink anything after 10pm. The next morning. this morning I mean, she was also not to ingest anything. When I picked her up this morning she told me she drank milk. Shrug.

I blame myself, after all, I am the interpreter here. But seriously, I explained it so many times and I think Vickie did as well.

The doctor was wanting to do a lipid test, but because she drank milk, we have to try again Monday.

*(Complete side note) I'm writing this on the floor of Vickie's kitchen, while she is sleeping on the floor in the doorway of her house. She's all curled up in a ball on a big pillow looking like a cute little kitten. She just now barely woke up and the first thing she says is "can you please go buy some mandazi? I have some coins right there", as she points and then closes her eyes again. Mandazi is this little ball of dough fried in way to much oil. They cost 100UGX each, so about 3 pennies, I think. Sweet.*

Moving on. I went to go buy food for Florence and almost had an anxiety attack, or a 'punch someone in the face attack'. I don't know what every one's problem is with my freckles but it should stop. I hate that area of town, it's way to crowded and busy. Little shops line every street here, and boda men are everywhere, along with so many other people. I am just trying to go get a chapati and some eggs people. I get the most uncomfortable stares, mostly from men. Asking 'what is that' or 'what is wrong with her'. I have had many people reach out and touch me, both forcefully and not, asking what is all over me. "Is there a cure for you". Nope sorry folks there's not, I am stuck being awesome and beautiful foreverrrrrrrrrrr.

Florence is having chest pain and I just want it to stop. In my mind I do not understand how it is from ulcers. After talking with the doctor for a while he says that we need to transfer her to another hospital to talk to the cardiologist there. He said we can take their ambulance. Okay cool.

Ohhh wait. There's a catch. I go to pay for the treatment she got and then the woman tells me I have to pay for the ambulance too. Right of course, how could I forget?! She told me 80,000 shillings. Feeling frustrated I told her I cannot pay for that. She gave me a sort of stupid look. Yes, crazy I know, a Mzungu says she can't pay for something! What are the odds!

After that she then told me it will only be 50,000 shillings. Seriously! If it can be 50,000 shillings then why did you tell me 80,000 in the first place!? I still told her that I can't pay for it, I would figure something else out. Yes, I could have paid for it but there was truly no need. We could figure out a 'more much' cheaper mean of transportation. Also putting into consideration the amount I (and by "I", I mean all of the wonderful people who's money I try to prayerfully use) have already spent on her medication and tests, there is no need to spend more than what is absolutely necessary.

I called teacher Ivan, who also works closely with me and makes my helping here easier and more effective, to come and help with everything. I am so glad he came. When he got there he needed 1,000 shillings for the boda guy. I open my wallet and he exclaims "ohhh, your pocket is empty!", in his upbeat silly voice. Yuhp, just about. Haha.

Ivan is an absolute wonderful man. He bring so much joy to every crazy situation, or normal situation (not normal is a thing here). He is so funny and sweet. Kind of like a big chocolate teddy bear, maybe not 'big', he is rather short. But I am also a giant.

Turns out going to the cardiologist was unnecessary. Ivan took care of everything. Because I was not here last time I didn't know a lot about her previous hospital visits, or even that there were papers for it. Turns out that Florence had all the documents and even a chest x-ray at her home. We went and got that and talked with the doctor! Finally more information that solved many problems!

They, Ivan and the doctor, both agree that the problem is severe ulcers. These, I guess, can cause pain almost anywhere on you body. They did another blood test for, I really don't know. We will get the results on Monday when we come back for the lipids test. Which I pray we will be able to do this time.

There you have it. Please pray that Florence gets better! And a big thank you to all of my sponsors and donors, without you her treatment (and continual treatment) would most likely not been able to happen.

God is good, all the time.

Crazy Story, Happy Ending

It has been a very very crazy few weeks. I have not been good about blogging about the situation. 

For the past three weeks Vickie and I have been caring for a lost deaf woman whom we gave the name Martha, and her sweet baby to whom we gave the name Rose.

She had been at Mulago Hospital where she delivered her baby and was then taken to a police station after sometime. They called my director, Joel, knowing he works with deaf children. Vickie went and offered to house her for a few days until we found a place for her. A few days turned into three weeks, three very stressful weeks of babysitting, for lack of better words. She came to us with no language, is illiterate, and well, very lost and confused. 

We tried our absolute best to make her comfortable, give her everything we could, help her with her baby, and teach her sign language. Everyday was a different day. Martha's mood swings were a constant and crazy thing. Could I blame her? No. She was far from home and wanted so badly to go back. Apart from her sometimes craziness, she is a very sweet young woman and we had many laughs together.

We tried so hard to find organisations that could take her. Every time, for one reason or another, we got turned down. Things continued to get worse. Last week on Thursday we were able, with the help of UDEWO, to get Martha and Rose on two different TV stations in the hope of someone knowing her and calling us. 

Saturday took a turn for the worse. Lots of yelling and screaming from Martha and crying from Vickie and I. We knew that this was enough, we could no longer keep her. Monday we would take them to the police station. She tried to run away again that morning, I lost count how many times she has tried that. It felt like we were kidnapping her in a way, but I knew that if she left she would be in an even worse situation on the streets. And for the sake of sweet baby Rose, I didn't want that to happen. 

I got hold of a man who works for Ugandan Catholic Worker Community, founded in 1933 by Dorthy Day and Peter Maurin, and he rushed over Saturday to help with the situation. He said he could possibly help house them, but by law Martha and Rose would have to be given to them by the government. That means two more days of housing Martha and Rose, which at the moment seemed impossible! 

Sunday was a perfect day, however, no problems at all. This made it harder for me, knowing that tomorrow I will 'dumping' them at the police station and possibly not knowing what would happen to them. After talking with my spiritual director, Fr. Patrick, and hearing his wisdom about this whole situation I knew that this was the right decision. Maybe I am too controlling and didn't want to let go of them? I was not putting my full trust in Our Lord, in knowing that He had a plan and He would take care of them, regardless of where they are. Talking with Fr. Patrick affirmed all of this and I was able to 'let go' and trust in God's plan. 

And boy, did God have a plan!

Part of me can't believe what has happened. But I think, on one hand, all of me can, because I know God is in control. Sunday night I was feeling very down about what was going to happen the next day. Same when I woke up. But Monday morning things took a turn for the worse and for the better at the same time. I came out of the shower and it seemed as though hell had broken loose. Martha was yelling like crazy and I couldn't calm her down, Vickie was crying because it was so awful. THE GOOD NEWS: someone from Martha's village saw her on TV and we got a text at the same moment this craziness is happening. No matter how hard I tried explaining that she was going home, because the lack of language, it just didn't register. Finally our director got there so we could take her to the police. (We had to have more documents from them for her transfer).

The whole thing was absolutely ridiculous, I am not sure how to even describe it. I said so many bad words, so many times, it is shameful, but I am only human. At the same time that can help elaborate the craziness. 

When we pulled up to the police station and our director got out to get an 'okay' for where we were parking. As soon as that happened Martha went absolutely nuts, I can't blame her I guess, she didn't want to stay at the police station. Safety locks on our van prevented her from getting out. She was banging and thrashing at the door. She then put her baby down and tried to climb in the front seat, where I was. I didn't let her. Things then got rather physical with the two of us. I hate violence so very much, and no matter how bad I might have felt like hitting her there was no way that could happen. I just continued pushing her back into her seat, no matter what she did. Joel finally came back and she imminently stopped and was able to walk into the police station.

Absolutely crazy.

Anyways, after a long time of being there we were able to make the official plans of taking her home Tuesday, escorted by an officer and Joel. Sadly, there was no way Martha could stay at our place considering what just happened. We left Martha and Rose at the police station locked up for the night. 

Vickie and I went out for some desperately needed food, and some breathing!! I didn't sleep much that night, though. I woke up at two, after a scary dream about the situation, and went to sleep a little after five. Vickie couldn't sleep either, so we sat outside and talked for a long time about everything.

The next morning Vickie was called by our director to come help calm Martha down because I guess things had been bad. Luckily Vickie was able to calm her down and then was asked to go with them to Martha's village, Pokongo.

Now Martha, or Samanya as we have found out, is with her Aunt whom she lives with and also has been reunited with her son. Turns out she ran away in March after an argument with her aunt about a chicken. Yes, a chicken. Martha, or Samanya, wanted to eat it. Her aunt said no. She then killed it and then after getting disciplined by her aunt she packed her things and left.

Martha was SO happy to be back home though!!

So there is the story. Crazy. Leaving out many details that are either to hard to explain or will take to long. I am very thankful that God truly turned everything for the better, I knew He would, but more so that He allowed us to see the better happen. My faith in Him has increased even more. I am also so thankful that God placed Samanya in my life, teaching me many things, and being able to come to know and love another one of His beautiful children. 

YAY FOR THE HAPPY ENDING. :)

                                                 Beautiful picture of Joel, Samanya, Rose, and Vickie.
--

This whole three weeks, and story, really shows the impact that BDI has on the deaf. SO MANY problems could have been fixed and avoided if Martha had a language. First off, she could have told us where she lived. Even before that, maybe the miscommunication with her aunt would not have happened.

We have many children at school who, when they first got here, were very stubborn. But after learning sign language they are able to understand more, communicate, and express themselves. Being with BDI completely changes them for the better!!

God is so good, all the time.

Pray for sweet Samanya and her darling baby Rose. Please also pray for BDI, that we may have the strength and the means to expand to other deaf children out there without an education.

Holding a baby and eating on the floor is not the easiest thing.
Sweet, sweet Rose, I miss you already.

Sweet Samanya and Rose at the police station. Lost and confused for eight
months, I am so happy she is home safe. I hope to be able to visit them
and love on the both of them some more!

Samanya's brother in the orange, Samanya in the middle,
 and a relative in the white.

Am I Safe?

So, yesterday the guard at my compound informed Vickie and I about the tightening of security.

Apparently a few weeks ago two very suspicious women came by our compound "looking for their friend". They then began asking where the Mzungu's stay. Our guard made them leave of course.

Also, a few days ago three men came by. Two stayed outside and watched while the other one came in and was asking very silly questions to our guard and clearly lying about everything. Our guard told me people have been spying. So now our compound will be locked at all times with only our guard having a key. He and our landlord our worried for our safety and their own. He told my they are trying to get some "killer" dogs here to help keep us safe. I told him I want to buy a gun. 

We have thick cement walls around our compound with coils of sharp wire on top, a giant metal gate that is all locked up, my own apartment having bars like a jail cell on the doors and windows, comforting I know.. I definitely get the "homey" feel when I am in here. At night I lock my outside door with a padlock, where my kitchen is, made of bars. Then the big metal door, which goes into my house.

I am not sure if I should laugh at this crazy situation or be worried. I choose laugh, but be cautious. I do have a bow and arrow that seems pretty lethal. Hopefully I will never have to use it though.


Do not be afraid for I am with you. -Isaiah 41:10

THEY ARE BACK!

Most of the children are back at school and I couldn't be happier! The past month was boring without them..

Words cannot express how thankful I am to all of my donors and supports for allowing me to come here. I would not be here without you. I have now been here for a little over three months and I have three more to go! Also, thank you from BDI for all you have done with your donations and support.

I am so excited for what is to come! There is so much that needs to be said but I think for now I will just show you some pictures of our beautiful children.

 The empty school over the holiday..

This is Davis, he is new!! By his second day he had already picked up so much sign language. Will you pray for him? 

Bath time for Saul! 

Frank plays to hard and got hurt!

This is Saul. He need your prayers so much.  

We need prayers right now more than anything! Thank you.

God bless.

Rwanda and the Beck family :)

Rwanda was great, absolutely great. It is such a beautiful country! I stayed with a wonderful God loving family. Jenny, Caleb, and their children Adin and Caris, were able to bless me in so many ways in such a short time.

I was amazed at how many of my prayers God has answered. His timing is so perfect. 

The long spiritual talks with Jenny were so great! She is a fantastic person, Christian, role model, and mother. Caleb took me on a little adventurous 2.7 mile run and hike. I have not ran but a handful of times in the past three months so it was awesome! I got to play with Adin and Caris everyday which was an absolute joy! And I "babysit" for a short time one afternoon which is only like the best thing ever! Thank you Adin and Caris for all of you princess dresses, Lego's, and joyful hearts. Getting to be apart of a family was also a huge blessing, just to be with them in their life routine and feel so welcomed. One afternoon I got to play with the Beck kids and the three kids next door who's parents are also missionaries from the States. We played red light green light, mother may I, soccer, and freeze tag. Such a joy!!

One thing that I have been fervently praying for is someone to help fix my shoulders. God answered my prayers through Caleb. He gave me workouts while I was there and we video taped them. It was great. I was amazed by the things I could and couldn't do. With his confidence, my ability to do these workouts, and God, I have faith that I will start to grow stronger and the pain will decrease. 

I pretty much felt like I was in America when I was there, until I left the house of course. They have a wonderful routine of eating dinner early, going to bed at early, and waking up early and running! A very nice routine that I had well developed in the States and then completely lost here. Also it felt like home because of the food. I believe among all of the prayers God answered for me He also threw in the simple things that I missed; home made pizza, burritos, chips and salsa, big waffles, raw milk, lasagna, lettuce, and sandwiches. I am so grateful for the little things. 

Some really great conversations happened between Jenny and I. Because Caleb grew up as a missionary kid in Kenya, Jenny has worked in Uganda, TZ, and they both have now been living and working in Rwanda for 7 years, they have experience and know how to go about things. I am new and learning. Jenny helped my SO much! I feel a lot more confident in doing whatever God calls me to do each day. I have been feeling lost here at BDI and I feel I am not and have not done enough. Not knowing what to do, or how to go about something has been a big struggle for me. With so many needs here it is very hard sometimes to pick one problem to solve or even how to solve it. My lack of confidence in my overall self doesn't help either. Jenny talked to me about everything (to much to write about) and answered many of my questions! She also brought to my attention many things that I have not thought about but need to. I feel "refueled" and ready for school to start on Monday. 

It was great to see the Beck family and four other American families who are living and working in Africa. It just made everything seem more real to me and possible for me to be here long term, God willing. 

They have invited me to spend Thanksgiving with them so I hope to be back then. I know I will greatly need and appreciate being with a family at that time. The 12 hour ride is definitely worth it! :) 

They have the most beautiful view from their back yard! 

Caris!

Adin!

Oliviay(sp?), next to me, took me to the Genocide Memorial. We then met up with Caleb and Adin after school and went home. :)

You have to wear a helmet here in Rwanda! 

Paidha

Wow..where do I even begin..

It is now the holiday so the school will be closed for one month and all of the children get to go home!! Four of which Joel and I accompanied back home to Paidha.

Thursday. 

So Thursday morning at 5:30, oh I'm sorry that's Luganda time..and yes that is a real thing. It was 11:30am and I met Joel and four children at the Kobil gas station to wait for the bus to come. We are standing out there waiting, it starts to rain, and the fun beginsssssss!

We missed our bus, or it missed us..so we thought. We get in Joel's car to start "chasing" it as he and Ivan, a teacher, are calling the driver of the bus trying to find out where it was. We are driving and its pouring rain. We had been told wrong I think and we really hadn't missed our bus. So the right bus finally comes to where we are and we get on. 

I'm so ready for this eight hour bus ride. I seriously loved it. Everything was so beautiful. The vast green land, rolling hills, and tall trees everywhere. It was awesome. I can't even describe it. I finally saw baboons, monkeys, and the wonderful Nile River! 

It was getting late, it had been raining a lot, and we were driving on a muddy road. Then up a hill we tried to go...yeah, that didn't work out. Our bus started sliding sideways and we couldn't make it any further. Long story short and for the sake of my worrying people back home I will leave out a certain detail. After a while we got off the bus and finally found three boda men to take us the rest of the way to Paidha. It was dark, cold, and pouring rain. Naturally, I somehow enjoyed the scary and slippery ride to Paidha.

Opio and Peace.

We finally came to a Guest House and there were only two rooms available. In my American way of thinking and never being in a Hotel here I thought "okay perfect, boys in one room girls in the other." Well, not so much. These rooms were very small with one one very small bed. So Joel ended up taking three of the children to Opio's home where they all stayed. While Peace and I shared one room and Joel stayed in the other. It was nice. Poor Peace was so cold! After I got hot water for her to bathe with I wrapped her up in a blanket as we waited for the Manager to bring us food.


I was happy to be able to care for and spend time alone with dear Peace, she is precious, and so very smart. We laughed and had a good time.









Friday.

I got up that morning and got hot water for Peace again to bathe while I went for a walk around Paidha. I came back to Alex and three of his deaf friends who live in Paidha! He came to return my jacket that I gave to Opio the night before. We had breakfast with all these deaf boys, checked out of our Guest House, and took Peace home. Her father gave me a gift for drinking alcohol out of! I have yet to use it..

It's hard to explain Paidha and the way people live. For me it's crazy and completely different. It was "cool" for me to see these huts but then I have to understand that this is the way people live here. It's a very hard life, their homes are dark (which is worse if you are deaf) and with only a grass roof protecting you from the harsh rain. It is very hot during the day but at night in Piadha it actually gets really cold. All of the children are wearing ripped, old, dirty clothes, most of which don't even fit them. You can tell some people are in very poor condition. The beautiful thing for me was to see all of these children and people with a Rosary around their neck.






















My mother always says that a picture is worth a thousand words so I don't have to try to explain.

We found another Guest House to stay in and then we went to the Chapel of Our Lady of Assumption! It was so beautiful and big. Jesus and I had a good talk. I just love Him so much! After that we walked around Paidha and went to the market. Which was crazy.

I FOUND PEANUT BUTTER. I watched them make it, they added nothing to it, and then I bought some.

For lunch we went to Opio's house. They had insisted we come which was so nice! We had rice, beans, and goat meat. It was SO good. The beans they cooked with some oil from a tree and it was seriously delicious. The meat was made perfectly and spiced very nicely. Like all Ugandans do with visitors, they made sure we ate plenty, and when we left we were fuller than full.

We visited the rest of the children's homes as well and met there families. It is so sad thinking that these kids have no communication with their parents or siblings. No "I love you", "goodnight", "how are you today", nothing. But when we take them home they are so happy to be around family!

Saturday.

I couldn't think of a better way to spend my Saturday morning than at church talking with my Beloved. Honestly, Church is the only place I can feel at home. The only place I can go to get comfort. When all I can see are my sins, failures, and how I constantly feel I am never doing enough, He is there to hold me and bring me peace. His love is mesmerizing.

After Church we went on bodas to the Congo! I didn't think we would be able to cross the border but we did and although we didn't go that far I still thought it was cool to be there! It was the same, absolutely beautiful! We then just ventured around to different villages and places.

Congo

We stopped at a very small town that I don't know the name of. It had a big beautiful Church and with the parish there is also two primary schools, one secondary school, a convent, a clinic, and the Holy Family Hospital. We walked around the hospital inside and ended up stopping in a room that only had one man in it.

He was an old man sitting up in his bed with his Bible opened, his hands on both sides of it, his head hung low with his eyes closed because he had fallen asleep. A man came in and told us his situation. He has cancer and one of his legs has been amputated above the knee, which he then showed us. The man woke up and we prayed together and then Joel and I left. We went to the Church, met with the Priest, and I got the chance for some silence with my Beloved again.

We journeyed to the market again to experience the craziness, met up with Opio's family and talked with them for a little. Then we left and later ate at a restaurant. I just ate eggs..I wasn't feeling too adventurous with eating anything else.

Sunday.

I woke up at seven and I had no idea what time church started, how many Masses there were going to be, or even if there would be an English Mass. I asked the manager of the Guest House and she just said people can start going at seven...I don't think she understood the question I was trying to ask. No matter, I got ready quickly and started my walk.

As I was arriving so many people were leaving the Church and yet I saw people standing outside the Church and trying to go in. It was packed. A man who was leaving saw the confusion on my face and walked me in all the way to the front to some pews beside the alter. Thankfully I sat next to an English speaking woman who also had a Daily Missal and she made sure I was able to follow along.

*A Daily Missal is a book that can be used everyday, every year, to follow along with Mass and have the Daily readings. Because every Catholic Church around the world has the same readings and prayers everyday no matter what language it is in. So I am able to attend Mass and fully understand and know ever word that is being said, except the Priest's homily, through the entire mass whether it is in Luganda, Alur, or whatever. It is absolutely wonderful!*

It was such a beautiful service! The Church was completely full. Every pew was full, every person was sitting so close together, and even where we kneel had children sitting there. All around the alter and in walking isle were people sitting down. Even right outside the church there were people standing and a speaker so they could hear everything. It was wonderful to see such a poor community so rich with Jesus. The singing was amazing. Every part of it was. I took a video during Mass and I now realize that it might not have been appropriate to do but I just wanted to share a small part of the beauty. 

Receiving the Eucharist with all of these people was also so powerful for me. To share in Christ's love for us with all of these people of a different language and culture was awesome. We are all One in Christ. 

After Church we went to a few of the kid's homes and gave the families some gifts and said goodbye. I took some time to teach Opio's twin sister some simple signs so she could communicate a little with Opio. She really enjoyed it and I know Opio did too.

Alex (in blue) and his deaf friend outside of Alex's house.

We then got bodas and drove to Nebbi and took a taxi to Pakwach which is a town on the Nile. After we checked into our Guest House we went for a walk across the bridge over the Nile and continued down the highway to look for elephants, which we found by the way. Along with Pumbaa and his family of warthogs, gazelle, antelope, lots of giant birds that I don't know the name of, and the sound of hippos. It was amazing, breathe taking, and beautiful. It was like our own free safari.

We had walked quit a long way from Pakwach and it started to rain! I loved it. Joel didn't so when a boda man drove by he hopped on and well, I refused. It was to beautiful and warm to just leave. So I made my journey back in the rain looking at the vast green land, enormous clouds, and the elephants! I love Jesus so much. I said some prayers and just talked to God and thanked Him for His amazing creations and allowing me to see them!

Before I made it back to the bridge Joel came for me and had something great planned. He asked our boda man to take us down to the bank of the Nile where he then asked some local fishermen if they could take us out on their boat! The sun was coming down and it was awesome being on the Nile.

We went home had some dinner and I skyped with my family finally!! I miss them so much. It is starting to get really hard and every time we skype I just have to sit there and cry. 

Monday. 

Well for starters I didn't sleep that night very much at all. I was pretty out of it but I kept waking up with a lot of pain in my stomach and sweating. It is really hot in Pakwach anyways so I don't even know if my sweating was from sickness or just being there. 

When I got up in the morning I felt a little better and immediately got dressed and went down to the Nile again! The men took Joel and I to cross the river this time. The sun had just rose and it was amazing! The water was like glass and you could see the clouds reflecting perfectly in it. We were out there for a while just going around. We went to another place to switch boats with some men and got to see the interesting fish they caught that shocked you. Then they took us to find the hippos!!

We found two hippos and although the only thing we saw was their heads when they came up it was still pretty cool. Their heads are so big! There was a fishermen closer to one that was slapping his paddle on the water for it to come up. That hippo seemed pretty mad when he came up. 

After that we sat for what we were told was going to be 30 minuets but turned into almost three hours of waiting for the bus. TIA. It wasn't helping me at all. I was beginning to feel worse and worse. I hadn't been able to eat or drink anything since I woke up.

The best part of the seven hour bus ride home was right when we left there were a bunch of elephants pretty close to the road that we got to look at. Other than that I had a rather terrible time. I was in so much pain I didn't know what to do. All I wanted was my "mommy." The whole time I fought crying and at some points lost. I believe what I had was food poisoning...at least I hope it was only that. 

When I finally got home to my apartment I just cried like a baby and Vickie came in and took care of me. Great way to end a trip rather than begin it that way!

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I'm thankful that I was able to accompany those four kids home and to meet there families. Thank you to everyone who supported me and continues to support the children at BDI. Because of your support I was able to buy the bus tickets for the children, Joel, and myself so that they may see their families. Something which is SO very important for them.

Even though it is a poor community in Paidha and life is very hard I am thankful that the people there and myself are able to practice our Christian Faith freely without persecution. Please join in praying for peace in Iraq, the Middle East, and for all those being persecuted because of their faith. May Our Lord give them the strength to hold strong in their faith and walk through this darkness.



God bless.