Adjustments and Blessings

Bagged milk. This is just one of the many things that are done differently here.  It's amazing how many things you learn by living in a different culture versus visiting for a short mission project.  I was so excited yesterday when I found dry taco seasoning. All of the missionaries here have told us that we would not be able to find it here. I can't wait to tell them I found some. Also, I am really missing grape jelly. PB&J's just aren't the same with anything else. I have found what is called Blackcurrent jam (I've never heard of it, but for all I know we could have it back home), and it's the closest I think I am going to get to grape.

These are the vehicles sitting here at the compound that I see everyday and think to myself, "I really wish I could just drive one of those instead of using public transport." But that what we have to do. We have 3 options: Taxi's, Boda-bodas, or private hires. Taxi's are not like taxis as we think in the U.S.  They are more like buses, but much smaller in size. The best way to describe them is that they are like 14 or 15 passenger vans compressed to the size of minivans. These are the least expensive to use, but can be confusing because there is no neon sign in the windshield telling us where they are going.  Also, to go to some places, we have to take a taxi to the taxi park in the middle of the city where there are hundreds of thousands of taxis, and get on another one to take us to where we want to go.  Talk about chaos and stress.  And we had Ugandans leading us through the park the one time we have done it.  Boda-bodas are motorcycles that you can hitch a ride on the back of. These are my favorite so far.  They were scary at first, but I think they are the most practical at this point.  They can go anywhere you want them, but safety really is the main issue with these, so we are not supposed to take them to go very far.  It's like playing real-life Mario Cart, but you're not in control of the vehicle. Yeah.  Lastly, the private hires are the most expensive.  These are like what we know as taxis in the U.S.  They would be the best option if they weren't expensive. I say expensive, but they are pretty cheap compared to a taxi back home. We are alloted 8,000 UGX ($5) per day for transport, so that's what we're working with. I need to take a picture of me on a Boda so I can post it on here.

Below is the video of me bungee jumping from a couple weeks ago. (It's sideways, I know. I can't change that) You can kind of hear me yelp after I jump...and then the girls laugh at me. Good times...

We have still not really started our ministry here yet. I am just about DFA'd out. We have been doing daily field assignments since last week to get to know the culture. They have been helpful but somewhat exhausting trying to get to different places and ask people all kinds of questions. I'm sure it will pay off for the ministry we will be doing. Speaking of that, hopefully we will start doing Bible studies with youth next week so that we can find specific ones to pick out and disciple so that they can be the future leaders. We are pretty much trying to replace ourselves with Ugandans who can disciple others. Please continue to be in prayer for us as we try to find those whom God has called us here to invest ourselves into.

Another thing: the lost bag I mentioned in the last post was found! It was my smallest suitcase that had my dad's [really nice] camera and all the books that the guys back home gave me to read while I am here. The amazing thing is that it wasn't just missing, it was taken by another passenger by mistake, so it is pretty awesome that it was returned, given what was inside.  Praise God!

I love and miss everyone!