Kampala Home

Here is a little tour of our Team House in Kampala. All nine of us our living in this 3 bedroom house until we move into Nasir.

Kitchen

Stairs

Front Entry

Living Room

My Garage/Bedroom

Our little Pajero

View from back patio

Chicken coop in the backyard

Goodbyes are Hard

The day had finally come. In a few short hours I would say goodbye to everything I knew, climb onto the plane and head to Africa for two years. It was so surreal. It began to set in as I lay in bed with my dogs, Cookie and Ellie Mae. Soon my tears soaked their fur as I realized that they really may not be here whenever I get back. As I went through the day, throwing the last few items into my trunks, eating my last American meal, which was of course Whataburger, and hanging with my family, many tears were shed. On our way to the airport, an array of emotions flooded over me. I was sad, nervous, excited, anxious, and full of anticipation. Arriving at the airport, we were greeted with a crowd of people from the Every Village office, Hope Church, the Pierce’s family and some of my close friends. It was a very warm goodbye. Again, many tears were shed. After a wonderful corporate prayer of blessing and protection, the Pierce family and I made our way to security. The final hugs were hard, especially for my family and close friends. The image of my family and friends waving a final goodbye as I stepped past security is embedded in my mind. That was the last that I may see of some of them for the next two years. The multiple flights over the next twenty-four hours were kind of a blur. Somehow, by the grace of God, we arrived at our final destination (for a few weeks) Entebbe, Uganda, without any of us missing a connecting flight and with all twenty-five of our checked bags. It is seriously a miracle that nothing got lost! By the time we made it to our house (which all nine of us are staying in for the next few weeks) it was almost 5am. After getting our things unloaded, we all crashed for a few hours before starting our day to try to get over jet lag ASAP. 

Pictures from the Airport:

Me and Mom

Caleb, me, Mom, and Dad (Will and Adrianna couldnt make it)

Our awesome goodbye crew

Time of prayer

Africa here we come!

Time Well Spent

Preparing to leave the country for two years is a lot more hectic than I ever imagined it to be. My last month in the states was spent traveling saying see-you-laters, shopping for unusual supplies, meeting with donors, and spending time with friends and family. It seemed as though I did not have a moment to spare. During my last two weeks in Houston, I began to become very overwhelmed with all I had to do…cancel gym membership, alert the banks of move, get last immunizations, get international driver’s license, write countless thank you notes… the list went on and on. Also, my social calendar was full to the brim with meals and outings with friends and family as my departure date approached. I began to get stressed about being able to fit everybody and everything into my schedule, but then a good friend reminded me of the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Martha was busy scurrying about, trying to complete many tasks, while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus listening to him, strengthening her relationship with Him. My friend reminded me that people are more important than things. It was more important for me to spend time with my friends and family than to make sure I had every last item packed. I asked God to help me to manage my time well, and to love others well in the midst of my preparations for the move. I don’t know how this was physically possible, but somehow I was able to see and spend time with almost everyone I needed to before leaving (also with the help of my friends who threw me an awesome surprise going away party). God is good. Yes, I got to Africa missing a few items. Yes, I left a few tasks behind that my mom so graciously offered to complete for me, but I’d rather have left some things that can be replaced than to have lost time nurturing relationships, which cannot be regained.

 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” -Luke 10:41-42