Just Around the River Bend

Clever title no?? Ha I was trying to think of what could be the title since time is going really fast here.  And I thought of "just around the corner" but then the song from Pocahontas "Just Around the River Bend" came into my head, and what do you know... my new title.

Anyways, news since my last blog, which wasn't too long ago, but I thought...."hmmm I am leaving soon, and have a lot still to say... why not write more" so here I am doing that whole "writing more" thing.  So let's see... as I said before I went to Soroti, a think no later than a day later, I started feeling chills and then got a very high fever and went to bed.  My friend Tee crawled into bed never to me and took my temperature and then brought me water, which was later spilled on me (I am convinced it was Tee's way of cooling me down :) ).  Later, Becca came into the room and I could tell by the glances that Becca and Tee shared that they were thinking the same thing.  They wanted me to get a malaria test.  Of course they know I am like a little kid when it comes to needles and clinic talk so they did it in "code" .  I caught on after some time and then played the whole "nah, I'm fine, really guys"card.  It stinks quite a lot when people actually know you, and now when you will say just about anything to get out of something you don't want.  I went to sleep that night praying that I would feel better the next morning.  Sadly, no.  Tee took me to the clinic at 9 that morning.  I did complain the way there (sorry Tee).  They gave me a Malaria Test(again sorry Tee).  We had to wait half an hour to see what the results were.  We went back to the room and Tee let me sleep in her bed, a blessing.  Becca would check on me when she would get time off from her shift.  I awoke to Tee rummaging to get some things in the room, she saw me wake up and said "Hey, you have Malaria.  I'm going to get your meds"  I don't know if I felt a sigh of relief for actually knowing what was wrong with me or for the fact that I had a disease?? maybe both.  Tee then returned with water and my meds, told me to sit up and take the first dose.  Let me put this nicely, for the next day I was not a pleasant person to be around.  But I do want to thank Becca and Tee for sticking with me when I was not said "pleasant person".  They kept asking me what i wanted and my only answer was "I want to be home(not Colorado. In Jinja)"  Didn't seem possible.  But people back in Jinja, actually wanted me back home (how flattering).  So they were doing all that could to make that happen.  I ended up getting a private hire taxi form Jinja to Soroti and then from Soroti to Jinja.  Longest journey ever.  The journey consisted of MANY bumps and my driver getting lost.  I kid you not.  He decided that it was a good idea to take a short cut, which would be fine if he didn't forget the way.  So instead of taking longer but being on a smooth road, we were on a deserted dirt road that consisted of about 90% bumps.  One of these bumps was a 3 foot 90 degree drop. Woo that felt awesome.  He started laughing.  I didn't think that it was necessarily the time for laughing considering he knew I was sick.  After what felt like a lifetime and a quick nap, we arrived at base at 4 in the morning.  I grabbed my bag and went into my room and fell into bed.  I wish I could tell you that I had a much anticipated great night go sleep, but sadly I didn't.  Instead it was full of me burning up for about 15 minutes where I considered sitting in the cold shower, and then being freezing. That lasted for about a week.  Gross.  But have no fear for I recovered from the dreaded Malaria! But even after that I felt sick which isn't normal.  And I was really sick, so I was taken to the clinic by my friend Chasity and her fiancé, Nixon and after about 3 too many tests I was diagnosed with a stomach infection.  Again, awesome.  Got the medication and am now healed! Praise the LORD. Hopefully that is my last sickness while being in Uganda. ( I would say in my life, but I think that is asking too much)

      It is now starting to hit me that I leave in less than two weeks to go to England.  And by "starting to hit me" I mean days are going by slower ( which is 50% good and 50% bad) and i'm starting to feel my first wave of really longing to see my family and friends again.  But don't get me wrong, I love love love being out here and really don't want to leave but I know that this is God's way of showing me that He is behind how I am feeling and that it is time.  I am walking through the streets of Jinja and even my base ( which I call home) with new eyes on.  I now compare Jinja to Denver.  Weird right.  And my base, I feel like I cannot get enough of it.  But I feel that it is time.  Funny thing about the whole time aspect of that, about two weeks ago I felt in my heart that I was supposed to preach at prison ( and my breach it is the main speaker) the women's prison in particular.  So I told my leader that,and was so excited to prepare.  Hmm yea... I had NO clue what to speak on.  I pulled out my Bible and made a pray asking God to put something on my heart to speak about.  I got nothing.  The night before it hit me to speak on time.  So I went to prison the next day with only the topic of what I wanted to speak on and the brief notes, that I didn't once look at.  And went up in front of them and let the LORD lead me.  And man, did he lead me.  The words rolling out of my mouth were magnificent and powerful, and they kept coming.  I used the verse Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 -" A Time For Everything" After I finished, and we got back in the car to go back to base, one lady from my group,Becky, said "wow Tess, I have heard people speaking time, but I have never heard it in that perspective, you did amazing!" I was taken back by those words.  All I could do was smile.  But it is true, time is in everything we do, the time we arrive some place, the time of day, the amount of time we have for a certain task...etc.  And that God is the "Ultimate Time-Keeper".

      This past week, we did something new for our Wednesday Intercession (prayer).  What we did was we had a prayer walk.  We gathered the whole base together and split into two groups and walked around the entirety of the base, each group going the opposite direction.  Whilst doing this, we were praying for protection over our base and for people to know that we are the owners of the land ( we have had court cases trying to steal our land) and anything else we though would be necessary.  It was amazing, and that is putting it lightly.  It was a very hot and sunny day, but it didn't matter.  I felt so happy and content throughout it all.  We walked by workers in the fields next to our base, by the wall that had been completed vandalized, by tombstones of people who had been murdered next to the road and so much more.  The time went by way too fast for my liking.  Before I knew it, the time was 10:30am and we started @ 8am.  But it felt like we had just started.  I recommend taking a walk and praying or thanking God for everything.  It will be worth your while, I guarantee it.

    I have been hearing about the fires that are occurring back home.  wow.  That is all I can say.  Reading articles and seeing photos of what is occurring back home is astonishing.  I wish there was something I can do being in Uganda, so far from home, but there isn't anything besides praying, which is the strongest weapon.  So know that i am praying for all of you back home and those affected from the fires that you remain safe and that you receive the rain you need.

   Fourth of July is coming up!!! I know I'm currently not in a country that even knows/cares about America's Independence, but its still happening for me :).  I also found out that the AMerican Ambassador and his wife throw a celebration each year on the Fourth of July! I am very excited for this.  I am taking the day and going to Kampala to celebrate with other Americans! wot. there is supposedly fireworks and music and good food. Fingers crossed it is at least 20% like home. wish me luck :) but HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!! to every American reading this :)

    So that is all I can think of to write in this blog :) but have no fear, I am thinking of having one more blog post while being in Uganda! So before the 13th of July, expect to see a new post :)
I enjoy so much writing on here ( and not having to worry about grammar and punctuation :)  ) and just expressing myself :)
love each and every one of you!!
Tess
p.s. I will bei n England in 13 days!!!

p.p.s.  This is a picture of my infamous roommate Judith and me :) Enjoy.

Unexpected Turn of Events

Hey Everyone!

    So every so often we have we like to call a 'fun night' at base.  We have fun nights to try and raise funds for the base.  SSo in preparation for this said"fun night" and then a group of us all of the sudden got an extreme amount of energy and had this crazy idea to call my leader, ( Masiu) and tell him that we wanted to perform a dance tonight.  he laughed ( not reassuring).  but whilst laughing he agreed.  So we all got really excited to do such dance.  this excitement lasted until we entered the room where the fun night was.( where essentially the entire base was)  Once we saw all the people, that changed.  We all looked at each other shared a similar glance ( as in pure fright)  and then mouthed the words "no way"   We were all hoping that Masiu wouldn't inform everyone of our dance... we were on edge for so long. Then we saw Masiu stand up total to the MC ( person in charge) our hearts were racing.   After amazing dances occurred, the best one being right before us ( of course), they announced that there was a special surprise.... awesome,great lead up. We walked up on stage and Naomi, kept saying over and over and over ( i might add) that she hated me. ( great start ) So they started our music and it was us 3 muzungus standing there in front of everyone while we waited for our music. Then we started dancing. After our many attempts at shaking our hips and looking good while doing it, the music stopped ( Praise God)   Funny thing was, I had just taught tee( one of the girls on Year For God with me)  the dance an hour prior and Naomi had only done it once.  It was enjoyable.  We succeeded though and got a decent amount of claps afterwards.  Job well done, I'd say.  I told Naomi that she must repent for saying she hated me, because i could tell she had fun. she wouldn't do it.  I'll pray for her. 

    Earlier this week on Monday, I got some very upsetting news.  I got the news that one of my friends from my youth group, had past away in a rock climbing accident.  I didn't want to believe it, and I don't think it fully set in until I started receiving the emails from everyone telling me what had happened.  I found all of this out while I was in town.  I sat in front of the computer screen covering my mouth in an attempt to muffle my sobs.  Tears were streaming down my face.  I had  NO ONE to comfort me or give me a hug, for I came into town by myself.  Luckily, I have a friend who works at the cafe I was in.  I went up to her and she saw me crying and asked what was wrong, I told her.  Harder to tell someone what had happened than it was read it, for it was  just another reminder of what had happened.  I really wanted nothing more than to be back at base in the comfort of my friends.  I texted my two best friends ( Judith and Franco) telling them what had occurred and to be praying for me.  Franco then called me and said that he was in town and asked where I was, I told him, and he did was any good friend would do: no talking, just hugging. All I could have asked for.  I felt anger and rage that first night towards God.  "why would you take yet another person from my life?" "especially Kevin, why him?" It didn't seem fair at all.  After a very long night of crying, and praying, I felt free.  Not free in the sense of no pain, but just free.  The next day brought many tears especially during intercession, but that was followed by the amazing Skype dates that I had with friends back home.  I couldn't have have asked for anything better, it was just what was needed.  I am now living my days in highs and lows.  I will have highs in which i feel happy and content( not with what happened just in general) and then I will have lows, where I cannot mange to stop crying no matter what happens.  loving everyone back home, who are going through this as well, love all of you.

    I recently went to a proper "football" game! man oh man was it awesome! I got all "dolled" up in my attire. which consisted of my Uganda jersey ( which I had bought in September, but never wore until now), a yellow tank top and my yellow ray ban! yea I looked so legit! I also got my face painted, I am pretty sure it looks 100 times better on a white face ( pr that is what I tell myself).  I took great pride in yes being a muzungu but also being a huuuuuuuge fan of Soccer, which made it all the more fun.  I made the stadium more international :) BUT the game was very fun.  The game was Uganda vs. Senegal.  It was a WQC game, which is a World Qualifying Cup Game, which apparently is big deal here. oh well.  I just fully enjoyed cheering as if it was my high school home team and getting so into the game.  I am told that it is refreshing to have someone, yes white, but also having them know what is going on an cheering on the team.  It means a lot.  I loved hearing that.  I was a very long day though, leaving base at 10, arriving in Kampala at 12 and returning to base around 10 at night. wow oh wow, But it was an amazing day :) 


    As I was teaching my VTS girls (aka my daughters) back in Jinja, one of them said "Madam Tess, you are getting so small!" Of course I took that as a compliment and wanted to give extra credit...  I later found out that by saying this is the equivalent of us (muzungus) saying "Wow, you are getting so fat!" this is because being small in their culture is not seen as good.  The bigger you are the more attractive you are.  Diets for sure don't exist out here. haha.  none the less, if I am getting even the smallest bit smaller, ill take it....even if they mean it in a mean way :)

    This past Thursday, I went to the prison with only two other members on our team because Masiu, our leader, is preparing for his family to go to Canada.  So that left us with no driver... so Masiu hired one of the guys around base to drive us, so we went to prison...half an hour late.  I was the preacher of the day... so nervous.  1. because public speaking scares the beejeezus out of me and 2.  because i was preaching in front of one person whom I have never preached in front of before.  But none the less, I went up in front of the women's side and preached.  Later on the ride home, Becky one of the members of my team told me "Tess, let me just say you did amazing!" and then another agreed saying "Yea, I have heard someone preach on that before, but never have I heard it put like you put it. Thank you"  I felt so empowered. I felt empowered because I KNEW that it wasn't me preaching but God preaching through me!!

    I took a visit to Soroti, Uganda, which is about a 5 hour bus ride from Jinja.  I wanted to see where my two friends Becca and Tee were working.  They are working at a Childrens home at the YWAM Soroti base, it is called Amecet.  What this Childrens home is primarily for is for HIV positive babies and kids with the occasional few that have been orphaned.  I now see why they didn't come back to Jinja.  I have only been here for a day but I have already fallen in love with the kids.  They are all just friendly even to a complete outsider who is just staying for the weekend.  My heart is being taken on a ride of its life right now. Today, I got to watch as they fed a 4 month premature, 3 1/2 week old , 2 pound baby.  Wow! As I watched Tee fill a syringe with milk and then feed him through the tiny green tube attached to his nose I was literally in awe of how much of a miracle this baby is.  She slowly slowly slowly pushed the milk through and you could see by the response of Jesse(the baby) that he was receiving it.  It was an experience that i will never forget.  So blessed.   I am currently in the internet room on my computer right now, and little toddlers who are just learning to walk come and find me and say "auntie auntie" with their arms held up to be held.  Such a dream.  Really makes you want a baby... don't worry though i'm in no rush. :)  I have been so blessed being a visitor for once.  I get to see Becca and  Tee's hearts for the kids and how they have made them their family.  It is a different side to them I didn't see in Jinja, I love it.  Tonight we are having Spaghetti!! woot! kind of really excited for this, especially since the best meal at base in Jinja would be irish and rice.... umm yea I'll take the Spaghetti :) Really excited.  Oh! also today in the market Tee and I split the cost of fabric and each got a skirt made....really excited to see how that turns out....fingers crossed!! I do miss Jinja....a lot and all the people there but it is good to get a breath of fresh air and take a break once in a while.
 {the photo is of me and Tee and two of the adorable kids here in Soroti}

    Sorry for this blog being so late, but I have actually been quite busy with my now 4 ministries!! These ministries are: 1. The VTS, for whom I teach the Cherish program(Abstinence and finding your true value in Christ), I teach them math, and am now helping with the baking program. 2. I am working with Discovery Centre, I joined their school ministry team.  I absolutely adore the little kids we minister to each time.  They love having visitors and it seems like they true do receive what is spoken to them.  3.  Evangelism Team - Going to Prison.  and 4.  I am going to start going to this Street Kids home in which I will home school some of the little boys who have just been taken off the streets, so I will be teaching them and then playing soccer with them on Sundays! It is going to be fun...hopefully :)

Wish I could tell you everything that I do out here, but you'll just have to wait and see what is yet to come in the next blog....that makes me blog seem like a TV series... "stay tuned for next weeks episode!".... but yea that is basically it haha
until next time!
~Tess
p.s. I have less than 4 weeks left in Uganda! How crazy is that??? I don't want to leave but I also really really want to.... hmmm problematic.
p.p.s.  This is my shout out to....the one... the only.... Cameron Bannister Weber!!