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!!!
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