The first lap around Uganda is almost over

It is now February 13, 2011 and I have not posted in almost two months.  Where I live now in Wakyliga (outside of Kampala Uganda) has unreliable electricity and for some reason the Internet is hit or miss.  Every time I have tried to post it simply will not load.  Go figure!  But I write a regular e-mail for my friends and supporters and if you would like to keep up with what is happening in Africa, simply e-mail me at ginajaye@gmail.com and I will make sure you get on the list.  So when I booked my return flight to Arizona back in early November I had no idea that national elections take place in November, and who could have predicted the situation in Egypt?  But people here in Uganda are very nervous.  Rioting has been predicted from the opposition.  The current president, Museveni has been in power here for 24 years.  He is a shrewd politician but the opposition is stronger than it has ever been.  The last election, five years ago, brought some violence and much outcry of rigging and unfair practices.  Our lawyer, yes we have one, suggested we stock pile food at the boys home and stay in place during that time.  The election is on Friday Feb 18 and I am due to fly out at 12:15 on Feb. 21.  So I am going to Entebbe on Saturday and will stay in a hotel and lie low.  The boys are not even going to the airport with me, which is a ritual for them.  We have been buying food and other items and will be covered well into March.  There is a LOT of fear here and not the sense of outrage that seemed to sweep through Egypt.  But the fact that the protesters were effective in driving Mabarack out of office gives the opposition some fuel for their fire.  So how am I posting now?  Well I am at a coffee shop that resembles a Starbucks in the rich section of Kampala.  There is great Internet coverage here and the coffee is good too.  So what have I been doing?  Mostly parenting a group of sixteen boys in the home.  I have also been leading Bible study for the Women's project and telling Bible stories and singing to the kids at the street program and in an orphanage.  (kids don't care that I can't sing well, HA!)  I also try to manage the money to run the programs.  I brought a scanner/printer with me and so I scan all of the receipts for reimbursement through our mission organization, GTN.  Which is really funny because printers here are really cheap and you can get your ink re-filled for pennies on the dollar.  Speaking of pennies on the dollar, a DVD costs a dollar here.  Yep, one greenback.  In an "official" DVD store, on the street they are fifty cents.  So I have bought the boys some great movies that they have really enjoyed.  Their favorite so far was Disney Peter Pan I and II.  So I bought them the live action Peter Pan, another big hit and we rounded it off with Hook.  But the movie that has brought the biggest laughs was Beverly Hills Chihuahua.  Go figure.  I was able to get caught up on my favorite show, the closer, and I saw the kings speech.  WONDERFUL movie.  The other missionary and I had a baby shower for one of the women in the Hope House.  It is a program to give hope to former prostitutes.  They have learned to make jewelry, receive counselling and Bible studies, and have formed some new friendships.  All are HIV positive, most have kids.  Beatrice was pregnant when she started the program.  She was so surprised and the women all had fun.  I have been shopping a lot as the boys all started back to school Jan 31 to a new term and most were promoted to a new grade.  All most all needed new shoes.  Their shoes are all second hand shoes from the US that are shipped here, dyed black and repaired if necessary.  They aren't cheap by African standards and you can only take a few boys at a time to the market.  So I have gone a lot.  When I go, I treat the boys that go with me to a lunch out.  A real treat!  I have eaten some very interesting foods.  Nothing bad so far.  I have had fried grasshoppers and roasted goat.  I have had sauteed greens and boiled bananas.  I have basically had no milk for three months.  Until I came to this coffee shop I had only had instant coffee.  But I love the food and you can definitely get used to instant coffee.  Church here has been interesting.  Because I know God used a donkey to speak and allowed even me to become a children's pastor I have tried to hear God's voice wherever I am.  Sometimes it is MUCH harder than others.  I have loved being able to worship with my African brothers and sisters.  MVBC worship will be a little boring after this, ha!  Well I will try to be better about keeping the blog up to date, check out my facebook page too.  Thank you for being a part of my journey!  Love always, Gina