Here in Uganda

I arrived safe and sound in Uganda, Sunday night at 10:30 pm.  That is ten hours later than Phoenix.  I had a long layover in London and DID NOT miss my flight (thank you very much).  But I arrived late in the afternoon and by the time I got to my hotel it was very cold, damp and dark.  so I holed up for the night.  Tourist attractions are not open at night in the winter.  But I did walk to the white stag pub and have fish and chips.  The meal included mushy peas, their words not mine.  Not my favorite new food.  The fish was very good and the chips were the fat soft kind.  I also rented a remote, nothing is included at easyhotel.  Ha!  I watched slum dog millionaire again and really enjoyed it.  I got to my plane with plenty of time to spare and was able to have a Starbucks coffee, good but not Einsteins.  On the flight to Uganda I watched Shrek forever after.  Very cute movie.  Today has been probably a pretty typical day except the boys are not in school.  They are on holiday until January.  What a long break!  And like every other kid on the planet they are already running out of things to do.  HA!  I bought a teach yourself Lugandan CD that I will start and brace myself for all of the boys laughing at my horrible accent.  I went to the market today with David but quickly ran out of money.  I bought a web stick and a Uganda phone.  Number to come later.  So I still need the basics: soap, shampoo, and a curtain.  The guys here have made the cargo container very homey.  I have a space just over the size of my twin bed for my "room".  I brought some red sheets from home and it feels great.  The boys asked me today to ride one of their bikes.  Funny stuff when a 50+ woman gets on a kids bike!  Of course disaster was not far behind as I promptly fell into a puddle.  No harm done though.  I also have been helping the boys learn about the computer.  We had four computers donated and I brought them all, wrapped snugly and dispersed in my bags.  Praise God, they ALL made it.  I almost lost the printer though since the terrorist bomb scare in ink cartridges.  But they let me through.  Kampala is warm and humid and I am happy!  You can text me on my us phone at 602-326-5025.  Please don't call.  Thank you for all of your support and I will keep you posted.   GJ

Update on the Boys in Uganda

I got a letter from Abby with several new pictures. I wanted to share them with you. The ministry to the prostituted young women also began a couple of weeks ago. The volunteers were praying for six women to come to the first meeting in the Kivulu slum and 16 came. Wonderful and yet overwhelming. I will be working with these young women when I am in Africa. Here are the pictures.

This is the letter I received from Abby in Uganda

As some of you know, God has opened a new chapter in my life and I am so excited. I will be going to Uganda to teach former street boys how to read and write and speak English. I also hope to help with a new ministry to prostituted girls. Here is the latest letter I recieved from the missionary already there on the field. My Thoughts will be in parenthesese:

Hey Gina,

So much has changed, we are really looking forward to you coming!

During devotions the other night we asked the boys, "Do you remember jajja Gina?" and they ALL cheered, when we told them you were coming back they were SOOOO excited and cheered louder. I just thought you would want to know! =-)

That would be great if you were to come in early December, I will be leaving December 26th and will get back the 1st of March or so as I am fundraising in America. Moreen of course will still be in Uganda working with as you as well as all of the other boys and staff and perhaps other volunteers, who knows. It would actually be wonderful if you were there for that time, especially for the boys, while I was gone but I didnt know if you were aware that I would be gone then or if that was okay with you. (Yep Abby, I knew you would be gone!)

The landlord doubled our rent last week out of the middle of nowhere and so we found a new place and moved the boys out of Kivulu. We are now staying in a beautiful new house in town in an area called Wakalega in a good area. We found a place that has guestrooms seperate from the house where Moreen, me, and the other female visitors will stay. We were hoping you would want to stay there with us? (Of course silly- I CAN'T WAIT) If not we can still find you an apartment but Moreen and Carla will be staying in the other house I beliee. We can still give you your own room. (YAY-I snore, no-one wants to sleep with me) Then hopefully not far off we will have our own place and land. Please let me know what works best for you!

That would be great if you brought laptops for teaching, the boys will be so excited! Even the aunties and uncles will be wanting to learn! IT really sounds like you are putting everything in place to come and help Gina, if you want we can also inexpensively find you a Luganda tutor while you are here. There are many people that would love to help teach you (or you can exchange for lessons on the computer, etc-) I would suggest you ask my dad helpful books to read before you come here that can help prepare you. I would suggest, "Cultures of Poverty" by Payne, "When Invisible Children Sing", and "African Friends and Money Matters" (already had and read one of the books and the others are on order)

I guess that is about it, if you have any other questions please let me know

God bless

Abby