Thursday, March 14, 2013

Meh, Bayou Gosh!!

When I heard that was the name of our destination (properly spelled Bayou Gauche), I said, "Well, I'd use that as an expression all the time! Meh, Bayou Gosh!" 





Last night I had the amazing opportunity of speaking at Life Fellowship church in, you guessed it, Bayou Gauche. Pastor Paul Burke and his sweet wife Cyndi, along with their congregation, were such a blessing both financially and spiritually. They greatly helped with my support-raising for Uganda; they also blessed me with an opportunity to speak into the lives of young people making those crucial decisions of who they want to be and what they want to do- decisions I made myself not too long ago! God certainly did what He set out to accomplish, and to Him be all the glory! 


Here's more updates:


  • My dad returned from Uganda on Monday! He went on and on about the sweet folks there, how safe he felt the whole time (that's a relief!), and how amazing Watoto is! The pictures he showed me look very much like a day care you would see here in the States.



  • Malaria vaccinations... what had happened was... The doctor who gave me the vaccinations also prescribed a Malaria vaccination, which only comes in capsules. Now, you have three prescription options: 1. A daily pill which, for a five months' supply, would cost well over $900. 2. A weekly pill, which, for a five months' supply, would also cost well over $900 and gives you the fabulous side effects of psychiatric problems (seizures, hallucinations, you name it). Or, 3. A daily pill, which, for a five months' supply, would cost $324 and has NO side effects. (Why are the other two even offered?!) The doctor recommended, however, that I email my dad, in Uganda at the time, and see whether they sold the same medication at a pharmacy there for a cheaper price. Sure enough, this $324 drug- so cheap compared to the other two!- for a five months' supply... (drum roll please)... THIRTEEN BUCKS. Same pill, same brand name, everything. Sold! (Favour of the Lord right there!)

I have more updates, but this entry is growing long. I should tell you this, however:

It has recently come into my knowledge that Uganda lacks one of my favourite things in the whole entire world: hummus. I'm afraid, my dear, that I've begun to binge.  ;)



Wednesday, March 6, 2013

A New Adventure

I'm just not a faithful blogger, obviously.

In case you're not aware, I have 98 days left until...

I'm moving to Uganda!! 

I'll be there for five months, working in a babies' home with 0-2 year-olds. I sent out a newsletter back in December, and I just finished writing the second issue. However, so much has happened in the past few days that I feel it's almost necessary to re-write it! 

Therefore, I will be more faithful with this blog. Pictures, updates, you name it.

The latest excitement:

  • I purchased a plane ticket!! June 12, 2013, is my official departure date.

  • I received my vaccines yesterday... notice the lack of exclamation marks. Yellow fever, Polio, and Hep. A (don't ask me to spell it out) vaccinations are all surging through my bloodstream at the moment. However, despite soreness in my arms and an intense headache, I feel great. (The side-effects information the doctor gave me had me fearing for the worst!)

My mom and I waiting in anticipation for my shots. 
  • My dad is in Uganda right now! He went to check out the place where I'll be working, as well as hang out with a pastor friend who has an orphanage there. 
My dad texted me a sweet video of Ugandan kids telling me hello, and if I were more tech-savvy, I'd be glad to post it. 

I guess this about does it for the catching up! I'll be sure to keep blogging faithfully. 

By the way... how far in advance is it acceptable to begin packing? 98 days? Oh, right. I guess I'll go ahead and start...