Should have seen this one coming...

Maybe it will come as a shock or perhaps you saw it coming all along, but nonetheless here we go...

Since arriving in Uganda I've felt a peace about being here. Perhaps you'll be offended by it, but in all honesty, I don't miss home. Or Sacramento if you will. I miss people individually, but I'm very content being here in Uganda.

The support of my mom, dad, and brother has let me know that what I am doing is good and that here in Uganda is where I am supposed to be. And the support from Kari and Cassidy from the beginning of this journey has shown me that missions is where God wants to use me. They have given me all I've needed to keep going.

With the contentment that God has given me and the fact that I have absolutely no commitments back in Sacramento...I have decided to stay in Uganda.

Kelsey Stays in Uganda. Wange?! Yep.

God has put it on my heart to continue serving here and how could I ever say no?

I do now know how long God has planned for me to stay here, but I am confident that he will provide for however long he desires for me to be a part of his army here in Uganda.

I ask that you prayerfully consider supporting me financially. If you feel led to support me financially you can donate at http://www.gofundme.com/3g0r7o or you can email me at kelseymagnolia9@gmail.com for an address to send cash or checks.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Peter

Meet Peter. 

Peter is one of five boys who live in the New Creation Family Home. I'm pretty sure he is the most "innocent" out of the five and is the most gentle. 

Peter is pretty quiet but always has something perfect to say at just the right moment. He has a kind heart and shows so much love towards the little ones who run around the house. You can find him holding Joshua or Nicole or simply kicking a soccer ball around with them. He's going to make a great dad one day.

Peter enjoys soccer as do all the boys but is the one who just plays to have a good time and isn't too competitive. I find myself being quite protective over Peter for he reminds me of my brother. Very gentle, loving, caring, but also can throw in a good punch line. 

Please pray for Peter to continue doing well in school and to continue focusing on God. It's easy for the boys to become distracted so prayer for him to be able to stay focused in the chaos would be wonderful. 

Eron

Meet Eron. 

Eron is probably the quietest one in the New Creation Family Home and is also probably the most gentle. She's not so big on soccer or dancing and definitely enjoys her alone time. Eron reminds me of myself in many ways which draws me to her. She's very shy, not ever wanting to be the center of attention, but has such a bright spirit and love for The Lord. 

Eron is flawless is every way. Just look at that smile of hers; it tells all. 

Before coming to the NCFH, Eron prayed for a family after being abandoned by her own. It was then that she was brought into the NCFH. The night she shared her story is the night that changed things for me here in Uganda. 

Please pray that Eron will continue to do well in school and that her faith and relationship with Christ will continue to grow. Also pray for her to know that she is loved and cared about. 

(I will slowly be introducing you to all of the children in the New Creation Family Home, where I live)

Home

After initially thinking that three months in Uganda was going to be a long time, I now feel as if it's just not long enough. It's been a month of living in Uganda and things are finally normal. When I ride down the street, things just feel like home. This is how it is, and that's normal. I may not have a shower or be able to flush toilet paper down my toilet, but that's normal. Posho and beans for dinner is normal.

My prayer coming into this adventure was for God to make this place my home and I can truly say that he's 100% answered that prayer. I can't say I haven't been scared along the way or haven't wanted to return to California from time to time, but God has always pulled my through it.

Early on, before even arriving in Uganda, I connected with the song Home by Phillip Phillips. I always listened to the lyrics as if God was speaking them to me.

"Hold on to me as we go, as we roll down that unfamiliar road. And although this wave is stringing us along, just know you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna make this place your home. Settle down, it'll all be clear. Don't pay no mind to the demons; they fill you with fear. The trouble it might drag you down, if you get lost you can always be found. Just know you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna make this place your home."

I held on as I rolled down the unfamiliar road that soon became familiar. I know how to get places and know where my "home" is. The place which has been made my home. Things became crystal clear as I settled down and looked forward. The demons tried to fill me with fear on numerous occasions, but I shoved them away. Trouble has gotten me down, but when I've been lost, I've always been found.

And the truth us, I know I'm not alone, because this place indeed has been made my home.

I serve a God who takes me places I've never imagined going and he never leaves my side. It's so refreshing knowing that God doesn't need me. So refreshing. God could do all of this on his own. But the fact that he wants me is simply amazing.

God has no need for me, but he wants me with his entire heart. He wants me here, at home, in Uganda and I want nothing other than that.

I serve an awesome God.

If you make crowns for your class...

On Fridays at the New Creation Centre school, Taylor and I have an hour to do art projects with our students. We never have many options of what to create since supplies are limited, so simple is usually the route we take. This week I had the brilliant idea for our class to make crowns.

So here we are, with our little class of nine, making crowns together. The boys made king of kings crowns and the girls were making God's royal princess crowns. We should have realized that things were going to head downhill quickly when we saw that our students had no idea how to use scissors. It ended up with Taylor and I cutting out the crowns for the students and them decorating them. This wasn't too big of an issue with the two of us and only nine students.

But of course before we knew it, there were students from other classes trickling in. Teachers just kind of let students roam for the most part. So there we were, making more crowns for the students who had made their way into our classroom.

Slowly, more and more students began to come into the classroom, which is about 10' by 10' and is taken up by desks and tables. There is no AC and there are only two small windows. So it's hot in the classroom as it is, so with twenty students in there, let's just say it was hotter than Africa. No joke.

As we were making crowns and trying to finish up before lunch, another woman who works at the school came into the classroom to ask for us to make crowns for every student in the school for their performance they would be putting on the next week.

We couldn't say no, because that's just who we are and we were now stuck in a sea of twenty to thirty children in a 10' by 10' classroom making over 70 crowns, with no AC, I was sick and coughing my life away, while cutting endless amounts of crowns, and dealing with needy students. Oh, let me mind you, it was also raining cats and dogs outside which made everything that much more chaotic since all the students were stuck inside.

In the end, the floor looked like a Taylor Swift concert after the falling confetti and our voices were shot from literally yelling at students to leave the classroom because it was so crowded and beyond Africa hot. We bribed students to clean the floor with stickers, since they are kind of a big deal to them.

Finally the students were forced back to their classrooms and Taylor and I made everyone who was not in our P3 class leave. It was refreshing having our class back to normal.

Needless to say, if you make crowns for you class, the rest of the school will want one too.

We now have the task of completing making crowns for those who did not have the chance to make one. And I have a strong feeling that Taylor and I could write a book and make some big bucks off of it, because this is, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, status.

In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I'm blessed.

Today I was once again reminded that I am responsible for my own happiness and that the only person who can make me feel better is Jesus Christ. I've also learned today that it's okay to feel the things I feel and that it's okay to cry. And finally I've once again been reminded that things will always get better...my mom's always been spot on with that.

Today was a much needed day. Claire decided to come to school with Taylor and I which made the day a tad more exciting to begin with. Our class was somehow on their best behavior which actually made the day at the school enjoyable. We even had time to have fun in the classroom and time to take photos together.

Today also brought a wonderful experience. The students were not served porridge at break, and after Claire, Taylor and I return from eating lunch at a cafe across the street, we found that the students had not been served lunch. In this moment, I though of Matthew 25:42 which states, "For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink." I thought about the PB&J sandwiches I had made for each of us girls that morning and the bananas I had also packed away.

And there wasn't a second thought about not giving that food to the students. Of course we did not have enough for all of the children, so we gave it to the six children who lived in the home with us. And to my amazement, when I walked back into the school, they were sharing the food we had given them with their friends.

Taylor had just happened to have packed her Annie's crackers in the backpack that morning also and so we gave them to our P3 students. Claire also gave her water away to one of the girls from our home who was not feeling well. It was just amazing to see everyone coming together and serving God.

Claire and I left the school before Taylor did today, and I had left my water bottle with her. Lawrence was apparently very concerned that I had not been drinking my water. Taylor told him that we thought something in the water was making me sick, which is why I had not been drinking it. He went on to state that he could tell I was not feeling well today, especially since I was locked in the bathroom. Yes, I did get stuck in the bathroom at the school. I went into panic mode thinking I was going to be stuck in there forever, until some of the students went and told another teacher who helped me out. I have never been more happy in my life to be out of a bathroom!

Our night in the home was spent with the power out, which was actually quite an experience and a lot of fun to be honest. I played some worship songs on my guitar while some of the girls sang along, Charles was determined to fix a flashlight of mine which I told him was a lost cause, and of course, the little miracle worker fixed it. "Don't worry Auntie, I'll fix it and bring it to you." And oh did he do just that.

Today has helped me to realize that it's okay to feel the way I feel, but that things really do always get better. I am beyond thankful for the grace God has laid on my life and all He's done for me.The concern and love the children have for me is such a blessing. Taylor and Claire have been life-savers. And I just cannot believe that I am living in Africa, in Uganda, and am serving the Lord in such a wonderful place.

You know, sometimes you've just got to stop and look around and realize that everything is good, that everything has its place in life, and that you make it for yourself.

Today ended with Taylor, Claire and I listening to the lyrics, "In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I'm blessed."

And blessed I am.

Opa-Uganda Style

I would be lying if I were to say that things have gotten better in the past few days, because honestly, for the most part they have not. The P3 class is still absolute chaos and frustrating things have been happening nonstop. I can say that I’ve had a more positive attitude and that God has been teaching me many things.

Friday, our internet was not working and we thought it was because we had used all of our internet already. We tried to use a spare internet card we had but when I opened the envelope it feel and we couldn’t find it. We were both frustrated and just upset with the day. But we decided to put it behind us and move forward. The internet ended up working the next morning…because Orange (the internet service) had been down. Clearly we stressed over nothing.

Saturday morning began with Taylor and I going to meet one of my friends, Lisa to get much needed pedicures. It was only around $8 and was the best pedicure I’ve ever received. After we decided to get a some drinks and a snack and just chit chat. It was such a wonderful time being able to hang out with Lisa.

Next we headed back to the house and began to set up a scavenger hunt for the boys. We had written clues on paper leading them to their futbol jerseys and game tickets. It was an absolute blast getting to see them run around the house trying to figure it all out. They were absolutely thrilled to be going to the game. So they changed into their jerseys and we piled into the van and headed on our way.

The roads were crazy! I have never seen such spirit. There are not really any laws that I know of for driving, so most of the time we were standing out of the sunroof, blowing horns and screaming and cheering. I also learned that here in Uganda they sing, “Opa Uganda style!” Quite silly.

 Anyhow, we were dropped off at the top of the hill next to the stadium where we would walk in. Of course after getting out we realized we had left our tickets back at the house in all of the excitement. Mama Sherry brought the tickets to us thankfully! Such a sweetheart! I am so thankful for all she does for us. And finally we were on our way into the game. But let me just tell you, it’s not fun trying to get in. Especially with 5 boys and 3 muzungus (white people) in the group.

Thankfully Uncle George had come to help us out. I cannot tell you how many men grabbed my arm while I was walking. It was ridiculous and ridiculously annoying. And there were so many people pushing and shoving that I just didn’t even know what to do or think. I just latched onto the younger boys in the group because I didn’t want them getting lost. At one point we were just about to go into the arena, and had to pass in a single file line through the ticket gate. People were shoving like crazy.

At one point a man started punching another guy telling him to get out. I think it was a worker and “thief.”  But anyhow, when he punched the guy he was pushed right into me, and next thing I know he’s punching the guy again, but this time, the guys head hits Henry’s head. I just about lost it. All I could do was put my hand on Henry’s head, trying to pull him in, as the man’s had kept being smashed into my hand. Finally they passed and more shoving began until we finally made it in!

At this point we had to find a seat. Which was more difficult than we thought it would be…because will it was a game leading to the World Cup. So it was a full house! There were no seats, just cement to sit on, which made it more exciting anyhow. But things turned bad when we lost one of the boys. NO one seemed to be worried except Taylor, Claire and I who about had a heart attack. We just sat in one place and watched the game. Angola scored a point which was a bummer, but then Uganda came back with two more, winning the game! Charles had previously stated that the score would be 2-1, so we were even more excited about that. But now it was time to search for Lawrence. I don’t think I stopped praying the entire time. I was completely terrified that he was lost and had no idea how we were going to find him. We searched and searched and finally walked out and down to the road. He was nowhere to be seen. The boys were okay with it because they know that he knew how to get home. Sherry had found out by this time that we could not find him and headed our way with bodas for us. As we were waiting, at least an hour after the game ended I hear Taylor say, “Is that Lawrence? LAWRENCE!” We both just took off running because we had finally spotted him!

The bodas arrived, and we all headed back home, thanking God for helping us find him. I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared in my life.

But, the game was one of the most exciting things of my entire life. I was quite into it! The screaming, horns, dancing, and pure excitement was such a thrill. Men asked numerous times to take photos with us muzungu girls and police literally lined the field with shields and guns. It was a new experience. One I will never forget for sure; especially with losing Lawrence.

I am absolutely knackered from the day and from all the emotions, but am so thankful for the experience.

I just want to hide away

Today has most definitely been the most difficult day so far here in Uganda. And honestly, it’s been one of the most difficult days in my life. I have never been so emotionally drained before. All I’ve found myself singing to myself is, “it’s been a long day and I just want to hide away.”

Taylor and I started out the day wanting to be positive. And we did. I made us some PB&J sandwiches to have for lunch and even wrote, “keep a smile on your face” on the bags as a reminder of Romans 12:8 that states, “If you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.”

On the way to school on the boda, Taylor noticed that men were shouting as a more than usual, and then as we were coming down a dirt road, there was a truck full of police men who waved us to pass. When we were next to the passenger window, one of the police men asked us in Lugandan for our number. We were confused so he asked again. We both just started laughing and Benard our boda drive just laughed and drove off. So basically the police of Uganda asked for our number and is why they waved for us to come up beside their car. We found this extremely funny and thought that they day might actually be a good day.

We went into the day with a new attitude and with smiles on our faces, but things quickly turned sour. And I honestly do not know how to put today into words. I feel a mix of emotions. I had to hold back the tears all day long, because the only place I wanted to be was at home. I was angry and sad and frustrated all at once.

So right now I just ask for prayer. Taylor and I are in desperate need of prayer right now. We feel so beat down. I never expected this all to be easy, but also not this hard. Today at the school I just wanted to walk out. I wanted to leave and never come back.

Nkwagala nyo

Homesickness is a term I am starting to understand. Lately I have just been missing home and all the comforts of it. It’s been an easy adjustment to living here in Uganda, to be honest, but I am starting to miss “home.” Although, whenever I begin to feel homesick, I just think of when I will have to say goodbye to everyone here in Uganda. And that just tears my heart apart and reminds me of why I am here and helps me to be happy with where I am.

On Sunday we were playing “futbol” when one of the girls hurt her foot and started to cry. The boys drug her to the side of the field where she continued to cry. It was in that moment that it hit me, that when I was that age, all I would have wanted was a hug from my mom or dad. But she didn’t have a mom or a dad here; no one to comfort her. It was then when my heart started to break for what breaks God’s. I found myself sitting with her, rubbing her back until she felt better and wanted to go back into the game.

Today at school, Taylor and I had a student who was just not at all paying attention and was messing around more than usual. We gave him several chances before Taylor went to the office to see if someone there could talk to him. The boy went to the office and Taylor and I waited outside talking with some other teachers. About 15 minutes later we went into the office to sit in there for a break, wondering where the boy had ever gone. We started to hear knocking and joked that maybe they had locked the boy in the closet. We continued on with singing a song we would later teach in class when we heard more knocking. Finally Taylor went to the closet and opened the door, and sure enough, the boy had been locked in there. I don’t know the expressions that were on our faces, but I know they were not good ones. The boy had tears running down his face and asked if he could go for a “short call” (pee). We said yes. While he was gone, Taylor and I sat there, not believing what had just happened. A boy, locked in the closet for not paying attention in class? The door was locked! When he came back he went back in the room…but we asked him to come out and talk to us. We ended up making a plan for behavior in class, but still had no idea what to do about the fact that someone had put him in the closet. We later talked to someone about the situation and found out that it was not okay to lock a child in a room like that…they could put them in a corner, but they had to be somewhere where they were visible. My heart began to break again.

I don’t really know what to think about all that’s been going on recently. It’s all just really sad. But I guess I just need to remember why I am here and focus on helping and serving the Lord.

Tomorrow after school Taylor and I are going to go with George, Mama Sarah’s fiancé to go buy tickets to the Uganda Cranes futbol game that is Saturday. We are also going to buy some jerseys. But here’s the thing, we are talking all the boys who live in the New Creation Family Home, but they have no idea and are not going to find out until right before. We are going to ask them on Friday if they want to watch the game on Saturday, to make them think we want to watch it on TV. So that is our excitement at the moment.

There is a girl who is serving on some of the short term missions teams, here early, who is staying with Taylor and I. Her name is Claire, she speaks French, and she is from Canada. She is super sweet, but our room is crazy crowded now.

Also, tonight one of the girls was teaching me some Uganda. Of course I had to have her teach me, “that makes my heart happy. “ Which is, “Ekyo kisanyusa omutima gwange.”

And you wonder how to say it? Here is how I wrote it out: “A-cho chi-sa-nyu-sa O-mootea-ma gwan-gay.”

I don’t really have much to say otherwise, so I shall leave you with this: Nkwagala nyo, which means I love you so much.

Finding Comfort

Being in Uganda has left me feeling a bit numb. I haven’t really felt any one emotion in particular. It’s been a lot to take in all at once and I haven’t really known how to process it. I finally came to the point where I asked God to break my heart for what breaks his and to show me all he wanted me to see here.  And of course, he did just that.

Taylor and I were asked to lead worship and the message on Friday evening, which was just the thing that I needed. We began by letting the kids sing some of their own worship songs and then we began to teach them some of our own. At one point I was sitting on the couch playing, “better is one day” on the guitar and all 17 children were surrounding me, worshiping God. I have never been in a moment so surreal.

The passage Taylor and I discussed was 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 which states, “Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for you comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in out sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”

I shared with the children about how “Auntie Taylor” and I were nervous and scared to come here to Uganda and leave everything we knew back at home. But it was through them that we found comfort. I think tonight was our chance to share with each of the children how much they truly mean to us. They truly are where I find comfort in being here.

Each day on the boda ride home from school, Taylor and I talk about how excited we are to be heading back to the house, because of how much we love being there around each of the children.

God has been teaching me that when I follow the plans he’s made for me, everything turns out for the good. There are days when I wish to take a shower, or just feel clean for once, or perhaps even be able to make a McDonald’s run. But at the end of the day, God has provided me with comfort in this strange place I now call home.

I am thankful for the comfort, because I don’t know how I would get though this adventure without it.

On a lighter note, enjoy a few photos from the past few days…

The girls constantly request to listen to, Never Say Never by Justin Bieber. They all gather around the computer and listen to the song. They will ask you to repeat it until you finally tell them that you can’t do that anymore.

Charles and Henry are always trying to make someone laugh. Charles insisted on my taking this photo of him and Henry, so I hope you enjoy it!

And last but not least, here is a photo of a letter we wrote the boys in the house. Earlier, they told us to say Obama, but change the “b” to a “p.” So we did. They never told us what it meant. Later we asked one of the boys and some of the girls, and apparently it means “poop.” But they girls said not to ever repeat anything the boys tell us to say. We know that it means poop…but a more vulgar term for it. We are thinking it’s the “Sh**” word…who knows. Boys will be boys. But anyhow, we looked up some Ugandan phrases, pieced them together and came up with this. It means, “Listen, son! Watch out!” and gave it to them before bed.

Oh, and we successfully got the boys back for putting the pepper in my dinner. We put one in Charles’ dinner. As he gets up from the table during dinner he says, “Thank you Aunties.” Taylor then asked him if it was hot and he responds, “Yes Auntie, it was very hot.” These boys are messing with the wrong girls! We know how to play their game. And we are quite enjoying playing their game to be honest.

Little Moments

While eating breakfast one morning, I was reading through my Bible. I flipped to a page and read Ecclesiastes 4:12 which states, “With a friend you can face the worst.” After a rough first day of teaching at the New Creation Centre, I turned to Taylor and had her listen to the verse. It was that moment where I realized why God has brought us both here to Uganda at the same time. I always knew there was a purpose for it, and I was always comforted by the fact that we would be together. But it was in that moment of reading the verse that I realized why we were both here.

Things have been pretty easy here in Uganda for the most part, but Taylor and I both became a bit discouraged after our first day of teaching. But we’ve realized that we can face the worst with each other.

I honestly cannot imagine going to sleep each night, waking up in the morning, eating lunch, eating dinner, teaching, or anything for that matter without Taylor being there. I don’t think I’d make it through without her. I am beyond thankful for God bringing the two of us together to serve him.

Taylor has been a major support in this journey, and I’ve learned that in God’s love, I’m unbreakable. Before coming to Uganda I was worried about missing home and everything that was not here in Uganda that I knew so very well. And I do miss it all and everyone like crazy, but to be honest, I’m quite content here.

I have had a Cheez-It craving as well as Chipotle and Taco Bell, but for the most part, I’ve just been enjoying being here. I still think I can flush the toilet and turn the sink on when I want to brush my teeth, but other than that, I’ve adjusted quite well. The food is actually really tasty, but I am still as picky as ever when it comes to meat. Sleeping under a mosquito next is just bloody hot, but I’d rather sleep in the heat over getting Malaria, because if I got Malaria my mom might just chop my head off. Although, my mom should know that I’ve only gotten one mosquito bite and I’ve only seen one mosquito during my entire stay here. The only other things I’ve seen in the house are cockroaches, ants, and lizards.

And although I find those things just flat out filthy, I still love it here. I think the thing that’s going to keep my going is the kids in the house. I am dreading being at home where I will no longer get to go to bed hearing, “goodnight Auntie Kelsey” 17 times. Where I will no longer be told to, “sleep loose” and to, “kick the bed bugs till they're black and blue.” I am dreading a time where Margret will not be around to try and convince me to close my eyes and raise my arms so she can tickle me and a time where Charles will no longer be asking me to write down lyrics and chords to songs for him.

And just like being an RA, it’s the little moments. It’s these little moments that keep me here. And in the end, I’ll hope that I have been enough and have never let them down. And I’ll wonder late at night if they liked having me around.

So I am happy to know that for now, I still have ten weeks left here in Uganda.

And while we're at it...take a little look at the things the boys in the house do to Taylor and I. All the girls write us sincere letters constantly. So the boys took it upon themselves to write Taylor and I each a letter. Here is the letter we each received. They found it real funny. Yes...there was nothing written inside. Typical.

17 Kids and Counting

I have found that living in the New Creation Family Home here in Uganda is like having 17 younger brothers and sisters. I’ll admit, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a family as large as the Duggars. And well, now I know. All I have to say is that there is never a dull moment. Each child in this home has their own personality, but they all come together as one.

You’ve got Bena, the free spirited.
Sara, the kind and gentle soul who keeps to herself.
Margret, the love-bug.
Henry and Lawrence, the joksters.
Charles the “big brother.”
Anne Marie, the “little sister.”
And the list just runs on.

Each morning as we leave our room, Taylor and I are greeted with “hello, Auntie” and are soon after given tea for breakfast. Although, we never quite know when the tea is actually ready since Henry and Lawrence like to trick us. The girls give us hugs and absolutely love seeing photos of our friends and family.

I think what I am going to miss the most about Uganda is all the little moments with the kids. Especially all the “lying” the boys do. They like to trick as all the time, and we find it absolutely amusing. Let me give you some examples:

-Sunday morning I was leaving my room when Henry came up to me and asked why I was dressed nicely. I responded, telling him that I was dressed for church. He proceeded to tell me that it wasn’t Sunday and that Sunday was the following day.

-When asking what something was in the kitchen, one of the boys tried to convince us it was a jetpack.

-And the best yet, Lawrence told us our Sloppy Joes were made with toilet water. When telling him that our Sloppy Joes at home had more sauce in them, he said, “Don’t worry, don’t worry, don’t worry.” Auntie Taylor then said, “I’m not worried!” and Lawrence interrupts by stating, “I’ll add more water next week.”

At the end of the night we tried to scare Charles and Lawrence, but unfortunately it did not work so well. I hid in the pantry and Taylor asked them to show her where the bananas were. I hardly startled Charles and it didn’t even faze Lawrence.

So, Tay and I are in the process of thinking of our next move on the boys to play along with this little game of theirs.

The girls have been writing us letters and drawing us photos constantly. Taylor hung hers on our wall last night and it’s just so heartwarming to see. We were talking about how it was going to be hard/sad being at home with all these letters and drawings missing the kids.

I absolutely love living in the family home. Uganda is different, but it’s perfect. I am sure some of you are wondering what’s different about Uganda, so here you go:

-We bathe in a bucket

-Our toilet does not flush, so when we need to flush we fill a bucket with water and pour it in the toilet…it then flushes

-You cannot put toilet paper in the toilet

-The birds sound like monkeys

-Lizards are welcome in the home…we’ve named ours, Lizzy

-There are not really any rules for driving on the road

-The pedestrian never has the right of way, always the right to get out of the way

-Children know how to cook and use large knives to cut

-Being resourceful is actually put into play

-Clothes are washed in buckets by hand and are laid out to dry

-Kids are not bratty like those in America, they get what they get and they don’t throw a fit. I’ve never seen a child mad or sincerely upset here. They are genuinely happy.

- Hair. My hair is played with at least four times a day.

-They don’t know who Taylor Swift is…what?! Although, they do know who Justin Bieber is. Typical.

And one last thing, the weather closely resembles that of Sacramento. Although the heat is a bit harsher since we are closer to the equator.

Oh, and P.S. The kids think Taylor looks like Ashley Tisdale from High School Musical. It’s one of the most amusing things ever.