July 17...

Today I slept in!  I woke up to the alarm!  This whole trip I have been waking up at 6am, so it was a nice change of pace.

When i woke up, I gathered my things and went to take a shower.  It felt incredible!  You don't realize how much warm water means to you, till you don't really have it:) Our guest house is very iffy on warm water, which is totally fine, but this felt so good!  This shower was definitely luxary!

After my shower I went to the breakfast table and ate the chipati I had ordered the night before.  A chipati is alot like a flour tortilla, only thicker and greasier...so better! lol!
Then I ordered it filled with peanut butter and a banana.  After eating eggs every day this week, this was incredible!

Then we prepared to go.
When Paul, our driver, arrived we loaded up and headed to town.
We quickly stopped to drop our overnight bags at the guest house, then headed to town.
The team did some shopping, while I sat & had coffee.
I then realized I had left money for our lunch back at the guest house.  So I hopped on a bota (a motorcycle taxi) and told him where to go.
Usually this isn't a problem...this guy didn't understand me!
He kept trying to drop me at random spots...but we finally made it.

I went to get the key, only to realize, 1. the girls hadn't turned it in, and 2. they don't keep a master (good and bad).
After talking back and forth with Paul, I finally was able to get the key and get the money and head back.

We ordered and ate at The Source.  It was amazing as usual!
After lunch we headed back to our rooms to put on village attire.  Once dressed we were ready for a day of fun!

We went out to Kagoma Gate and were met by the children.  I love seeing those sweet faces!

I soon had a small child in my arms.
The team began to deworm them.  They gave them each 4 tablets of de worming medicine, and a chewable vitamin to help mask the horrible taste of the medicine, and gave them a mark on their cheek with a sharpie so they wouldn't return for more of the horrible tasting meds..yes yes they will, it actually happens.

Once this was over we began to play.  Some were blowing bubbles, some were painting nails, and some were passing out crayons & coloring book paper.  There was also a game of futbol (soccer) going on.

John had gotten futbol nets to donate, and those were met with a riotous noise of joy!!  The men promptly got on the poles to attach them!

We played and played!
We set up a small clinic for those who had wounds.  We found a few jiggers and some bad gashes in the children's legs.

The Welcome Home team came out about an hour after we arrived.  Welcome HOme is a local orphanage in Jinja, they have a team that goes out to evangelize to the surrounding villages.
Today they had a movie planned for the children.  They come out with a bang tho!  As soon as they arrive the children and elders know they are in for a good time!
They begin to sing and dance and praise the Lord with the village.
It is an incredible thing to not only witness but to participate in.
We joined in the celebration for about an hour.  But then it was time to start wrapping it up.  Being out there in the heat of the day takes it out of you pretty fast.
As we left the children gathered around the van wishing us well, shaking our hands etc.

We went back to the Segners for a delicious dinner of homemade spagetti!  Kari has perfected her technique and it was so good!  We all enjoyed a little taste of home.
After dinner the Segner kiddos were needing to settle down, so Jason took us all back in two groups.

We met in the guys room to do our team devo.  Tonight we discussed idols.  WE discussed how easy it is for something to become an idol in our life.  It does not necessarily need to be a golden calf.  WE discussed different idols in our life, our work, children, spouse, social media, tv etc.  Anything that is taking presedence over our relationship with God is an idol and we should take that seriously.
It was a great discussion!

This is Marshall, he followed along to capture what we were doing, look his website up at www.mixedmarshallarts.net

working on removing jiggers

Everett washing feet

Jess trying sugar cane!

Cody Cody was his nickname from the kids!  it means "knock" like you would come up to a house and say "hello! anybod there?"  here you would say "cody cody!"

The kids all gathered around to hear Jess and her beautiful voice

Nets! yay!

Pierce being Pierce! lol! love that kid!

July 16...

Today I woke up at 6am and couldn't go back to sleep.  So instead of just laying there, I got up!  I took my journal and Bible up to the front and got a cup of coffee, and dug into the Word.
The Lord has given me such a peace this trip, but also convicting me.
He has once again shown me my need to be present in my life back home.   Here, it's so easy!  No wifi, no tv...simple.  I read, I journal, I enjoy His creation and serving Him.
At home I have become distracted AGAIN!
We do that, don't we?!  We learn a lesson, change for a bit and then go right back! 
This time I want it to be different, this time I will be more present in my life, my husbands life, and my children's lives.  This time I will spend the needed time with God.  And make Him my priority above all else.
This time I will building my friends in the Lord more, I will encourage relationship and study with Him, rather than idle talk.  I will seek His discernment and wisdom to live in a way that shows Christ.

After an amazing quiet time, I worked out.
That has been one great thing about this trip, I made it a priority to workout, even short bursts.  So I did a quick 15 minute workout of squats, push ups and sit ups.
Then headed back to the room to get my MNS vitamins that have been a life savor for me this trip!  Then headed to the dining room to eat breakfast.

Today as everyday, it was scrambled eggs and toast.  Sorry Adam, I ate (eat) one piece of toast with jame every monring while here! Lol!
I also ate a banana, but that was right after my workout! :)

After eating I went back to the room & got packed and ready for the day.
Paul came to get us.  If I haven't mentioned Paul, I should have.  Paul is our driver.  He is married with 2 children, Paulette and Paula:)  Love this culture!
He is a great driver!

We piled in and headed to our rest and relaxation day at the Nile River Camp.
I have been here before and was so excited!  It is so beautiful!  Immediately I got a cup of tea, and sat down in front of the amazing view of the Nile and began to read my book.
The Segners joined us soon and we worked out the details of the day (which wasn't much!)
Then Jason walked up and said "who's going?" and I quickly found out this meant on the rope swing into the Nile!!
I was TERRIFIED!!  It was so high up!  But I had to do it!! I mean come on! How many times can you say you jumped off a rope into the Nile River!!
Jason went first, then John, Clint, Cody, Jessica, Pam, Karson, Everett...then it was my turn...I stood in complete fear of the rope!  I am so afraid of heights!
Probably 5 minutes passed (seemed like much longer!) of talking myself into it, as well as the others cheering me on...I finally jumped!!  I was awesome!

Here is the video:

But, once was enough!! I did it!!
I went up, jumped into the pool, got out after a minute and sat in the sun and read my book!
Not long after, lunch was ready and I ate the most amazing burger!  It was more like meatloaf but it was delicious!

About an hour later we took a boat tour of the Nile.
We saw amazing birds, monkeys, lizards etc.  We were on the Nile for about 2 hours, so almost as soon as we got back dinner was ready...it was so good!

After diner the Segners left, and the team decided to play cards.  We sat around a big table and played BS...had a blast!  We laughed so hard!! Our team is amazing:)

Dillon, one of the guys who works here, built us a bonfire and we moved out there.
We began to have worship.  It's not everyday that you get to sit around a campfire on the Nile and sing praises to the Lord! 
Cody led us in prayer and we began a time of reflection.
I asked the team if anyone had anything to share about hwat the Lord had been doing on this trip...every person opened up.  There were triumphs, fears conquered, but also fears for heading home and the temptations of life.  It was an incredible time of community.  Today was exactly what I prayed for.
Thank you Lord!

After the boat ride

Dad and Jessica (she is not holding a beer!  Its a Stoney's my favorite drink ever!)

JULY 15th

Today we woke up and had breakfast as usual. 
A new addition to our team arrived around 9am.  His name is Marshall Foster.  Marshall is a photographer from Austin, TX who wanted to give back!  So he sold everything, raised funds and has been partnering with different ministries to create videos and pictures for them to better tell their story!!  It's so awesome, and crazy because I had literally just been looking into this type of thing, so it was cool to see someone doing it.
Jason, Kari & The Welcome Home team got here about 10am, we loaded up & headed back to Kagoma Gate to finish what we started.
On the way there I had great convo's with Meagan, and something really cool that I found out, was that India has been on her heart as much as mine!  And for about the same time frame!  Maybe the Lord has plans in that!  We will see:)
When we arrived we split back into our groups.  We then proceeded to finish our challenge.  And even though some were out digging, most were home and except a few we were able to finish the village!
We worked really hard till about 3:30pm, we arrived home and had about an hour to freshen up and then we headed to the Segner's for dinner.  Tonight was chicken stew and eggplant, made by Apio and again it did not disappoint!!

ONce dinner was over we gathered for worship & reflection.  Jessica and Tiffany led worship and it was incredible.  Then Pam led our reflection and talked about overcoming fears.  I am so proud of her!! She has done amazing and the Lord has her here for a reason!

Fun thing I learned how to do:)  Enjoy!!

July 14th

Today we woke up prepared for church.
We were so blessed to be able to attend Acacia Community Church, which has become the Segner's Ugandan home church.  The worship was led by an incredible team of Ugandans.  It was so touching, beautiful and worshipful.  I cried for joy as I worshipped the incredible God we serve!
Pastor Terry rose and began delivering the message out of 2nd Peter.  His words were so profound and his teaching was encouraging...yet convicting.  There were 2 testimonies and both were powerful.
Before the message began, something else I enjoyed was the invitation for prayer requests.  There must have been 100+ people and several just stood up and spoke their requests for the congregation to hear.  I was also proud of my dad for standing to ask prayer for Healing Faith and the malaria program.
We then prayed together and the prayer was ended by Katie Davis (if you don't know who she is look at www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com)
During the service dad all of the sudden felt very ill and broke out into cold sweats.
Jason took him to the car, gave him some electrolytes and he was thankfully a little better.

After service half went back to the house and half went to get lunch.  For lunch we had Samosas.  They were AMAZING!  They are basically a triangle shaped egg roll with meat and veggies...sooo good!

Once lunch was over we rested a bit.  Around 2 we headed to Welcome Home Orphanage.

We all went into different classes and played with the kids!
I found myself attached to a little girl named Marta!
She wouldn't let me put her down!  I was swinging her and at one point Pierce went out of my sight so I said "I'll be right back" and when I got back she had big tears!
Then I tried to set her down to grab Pierce and she was not having that!  <3!  She is probably 2.5 years, maybe 3, adorbs!!
But about 10 minutes before we left, she all the sudden got down and ran off!  Thank the Lord because I don't know how I would've said goodbye!

We left and headed straight to Surjios!  The best pizza in Jinja!  I got my stoney's fix X2! Lol!  Ate my Veggie Pizza and it felt great!
After that we headed back to our guest house.

We all met upstairs in the guys room since the festival (like a carnival/concert/frat part, which happened to be across the street!) was still going on and was SOOOOOO loud!
Jessica led us in a time of worship and we once again had a great time of reflection.
Once we were done we all went back to our rooms.
For some reason Tressie and I were wide awake and we dragged Pam into our conversation;) Lol!  It was 9:30pm...then all of the sudden it was 1am!!
The Lord knew what he was doing when He put us as roommates;)  Love them both!