Alive in Uganda

I arrived in Lira, Uganda after too many hours of travel. I sat on an airplane for nine hours or so on the way to London.  After  making it through customs and wandering about for several hours, I boarded another plane to get into Uganda.  Another nine hours.  Once at the Entebbe airport, I hired a car to drive me into Kampala and drop me at a bus station.  This apparently is where my African adventure began.

The bus looked to be ninety years old and was filled with beautiful African people.  I managed to find a seat, separated from the people next to me by a twelve inch aisle which rapidly shrunk before my eyes as people continued to board the bus and place their packages underneath seats with edges protruding into the middle of the aisle.

Meanwhile vendors entered the bus walking the aisles trying to sell their wares:  socks, gum, bottles of water, speakers, a solar panel, peanuts, wallets, etc, etc.  This persisted for nearly an hour due to the fact that the conductor would not leave without filling every seat, one of which was next to me.  I let a tall gentleman sit between myself and the passenger next to the window.  He sprawled his legs completely, causing one side of my body to nearly hang in the aisle.  How long will this bus ride be?

Too long. Hours and hours, nine to be exact,  The bus struggled through an hour of traffic through Kampala.  We stopped for fuel and allowed more vendors to sell goods.  Passengers held money out of the  windows buying corn, meat kabobs, bananas and loaves of sliced bread.  I sat praying that my bladder would remain empty and that my legs would function when I had to stand.  Every jostle against warm bodies all around me heightened the intensity of those prayers.

I must have been like a child peering out the window relentlessly longing to see OtinoWaa Village.  and suddenly, I had arrived.  It felt like a miracle.

 I have arrived.  I have rested, bathed and eaten a meal.  As they say  in Africa, God is good!

Passing through London

Okay, friends.  I have made it to London!  although the first flight was cramped and long, It passed quickly due to the fact that God has blessed me with the ability to sleep through anything.  so, in an hour I will board another plane and head out to Entebbe, Uganda.  wow!  I am in humble awe that God has allowed me to journey this far.  I am astounded by all of the support:  prayer support, financial support, enthusiastic cheering and lots of encouragement.  I look forward to sharing pictures of my beautiful African children soon.  Stay tuned!  with tons of abounding love, Dana.

Two days Out

So, in two days I will board an airplane and fly for hours and hours, stopping over in London and then eventually planting myself on the continent of Africa.  I am speechless over the whole adventure that lies before me.  In the meantime, though, I am relishing my moments at home, on summer vacation.  I went on a twenty five mile bike ride this morning with Rico, washed laundry, stocked up on cat food for when I am gone and then drove to meet my mom for dinner.

Each trip I have ever taken creates the same sensations for me, a sense of exhilarating adventure and anticipation while at the same time, a feeling of closure, as if I need to have all my ducks in a row.  Perhaps it is simply a break from  my current chapter as I step on foreign soils in order to write or experience a completely different chapter.    I am not certain but I feel homesick before I seven leave.

Nevertheless, I must go.  I am compelled.  There is no way to stay behind.  And so, in the midst of all the preparations I find myself involved with, I think of beautiful dark faces with gleaming white smiles.  I envision red dusty roads underneath my feet and multitudes of voices crying out for my attention and the weight of this honor and the joy set before me, beckons me forth..

three days Out

So, I took the time and made the effort to start a blog in hopes that I would write and inspire others.  Three months of not writing are definitely not inspirational.  So now, this moment, things must change.      I am three days away from departure to my beloved Africa where I will spend time with three children that I have the honor of sponsoring.  Two live in Uganda and my third lives in Zimbabwe.  I have been to Africa several times and each has captivated my heart.  However, there is something sacred, more sacred than normal, about this trip.  Perhaps it is because I am visiting MY kids.  I know, I have never given birth, but God has filled my life with kids.  I served as a youth pastor for years and to this day, I feel like they are mine.  I have taught kids in public school now for fifteen years and again, they are mine.  but these three African beauties are something else.  Unexpected treasures!

I provide finances to allow these children to go to school and have medicines they need or food or clean water.  I send letters and packages and dance with joy when I open my mailbox to find an international envelope with the words, "Uganda" or "Zimbabwe," printed on it.  About a year and a half ago, I received a long letter from my oldest child.  Often these letters are quite formal and quaint at best.  However, this particular letter gripped my heart. He spent two pages describing his schooling, his family and his dream to become a doctor and more than once he mentioned "I love you."  He signed it, "Your spiritual son. . ."

Wow.  I wept and thanked God for this child of mine.  I called my mom, my dearest friend, and told her of the letter.  Her reply, "You have to go visit."  Thus began the plan to travel to Africa.  Now, after many hours of planing and writing emails and contacting numerous resources, I am three days away from departure.  I have much to share in these next seventy two hours and I cannot imagine what stories I will obtain during my twenty five days in Africa.  Stay posted.