Provision in Protesting

"For he will  command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."

                                  Psalm 91:11

Thursday evening was beautiful.  The sun was setting, the air was cool, and I was sitting with kids watching our big boys play soccer against some of the village guys.  This is always fun, well until someone gets hurt.  Typically, Ibuprofen and ice take care of the sport ailments, but after seeing Jeff’s shoulder, I knew I would not get off that easy.  He sat on our front veranda with one shoulder significantly lower than the other, classic dislocation.  After several unsuccessful attempts to reduce it, we decided Kampala would be the best place to take him.    

I was extremely happy, because Sarah and I had planned to take a public taxi to Kampala for the AIM retreat that weekend.  With the injury, we would be able to ride with Claudia (fellow missionary) instead of being cramped in the back of taxi with no way out.  Sarah was disappointed, seeing she loves taxis, but I reminded her how great it was that Jeff would see a good doctor :).  How could we know that God was orchestrating for our safety?

The next day, we headed out in Claudia’s car, blissfully ignorant of the unrest happening at that very moment. What began as peaceful protests had morphed into violent demonstrations over the most recent arrest of the man who lost February's presidential elections, Kizza Besigye. When we arrived in town, we noticed something was amiss. There were no cars in the streets and pedestrians were not moving, just staring at our car as we passed. A passerby simply told us, "if the police stop you, just tell them where you are going."

Moving close to the clinic, we were greeted by a sight I would not quickly forget: hoards of people running past, debris blocking the roads, and the sound of gun fire and tear gas being released. Police were everywhere. Many were dressed in full out armored riot-gear, all carried weapons, and most had gas masks strapped to their faces. A man bleeding from his head clung to the back of a boda (motorcycle), and an unconscious woman was slung across another boda, moving with the rushing crowd.

Our small band quickly left the car and went into the safety of the clinic. The remainder of our morning was spent watching ambulance after ambulance pass which were carrying some of the injured, random crowds of people running past us, and the pops and booms of gun shots and the release of tear gas. I felt like I was on the inside of some CNN news special report!

Looking back at that day, I’m reminded of how things are not as bad as they could be.  Yes, it was stressful, but God’s grace and provision was so evident.  If our plans had gone as we anticipated, we would have been on a taxi, in the downtown taxi park where many sources say the worst fighting was.  Instead we were safely tucked away in a medical clinic, getting the care people needed.  All because a young man has been injured the night before!  God’s plan is perfect. 

Never underestimate what God can do with a dislocated shoulder.

Hope for the hopeless

Frank, Eddie, Angel on the potty

There are kids at GSF that most people would say have no hope.  There’s Eddie and his sister Ziatune (otherwise known as “Little Tuna”).  Their lives were threatened and brought to GSF.  Charlie, just under 2 years old, came to us weighing 11 lbs.  He was neglected, being left alone all day with no one to feed or care for him.  There are Joanne and Angel.  Joanne at 4 years took care of her mother, who was dying of AIDS, as well as her baby sister Angel.  There’s Nicholas (3 yrs) and Frank (1 ½ yrs).  Frank fought for life during his first month at GSF.  He was incredibly malnourished.  When Nicholas arrived at GSF he said, “Frank and me, we suffered.”  

Seb's first day at GSF

 Sebastian just came last week.  He’s 1 ½ and 0-3 month clothing is baggy on him.  He’s not a new face at GSF.  He has been on the GSF feeding program for a year with little to no improvement.  Come to find out the food the family received was sold for alcohol.  Both the mother and grandma are drunkards.  Sebastian has wounds on his head from times his drunken grandma fell and he was on her back.  When we took him in last week he was miserable - confused and disoriented.  He had a fever of 106 F and was positive for malaria.  That night I slept in his home with him.  He would stir and moan in his sleep, wave his arms until he touched me and knew someone was by his side.  We also came to learn Sebastian has a bilateral cleft palate and may have other physical abnormalities (diagnostics are slow or non-existent).  I took him to Kampala to

Starting Seb on his meds with help from Matthew

 meet with a surgeon to see if he could repair the palate.  Thankfully, the surgeon agreed. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until his hemoglobin increases and he puts on more weight.

Joanne carrying Gayla

I could go on with stories such as these.  My heart aches at the baggage these kids have at such a young age.  I’ve taken psychology and mental health to know these kids will have issues, issues that are already manifesting.  Sleeping difficulties, fear at night, bed wetting…  The odds are against children like these.

Tuna having fun with G-nut sauce

This is something God continues to convict me of - my unbelief of his saving grace and healing power.  The Psalms have been incredibly helpful in understanding God’s heart toward those who’ve suffered.  Psalm 72:12-14 says, “For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.  He was pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.  From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.” God also continues to lead me to Psalm 103:2-6 as well.  It says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.  The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.” 

A much different looking Charlie

Seb one week later

I pray these verses over the children here.  If I look at statistics, there’s really no hope.  Thankfully, God does not work in the confines of a textbook or research paper.  He works in mysterious ways unknown to man.  I praise God for being a God who cares for the sick, lowly, and lame.  He not only cares for them, but promises healing and redemption.  No amount of possessions, no amount of human love, and no amount of therapy will ever heal these children from their wounds.  It is purely the work of God.  The best thing I can do for the kids is come humbly before the Lord, pray that their hearts will be turned toward Christ and trust he will work all things for their good.  While this seems like a simple supplication to a perplexing problem, Christ is their best hope.

He knows my name

The past week was crazy.  It seemed like everyone at the GSF school and orphanage was sick.  We had 20 kids with malaria, copious cuts, burns, and jiggers (fleas that bury an egg sac in your feet), kids with coughs, sore throats, runny noses and red eyes.  One boy had a prolapsed rectum and one of our girls was diagnosed with Brucellosis.   Then we got a new kid Monday, Sebastian.  He came to us very sick and we found out he has a bilateral cleft palate that will need to be repaired (more about him later).  Aside from nursing stuff, a high school team from Florida arrived Saturday, our water pump broke so no running water, and lake flies COVERED the inside of my house.  Seriously, I think it was probably very similar to what the Egyptians faced when God sent the plague of gnats.  All this to say, life at GSF is bustling. 

     In times like these I forget their stories, their background, their wounds.  I look at them in the present.  I see what needs to get done right now.  Who do I treat, who do I meet and who do I beat…kidding, I leave the spanking to the directorsJ. 

      Sunday finally came.  About 30 of the ex GSF kids (called big brothers and sisters) came to visit and lead worship.  Church was full.  It was awesome catching up with the ones I knew and meeting others for the first time.  About half of them got on stage to lead praise and worship (it’s different here).  The praise portion was lively, with everyone singing loudly, dancing, and clapping their hands.  We then moved to a time of worship where slower songs are sung.  They began singing the song “He Knows My Name”.  My heart instantly broke.  Here, in front of me, behind me, beside me where kids whose fathers died, kids whose fathers left them, kids whose father harmed them.  Their stories, backgrounds, and wounds came to light.  I watched their faces, their expressions.  I listened to them sing, “I have a father, He calls me his own.  He’ll never leave me, no matter where I go.”  My eyes welled up and tears streamed down my face.  I have always loved this song, but never have I believed the words I was singing as much as I did today.  The kids and big brothers and sisters cried out to the only father they have; a father who will not leave them nor let them down like their earthly fathers.  I thought about my father and all the times I’ve run to him.  I thought about all the good memories I have with my father.  The disparity between their experiences and my own was painful.  Inside I ached, wishing the kids could have what I did.  The song goes on, “He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls, and hears me when I call”.  The kids at GSF yearn for you to know their name.  When I arrived in October, black kids with shaved heads followed me around the first week and quizzed me saying, “What is my name?”  They so badly want to be known and remembered.  This song nailed it.  God is their father.  God is the only person that will never leave them.  God listens to them and cares.  God knows everything about them, even their name.  What a beautiful picture of a loving heavenly Father. 

Moving up in life and in death

I moved up in life, literally.  The Greer family left for furlough Sunday and left me with their home.  It’s on the hill overlooking GSF so everyone refers to it as “up”.  Teammate Sarah was going to wake up Monday morning and take care of rounds and let me sleep in a little.  I had a leisure morning until I received a call from Sarah at 8:30.  “Meredith it’s an emergency.  I can’t find a pulse on Gloria”.  My heart raced and instantly ran out the front door forgetting to even put on shoes.  In no time I was at 4B, Gloria’s home.  Gloria lay lifeless.  Sarah had just done abdominal thrusts with no success of clearing the airway, CPR was started.  This is one of those things I was taught that I hoped I would never have to do, especially on someone I knew.  We checked periodically for a pulse, but she was silent when we put the stethoscope to her chest.  At 8:50 we listened for a full minute and at 8:51 Gloria was pronounced dead. 

    We all knew Gloria did not have much time.  Gloria was one of our special needs kids.  She was mentally disabled as well as physically suffering from cerebral palsy.  In the year 2010, Gloria was in and out of the hospital for weeks at a time suffering from Typhoid, chicken pox, and pneumonia 5 times.  She had become very weak and fragile weighing only 19 kg.  There were multiple times a large group of people were brought to the hospital to pray over Gloria as we thought her life was coming to an end.  Surprisingly, Gloria continued to fight for life. 

    This time was much different.  Gloria was not in the hospital suffering.  Gloria was in her home, with her friends, and with her house mom.  Gloria just a couple days prior got to go swimming for the first time in her life.  She loved it.  All of a sudden Gloria spiked a fever Monday morning.  After given medicine, Gloria was bathed and then was fed breakfast.  That was when the house mom called Sarah and said “Come, just come.”  Upon arrival, Gloria was not breathing and was pulseless.  We tried everything we could, but God called Gloria home that day.  Gloria moved up to heaven. 

    Amidst the sorrow of losing one of our children, God’s grace was evident through it all.  Gloria did not suffer, Gloria was not alone, Gloria’s housemates all were so caring and sweet to her that morning, Gloria was able to die at home, Gloria went quickly.  The timing was also perfect.  All the other kids were in school and didn’t have to see Sarah and I work on her. 

    Just last week I came across Zeph. 3:19 “Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors.  And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.”  What a perfect verse to have in my head for what was to come.  On March 14^th, God dealt with all Gloria’s mental and physical oppressors.  He took what was shameful and lame and rejoiced over it with praise.  I talked to Esther, the girl who cared most for Gloria and asked, “What do you think Gloria is doing right now?”  There was no hesitation in her response.  “Dancing, and talking, and running”.  Gloria no longer feels the effects of the fall.  God has glorified Gloria.

Peace

Thank you to everyone who prayed for the Ugandan elections.  Museveni did win again, and I think that's a good thing.  Election weekend was surprising calm and peaceful.  Some people fear Besigye (the main opposition) may try to strike in the near future, but that is all hypothetical.  This I do know, God has spared Uganda from great civil unrest and is continuing to bless this nation with stability.  

The chalk

Other news: Got a call today from Jane, the school mom, saying she had a child in her office with a piece of chalk stuck up his nose.  I did what any good nurse would do and said, "Sarah will be right down".  It just so happens I was getting ready to leave to take a child to the doctor so I couldn't attend the call :).  After I gathered my things in the house, I stepped out onto my front veranda to see Sarah holding Micah's hand, escorting him to our home.  Micah (3 yrs) lives at GSF and has a reputation for being "stubborn" and mischievous, so I was not at all surprised this was the culprit.  I couldn't help but laugh at the situation.  Four people, a nurse, and tweezers saved this boy a trip to the doctor.  Not sure what the thought process was in sticking the chalk up his nose, but we're hoping he learned his lesson. 

It's that time

A political campaign I saw in Jinja last week

The Ugandan presidential elections are Friday Feb. 18^th.  The current president Museveni has been in power for 25 years and will most likely be re-elected.  Whether it’s fair or not will be hard to tell.  Most of the people I’ve talked to will vote for Museveni, despite their desire for change in power, because of the stability and peace he has brought to the country.  Change in their minds is exciting and much needed, but with that brings much fear.  Please pray for peace during this time.  This election people seem to think the rising opposition stand a chance to win.  I’m not concerned with my safety living out of town in sugar cane country.  GSF is stocked on the essentials so we won't have to go into town if it's dangerous for several weeks.  GSF also has a great reputation with the surrounding community and as well as the district officer, so we feel very little threat where we are.  Please though pray for the protection of those living in Kampala and Jinja.  Please pray Uganda will continue to have peace as a nation.

Modern day tax collector converted!

This is a completely normal outfit for Phillip

Phillip is easily spotted at GSF.  Just look for a skinny 10 year old boy with a big belly, bandage on his left ear, shuffling his feet as he runs using one of his hands to hold up his shorts.  He is hysterical.  He can point with his lips and have entire conversations using different facial expressions.  He is fashion forward and loves to accessorize.  Phillip is end stage HIV/AIDS.  His most recent CD4 count was 4 and his viral load over 300,000.  Doctors say he is a ticking time bomb.  A couple months before I arrived at GSF, everyone thought Phillip was on his death bed.  Throughout Phillip’s life, he has had no desire to become a Christian.  During Phillip’s fragile state, many people shared the gospel with him, but he stuck to his guns and wanted nothing to do with Jesus.  Beginning in September, Phillip slowly began gaining strength…enough strength to now cause trouble.  

Phillip is what I like to call a modern day tax collector.  He is a thief.  He steals constantly from his housemates as well as from the missionaries.  Phillip also has the reputation for torturing other kids.  His main target is little Sam who’s paralyzed from the waist down.  He has burned Sam and beat him up on multiple occasions.  Today was like many other days in that one of the missionaries spotted Phillip wearing a Timex watch carrying 10,000 Ugandan shillings (~$5).  It was very apparent that neither one of these things were his.  Phillip fessed up when confronted.  He went to Uncle Mark the director for punishment.  After disciplining Phillip, Mark shared the gospel with him.  This time Phillip said he did want to accept Jesus into his heart.  We pray that this was a sincere decision and that his kleptomaniac and pyro behaviors are of the past and Phillip experiences newness of life in Christ!  We don't know when God will take Phillip, but we can rejoice knowing we will see him in heaven one day!

New kids on the block

Charlie

 Meet the new kids at GSF!

 Charlie to my right is just under two years old weighing 11 lbs.  His mother died and his father is who knows where.  His grandma was unable to continue taking care of him, so she handed him over to the care of GSF.  Charlie came to us very sick and is just now starting to gain strength and weight.  Charlie reaches for any food in sight and will typically only smile for men, though this is starting to change.  Pray for his continued healing.  

Little Gerald in his new clothes   

Gabriel standing outside his house

     
















Above and to my right are Gerald and Gabriel.  They are brothers that came to us several weeks ago.  They're father died and the mother is an alcoholic and was neglecting the boys.  These two have transitioned very well into GSF.  They both have big belly laughs and love to play with each other.  Gerald, though he doesn't look it, is 1 1/2 and Gabriel is 3 1/2 years old. 




 

Oh to be fed

     For those of you who know me well, you probably wouldn’t be surprised if I dedicated an entire blog entry relating what I eat here.  Seeing that my dad would be the only person remotely interested and I’ve given him the 411 on skype, I’ll spare you the details and talk about Rwanda.

      Last week, Sarah and I were able to attend the regional AIM conference in Rwanda.  I was a little anxious about taking the night bus there and back and being told a bomb went off several weeks prior on the same bus line as we were taking killing three people only perpetuated those feelings.  It's also not encouraging when Ugandans tell you it's not safe to ride the night bus.  Anyway, prayer and Nyquil got me through it.

    The conference was just what I needed.  It was good to get away and have a break from the constant demands at GSF.  More than that, it was so good to be fed spiritually.  At the GSF church, I can hardly understand the Ugandan pastor and we sing songs like, “Move to the right in the name of Jesus, move to the left in the name of the Lord and shake that body that the good Lord gave you”.  I love the fellowship with the kids, but it can be very difficult to grow spiritually.  The speaker at the conference was challenging and encouraging talking about the sovereignty of God in difficult situations.  The topic preached on was so appropriate for the tragedy that was to come.  The last day of the conference I got a phone call from one of the missionaries at GSF saying one of our special needs boys Emmanuel (9 years old) fell off his potty a couple days prior, was taken to the hospital, and within a day passed away.  This came as a complete shock.  It was hard to swallow the sad news, especially over the phone and a country away.  This was a harsh reminder that our future is God's hands and nothing can thwart this plans.  Death has its sting, but is comforting to know Emmanuel’s broken body has now been made whole and he rests with the Lord.  What better ending is there than this?

Schools out!

In Uganda, the school year ends in December and the kids are on holiday till February.  I miss seeing the village kids that come to GSF for school, but it has been a nice break having 200 less kids to look after.  Now that the GSF kids main source of structure is gone, they run free around the campus and somehow always end up in our living room.  I love having the time to cuddle with the kids, read them stories, try to learn how to Ugandan dance, and cook with them.  Unfortunately, this means our home is a disaster all the time.    It's amazing how fast the kids can make a fort with the couch cushions, open every game, get out crafts, and get into anything in sight.  Before long, our place has turned into a zoo.  This has been a lot of fun, but a lot of work as well.  It is quite an endeavor cleaning things up.  My housemates and I are so thankful the kids feel comfortable in our home, but are realizing how important it is for them to learn good manners and be respectful in a home.  It is so exhausting staying on top of behavior and being consistent with rules, especially when the kids and are so cute and creative with their excuses.

One thing I've learned is that kids are kids no matter where they live, they're genuine one minute and manipulative the next.  They want attention and love and need discipline and structure.  Knowing how to do this well for 91 kids is such challenge, especially because I've never been a parent and the kids tell me I look 15 years old.  I've been so encouraged by God's word as He desires us to come to him for wisdom (James 1:5).  I love that this verse is not specific about what the wisdom needs to be about.  It can be as small as how to discipline a child after they've disobeyed or as big as deciding whether a child should be resettled into the village.  I've been amazed at how God really is faithful to his promises and does grant wisdom to a situation.  That is a God worth putting my trust into.

Let's catch up!

      I can’t believe I’ve been at GSF for almost four weeks.  Caring for the kids here has been a lot of fun, but exhausting.  My day begins at 6:30am and ends around 7pm.  I do morning rounds where I administer medications and check all the kids to see if they’re sick.  Having 91 kids in close quarters, it seems nearly impossible for all of them to be healthy.  The kids will also come up with all sorts of ailments in order to get medicine or a bandage, so I’ve been doing a lot of teaching regarding that.  During the day, my teammate Sarah and I will also care for the students at the primary school at GSF (around 300 kids).  We will also take kids to doctor’s appointments or take them to the hospital when needed.  Sarah and I are also doing a lot of teaching with the Ugandan house moms regarding hygiene, feeding, positioning, and medication administration and so forth.  As you can tell, there’s a lot of work to do here. 

     The first week I was here, this all was new and exciting and I loved it.  As the weeks went on, I became frustrated as I felt all of my time here was consumed with nursing duties.  I was called to be a disciple of Christ, not just a humanitarian.  I really desired to live life with the kids and build relationships with them.  Thankfully, as time has gone on here, Sarah and I have become more efficient in how we do things and have been able to create time to hang out with the kids.  I of course love playing with the little ones, but really feel like my heart is with the teenage girls.  Realizing a lot of the teen girls are not walking closely with the Lord and will be leaving GSF soon has pushed me to get to know them more.  This all seemed very intimidating as the girls are standoffish and hard.  Last week though, a lot of walls started to come down.  Since the girls finished their school year and are on break, they have a lot of time on their hands and are always looking for something to do.  I've taking this opportunity to have them work with me.  The girls will hang out with me at the clinic and do small tasks.  They will also be my translator when a patient does not speak English.   This has allowed me to spend quality time with them while doing my job here.  In the evenings, I've also been able to eat dinner at their house or have them over to mine.  I've been encouraged as the girls have started to open up.  Behind their hard faces and “I don’t need you attitude” are scared, fearful women who want some form of security in their lives.  Through these conversations, I now know how I can be praying for these women and encouraging them.  I really look forward to what God will do in these relationships.  

My new home, GSF

Hello friends! I've now been at GSF a week and I love it here.  There are 93 kids and they are all so sweet.  I'm in the process of learning their names, but seeing they all have shaved heads it can be difficult to tell them apart. As I'm trying to learn their names, they are trying to learn mine.  My parents almost named me Rachel and this is the time I wish they had.  The kids have the hardest time pronouncing my name.  I gave up introducing myself as "Meredith" and resorted to "Mer", even that is difficult for them to pronounce and remember.  Thankfully I'll be here plenty of time for them to nail my name down and I theirs.

Here are some highlights of the past week:
*Sarah and I were able to jump into doing morning and evening rounds giving meds, doing dressing changes, and LOTS of teaching.

*I turned 23!  The kids decorated my home with toilet paper and pictures they drew.  That evening all the missionaries got together and had a Mexican potluck.  Later my housemates and I carved green pumpkins.  Overall, it was a great day.  Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! 
*Having dinner with my housemates.  I live with three other girls and they are all wonderful.  We all mesh really well together. 
*Whenever I go into the toddler house, the kids run to me smiling yelling "visitor visitor"
*Eating fresh pineapple almost every day.  Pineapple here is 50-75 cents.
*Hearing the kids sing in church.  I sometimes don't know if they're singing in English or Luganda, regardless it's beautiful.
*Being able to skype with family and some friends!  Skype rarely works out here, so this was quite a treat.
*Everyone at the orphanage can drink the water straight out of the tap!  This is pretty unheard of in Uganda and for most of Africa. 

Prayer request: ENERGY.  Since  I live at GSF, I'm never really off duty.  This gets very draining. 

Anyway, there will be more to follow.  I just wanted to give a quick update on life thus far. 

mer

Arrived!

Hello everyone! 

I'll give you a little outline of the past week
*Sunday evening CityLife Church commissioned me.  My family and several close friends were able to come and support me that Sunday.  I was so thankful the church was able to rally around me in prayer and send me off.  That evening I said my last goodbyes to friends and some of my family.  I was sad, but excited for what was to come. 
*Early Monday morning my parents took me to the airport where I then headed out to NY where AIM headquarters is located.  My flight went smoothly and all my luggage arrived.   Myself and 7 other short termers had orientation together.  We had seminars on the Biblical basis of missions, culture, travel, finances, and spiritual warfare.  It was very brief, but content filled. 
*Wednesday afternoon all 8 of us headed to the airport to begin our journey to Africa.  We all flew together for the first leg to London.  Seven of us had a 12 hour layover so we were able to leave the airport and do some sight seeing.  That evening we headed back to the airport and 4 or the short termers headed to Namibia and three of us headed to Uganda.  Thankfully I was able to sleep a couple hours on the flight to Entebbe, Uganda as I didn't have any sleep the night before.  My teammate Sarah, another short termer Heather, and I all arrived Friday morning along with our luggage.  We were picked up at the airport and brought to the guest house in Kampala called Matoke Inn.  We had a small bit of orientation, but not much as we were all quite jet lagged (I am 8 hours ahead of central time) and exhausted from our over night flights. 
*Saturday we celebrated the national day of prayer with other missionaries in the area by gathering all day and lifting up praises and prayer requests of people serving in all different places in the world.
*I will head out of Kampala Tuesday and make the trek to Good Shepherd's Fold orphanage.  I'm very eager to see what my days will look like there.  I'll keep you posted once I find out!

Thank you all for praying for safe travels and hard goodbyes to go well.  God has been good and showed Sarah and I much grace with how smoothly things have gone thus far.  

*An ongoing prayer request will be safety traveling around the city.  If I die in Africa, it would probably be from a car accident.  The driving here gets pretty crazy.
*Please pray that I would adapt quickly to the culture here (food, concept of time, language, social norms).  Most of the people speak English, but speak Luganda to each other.  I'd like to pick up some of that up.
*Pray that God would give me wisdom beyond my experience.  Pray that I learn quickly and care for the children and GSF safely.  Pray that God would give me wisdom as to how to meet the kids spiritual and emotional needs.  I will have more specifics on that once I meet the kids. 


I've only been here 2 days, but I love it thus far.  The people are very friendly and the country is beautiful.  The poverty and way of living is quite eye opening though.  I'm very eager to begin working with and along side the people and build relationships with them. 

I plan on updating my blog weekly just for your information. 

meredith

My new address

Some of you were asking what my address will be in Uganda.  Here it is!

Meredith Lee
Good Shepherd's Fold
P. O. Box 1281
Jinja, Uganda

One of the staff at GSF said this about sending packages:
*Padded envelopes are delivered much faster then boxes and typically get through customs faster
*Padded envelopes take 2-4 weeks to arrive, boxes take 3-8 weeks
*Around Christmas time, all packages are delayed.  Typically, if it is not sent by the end of October, the package will not be received by Christmas.

Today, I become a blogger

Hello everyone!  It's due time that I start writing in my blog seeing that I leave in six days! 

Here are some of the things I've been up to recently. 
*Speaking at churches.  I had the privilege to speak at Autumn Ridge Church (where I attended youth group in high school), Trinity Presbyterian Church (where I grew up going to church) and CityLife Church (where I attend church in the twin cities).  It has been such a blessing sharing my story with so many people.  I was so encouraged by the number of people that came up to me after the services telling me they'd be praying for me. 
* Support raising.  God has continued to show his faithfulness to me through working in the hearts of many people.  By his grace and the generosity of friends, family, and even strangers, I have reached my financial goal and am 100% supportered!  Thank you to everyone who prayed that God would provide and thank you to those who gave so sacrificially.
* Reading.  I was encouraged to get the book Where There Is No Doctor.  It's a very helpful reference book that talks about rural village health care.  I have been flipping through it and becoming familiar with things I may encounter in rural Uganda.
*Packing.  I typically find packing very easy as I throw things in my room into a duffel bag and call it good.  Looking at my sports bag, it was pretty obvious it would not make the cut for this trip, nor would my summer above the knee skirts as they are considered immodest.  So, packing for 9 months to a place I've never been has been more of a challenage than packing for a trip up north.  All in all, I've found all the things I need and am for the most part done.  I have also been packing medical supplies I received from the Mayo Clinic warehouse as well as from my doctor friend Kate.  I was able to buy over the counter medications the orphanage said they needed such as hemorrhoid ointment and stool softeners (what I have to look forward to:) ) with cash several people had given me. 
*Getting technologized.  Yes, I now have itunes and skype on my computer.  My computer is pretty slow in the U.S. so I'm hoping these things work while I'm in Uganda.  Regardless, I'm now welcomed into the 21st century. 
*Seeing people and saying goodbyes.  I've already said goodbye to Rochester people and now the process begins with twin cities people.  It's hard to think about not seeing friends and family for 9 months, but then I remind myself of where I'm going, who I'll be serving, and why I'm going.  I'm so excited to meet the kids at GSF and love on them.  I'm excited to be there nurse, friend, and Sunday school teacher.  I'm excited to meet my teammate Sarah and then other staff at GSF and serve alongside them.  This keeps me positive and upbeat in a time where many tears are shed. 

So, that's about where I am now.  Friday, my housemates are throwing a going away party for me, Sunday I commission from CityLife Church at 4:00pm , and Monday I leave for New York for orientation and from there take off the 20th to Uganda.  Time keeps flying and before I know it, I will be too :). 

Prayer requests:
*That some difficult goodbyes will go smoothly
*That I would rely on God's truths when I am fearful about this next step
*Safety in traveling

I am so thankful to know I'm not going alone and I have a strong support group who will be praying for me.  You all are great!

With love,
   meredith