tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61579125335438658412024-03-13T19:22:20.148-07:00AmazingAfrica!AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-13783701198017439582016-11-11T22:51:00.000-08:002016-11-11T22:51:18.562-08:00We are in Africa!!<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">We all arrived safely.....well almost not....the team on Emirates nearly were diverted due to an unruly passenger(no, not one of them 😉) Luckily our 2 policemen were on board to help!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I had 3 successful flights (2 red eyes!) on AA & Qatar....LAS-PHL-DOH-EBB landing in Uganda 30 minutes ahead of instead of behind the ones on Emirates. Going through Health and immigration was a snap and my luggage was already on a cart and waiting for me. Out of the gazillion suitcases we brought to Africa.... only 2 were delayed ...which included about 1000 lollipops and all of Marcus' clothes (he's one of the new guys this year) Good the Linda brought us all new tshirts for our first day at Hopeline ....so we all looked great!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">We missed having George at the airport to pick us up....Moses, Edgar and Jeffrey filled in...took 3 of them to fill his shoes! We loaded up the bus and off to Kampala we headed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Friday we headed out to Hopeline bright and early to share with our first timers why we love being there so much!</span><br />
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AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-80563912169290732332016-11-07T23:41:00.001-08:002016-11-07T23:41:14.540-08:00The 2016 adventure is about to begin!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Wrote this early Saturday morning…. 3am to be exact:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here it is ...after 3 am and with only
3 more nights in my own bed.... I really should be sleeping but there are so
many thoughts and worries running thru my head.... so here I am wide awake....while
those around me are soundly snoring..... Harley, Lulu and John that is! </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">😴💤</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">My thoughts are turning to all you
wonderful friends who are supporting me, Hopeline and our driver George. Your
generosity with your time, your resources, your prayers and your treasures
overwhelm and bless not only me but all of us going on our 2016
adventure....and no one more than George, Irene, Abby and Nina. You may
never fully realize what an impact you are making....but I can tell you that
you all are truly amazing -- you have inspired me to be a better person going
forward. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then at church Saturday night one of the topics included this
sentence: <b>We give to what we love</b>. The example given was about a man who
spent $20,000 for a seat at last week’s World Series game in Cleveland …. that
is a LOT of money for 1 game!! But I
love that your heart chose to give to a person and a place you don’t even know….that
you trust me to bring your blessings to Africa as I start this journey
tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">My heart is full~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This year my heartfelt thanks go out to so many</span><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText", serif; font-size: 17pt; line-height: 115%;">.... </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brenda,
Sharon, Pat, </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rhonda,</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> MaryEllen, Beth, Lori, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Leeanne, Hailey, Logan, Kelly, Elaine, Don,
Linda, David, Lisa, Ginny & Howard, Cindy, Lenny, Kasia, MaryKay, Patti,
Maria, Carol, Suzie, Lilianne, Hen, Sylvia, Claudia, Claire, Avery, LeaAnn, Pam,
Holly, Denise, Geri, Dar, Malia, Cora, Fran, Paula, Pam, Trish, Donna, Theresa,
Davena, Peggy, Kathy, Nancy, Jann, Peggy & Pat, Gay, Maralee,
Susan, Karen, Julie, Charla, Betty, Ellen, Karen, LeeAnn, Ree, Carol, Marilyn, Pat
& Doug, Barbara, Shannon, and Kathy….and so many more for your thoughts and
prayers!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hear we have 30 packed suitcases(wonder if that includes
the 4 Betsy and I are bringing??) …. at least this year we are blessed to have
13 team members to help carry! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Linda and the LAX crew leave Tuesday afternoon, Kaylee & Marcus are flying through Boston, all meeting up Wednesday in Dubai on Emirates. I leave tomorrow night thru PHL and DOH on AA/Qatar.... and we all arrive within minutes of each other Thursday in Entebbe! Betsy, Holly and 2 more arrive in Uganda on Sunday. Then our team will be complete!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are all looking forward to a wonderful trip to Hopeline! My fingers are crossed that my ipad will connect this year.... hoping to keep everyone up to date on our adventure! Also planning to visit with George, Irene, Abby and Nina and will post photos of how they are doing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Again......THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!</span></div>
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AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-5612089393877164952016-09-18T10:55:00.004-07:002016-09-18T10:55:46.732-07:00SEPTEMBER 18TH.....<div class="MsoNormal">
We'll be returning to Uganda again in less than two months… most
of you already know that…but do you know why?
AND the reason that today plays an important role in why we go?</div>
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Today, September 18<sup>th</sup>….. IS the primary reason. Without the loss on this day 11 years ago…. I
often wonder if I <i>would</i> be on my way
to Kampala, Uganda …let alone for the third time. You see…. September 18, 2005 was the day the
world lost a very loving, very influential and very wise person. My cousin, Chuck Obremski, left this world on
that day….my younger cousin…way too soon.
But he left those of us behind with a mission… to share his teachings
and example around the globe. I always thought I wanted to go on a mission-type
trip… but being the scaredy cat that I am…I told God he’d have to put the trip
literally in my lap…and He did. </div>
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Missing Chuck today,
but thankful he left me with this desire to reach beyond my comfort zone and hopefully
help to fulfill his mission to reach the world with the Word.</div>
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Learn more about Chuck and the mission he left us at <a href="http://www.chuckobremski.com/">www.chuckobremski.com</a></div>
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….and follow along here with us on our return to Mukono(I think I
have figured out my ipad problems from last year) at the blog I hope again to
write! </div>
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I hope to give you all a firsthand account as Linda, Ryan,
Betsy and I return this year along with Chuck and Linda’s niece Kaylee and at
least 3 other friends of the Obremskis as we journey to Uganda.</div>
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We would love to have you partner with us….first off we
covet your prayers for our safety, good health, and our ability to influence
these young lives. Throughout the year we have collected donations of material
goods and funds to bring a better way of life to our orphans by facilitating
the building of new classrooms, dorm rooms, a shower facility and last year a
water tank. Many of you have chosen to
sponsor our orphans with a one time or monthly donation and this year we are
also seeking those who would help us provide a new mattress, a sheet set and pillow
for each of our orphans. We have a wonderful group of ladies who sew for us
year round…. we have new pillowcases, quite a few were made by an amazing young
lady who used part of her summer vacation to sew for our children so that this
year each child will now have a pillowcase to call their own; we have new
dresses, skirts and shorts for our girls and boys; we have a grandmother who has made each orphan
a new quilt, a wonderful lady made our kids knitted caps and friends who are
making and/or providing a towel and washcloth set for each child to use in the
shower we hope to build. The needs are
great and we love that each of you have stepped up ….some out of your comfort
zone too….and asked how and what you could do for the children of Hopeline….
Thank you so much….and God bless you! </div>
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AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-60385406844462764682016-09-17T21:27:00.002-07:002016-09-17T21:39:03.878-07:00UGANDA 2016...<br />
.....is about to begin in less than 2 months! Follow along as we journey again to Mukono, Uganda and Hopeline Africa Mission!<br />
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STAY TUNED: More to come!<br />
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Here are a few of the photos of what is happening at Hopeline and what our wonderful volunteers are working on:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpRo8gso4EM/V94YY0eFF5I/AAAAAAAAYBc/NelxhfHqr9kfNZPa_FfvACOvn3JEbXPEACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160713_100534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpRo8gso4EM/V94YY0eFF5I/AAAAAAAAYBc/NelxhfHqr9kfNZPa_FfvACOvn3JEbXPEACLcB/s320/IMG_20160713_100534.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knitted caps</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ydgk_b76Sms/V94YW7QJOuI/AAAAAAAAYBU/9wJ8BLAz9k4qCdhw3RspopfGy1DbKaw9ACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160713_101535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ydgk_b76Sms/V94YW7QJOuI/AAAAAAAAYBU/9wJ8BLAz9k4qCdhw3RspopfGy1DbKaw9ACLcB/s320/IMG_20160713_101535.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quilts for every child</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DpTTQ2DnpLg/V94YX1phDxI/AAAAAAAAYBY/w4tqXBZoPMMgjsv3qVnrPfBGT5tJcw8ZgCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160820_023731%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DpTTQ2DnpLg/V94YX1phDxI/AAAAAAAAYBY/w4tqXBZoPMMgjsv3qVnrPfBGT5tJcw8ZgCLcB/s320/IMG_20160820_023731%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New dresses</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--XI9ioBPhNo/V94YZnXuQqI/AAAAAAAAYBg/o4rQIcO98tIhTV6-1y5jHFZWqsHLZhrTACLcB/s1600/IMG_20160831_154041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--XI9ioBPhNo/V94YZnXuQqI/AAAAAAAAYBg/o4rQIcO98tIhTV6-1y5jHFZWqsHLZhrTACLcB/s320/IMG_20160831_154041.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New duds for our kiddos</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i5YN5svDvs/V94YmcQIOpI/AAAAAAAAYBo/BemmjkQ1PKkSGsctuEtMdmJpo2rDYu9AQCLcB/s1600/14051603_10209281644934541_2126386696131412596_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7i5YN5svDvs/V94YmcQIOpI/AAAAAAAAYBo/BemmjkQ1PKkSGsctuEtMdmJpo2rDYu9AQCLcB/s320/14051603_10209281644934541_2126386696131412596_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malia and the pillowcases</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8e9WEcU9Apk/V94YmZ-ORrI/AAAAAAAAYBk/ie8zWVC84ZYc8R9wN3XBMfJR974BggtJACLcB/s1600/IMG_0446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8e9WEcU9Apk/V94YmZ-ORrI/AAAAAAAAYBk/ie8zWVC84ZYc8R9wN3XBMfJR974BggtJACLcB/s320/IMG_0446.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable hand-painted bags for our children</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5KgEWIPqac/V94ZesQGXsI/AAAAAAAAYCY/jrqZa91CvP491QI-jV2As1nqv-O14HnJgCLcB/s1600/944031_964914380258252_1840979823752547827_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T5KgEWIPqac/V94ZesQGXsI/AAAAAAAAYCY/jrqZa91CvP491QI-jV2As1nqv-O14HnJgCLcB/s320/944031_964914380258252_1840979823752547827_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new fence around the property</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSMYC0oxFBY/V94Ze4JZtlI/AAAAAAAAYCc/POH8bYUokJ0AyrZ1sBjNl47SaC9X80rpQCLcB/s1600/995303_999540750128948_70150907321684503_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cSMYC0oxFBY/V94Ze4JZtlI/AAAAAAAAYCc/POH8bYUokJ0AyrZ1sBjNl47SaC9X80rpQCLcB/s320/995303_999540750128948_70150907321684503_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New desks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8nSigw_h5Jo/V94ZefphWrI/AAAAAAAAYCM/kvfTTZvoRzE0kXv9eUurAcUAnJVgFOKbgCLcB/s1600/12814294_998167370266286_934134248941922359_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8nSigw_h5Jo/V94ZefphWrI/AAAAAAAAYCM/kvfTTZvoRzE0kXv9eUurAcUAnJVgFOKbgCLcB/s320/12814294_998167370266286_934134248941922359_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new gate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-oStL8X8pA/V94ZeXDHRNI/AAAAAAAAYCI/uq5McIbqt-k8LqxDJKmjtxfRswh6EjyeACLcB/s1600/13700063_1081672638582425_7577212808590691263_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-oStL8X8pA/V94ZeXDHRNI/AAAAAAAAYCI/uq5McIbqt-k8LqxDJKmjtxfRswh6EjyeACLcB/s320/13700063_1081672638582425_7577212808590691263_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water tank</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7XIZsDHwJg/V94ZeQIGSJI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/YNPOyDatxCgulDkWh-9PhhoY07cS8O0DACLcB/s1600/14054954_1106029722813383_4641493929860352793_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7XIZsDHwJg/V94ZeQIGSJI/AAAAAAAAYCQ/YNPOyDatxCgulDkWh-9PhhoY07cS8O0DACLcB/s320/14054954_1106029722813383_4641493929860352793_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New classroom building</td></tr>
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<br />AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-80189880276686114922015-11-18T13:32:00.001-08:002015-11-19T05:52:20.886-08:00Yes we are still in Uganda!So this Internet, this iPad and I are not getting along at all on this trip! We are still here, all is going well but I haven't been able to tell you about it!!<div><br></div><div>Quick recap of the last few days:<br><div><br></div><div>Last Friday we set up a "store" so that all the children could come through and pick out some things that would be new to them. We had about 77 children attending the school that day. What a privilege it is to have such wonderful friends who used their time, their talent and their resources to bless these children in the most awesome way! </div><div>We are so blessed to have these many friends from Lilyanne to Hailey and so many more who made and donated <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">such beautiful creations for us to share at Hopeline!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ybtdqT2jeNI/Vk1jliqVcgI/AAAAAAAALBk/3OjYgsFUSXQ/s640/blogger-image-581578769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ybtdqT2jeNI/Vk1jliqVcgI/AAAAAAAALBk/3OjYgsFUSXQ/s640/blogger-image-581578769.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">was truly like Christmas for these children! They had so much fun first picking out a backpack --then loading it up with a new notebook, dresses & skirts for the girls, t-shirts and shorts for the boys, a pair of flip flops and ending with a new quilt, blanket or soft cover for their bunk bed! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-90mohf_2IEI/Vk3PpAv0kHI/AAAAAAAALB8/foL1ma_oxx0/s640/blogger-image--319693120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-90mohf_2IEI/Vk3PpAv0kHI/AAAAAAAALB8/foL1ma_oxx0/s640/blogger-image--319693120.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Their happy faces tell it all!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-28mLwnXVkWU/Vk3T_viHyRI/AAAAAAAALCI/IqmbOnrOHck/s640/blogger-image--928519045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-28mLwnXVkWU/Vk3T_viHyRI/AAAAAAAALCI/IqmbOnrOHck/s640/blogger-image--928519045.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Thank you to everyone who helped us brighten the children's day!</span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">Will cut this short in hopes that it will post! More photos to come!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-54604523036146202752015-11-12T06:47:00.001-08:002015-11-12T22:00:41.247-08:00Day ThreeAnother geat day with the children of Hopeline! We are exhausted! <div><br></div><div>As you may recall from last year I mentioned that you couldn't count on always having electricity, hot water or Internet! That was my problem last night and into this morning before we left for Hopeline. But even though it didn't look like it was working I was able to sneak in yesterday's blog post....minus a title or a photo or tagging Linda or Betsy. Playing catch up today with this nifty little HotSpot device George picked up.....now I'm hoping this will be more reliable!</div><div><br></div><div>One of the pix I wanted to share yesterday....and I can't figure out why it wasn't included in the post ....was of how fascinated the children were with Ryan! Not just because he's the only guy in our group- they were enthralled with his tattoos!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bz650vps1z8/VkSmb6laN_I/AAAAAAAALAY/a13toBCweEA/s640/blogger-image--353051041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bz650vps1z8/VkSmb6laN_I/AAAAAAAALAY/a13toBCweEA/s640/blogger-image--353051041.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Upon arriving at the school today we started working on little projects we brought for the children. Most gathered in the main room and then we divided out some of the girls to make bracelets with beads Betsy brought with her. They loved this activity and many of the girls and even a few boys made several of these beaded creations!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H89v7F2oSeQ/VkUjBsleFmI/AAAAAAAALAo/YjyYYYaZFHQ/s640/blogger-image-11442567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H89v7F2oSeQ/VkUjBsleFmI/AAAAAAAALAo/YjyYYYaZFHQ/s640/blogger-image-11442567.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They played more of their new favorite game...BINGO! And would you believe they had never seen a Hula Hoop before? They were instant experts after a demo by Ryan! On Thursday we also gave each child a pencil case filled with pencils, a toothbrush and a lollipop! 😉</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Co7m5WdWoeI/VkV6UuIZduI/AAAAAAAALBI/fUnbVhCtCqw/s640/blogger-image-1477393429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Co7m5WdWoeI/VkV6UuIZduI/AAAAAAAALBI/fUnbVhCtCqw/s640/blogger-image-1477393429.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today...Friday....are setting up our "store".....where each child all have the opportunity to shop for a new article of clothing, a pillowcase, a bed cover and a backpack to keep everything in. Thank you to everyone who created or contributed to this project! You have blessed the lives of these children immensely</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div> Hitting upload now.....this iPad and me are not working well together! Hope to post lots of pix tomorrow!</div> </div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-78152950070440219322015-11-11T22:31:00.001-08:002015-11-11T22:38:16.274-08:00Back with the children at Hopeline!DayTwo in Africa!<div>We woke up (some of us quite early) to rain.....to pouring rain! Luckily though once we arrived at the orphanage in Mukono the sun was out which only added to joy we felt being back with the children!</div><div><br></div><div>They of course were waiting for us....the traffic as to be expected was terrible and the dirt road to school was worse than when we last travelled this way a year ago. At one point we were stuck in a deep rut and we thought Ryan would have to get out and push! That WAS after he had to get out of the van and pull the little goat off the road so we could pass!</div><div><br></div><div>What a warm welcome ......so great to be here again!</div><div> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MDkBfbwURh0/VkQxy0HkZfI/AAAAAAAAK_4/6JfWdHMLUts/s640/blogger-image-301143227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MDkBfbwURh0/VkQxy0HkZfI/AAAAAAAAK_4/6JfWdHMLUts/s640/blogger-image-301143227.jpg"></a></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The children had planned a program for our arrival complete with song and dance! It was so nice to see their faces again and hear their sweet voices. We were given a tour of the school grounds.... so many things had changed. Pastor Roland has big plans for Hopeline!</span></div><div><br></div><div>One thing that wasn't different at the orphanage was the children's desire to have their picture taken ....and then see themselves in the image....wish you could all see the smiles and hear the giggles from them when they recognize their face in the photo.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jYkKcisbbJU/VkQyHnOlJPI/AAAAAAAALAA/WDZ9Rekjiwc/s640/blogger-image--1820326540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jYkKcisbbJU/VkQyHnOlJPI/AAAAAAAALAA/WDZ9Rekjiwc/s640/blogger-image--1820326540.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Best thing we did all day??? Linda brought BINGO! None of the children had played before and it didn't take long for this to become a favorite new activity for them! (We also thought it would provide great number and letter recognition) </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xBHUlfF4oZE/VkQxpsECHiI/AAAAAAAAK_w/7gG62Ehljq8/s640/blogger-image--2115071563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xBHUlfF4oZE/VkQxpsECHiI/AAAAAAAAK_w/7gG62Ehljq8/s640/blogger-image--2115071563.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our time </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">at Hopeline today </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">passed by quickly and before long it was time to say goodbye for the day and head back to Kampala! We really enjoyed being back at the school. Rachel, Pat and Maryann..... we missed you! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We are now looking forward to tomorrow!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bAy7djkkvL8/VkQxjRR5jzI/AAAAAAAAK_o/pNZ1kY8oHBM/s640/blogger-image-834610078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bAy7djkkvL8/VkQxjRR5jzI/AAAAAAAAK_o/pNZ1kY8oHBM/s640/blogger-image-834610078.jpg"></a></div> </span></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-24401149254942750712015-11-10T20:37:00.001-08:002015-11-10T21:36:25.550-08:00ARRIVED!!!Good morning from Kampala Uganda! We arrived safe, sound and really tired! 😊<div><br><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I left our house at 11am Saturday...and arrived at the our base here ... Apricot Guest House ....at 5pm Tuesday! That's 5 flights, 2 airlines, 1 hotel room at LAX, an 8+ hour whirlwind spin thru London between flights and then arriving here on time with ALL suitcases accounted for .....although two will never be able to fly again! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">All went exceptionally well! Linda and I met at the LAX Hilton Saturday afternoon and enjoyed dinner with cousin Pat and Howard at a favorite of theirs....The Proud Bird! Then we were up at 4am for our 7 am flight to JFK. Checked in 10 suitcases without too much hassle (except the 2 of us grammies wrangling 10 giant suitcases, 2 roll aboard size bags and a backpack and a large tote size purse...on the Hilton shuttle and into the terminal) and then we headed to the gate. Betsy left SFO at around 8 am and met us at JFK where we all boarded our flight to London. Ryan followed us all on Emirates Airline, leaving LAX at about 3:30 Sunday afternoon!</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In London and because of the snafu this summer over British Airlines deciding not to fly to Uganda anymore ...that left us with an almost 12 hour layover at London Heathrow! So what do you do?? You hop on the Heathrow Express and tour the town and meet up with Betsy's college roommate Annie for lunch!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kf33lpmlegc/VkLTeLw5RbI/AAAAAAAAK_Y/hsv1gqdln6w/s640/blogger-image-1000203663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kf33lpmlegc/VkLTeLw5RbI/AAAAAAAAK_Y/hsv1gqdln6w/s640/blogger-image-1000203663.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We arrived back at Heathrow at about 4pm for our 8:30 flight and spent some time dealing with our new carrier to Entebbe....Qatar Airlines! Once we were assured all 14 checked bags were headed the right direction (which took up most of our free time at LHR), we headed to our next adventure in coach to Doha, Qatar on the Arabian Peninsula! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After a quick connect we boarded for Entebbe....arriving here 15 minutes before Ryan! Pastor Roland and George were waiting for our arrival and after filling a van and a car with all of us and our 23 suitcases we headed to our home for the next 2+ weeks ......the Apricot Guest House in Kampala Uganda! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R_SBwq7xaQU/VkLSmqg2GII/AAAAAAAAK_Q/dXFDmzuXExM/s640/blogger-image--78258398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R_SBwq7xaQU/VkLSmqg2GII/AAAAAAAAK_Q/dXFDmzuXExM/s640/blogger-image--78258398.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wednesday morning here now ...up at 6am...</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">..and ready to see the children at the orphanage out in Mukono!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thanks for following along on our adventure.....there's more to come! 😊</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><br></div></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-12716934953381781112015-11-08T06:44:00.001-08:002015-11-08T07:07:50.832-08:00On the plane for the first of our 4 flights..........that will take us from LAX to JFK to LHR to DOH to ..finally EBB!!<div><br></div><div>Thank you all for following along on our Amazing Africa adventure 2015! We hope to get there Tuesday (!!!) afternoon....ready to go with all 24 of our bags we hope arriving with us!</div><div><br></div><div>Here's what we are bringing! Thanks everyone for helping with our project</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JjnWKXltZwQ/Vj9j-vMi0OI/AAAAAAAAK-k/sTT1QFH8wGw/s640/blogger-image-320284452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JjnWKXltZwQ/Vj9j-vMi0OI/AAAAAAAAK-k/sTT1QFH8wGw/s640/blogger-image-320284452.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TzU3sYE6p3Y/Vj9lD22AlwI/AAAAAAAAK-s/fGogcAsoIik/s640/blogger-image-1040494776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TzU3sYE6p3Y/Vj9lD22AlwI/AAAAAAAAK-s/fGogcAsoIik/s640/blogger-image-1040494776.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div>Here we go...taking off for JFK...be back later!!</div><div> </div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-51938231268224681362015-11-01T16:07:00.001-08:002015-11-01T16:07:42.457-08:00ONE week from today the OFFICIAL journey begins again!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you believe one year has passed by already! ....and very quickly I might add!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Linda and I will be meeting Saturday November 7th near LAX so that
we'll be ready to board bright and early Sunday morning for our 7am flight
....thus beginning our L.O.N.G journey back to Uganda! This year we are
lucky to have 2 special fellow trekkers joining us.... my daughter Betsy and
Linda and Chuck's son Ryan! Linda and I will meet Betsy at JFK to continue our
journey to EBB while Ryan will (should) land in Uganda about 5 minutes before
we do!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT....before we leave we are busy this week packing and weighing suitcases.
So unless something changes...I am counting 18 suitcases between the 4 of us!
That is way more than last year.....but this year we have a better
understanding and more knowledge about what the needs and wants are at
Hopeline!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These past 6 months or so we have been honored to have the help of
several (lots, tons, amazing numbers!!) of our friends who have blessed not
only the children of Hopeline but also both Linda and me with your time, your
talent and your generosity! We love you..... and the children of Hopeline will
soon learn all about each and every one of you as they are blessed with the
creations and gifts you are sending!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We look so forward to gifting these sweet
children with this treasure trove of goodies!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photos of more to come!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are truly blessed and will pass on your blessings to others!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PLEASE FOLLOW ALONG ON OUR JOURNEY!!</span></div>
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AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-11255210256068918132014-11-25T17:24:00.001-08:002014-11-25T18:44:22.472-08:00Our last day in Uganda!!<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Murchison Falls </span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">We are up bright and early Monday morning as George leaves in the dark to drive the van to the other side of the River as we await our boat ride down the Nile! Once we are all on board we begin the 1-2 hour cruise with sightings of hippos, crocodiles, exotic birds, water buffalo.....everything except the elephants we had hoped to see! Guess we will save those for next time!!</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UjlgxC6fc7k/VHU-KtD1VdI/AAAAAAAAKMI/yezR2lQTwEQ/s640/blogger-image-333149135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UjlgxC6fc7k/VHU-KtD1VdI/AAAAAAAAKMI/yezR2lQTwEQ/s640/blogger-image-333149135.jpg"></a></div></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aQsw4MsVTBc/VHU3fX0qmlI/AAAAAAAAKLo/eIwXS2TIExM/s640/blogger-image--1620191021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aQsw4MsVTBc/VHU3fX0qmlI/AAAAAAAAKLo/eIwXS2TIExM/s640/blogger-image--1620191021.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">The force of the waterfall keeps us from getting too close but from our vantage point we enjoy the full majesty of these beautiful falls!</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fxP0339wf3M/VHU3__IkRXI/AAAAAAAAKLw/1tpKWZBrzB0/s640/blogger-image-118115017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fxP0339wf3M/VHU3__IkRXI/AAAAAAAAKLw/1tpKWZBrzB0/s640/blogger-image-118115017.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Once we return to dry land we climb back into our now muddy van and head about 4-5 hours back to Kampala. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">When one enters this National Park you are charged a 24 hour fee per person of $40 US dollars .....which means we needed to exit at precisely 1:05 pm .....but with the aftermath of the rains, the dirt road was less than hospitable and as our luck would have it we get behind a giant bulldozer going 2 miles an hour on the single lane pathway! So of course when we reach the exit it is approximately 1:25pm and for that extra 20 minutes the government of Uganda wants to charge us another full $40 fee.....each! George talks and pleads our case....and finally they relent......they agree to only charge us half the amount!! (and we'll always wonder where that extra $100 went!!)</span></div><div><br></div><div>We are now racing back to Kampala to finish out our adventure with a health exit exam and just a little more souvenir shopping! We <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">all passed the exam with flying colors and we return to the van to find it will not start! Our adventures in Uganda continue .......and I now see the </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">6 hours until my flight ticking away! George makes a phone call that luckily provides the magic to get us going again, so off we go....picking up those last minute treasures before heading west to Entebbe. We should arrive at the hotel in plenty of time for me to freshen up, repack and be at the airport with time to spare before my 12:45am Tiesday morning flight to London and beyond ----back to the good ole' USA! What</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "> could possibly go wrong??? </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Oh that's right.....the traffic in Kampala!! As </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">our luck would have it the Kampala evening traffic struck with a vengence! To say I was becoming a little stressed was an understatement!! We sat in one place for more than 1/2 an hour without moving and no alternative route! With miles and miles to go until Entebbe and the clock ticking away my anxiety level was rising rapidly. The only bright note was picking up George's family to drive with us to the airport. It was delightful meeting his darling wife Irene and adorable daughters.... 2 year old Abigal and baby Malina.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">We reached the hotel near the airport after 10pm ....I rushed in and changed, rearranged my suitcase and we sped to the airport which was bustling with travellers at 11pm at night! After 2 security clearances I'm at the baggage checkin desk as they are calling my flight to London! Rushing like OJ I make it to gate and get onboard with a heavy heart as I leave behind many wonderful experiences and people here in Uganda! I hope to return someday.....someday soon I hope!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Thank you ladies for sharing this wonderful week with me!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--27TrXIRTP4/VHU-H0h0B8I/AAAAAAAAKMA/4kQ1EfL21o8/s640/blogger-image-998237285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--27TrXIRTP4/VHU-H0h0B8I/AAAAAAAAKMA/4kQ1EfL21o8/s640/blogger-image-998237285.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">I left before everyone but the rest of our team left Uganda today with a stopover tonight in Dubai. They will arrive back at LAX around noon on Wednesday....feeling much the same as me I am sure .... blessed by our experience complete with wonderful memories of our awesome two weeks with the special people we came to know in AmazingAfrica!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">We all have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "></span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div></div></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-12894646543822927822014-11-23T20:44:00.001-08:002014-11-25T15:56:32.238-08:00T +24 hours and counting!!It is so unbelievable that our 2 weeks in Africa are almost over......we found this place to be joyous, happy, heartbreaking and oh so adventurous! I think I can speak for all of us when I say we have truly been blessed here in Uganda by the spirit of these people! We have met the most friendly, warm, happy, loving and caring folks you could ever hope to meet! And at least outwardly they show that they find joy in all their circumstances! (Yes, I may be seeing the world here through rose colored glasses.....but if you could meet them all also, you'd see what I mean! PS. Funny side note: I kept trying to write <i>rose-colored</i> and my iPad kept auto correcting to rosé!!)<div><br></div><div>First Adventure of the Day:<br><div><br></div><div>We left Gulu early Sunday morning for Murchison Falls National Park on another Ugandan highway that is made of dirt! And we all know what happens to dirt when it rains and the rains we've experienced here are NOT of the gentle variety! At the hotel in the morning we waited for Dave to return before we took off ....and again what a blessing that was! Otherwise this may have been us.....the first to test the muddy "waters" of the road to the Falls.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KFV4CgxV_ws/VHUOWuM2rFI/AAAAAAAAKKg/EoKubYxZCCA/s640/blogger-image-279840836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KFV4CgxV_ws/VHUOWuM2rFI/AAAAAAAAKKg/EoKubYxZCCA/s640/blogger-image-279840836.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Luckily our fearless leader George was able to take our 4 wheel drive van(minus us!!) up and around over the drier ground and soon we were on our way again! The SUV here was either waiting for a tow by a larger vehicle than ours...or until the dry season returns! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the road again to Adventure number 2:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Soon we found ourselves on a real road....paved and all! And before long we are at the turn for the Paraa Safari Lodge....3+ hours after we left Gulu. But the rain overnight was a little too much for the already saturated ground and here is what we find:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-drHQWyj445Q/VHUOeD2zJcI/AAAAAAAAKKo/v3ieclUx_3c/s640/blogger-image--333981865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-drHQWyj445Q/VHUOeD2zJcI/AAAAAAAAKKo/v3ieclUx_3c/s640/blogger-image--333981865.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">See the line on the bottom right marking the path of the road?? :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Adventure number 3:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After debating for 1/2 hour to cross or not cross.....(btw, we have a saying in Las Vegas during the flash floods there: <b>Turn around, don't drown! </b>They don't have that saying here!!!) Here is a photo of local people fording the stream that was previously not there.....this "river" was formed totally by too much rainwater!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IODqYJSP1nU/VHUOl_7H57I/AAAAAAAAKKw/lL3w4OeXNPc/s640/blogger-image--1275161787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IODqYJSP1nU/VHUOl_7H57I/AAAAAAAAKKw/lL3w4OeXNPc/s640/blogger-image--1275161787.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">George decides to drive further on the main road rather than cross at this time to find some facilities...if you know what I mean! Seeing some sights he wants to photograph, George parked on the side of the road and before you could say Peter Rabbit...we are surrounded by vendors selling their food and wares. Although your heart breaks for these persistent people we know better than to purchase anything from even one of them (although Rachel did spy something she would have liked to bring back home!) We sure wish George had captured a photo of that! Once back in the van we were able to find....off the beaten track - Global Village and their hospitality with a potty and refreshment break!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Adventure number 4:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Crossing the stream! We return and note that the water is slightly less so off we go with George on the roof and a local guide driving us across the rain soaked highway. Oh how I wish I could upload my video here....what an experience! Once across we hooted and hollered as George jumped back in the drivers seat and off we went to our destination ONLY to find at least 3 more streams to cross .... with one "puddle" so deep the water literally came up over the dashboard! But again God was with us and we finally arrived at the lodge and our safari was about to begin!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is now Monday morning here in Uganda and we are about to leave for an boat ride to the falls and then our drive back to Kampala. I will not have wifi for quite a while I think...so here are a few safari pix! Will be back to the journal soon! (sorry for typos...no time to proof!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">George is a great photographer...some of the pix you'll see today are from his camera .....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9kzpeEuGqAQ/VHUSbCJLPFI/AAAAAAAAKLE/405e876mAF4/s640/blogger-image--193778562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9kzpeEuGqAQ/VHUSbCJLPFI/AAAAAAAAKLE/405e876mAF4/s640/blogger-image--193778562.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--DwHXNZH1Ow/VHUSZiwLIVI/AAAAAAAAKK8/XDIkIGDGR1E/s640/blogger-image-1097451380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--DwHXNZH1Ow/VHUSZiwLIVI/AAAAAAAAKK8/XDIkIGDGR1E/s640/blogger-image-1097451380.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-okGAg8Y470A/VHUSc6AP7JI/AAAAAAAAKLM/4kWa4AyQcPA/s640/blogger-image-1898516347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-okGAg8Y470A/VHUSc6AP7JI/AAAAAAAAKLM/4kWa4AyQcPA/s640/blogger-image-1898516347.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KGLskRgb12o/VHK7f1fXRUI/AAAAAAAAKKQ/x9yxFeiqUUY/s640/blogger-image--394273546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KGLskRgb12o/VHK7f1fXRUI/AAAAAAAAKKQ/x9yxFeiqUUY/s640/blogger-image--394273546.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QjTAVRc1Rqo/VHK7Zf2Au3I/AAAAAAAAKJw/4DQUh0EctyQ/s640/blogger-image--214578321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QjTAVRc1Rqo/VHK7Zf2Au3I/AAAAAAAAKJw/4DQUh0EctyQ/s640/blogger-image--214578321.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uVsnlFpBpnQ/VHK7X0SIUwI/AAAAAAAAKJo/dfj9JtYqAC8/s640/blogger-image--181266025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uVsnlFpBpnQ/VHK7X0SIUwI/AAAAAAAAKJo/dfj9JtYqAC8/s640/blogger-image--181266025.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <b>Our lunch at the Paraa Safari Lodge along the Nile! </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> And our accommodations are pictured below</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UG7tRfUxSp4/VHUWq8A8hrI/AAAAAAAAKLY/23_nNEJ85ik/s640/blogger-image-93907908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UG7tRfUxSp4/VHUWq8A8hrI/AAAAAAAAKLY/23_nNEJ85ik/s640/blogger-image-93907908.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-32005983286031212752014-11-22T12:11:00.001-08:002014-11-22T19:04:50.799-08:00The long (and bumpy) road to Guru Guru!Today was beyond amazing.....and the world we saw today is something I'm pretty sure not many of us would survive! We began our day with about a 3 hour drive on roads that ranged from a well paved 'highway' with lines painted down the middle to a rut filled dirt road. At the end of this road we come to Guru Bible Church. (pictured below)<div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5T_MzrDESiM/VHEOx9ehVpI/AAAAAAAAKIg/khR9IWzr_kk/s640/blogger-image-349082969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5T_MzrDESiM/VHEOx9ehVpI/AAAAAAAAKIg/khR9IWzr_kk/s640/blogger-image-349082969.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Once again we were warmly welcomed by groups of small children.....precious little ones who may never have had a proper bath or worn new clothes. After touring the church and school facilities we were off on a walk into the unknown to the "home" of the little children sponsored by a couple in our group. Tracy and Jeff brought gifts from their home in Southern CA and also purchased <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">locally, supplies </span>for the family .....items they needed like roll-up mattresses, cooking oil, laundry soap, and more. The Ugandan mother who lives in one of the pictured huts had her 3rd child in March.....a little girl she named Tracy!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aIBYwTyoYds/VHEO0Cm2BCI/AAAAAAAAKIo/eykGAUnDfD8/s640/blogger-image-76752920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aIBYwTyoYds/VHEO0Cm2BCI/AAAAAAAAKIo/eykGAUnDfD8/s640/blogger-image-76752920.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Today I'm going to close by just posting photos from our latest adventure! I challenge anyone to view these pictures and not feel an urgent need to thank God for our own circumstances....whatever they may be! I know some of us have problems and situations that we feel are dire.....but had you walked in my shoes today....you would agree our material needs are few! I feel extremely blessed today! </div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JWO_cKMJ9Wo/VHERaTSpDyI/AAAAAAAAKI0/3lf-4IIaXdQ/s640/blogger-image-644870011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JWO_cKMJ9Wo/VHERaTSpDyI/AAAAAAAAKI0/3lf-4IIaXdQ/s640/blogger-image-644870011.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t97RUPDbj-s/VHERcbRgYmI/AAAAAAAAKI8/3tjZgd_cGdE/s640/blogger-image-1724403062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t97RUPDbj-s/VHERcbRgYmI/AAAAAAAAKI8/3tjZgd_cGdE/s640/blogger-image-1724403062.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FHpfdIUXMic/VHEReDsAxdI/AAAAAAAAKJE/-KkIjiuMWz0/s640/blogger-image--2132274098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FHpfdIUXMic/VHEReDsAxdI/AAAAAAAAKJE/-KkIjiuMWz0/s640/blogger-image--2132274098.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-14179313500641973002014-11-21T14:55:00.001-08:002014-11-21T15:23:50.380-08:00Graduation Day<div><br></div>Rain...and more rain brings mud.....and more mud! And cool weather!! ....and here I thought since I was near the equator I'd be very warm all week and not need not pack my usual layers of sweaters! <div><br></div><div>Graduation Day started early. The school has just acquired a plot of land a mile or two from their current campus, so in celebration they paraded to the graduation site (which is now just an open field) led by a full fledged marching band! But before they arrived for the festivities, the new site needed a lot of prep work in order to host the hundreds of people who attended. Dave G., Dave M., and Jeff arrived on site at 5:30am in the dark to begin the transformation. When Pat and I arrived at about 8:30....it looked like there was quite a bit still to do.....but many hands make light work and just as the parade arrived at it's destination they found the the work was done......the matted floor was laid, the chairs were set up and cleaned and the tents with their buntings were all in place! A grand celebration was about to begin!</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ch7wEXnseHM/VG_C4gt8fxI/AAAAAAAAKHs/TqNoNBQ4aAA/s640/blogger-image--1730083265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ch7wEXnseHM/VG_C4gt8fxI/AAAAAAAAKHs/TqNoNBQ4aAA/s640/blogger-image--1730083265.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> And what a fun celebration it was!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Dcstqrjfogc/VG_C19N57gI/AAAAAAAAKHk/WM_SQdO07RQ/s640/blogger-image--1499713925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Dcstqrjfogc/VG_C19N57gI/AAAAAAAAKHk/WM_SQdO07RQ/s640/blogger-image--1499713925.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qdTEsPMrfvM/VG_Eq90szYI/AAAAAAAAKH4/xxyqo48lT7s/s640/blogger-image-1442010497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qdTEsPMrfvM/VG_Eq90szYI/AAAAAAAAKH4/xxyqo48lT7s/s640/blogger-image-1442010497.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5t5goGk6e8E/VG_IiuamthI/AAAAAAAAKIQ/BQOlXhHO2QY/s640/blogger-image-373021008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5t5goGk6e8E/VG_IiuamthI/AAAAAAAAKIQ/BQOlXhHO2QY/s640/blogger-image-373021008.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Through Chuck Obremski Ministries Linda gave every student in the school a Bible!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ls-5oHPeAFg/VG_G4GHsvaI/AAAAAAAAKIE/y6XqUy97HAU/s640/blogger-image-219380536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ls-5oHPeAFg/VG_G4GHsvaI/AAAAAAAAKIE/y6XqUy97HAU/s640/blogger-image-219380536.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Tomorrow we head to Guru Guru for another day of amazing adventures!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-34832085727449457562014-11-20T10:17:00.001-08:002014-11-21T05:40:09.446-08:00First day in Gulu!<div><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">(I'm running out of battery..and I don't have any Internet tonight...so I'm posting this in the morning!)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></span></div>So last night (Thursday) was quite the adventure here at the Churchill Courts Hotel! Being in Gulu....and true for Uganda in general....you can count on the electricity going out at least once a day....and most likely two times or more! In fact...just as I wrote the first 4 words on here.....out it went and in Gulu the Internet doesn't work in my room so I was sitting by myself in this open air lobby.....in the dark! And it gets really pitch black here at night!<div><br></div><div>Luckily my iPad has light so I can just continue writing until the electricity comes on again! I have so many stories to tell but suffice it to say: Life is an adventure here in Gulu! Complete with power outages, torrential rain storms, giant crickets everywhere and a personal pet gecko/lizard residing in my bath room!</div><div><br></div><div>Remember how yesterday I thought we'd spend most of our time in at the school.....well once again our well-laid plans went in a different direction! So instead we had the opportunity to visit two organizations that provide jobs and job training for some of the women <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">in Northern Uganda who have been displaced from their homes and villages as a result of a ongoing, catastrophic war. </span></div><div><br></div><div>Before the rain today we toured a place called 31 Bits....you may have heard of them. It is run by an organization of what seemed like all young people with a passion for the women of Uganda. Have you seen the jewelry made from strips of paper?? It is an amazing process that produces not only necklaces and bracelets for women around the world to wear, but provides the women of Uganda with training to become self sufficient entrepreneurs and care for their families for hopefully generations to come! The gal who showed us around is a 24 year old from Oregon who seems to have this passion to help change the world!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sFzpucf-e0g/VG683z-FVsI/AAAAAAAAKHM/UJ6nSBnLhxw/s640/blogger-image--222322742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sFzpucf-e0g/VG683z-FVsI/AAAAAAAAKHM/UJ6nSBnLhxw/s640/blogger-image--222322742.jpg"></a></div> </div><div>After lunch we visited a similar place also with a heart for the women of Uganda called Krochet Kids. And Linda fit right in! She joined many of the women as they crocheted hats, baby booties, and more. Part of our tour took us to the knitting machine room...the only products not made by hand. While there it began to rain.....and rain.... and rain some more! We were in that room for about 1/2 hour until we finally made a run for it during a brief lull in the downpour.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ExUGvHFAE-Y/VG687EC3A3I/AAAAAAAAKHU/O_0WX-516Fo/s640/blogger-image-1980663892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ExUGvHFAE-Y/VG687EC3A3I/AAAAAAAAKHU/O_0WX-516Fo/s640/blogger-image-1980663892.jpg"></a></div> </div><div><br></div><div>Finishing up our day now....we had dinner tonight at an awesome place called the Iron Donkey here in Gulu! Best tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches you will ever, ever have! It's a little cafe in the middle of Gulu run by a pastor from Texas!</div><div><br></div><div>Big day tomorrow....it's graduation day for the students at Christ the Center school......hope it doesn't rain again!</div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-13228282810628450982014-11-19T07:15:00.001-08:002014-11-19T07:17:42.451-08:00The best laid plans.......<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">So here we are....2 hours after we left in the dark from the Apricot Guest House.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">...we are still in Kampala......at a Shell Gas station! It seems your van need brakes to embark on a 5 hour road trip! The sun is now up, the traffic is flowing.....and here we sit while the men at the service station work on our brakes! We are so thankful though that the problem popped up while we were still in the Big City! Can you imagine what would have happened if we were 3 hours into our journey and discovered this problem? Someone is watching over us!</span><br><div><br></div><div> <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> The sun is now up and they are still working on those brakes!</span><div> 5:30AM 7:00AM </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b3Z5MMNs5t4/VGyzoPVCQgI/AAAAAAAAKGs/HjOJpIWwQj8/s640/blogger-image--937051016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b3Z5MMNs5t4/VGyzoPVCQgI/AAAAAAAAKGs/HjOJpIWwQj8/s640/blogger-image--937051016.jpg"></a></div></div><div> </div><div><div><br></div><div>We are finally back on the road passing miles and miles of amazing scenery! At times though we found ourselves on what seemed like not a road at all. And.....talk about potholes....some of the ones George tried to avoid were actually craters!!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WPXp7b4TYQ4/VGy0DskFvlI/AAAAAAAAKG8/Mgs6RJbKIjY/s640/blogger-image-977880689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WPXp7b4TYQ4/VGy0DskFvlI/AAAAAAAAKG8/Mgs6RJbKIjY/s640/blogger-image-977880689.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">After five and 1/2 hours we arrive at our destination and are </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">warmly welcomed by the students and teachers of Christ the Center School in Gulu in northern Uganda.</span></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6Lh4nKYYEzI/VGyz8XQa0KI/AAAAAAAAKG0/nkAemvZk3Ys/s640/blogger-image-1802723377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6Lh4nKYYEzI/VGyz8XQa0KI/AAAAAAAAKG0/nkAemvZk3Ys/s640/blogger-image-1802723377.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tomorrow we will be at the school for most of the day....then Friday is graduation and the dedication of the new home of Christ the Center school. The land has been leveled and construction will begin soon! What an exciting time for Uganda!</div><br></span></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-69620351207962791542014-11-18T14:34:00.001-08:002014-11-18T15:09:36.235-08:00Leaving Kampala!Today we left a piece of our hearts at Hopeline Africa Mission in Mukono Africa! It was so hard to say goodbye after the wonderful week we shared with the children and staff. The faces, the hugs, the smiles, the kind words......the joy we found in Africa...we will treasure forever! We are now looking forward to our next adventure in Gulu....but we will never forget Hopeline! <div><br></div><div>One of my "duties" today while at the orphanage was to take pictures of the children who actually live at the school. These are the ones who either have no parents or whose parents can't care for them. They are also the ones who aren't lucky enough to even go to a home at night with another student! These are the precious children that Linda hopes to help through Chuck Obremski Ministries! In the coming months Linda will be setting up a sponsorship program to help the school provide basic necessities for these orphans. We would love to share more information with each and every one of you! Please contact Linda or any one of us if you think you can help the children of Hopeline Africa!</div><div><br></div><div>We leave for Gulu at O dark 500!!! My alarm is set for just 2 short hours from now, but before we leave wifi for awhile I wanted to share a few of my photos from our last day. Since I was busy taking the "school pictures" today....I missed some special photo ops I know! Plus we <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">usually pool our pictures but there just wasn't any extra time it seemed. </span>I'll share what I have...then be back asap with more Hopeline Africa Mission pix! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TuzI4BQ1JmM/VGvNu8VmQCI/AAAAAAAAKF4/1GtpbOkL7aU/s640/blogger-image-1385766575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TuzI4BQ1JmM/VGvNu8VmQCI/AAAAAAAAKF4/1GtpbOkL7aU/s640/blogger-image-1385766575.jpg"></a></div> </div><div> <b>Special bonds were made this week!</b></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GyknsoB2aJw/VGvOkWiH79I/AAAAAAAAKGI/NGWVo_fRXNU/s640/blogger-image--675101050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GyknsoB2aJw/VGvOkWiH79I/AAAAAAAAKGI/NGWVo_fRXNU/s640/blogger-image--675101050.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-skpBEjtsZ08/VGvOg9dCTCI/AAAAAAAAKGA/v3l-o4-J9tY/s640/blogger-image--1507892748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-skpBEjtsZ08/VGvOg9dCTCI/AAAAAAAAKGA/v3l-o4-J9tY/s640/blogger-image--1507892748.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> It is never easy to say Good Bye!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iuUqj9YZNis/VGvQUSL3XuI/AAAAAAAAKGU/fv_Q86ZX51o/s640/blogger-image--1515886388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iuUqj9YZNis/VGvQUSL3XuI/AAAAAAAAKGU/fv_Q86ZX51o/s640/blogger-image--1515886388.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8QjkHTp_HU4/VGvQXjzuu4I/AAAAAAAAKGc/_aBkVp8BxVg/s640/blogger-image--2020221458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8QjkHTp_HU4/VGvQXjzuu4I/AAAAAAAAKGc/_aBkVp8BxVg/s640/blogger-image--2020221458.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b> Hopeline Africa Mision.......We'll be back!!</b></div> </div><br></div><br></div> </div><br></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-48397365687253546452014-11-17T21:52:00.001-08:002014-11-18T10:48:25.527-08:00Standing on the Equator!Yesterday we travelled from our guest house in Kampala to the small town/village of Rakai! (pronounced like Rock-Eye) This is the childhood home of a minister who also uses the iPods that Linda has sent loaded with Chuck's sermons. The drive was long....and the road wasn't always easy to navigate! The traffic in Kampala is like nothing I have ever experienced before! We did however see a traffic light today....that makes 2 so far! We picked up Pastor Roland along the way to join us on today's adventure. Once outside of the city we headed south west following the curve of Lake Victoria...although we couldn't see it! <div><br></div><div>After driving for about 2+ hours, we crossed the Equator! Can now check that off my bucket list!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hC14m5czjfg/VGrejQk0NkI/AAAAAAAAKFo/DCTI5QEft0I/s640/blogger-image--2017707208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hC14m5czjfg/VGrejQk0NkI/AAAAAAAAKFo/DCTI5QEft0I/s640/blogger-image--2017707208.jpg"></a></div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MDEyWQeX4w4/VGrefJfZs8I/AAAAAAAAKFY/2vN4AAker2o/s640/blogger-image--3887961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MDEyWQeX4w4/VGrefJfZs8I/AAAAAAAAKFY/2vN4AAker2o/s640/blogger-image--3887961.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rUp-6l7qjBU/VGrehmP8ToI/AAAAAAAAKFg/tCUwPZaoiBw/s640/blogger-image-1469652580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rUp-6l7qjBU/VGrehmP8ToI/AAAAAAAAKFg/tCUwPZaoiBw/s640/blogger-image-1469652580.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br><div>After our short rest stop we travelled another 1 1/2 hours on to Rakai! The scenery is beautiful and in this part of Uganda, at least, it is lush and green with palms and banana trees.....reminds me of the sights and sounds of Hawaii! Upon arriving at our destination (after many queries to George: "Are we there yet!") we first meet with Pastor Fred and other pastors in the town center for a brief meeting and lunch! (and I actually ate some!!) Pastor Fred explained that he has started a ministry called<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "> Celebrate Hope here</span> in his home village to help the families there by not only ministering to their souls, but also to help provide them with a means to support themselves through coffee farming! He also is mentoring many other local pastors to be able to do the same in their villages. After lunch we drove out to the heart of Celebrate Hope and visited one of the many homes they have built and provided to a single mom on her own coffee farm. These "farms" are about one acre each and they form a cooperative whereby the coffee beans are collected from all and then shipped somewhere for roasting....the last batch went to Italy!</div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">We then headed back to Kampala and another 3+ hour drive! George is a trooper! </span>Interesting side note to today's adventure....there was another pastor visiting Celebrate Hope today as well......from Oakland, California!!</div><div><br></div><div>(PS. If you have ever, EVER wondered what good the EPA is.....just ask one of us!)</div><div><br></div><div>Photos of Pastor Fred at his new(soon to be finished) coffee ministry building and one of the houses on a coffee farm that has been provided through Celebrate Hope!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m0iOdaUvC04/VGreanstrlI/AAAAAAAAKFQ/gRTcwv3jbfw/s640/blogger-image-1745015093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m0iOdaUvC04/VGreanstrlI/AAAAAAAAKFQ/gRTcwv3jbfw/s640/blogger-image-1745015093.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Okay....more later .....gotta scoot! We are off to our Hopeline Africa Mission in about 30 minutes to spend our LAST day there with the children! This week has gone by so fast! Can <b>not</b> believe I will be leaving one week from tonight!</div><br></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-64327907184351410832014-11-16T10:48:00.001-08:002014-11-16T12:05:44.641-08:00Days of Celebration!<div>The last two days (Saturday and Sunday) have been days of great celebration at Hopeline! On Saturday the parents of the school students were invited to attend a program and lunch in our honor at the mission. The school area was all decked out with drapes of pink and blue satin creating a most festive look. The children were all spiffed up as well in their new t-shirts that Linda had made for them-showing the connection between Chuck's ministry in Southern Ca and Hopeline Africa Mission here in Uganda! </div><div><br></div><div>There are 16 students in the Children's Choir.....and you should hear them sing! Through Chuck Obremski Ministries, Linda has been able to provide the school with a keyboard and sound system and what they have done with them is truly amazing! I wish Blogger had sound! You would be blown away! One of the students, Grace, wrote a song to thank Linda for all she has done ......and it is so wonderful and heartwarming! They call Linda.....Mama Linda.....hence the title of the song! </div><div><br></div><div>Here are some of the choir members....Grace is in the middle. Pictured below them you see the kids teaching the "moves" of the song "Mama Linda" to Linda and Pat!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YIPpUg4xAWI/VGj1J--7_lI/AAAAAAAAKEc/jfZ8PxN8RCw/s640/blogger-image-1118464473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YIPpUg4xAWI/VGj1J--7_lI/AAAAAAAAKEc/jfZ8PxN8RCw/s640/blogger-image-1118464473.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After the presentation on Saturday and again after the church service on Sunday a great lunch was prepared for the students and any family members in attendance. We were pleased and humbled to be able to serve them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DBw9Kh2zDFc/VGj_qvpZlVI/AAAAAAAAKEs/4zOvWgFxW3c/s640/blogger-image-220955045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DBw9Kh2zDFc/VGj_qvpZlVI/AAAAAAAAKEs/4zOvWgFxW3c/s640/blogger-image-220955045.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div> <b>We are having a wonderful time with the children of Hopeline Africa!</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d6FVkjHgiys/VGkCfKNOJmI/AAAAAAAAKE4/TsT2wyx-EXA/s640/blogger-image-567452141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d6FVkjHgiys/VGkCfKNOJmI/AAAAAAAAKE4/TsT2wyx-EXA/s640/blogger-image-567452141.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gPB2sguL6E4/VGkCmQ_CqTI/AAAAAAAAKFA/-RUHoY8FxfU/s640/blogger-image--1140458979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gPB2sguL6E4/VGkCmQ_CqTI/AAAAAAAAKFA/-RUHoY8FxfU/s640/blogger-image--1140458979.jpg"></a></div> </div><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-49560073749675021162014-11-15T21:04:00.001-08:002014-11-15T21:35:15.797-08:00Sunday in Africa!We have enjoyed two wonderful days with the children of Hopeline! Today we return for their Sunday church service......and we are hoping the journey there is much better than yesterday! Remember how I previously stated the drive to Mukono was about 45 minutes? ......well yesterday was Saturday and I had assumed the traffic would be lighter than on a work day......WRONG!!!! <div><br></div><div>Kampala is the capital city of Uganda, but it is unlike any other capital city I have ever been in. Last city I resided in without traffic lights was Slippery Rock PA.....a long, long time ago! I'm not sure I have yet to see one traffic light here or stop sign.....you just "go"!!! Whether its your turn or not! That being said....it took us about 2 1/<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">2 ho</span>urs to arrive at our destination yesterday (and 2 on the return home!!) </div><div><br></div><div>In Uganda, for the duration of our trip we have a driver.....George! He is a very patient young man! Not only does he have the 5 of us to escort around, answer questions for and make as many of our requests appear as possible.....but he has to drive this "van" that so far has had a broken window, an AC unit that sounds like a machine shop when used(Even I need AC....this is Africa after all!!) and a few...so far....minor bumps and bruises! This is the only photo I have of him on this adventure to this point! He saw me delivering the shirts I brought from my church in Las Vegas and asked so politely if he could have one.....of course you can George!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jopXkjnc3kI/VGg2zcyQ0NI/AAAAAAAAKEM/ut_hL732Gwo/s640/blogger-image--885075554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jopXkjnc3kI/VGg2zcyQ0NI/AAAAAAAAKEM/ut_hL732Gwo/s640/blogger-image--885075554.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>More to come later...don't want to be late for church!!</b></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-85665999186015022512014-11-14T21:56:00.001-08:002014-11-14T22:50:40.748-08:00Hopeline Mission School and Orphanage in Mukono Africa!What an amazing day yesterday was!! We were blessed beyond compare to meet everyone and see the school for ourselves! Truly brings life into perspective! Spending just one day here with these wonderful people is so life changing! I know these are all cliches.....but they really do fit our first experience in Africa! <div><br></div><div>We do have a nice, clean and fairly new place to stay at night.....but in the morning we drive in a somewhat rickety old van about 45 minutes outside of Kampala, past buildings and houses the like I have never seen in America. There are a lot of cars and a lot of people.....and more than cars there are motorcycles by the thousands they call borda-bordas....and more than that even are people walking ....lots of them with women carrying huge packages on their head....for long distances I imagine!</div><div><br></div><div>Finally we turn off the main road onto a passageway.....you can't even call it a street or a road.... for what seemed like miles. The thought occurred to me that if it rained during the day like it had overnight.....we might not even be able to get out and back to that main road!!! The potholes or ruts were so deep I also wondered if we'd get stuck or if our "safari jeep" would overturn. But on we trudge. There are no street signs, no "road" markers of any kind.....we actually had to pick up Pastor Roland up on the main street to show us the way......and we just kept going passing what we in America would call shacks...cobbled together with what they could find to make a shelter; and we see children....lots and lots of children! Oh and goats....and chickens and the occasional cow! At every turn I'm sure we were all thinking: Could this be it?? But finally we come to what seemed like the end of the road to Hopeline Africa!</div><div><br></div><div>Here was what I wrote to John yesterday.....my first impression:</div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>this school/mission/orphanage .....could really use all the help it can get.... wait til you see the photos!! it is in the middle of nowhere.....in like abandoned looking buildings, but the nicest kids you'd ever want to meet! when we got there they all ran toward the van and when we got out they clapped and cheered.....felt like rock stars on a red carpet.</i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><br></i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This has been one of the best days of my life!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q3IQod2N5GA/VGbeovg805I/AAAAAAAAKDc/qJw1OaLbxOA/s640/blogger-image-1310067436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q3IQod2N5GA/VGbeovg805I/AAAAAAAAKDc/qJw1OaLbxOA/s640/blogger-image-1310067436.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZI29JZ0rgVw/VGbersxz95I/AAAAAAAAKDs/ERIM3ncR_pU/s640/blogger-image--852191252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZI29JZ0rgVw/VGbersxz95I/AAAAAAAAKDs/ERIM3ncR_pU/s640/blogger-image--852191252.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s4AnH1ZJVCs/VGbeqdZgamI/AAAAAAAAKDk/Aa3B1_bUPS8/s640/blogger-image--221387117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s4AnH1ZJVCs/VGbeqdZgamI/AAAAAAAAKDk/Aa3B1_bUPS8/s640/blogger-image--221387117.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eMzXSheCURs/VGbetNuvQoI/AAAAAAAAKD0/68dA8O4eLrw/s640/blogger-image--942577798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eMzXSheCURs/VGbetNuvQoI/AAAAAAAAKD0/68dA8O4eLrw/s640/blogger-image--942577798.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jNl5YMWXk5k/VGbeuLdm8GI/AAAAAAAAKD8/wbFU0CAK-fw/s640/blogger-image-226177062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jNl5YMWXk5k/VGbeuLdm8GI/AAAAAAAAKD8/wbFU0CAK-fw/s640/blogger-image-226177062.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HGYkPVIRoVM/VGbel2OUp8I/AAAAAAAAKDU/0b5DhG83Q2g/s640/blogger-image--1382623220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HGYkPVIRoVM/VGbel2OUp8I/AAAAAAAAKDU/0b5DhG83Q2g/s640/blogger-image--1382623220.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></span></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-65640227566515650882014-11-14T06:59:00.000-08:002014-11-14T07:09:10.721-08:00First Day in Africa!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were up early this morning and on our way to Hopeline School and Orphanage for our first adventure here in Kampala. We definitely are not in 'Kansas' anymore! I will download some of today's photos when we get back from dinner.....off to Cafe Roma for Italian!! </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime I'll share a picture I took this morning with my iPad: This is the Apricot Guest House which will be our home for the first 6 nights here in Uganda!</span><br>
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<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rJOdoO5mrio/VGYZTJThDiI/AAAAAAAAKDE/FCRpHfxJyG0/s640/blogger-image-526687817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rJOdoO5mrio/VGYZTJThDiI/AAAAAAAAKDE/FCRpHfxJyG0/s640/blogger-image-526687817.jpg"></a></div>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com3Apricot Guesthouse Muyenga, Kampala0.29417 32.620426tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-67205554798880937012014-11-12T10:29:00.001-08:002014-11-12T10:29:29.822-08:00On my way to Africa!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TND5MBCgdIA/VGOnB85duPI/AAAAAAAAKC0/NV-gD6f4OsU/s640/blogger-image-2133091509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TND5MBCgdIA/VGOnB85duPI/AAAAAAAAKC0/NV-gD6f4OsU/s640/blogger-image-2133091509.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the plane to JFK</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">My love fest continues with American Airlines! With a little persuading, some good information from my AA friend Lin and two pages printed from 2 websites I was able to check the 4 bags loaded with stuff for Africa!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">Thanks AA!</span></div></span>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-70609265332842079202014-11-11T12:51:00.001-08:002014-11-12T01:29:02.934-08:00The Journey Begins.....<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Leaving
just before noon from Orange California with all of their luggage!
Rachel, Linda, Maryann and Pat! I will join them in Uganda Thursday
night!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With
the truck packed they are off to group leader Dave's house to join the
other 8 before they head out to LAX and their 3:35pm flight to Dubai!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Me?? I'm still packing....I have almost that much myself!! Ha, ha!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it's 1am and I'm now done and ready to go! But I'll get a few hours sleep first while the rest of the gang flies over Russia!</span>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6157912533543865841.post-48772103661184251802014-11-10T18:12:00.001-08:002014-11-10T18:12:23.040-08:00T-38 Hours.....and counting!<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Won't be long now......</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The last few days have been busy, busy, busy! I have shopped and shopped, I have tried on skirts (I look awful in skirts btw!!) I have made piles, I have made lists, I have organized, I have made a million trips up and down the stairs, I have packed and re-packed, I have weighed the suitcases, added more then re-weighed the luggage.....AND I'm still not done yet!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But at 8:05 Wednesday morning I WILL be ready.....ready or not! I've tried my darn-est to find out how many bags I can check on American! I've gotten great advice from a friend Lin who works at the EXP desk, so I'm going to take my chances and pack all 4..... and hope for the best!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What in the world am I taking you ask?? Well, for once not much for me......except those silly skirts and tops to match, shoes, pjs, toiletries, and snacks galore....I'm a picky eater remember! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have special friends who have contributed to my project with dollars for chickens and shoes and bibles. My wonderful group of airline friends have sent me boxes and boxes of toiletries & amenity kits to pass out. The church we attend in Henderson NV gave me some of their "I Love My Church" t-shirts to share with the church near Kampala. I have scoured the Dollar Bins at Target, as well as the sale racks at both Target, Carters and Gymboree! I have picked up children's toys and books in addition to clothing of all sizes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here are just a few photos of what I've organized and packed so far(then after I took these I emptied these suitcases and packed it all in larger ones!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fingers crossed I can check all of these special things on the plane with me..... I am so happy and proud to take them with me to Kampala on Wednesday! I hope everyone likes what I'm bringing!</span>AmazingAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07750743866268678578noreply@blogger.com3