Traveling and Day 1

So we made it safe and sound! Praise the Lord for that. None of our bags got lost or anything like that, we all made our flights on time and we got lots of time to read, take naps (definately needed) on our 25 hour adventure to Uganda. I got the chance to have some great conversations with people on the plane. I was next to fellow students the whole time and a few of them expressed interest in going to the church here with us. One of the girls was even talking about how she tries to read the Bible daily over the summer and we got to talk about religion vs. a relationship. it was so encouraging!
I also got to find out a little more about the church that we're going to with Dr. Bishop. It is protestant and it seems that people are very connected to God there. She said they play english worship music, songs that we will recognize (yay for getting group worship time here!) and that people are always raising their hands up to the Lord. I'm really excited for that.

I read this verse yesterday on the plane and it fits so well with this trip, I love it when that happens.
Psalm 96:2-3 "Sing to the Lord, bless his name, tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the people!"

We got in around 8:30 Uganda time yesterday and we went straight to the resort from the airport. There were a few of the administrators who met us at the airport and went with us in the bus to Red Chilli, where we're staying. I got to sit next to one of the lovely ladies; her name is Patricia and she told me all about Uganda (well not all but it was a 45 minute ride so that's still a lot of info).
On the bus ride, while sitting at a stop light, the bus was approached by 6 or 7 children, the youngest looked about 3, who were begging, putting their hands up hoping that we will throw something, anything down to them.
I had brought lots of hard candy to hand out to kids but it was in my checked bags, which were under the bus so I had nothing to give them. It was hard seeing the desperation, I got a few pictures of them while I'll put on facebook with the rest of the pictures. But God is the God of that city. He is the Hope of that nation. He is the King of those people. He is the light to their darkness and I'm so thankful for that.

This morning, we met bright and early for breakfast to finally meet the students from the Makere University Business School (MUBS for short). We got to do an ice breaker sort of activity for a long long time so we got to know each of the 12 students pretty well. 2 at least I know are Christians, and I think a few more might be. I'm excited to find out when I get to know them better. Anyway, we went on a campus tour of MUBS and then to lunch at a place that looks like a cross between KFC and McDonalds, with fried chicken and burgers. Odd first lunch in Uganda but it definitely didn't taste like it was from America. It was different but not bad.

Then we went to the market. I had always seen pictures of things like it but never expected what it actually was. A huge area with mud floor (my shoes are very messy) and small little box type shops where you can barely fit one person filled with merchandise that people try to sell. The walkways are so tight that you can't walk anywhere without bumping into someone or getting swept up into a current (I was wearing my pick-pocket free purse so don't worry Mom!).
When we walked by, the majority of people would shout "mazungu" or something like that which I found out later means "white person" but the MUBS students said it's a respectful term. We were the only white people around so it makes sense that they were suprised. It's so hard to believe that people make their living in a place like that. We are so privileged in America, praise the Lord for that.

I saw more begger kids and had my Dum Dums with me so I gave some out and some of the kids didn't even know what to do with them. I was also able to leave some tracts in a place or two. You can pray for those!

Despite the poverty around (and there is a ton), the people are generally happy. One of the MUBS girls, Robbie, was telling us about it. We hear all the time in the US that Africa is just one huge depressed country where not one person has a dime to their name. But the people aren't all poor, especially in Kampala, the city we're in. It almost feels like just a dirty city at home rather then a place in Africa. Way different then my expectations. Anyway, though a lot of the people are poor, they seem to have pretty good attitudes; enjoying the life that they have. I'm sure this is nothing compared to the joy that comes from the Lord but it's good to know that they aren't giving up. Prayers for the poor here would be appreciated!

Like I said earlier, the city is about half Christian, half Muslim. There are two big hills in Uganda, and on top of one, there is an Anglican church, and on the other, there is a Mosque....ironic? I'm excited to meet some mustlims and talk with them sometime in the next few weeks.

I will try to post again tomorrow but getting the internet here is tough, you really gotta fight for it. Until next time:

Prayer Requests:
faithfulness with QT's
conversations and boldness in them
relationships with our classmates and with the MUBS students
that we will very obviously shine God's light to the people

Love always, Loren

PS: facebook me some updates and verses! I would love to hear them :)