These are a few of my favorite things

Ok, to offset the negativity of my last post I figured I would do a happier one...

I LOVE...

the sweet bananas...not matoke which is kinda like mashed potatoes but not really...the actual bananas are great! You have to be a little careful though because they can plug you up...Africa is a delicate balance of constipation and diarrhea!!

American and African friends, although I haven't known them long we do have a lot of fun together...some I will fill you in on when I come home, some of it goes with the saying, what happens in Africa stays in Africa

My dad, I love that he wants me to learn new things and that he loves to hear about my country as well. I love that he wants me to fall in love with the things and people he loves to take me to new places. I love the deeper conversations we can get into about religion and people. I love that he is intentional in his walk with Christ and the way he goes about his day

My mom and how much fun we have. She is wonderful to joke with and I don't feel bad when I don't eat posho. I'm glad that I am not the only one who hates that stuff! I love that she wants to teach me how to cook and actually and then actually allows me to. I love that she takes me to introduction ceremonies and will take me to weddings. I love that she introduces me as her daughter and defends me when men are rude!

My host sister Rachel, she is the one I connect with the most and am able to laugh the most with. Last night we went to get "pancakes" (flour and banana cakes that are pretty small), and on the way home we decided to catch fireflies. I love that I can be crazy and joke with her and that she loves to teach me how to cook also. I love that she is so simple in her joy which spreads to the entire family. Numerous times a day she says something and the entire family begins to laugh.

My little sister faith who finally likes me! Last night we played for an hour by ourself laughing and trying to catch a bird for her (there actually weren't any but she thought there were some in a tree). She laughed with me and cried when I left with Rachel to get pancakes. I love that she finally loves me. When I left for school this morning she said good morning and goodbye to me in English. I love that I can play with her and she cuddles with me!

My unborn sister or brother who I am super excited to meet. I am excited for the opportunity to hold a newborn Ugandan baby who is my own brother or sister!

Dark chocolate...I brought a stash with me and have been slowly eating it. I try not to eat it everyday, although I would, because I will need it when I am having more hard days. They only have milk chocolate so I am very thankful that I brought some with me.

Drink mixes, I brough propel and others brought gatorade, cool-aid, iced tea. They are a nice mix up from the water and tea which is all we usually get (Other than Fanta and Coke which gets old fast!)

Beans and Rice, all the Americans are very thankful when we are served that for lunch. Matoke and posho are not so good and the rice with beans is amazing! I also love it when I get it at home, they call the sauce of beans soup which is amazing over rice!!

I love tea time, mostly because it is a quite time for me and my family to just hang out. I love the tea as well, especially with g-nuts which are similar to peanuts but so much better. Sometimes I have it with pancakes also or the other night I got tea, popcorn! real french fries! and a chicken wing!! It was an amazing break that I truly believe was sent by God to remind me that home is not that far off and that he is far closer.

Lastly, I love devotions with my family. Nightly we read a bible passage and the accompanying article in a devotion book. The second night here I was asked to lead devotions and pray which was wonderful but daunting. The next night I was asked to lead the prayer which was even more intimidating because they literally pray for everything. But it is a cool time of worship within our family. I also love how intentionally they pray, they truly believe they can change life with their prayers which I feel like others fail to believe fully.

I am still struggling, which I do not expect to change much but there is good that does outweigh the bad. Life here is confusing and hard but wonderful and adventurous. It is rugged but a blessing. Life is simple but intricately woven with the spiritual realm. Ugandans are different and weird but my brothers and sisters in Christ. Already God has taught me so much and I am blessed to be able to go through this experience.

A few things to pray for: My knee has been hurting a lot and the 45 minute walk is tough, especially in the morning when it is uphill. Also, I have had a sore throat for a few days but I don't know if the health center is reliable enough to fix it. I miss you all terribly but Africa has more lessons to teach me before I can come home. This weekend I will be in Jinja which is about 60 kilometers away. It is supposed to be the most beautiful place in Uganda and it is the source of the Nile! I will update again when I come back on Monday!