this beautiful city

We have truly enjoyed being here this summer, and we have seen so much! We will miss the free museums with wonderful history, the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the ward here, Mount Vernon, and so much more. We have been so amazed how much Liam loves the museums...Emma not so much, but she loves to be able to walk around, pushing the stroller, and/well keeping us on our toes. The kids have enjoyed our walks everywhere, as that is how we have traveled this entire summer, unless it was a weekend and Caleb drove us (I havent driven since we have been here, as it is frightening, and he has had the car!). We have been to the mall multiple times, playing at the indoor playground, and going to the outdoor mall with the fountains for kids to play in. So much fun! We have also enjoyed swimming in the pool!

Although we will always treasure the memories we have had here, and have had a great time, we all look forward to getting out of our hotel room!!!!! I cannot believe we made it, a mere 12 weeks, in this tiny space. Something we will always remember, but not sure that we ever want to do it again...we look forward to sleeping in our own beds, our own rooms, having a bit bigger kitchen with 4 stove top burners & oven.

Here is a picture of all of us right before we left for here, and when we get home you can see how much the kids have grown. See you soon!

Farewell Uganda!!!

Hello Everyone,

I can't believe I will be leaving Uganda tomorrow. The time has seemed like it has flown by so fast... I feel like I was able to do some good here....but I could do even more. The people here have taught me so much about love and concern for one another. I have felt so cared for here by the Ugandans. They are such a happy people even though they have practically nothing.... It amazes me really! This experience has also opened my eyes to the world and that life can be so difficult, yet we can find good and hope in all situations. I also have really learned that as I return home I need to seek to serve those people at home also. I learned I can do good whenever and wherever I am at. Thank you so much for all of your love and support and prayers since I have been here. It has really meant so much to me. I love you all so much!

This week I have finished my teacher trainings and today we did a day long disability training where we worked with disabled children and their families. Disabled children here are outcasted from the communities and so we were able to bring 30 families together to join a group of families with disabilities. It was amazing to see these families unite and plan for their futures. It was such an amazing experience to talk with the families. I was able to do many house visits with these families and learn of their personal difficulties and now was able to help them find others so that they can find strength in one another. It was a great way to end my adventure here!

I am so happy and blessed from coming to Uganda. I will see you all soon.... I love you!

Love,Jen

The Latest from Uganda

Hello Everyone,

Well, I have a total of one week left… I can’t believe that it has gone by so fast. It is crazy how time flies… I feel like I have so much more to do here. I feel like this experience has enriched my life in so many ways. I am will forever be grateful for this experience.

Last week was amazing. I spent most of the week in Gulu which is up North about 6 hours. This is where the most recent conflict/civil war has been in Uganda and the “Invisible Children” documentary was filmed. This is a very damaged area and the people there are still recovering. I was able to meet with 2 women groups. One women group we are working with makes paper bead necklaces and we are working with them to sell them in the U.S. to help them pay for their children’s school fees. The other women’s group we are working with we were able to help buy pigs to help them start a piggery project where the women will raise pigs and sale them to help pay for the many orphans they are taking care of due to the conflict in Gulu.

Also, last week in Gulu I was able to work in the schools… I taught teacher trainings which were pretty amazing. The teachers were very honest about their concerns about teaching. For example at one school they have 1300 students and only 17 teachers. They had 140 students in primary 4. It is overwhelming. I also was able to teach students about staying in school they have a huge problem with children dropping out of school especially girls at the age of puberty. The girls feel like when they hit puberty it is there time to have children. So our goal is to educate as many of the students as we can to remind them to stay in school and the importance of staying in school. To put it into perspective they had 240 girls in primary 6 and only 54 girls in primary 7. They all drop out! It is a huge problem and makes me so sad. My time in Gulu was a time of learning. War can destroy a people for a time being but the people there are hopeful and on their way up.

Then I finished last week with a three day adventure at Murchison Falls! Yes, It was absolutely amazing. Day one was a game drive… I saw giraffes, elephants, buffalos, hippos, antelopes, birds… and so much more… it was incredible to be in Africa in these animals habitat. Day 2 was another game drive… this was even more entertaining because an elephant charged at us. Then we went on a boat drive to the Murchison falls on the boat ride hippos surrounded us and it was incredible yet scary they were so close to use. I felt like it was the jungle book ride at Disneyland. Literally! Then there were crocodiles swimming nearby. It was amazing. Then we hiked to the falls it was the prettiest waterfall! The hike was humid and hot but so worth it. Day 3 was filled with even more excitement, we trekked Chimpanzees and we found them… Many of them. The shrills of their cries were overwhelming as fruit and leaves fell on our heads as they moved along the trees above us. They were only about 10 feet away from us. It was awesome! (yet freaked me out quite a bit) Then the last part of my adventure was visiting a Rhino reserve where we hiked the grasslands and stood within 2o feet of a rhino (not behind) a fence. It was so funny they told me if it looks at you and starts to charge, run and climb a tree. You should have seen my response; I did an awkward laugh and said really. I can’t climb a tree! But, no worries I did not have to climb a tree and I was able to see a Rhino up close and personal!

Needless to say last week was really incredible and I was able to see so much and experience so much. If you have heard on the news about the bombings here there is no need to worry. I am 45 minutes away from the location and I was on a safari when it happened. I feel very safe here and am not very concerned. My group is being very cautious and careful. Well, I need to go now but I love you all very much and I am so excited to see you in a week! Thank you for all of your continued prayers and love.

Love you,

Jen

Bombings in Uganda

We talked to Jen this morning. She has been away on a safari for the past couple of days, but she said all of the members of her group are fine and safe. I guess the bombings happened about an hour away from them , and she had actually been in that city twice last week. She sounds good!

Love you all,
Rachel

My First Tomato

As I've probably noted previously, we're growing a garden in our friends' yard. To make a long story short, this kind of sharecropping was necessary in our apartment dwelling life. It has been, mostly, a lovely experience. Both families labor and split the costs of the endeavor and share equally in the spoils.

I've spent a little more time in the garden this week with our friends and the rest of the Puentes all out of town. Our tomato plants are starting to fruit and what a terrific variety of colors and shapes we've got going. I harvested a handful of the first fruits yesterday. I didn't think much of it until I got home, but decided to make a simple Caprese salad (tomatoes, mozarella and basil, lightly dressed with olive oil, salt and pepper). It was indescribably good, better than any salad I've had at fine restaurants. It is just one of the many transcendent experiences I've had in that garden over the last few months.

Not to complain about this modern world of ours, with so many blessings and benefits, but I feel sad that so few have the experience of a garden. Of the miracle of watching things grow and of tasting of the direct fruits of our labor. For me, a garden is a real testimony builder. I thought I'd see if anyone else out there felt the same. A google search for "god" and "tomato" yielded this result:

“Behold, the lowly tomato, token of God’s goodness, sign of his love and favor!” And thus our kids were introduced verbally to this dazzling, created order.

They were introduced much earlier with catechism questions:

Q. Who made you?
A. God made me.

Q. What else did God make?
A. God made all things.

Q. Why did God make you and all things?
A. For his own glory.

But, “Behold, the lowly tomato” was tangible, it was red, and juicy and sweet. And I hope they’ll always remember the tomato, token of God’s love and goodness. http://beholdthelowlytomato.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/why-the-lowly-tomato/

I couldn't have put it better my self.

More Uganda

Hello Everyone,
Thank you so much for the emails about your July 4th good times. I sure did miss being in the U.S. yesterday but it was so special being with other Americans in another country.

So, another crazy Uganda story. So there is this crazy "garbage man" (literally a mentally ill man that hates white people) that lives in Mukono and as I was walking down the street today he hit me in the face and my glasses flew off... A little shocking is all I can say.... The boy that was with me scared him off. Then on the way back home today he was there again and hit the guy I was with. We came home and told our country director... he along with our Boda driver Freddy went and found him. They did a citizen arrest and literally tied him to a tree until the cops came to get him and take him to a mental hospital. That is another example of crazy behaviors in Uganda! Oh Boy! But I am safe and don't worry I didn't get hit very hard.

Today was a fantastic day... I started another teacher training today at an elementary school. The teachers are so eager to learn new teaching techniques and to be taught. I love working with the teachers here. I also went to a secondary school (high school) and taught life skills lessons to students about self-defense, leadership, etc. The children here are very eager to learn!

Tomorrow we are getting ready to head to Gulu, which is about 6 hours north of Mukono (where I am staying) I will be working on square foot gardening and teaching it to village people. I will also be doing teacher trainings in small village schools. Then this weekend I am headed to Murchison Falls for a safari. I am so excited about it! I lifelong dream for me really.

Well, mom good luck on your surgery on Wednesday someone please call and let me know how things turned out. I will pray for you! The phone number to call is 256701049756. Jody, is Dallin still sick? I am sad to hear he is sick and worrying. He is his dad's kid. Chris what is this traveling to Utah stuff..... I told you how I feel about that... You can not take the kids from me! I would be so sad. Rebecca, I am so glad you guys made it home safe and you had a great time. Rachel good job on the lesson. I am sure the girls learned very much from you! I am so sad to hear about Rich and Gilda... I can't believe that.

Well, I love you guys so much! Please take good care of mom... I have never missed a surgery of hers. She will need some tender love and care. Thanks for being so supportive and wonderful.

Love you,
Jen

Happy 4th from Jen

Hello Everyone,

Happy 4th of July! I hope you had a great day... BBQ and celebrated without me! I had a great day today. First, things first the mouse is dead... Yes, we found it today and killed it with a frying pan! I know that is quite violent and disgusting but it was needed! I will sleep much better tonight.

Today was a great Sunday. We went to church today and it was very wonderful. The people are so humble, loving, kind, and friendly. They love Heavenly Father and always do their best to be obedient and to serve others.

Then we went to the Embassy for a 4th of July party... It was so wonderful.... Get this in Uganda we got hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, coleslaw, cake, and baked beans! It was so wonderful. We had so much fun with American music, performances, and fireworks. It was so awesome to be with a bunch of Americans on the 4th. It really reminded me again how blessed I am to live in the U.S. We are such a blessed people with so many opportunities in our lives.

Well, I need to go but I love you lots! I hope everyone is doing well and I hope to hear from you soon!

Love you,

Jen

Happy Independence Day!!

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July. It has always been one of my favorite holidays. For the food, the fireworks and for what we're celebrating. We enjoy unprecedented freedoms in this day and age, in many countries. But much of what is now taken for granted in the western world started here. I'm grateful to those men and women who fought to promote liberty and freedom and to those, through the years, who have continued that fight. May we all have a lovely Independence Day!

Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty. ~Louis D. Brandeis

America is much more than a geographical fact. It is a political and moral fact - the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality. ~Adlai Stevenson

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck

The Adventure Continues!

Hello Everyone,

So since I have been in Uganda I have had many wonderful experiences....This morning was not one of them! I woke up to a little crawling... yes I said crawling on my arm! I thought I was hullicinating because of my Malaria meds. I couldn't see because I did not have my glasses on.... Anyhow, I hopped out of my bed and looked at it and even mentioned to another girl that I had felt crawling... Then I sat by my bed and watched... and there it was a little mouse crawling through my bed in my mosquito net! Absolutely repulsive. I have experienced much here in Uganda, but this has pushed me to a new level! Having mice crawl on me as a sleep.... My goal today is to find that mouse and kill it! I know I normally don't kill things, but this might be the exception... The mouse has violated me! Oh my gosh! I will keep you posted!

Love you all,

Jen

More from Jen

Hello Everyone,

Check out our team blog... it goes over a lot of what we are doing here! It is quite clever and informative... I have not done my own blog, so check this out.www.helpmukono.blogspot.com.

Love you lots,

Jen