Weddings!

Hallo!

So I am finally back in Kampala. It has been such a fun and busy week. I went to the Ranch last Tuesday morning. Josephats is the guy who works for Cornerstone who helps with the visitors. He just graduated from the University and is so much fun. He takes me everywhere to make sure I am safe. The whole organazation is amazing. It was a two hour drive up there in the Mutatu, which is a taxi van. The drive was rough because there were so many potholes in the road, but I survived.

When we arrived we put my stuff in the "cottages". Which is a hut in a circle shape. It is cement with a grass roof, no electricity, and no running water. It was so beautiful and clean. I felt like I was in paradise. It was kind of fun only having a lantern at night. I had the whole hut to myself.

Josephats then gave me a tour of the ranch. I met the headmasters of the primary, secondary, and boys academy. After that I went with the other American voluteers there to help a primary teacher build a hut for a local widow. We went through the bush with meshedis, cut down branches, carried them 30 minutes farther into the bush and nailed them to the frame that was already started from the previous day. We worked on that for a few hours. Then we headed back to the cottages for dinner.

At eight we went to the boys academy to teach computers. They were just recently donated so a lot of the boys have never used them. We taught pretty basic skills, like how to use a mouse. The Academy is "A" level school here which is the equivelence of grades 12 and 13 in the states. It is a two year prep before they go to the University. Then they recieve their degree in three years, so they graduated the same time as students in the US. These guys at the Ranch are ages 18-22 and live there in dorms.

The second day I was there I went to the primary school and read to third graders. There were 101 students in one classroom! So I had a group of about 20. It was challenging but fun. We read with them everyday at 10:30 and 3:30. In between we go have lunch with the academy guys and find other work to do in the afternoon. We returned on Thursday evening for the wedding.

Two people who work for Cornerstone are getting married, Sarah and Phillip. Sarah invited me and three other americans to the traditional wedding which was yesterday, Saturday. We had to get traditional clothes made last week. We went up to Fort Portal where she is from on Friday and staying the night in a hotel in order to be at her house in time for the wedding since it was a four hour drive. We arrived at 12 and waited for the Phillip and his family and members of his tribe to arrive. It was beautifu. THey had two large white tents set up with flowers everwhere and chairs for everyone to sit in. Then there were two couches and facing eathother with a coffee table in between. So each tent is behind each couch so that when everyone is sitting, the two tribes are facing eachothers. They put us in the very front row because we were "special visitors" so we got to see everything. It was an all day event where Phillip and the men in his family sit on the couch and negociate the bride price with Sarah's father, grandfather, and brother. It wasn't in English but we followed alnog. About every 30 min Phillip's family and friends would go bring soda, sugar, salt, money, goats, and ultimately a cow. When the gifts were accepted and the negociating was over, there was a feast. THere were about 200 people there. At the closing ceremony they signed a certificate giving Sarah away to marry Phillip this coming Saturday in a church. I was an amazing experiece and a great way to understand the culture better. I was so honored to be there. I will post pictures when I get back.

So that was my weekend. I am doing laundry today and then heading back to the Ranch on Tuesday. Will return saturday for the wedding, then off to Mukono on Sunday to start my teaching placement!

I have been healthy since I got here so please continue to pray for that and safety when traveling. I am having a wonderful time and loving every minute here! Thanks for everthing!

Grace and Peace

I am Here!

Hello all!!

I have arrived safely in Uganda. The country is beautiful and the people are amazing. I have just been in Kampala the past few days getting adjusted to the time difference. I have done some touristy things, but it is kind of weird not being able to share it with someone. I will be going to the ranch tomorrow which is where Cornerstone has its primary and secondary schools. I am so excited to be able to finally work with the kids! I have to run, but I will write when I return on Friday. Love you all and miss you! Thanks for all your prayers!

Grace and Peace,

Bets

Let the Journey Begin!

It is about 1 am here in Wisconson as I am preparing to fly out of Chicago tomorrow afternoon for Uganda. It seems like this day has taken forever and I can't believe it is finally here! I thought I would be scared and nervous, but at this point in time I am excited, and a little stressed. I just hope that traveling goes smooth and that I get from the airport in Uganda to where I am staying safely.

This past weekend I had the chance to meet a Ugandan family in Janesville and have dinner with them! Her name is Joy, and her husband's name is Gideon. They have three beautiful little boys. The whole family is absolutely amazing. She made me a traditional Ugandan meal and gave me some helpful hints to get by in the country. In addition to all this information she provided many contacts for me within Uganda to visit or incase I ever need anything. I will hopefully get the chance to travel to her home village and meet her family one weekend. She is also trying to start a Center for Positive Thinking in Kampala. There is a pastor there already working on it and I am going to try and visit him. That would be a great opportunity to get involved in later. It was just a blessing to meet all of them!

I will hopefully get a chance to write when I get there in a couple days! I should arrive Wednesday night. Thanks again for all your support!

Grace and Peace

Praises for Protection!

Hello All,

It has been a crazy couple days. As I was running around on Sunday getting last minute things for my trip I got in a bad car accident. A man ran a red light and I T-boned him going about 45 mph. I had my seatbelt on and the airbag went off. It was a miracle that everyone walked away from it! I just know God was watching out for me. Both cars are totalled.

We were suppose to leave yesterday for Wisconsin, but the car we were taking is now gone. Thus the trip was put off until tonight. We are getting a rental car to take. I will spend a couple days with my Grandparents in Wisconsin, and then fly out of Chicago next Tuesday. One week from today!

I am super nervous and excited. Everything seems to be coming together, even in these last few days. I found out that there will be a few American college girls working with Cornerstone when I am there. Hopefully they will be able to take me around a bit and help me get settled.

Thanks for all your support and prayers!

love,

bets