NicolesLetters.org

June 22, 2008

Day 2 Summer Uganda

Today started out with the local rooster making sure nobody slept through his or her alarms. Bright and early and luckily well-rested people were busy about the hotel. We all got clean clothes delivered fresh which was great!

We gathered for breakfast and enjoyed the traditional Ridar hotel breakfast it’s amazing. Waffles, fruit, omelets, fresh juice, cereal and my favorite instant coffee (no really I’m not joking I do LOVE it)! Everyone was happy as could be to have slept in a bed and had a shower. The buzz of excitement for the safari was all the news. Everyone made last minute stops before preparing to load the buses for the trip. I gave a big wave and waited for someone to pick me up for the church service. This morning I felt like I was never so happy to be somewhere. All morning, I kept thinking that somebody needed to pinch me.
When I got to the street that leads down to the school I was very excited! I knew it was just a short time before I could see the kids. I have been waiting for 7 months to return.

I knew I had to call the airport and see if the bags had come in but I didn’t let that weigh on my mind during the service. I saw Robinah as I walked in and gave her a hug. The younger children were not in the large service yet. I waited patiently and peaked to the back of the room every once in a while to see if the other kids had come in. They arrived slowly and I caught a glimpse of Angela. I saw her at the end and caught up with Norah also. So many kids were coming to see me. It’s like I have a following while I am here. I’m glad about that. I had them take me outside to see the water well after the service. I think I had about 4 kids hanging on each of my hands. Some of the children are asking me about their sponsors, some people I don’t know. They are very happy to hear any information about the people sponsoring them. There are pictures of the water well on the picture page as well as of many children.

I will have to keep today brief, as I have spent a long time trying to coordinate the lost luggage at the airport. Good news is that we got most of our bags and I have made some friends at the baggage claim and they are working on the rest of them! Tomorrow I start with the profiles, can’t wait to share stories!!

Nicole