The journey was long, but we could not have asked for easier travel! The moment I walked through the international terminal gate in Chicago, I became the minority. I was grateful to find the my seat-mate on the plane was a fellow American, who understood the idea of personal space AND personal hygiene. While feeling under the weather, the 13 hour flight seemed daunting, but I only made it through one movie and don’t remember much else (well, besides all meals and snacks, of course). Praise the Lord for good rest. Don’t ask me what day or time it was in Dubai, or anywhere else for that matter, when I arrived, but I know it was dark outside. Thankfully, there was still hot shower water and a hot meal left for my taking. To answer the obvious burning question, I DID get to leave the hotel and go into UAE without a visa. Sadly, not as exciting as many of you may have hoped, because this girl was tired and heard the parental voice in the back of her head saying, “Don’t go anywhere without an adult and don’t go out of sight of the hotel.” So. I made sure to keep the hotel in sight at all times, only because I didn’t want to get kidnapped, not because I may have a poor sense of direction…

In Dubai, I met up with the missionaries, Dr. Tim and Janice McCall, and another intern whom I met last year, Hunter. Grateful for familiar faces! The rest of our travel to RG went smoothly. We arrived late in the evening, and went straight to bed. I am temporarily in a empty house without electricity — not even a plate or cup to my name, BUT I have a bed with a real spring mattress! There is running water, a roof over my head, and a mosquito net. What more could I want? Well…food. I have become a master moocher, and as Dr. Tim says, “Wherever there is food, there is Kelsey.” 🙂

The next morning I was greeted by a beautiful African sunrise and over 100 little smiling faces. In case you were wondering why this grammar nazi made an error in her title, she actually did not. Refresher story for those of you who may have forgotten or did not yet know: Last summer, I somehow managed to earn the name of Auntie Banana. A couple of boys were messing around and told me I looked like a talking banana, and before I had even met half of the kids, the name spread like wildfire, and they all yelled “Bananas” whenever they saw me. Don’t worry, the nickname is still around, and I’ve also received a new tribal name – Labolo, which surprisingly means “banana” in their local language, Acholi.

On a more serious note, it is wonderful to be back among my friends and second home. So much love and joy. School is still out of session, so it has been a good couple of weeks fellowshipping and playing with the children and workers.

You could say that things are a little slower moving on this continent, so I’m still uncertain on most things in my Ugandan life. My biggest hurdle right now is trying to figure out what my routine tasks will be for the year. Hopefully, someone will let me know when school is supposed to start soon. Or maybe I’ll get a courtesy call one morning, letting me know the kids are waiting patiently in the classroom for their science teacher. Only time will tell.

I have still yet to figure out how communication works in this country, let alone contacting America. I’ll keep y’all posted, once I get as settled as I can. (If there really is such a thing as “settled” in this culture.) There is much more to come, but I’ll save it for a new post, as this one has already gotten far from brief 🙂

Praises and Prayer Requests:

+ I saw an ex RG doctor the other day and she gave me some medicine to knock out this respiratory sickness, and it is close to being gone!
– During this dry season, many of the missionaries, staff and kids are all getting this cold-like illness. Continue to pray for health and healing.
+ The children and people are really beginning to open up and I am seeing great progress with many relationships I have with the kids and adults alike! I have a huge support system here and in America, and I praise God for all sorts of love.
– Please pray for patience and tolerance for me as this time of transition and adjusting is taxing me physically, emotionally, and spiritually