I'm sorry for not updating my blog for such a long time, I have been so so soooo busy- the days just fly by.
I am loving Uganda! Everyday brings new learning, new joy, new challenges, and a greater love for God and these people. Our days begin early- 6am, with quiet time. Then we have breakfast, class, lunch, small groups or bible study, work duty (usually cleaning or slashing... which is like mowing the lawn with a crowbar... woo!), then a little free time, then dinner, then some free time before lights out at ten! In addition, we read 10 chapters of the bible everyday, keep a weekly journal of what we are learning, and memorize a bible verse every week! I have 12 girls in my dorm room and it is so fun! There are girls from the US, England, Kenya, and Uganda- we are like sisters of the Nations, and we love each other so much for who we are. I am so grateful that God has put each one of them into my life- they bring so much color into my world, and I am blessed to live with them :)
There are 43 students on my DTS... which is like a Hopeland record... double of what they usually have. In addition to Uganda, Kenya, US, and England, we also have people from Rwanda, Tanzania, Czech Republic, and Austria. We are like a hugeeee family, and I have grown to know and love each one of them.
In class we have gone over hearing Gods voice, prayer and intercession, rejection/acceptance, sin, and the Holy Spirit/spiritual gifts. This coming week we are learning about the nature and character of God. Each week has grown, challenged, and drawn me closer to God through the teachings and teachers. After this week we are going on a mini outreach around the villages and schools to serve and teach about Jesus' love for them! We have been practicing skits, songs, and African dances (!!!!!) which we will do for the people we meet on the mini outreach. If you could keep our team in your prayers as we prepare for this I would be so grateful. Pray for unity among our team, for God's anointing and protection as we go out, and for effectiveness to share God's love to everyone we meet. I believe that God is going to do amazing things in our team and through our team. After mini outreach, we will continue classes until our 2 month outreach.
I feel so at home here. I have been so blessed to be in good health, and also to have my African family surrounding me all the time. Hopeland is a big base, and I have made so many amazing friendships. Like from my 4 year old friend, Precious- who goes to preschool here, to my little sister, Peace- who is 10, to my Uncle Moguyuh- who lets me help him milk the cow (I know!), all my brothers and sisters on DTS, and my jaja (grandma) who works in the kitchen-- they all have such a special part of my heart!
I have been learning many cultural things- especially language! I'm learning mostly Luganda, but also Swahili... everyone is so willing to teach me, which makes me so happy! I'm keeping a book so that I can write all the words and phrases I learn. My favorite part has been learning to sing Swahili and Luganda songs! I actually joined our worship team so that I can have more time to practice, which has been new and so great! We also play a lot of soccer and volleyball... woot!
I want to thank you all for covering me with your thoughts and prayers! I feel God's protection everyday, and I believe this is partly because of you lifting me up in prayer. I can't even begin to express my gratitude. I am so blessed to have an AMAZING, supportive community backing me up everyday from across the world. I think and pray for all of you daily :)
I know that was a lot of random information- but that's pretty much what's going on in my life right now.
I love you so so much!
Kelsey
looking outside my dorm room.... a little taste of Hopeland!
street kids in Jinja, we fed them ice cream and biscuits and juice and prayed for them. they are so sweet. my heart hurts for them :(
My beautiful, so special friend Rossette and I at the source of the Nile!
Rut (my running partner!) and I.
Kayla, me, Rossette, Rut, and Enoch
Top left: Frye, Joe, Joanita, Molly, Raffi, Paul, Rut, Kayla, Rossette, Jacob, Grace, Enoch, Emma, Fancis, and Josua!
My friend Precious! I love him!
This is the kitchen... It is AWESOME!
