Week 6 email

Melembe,

 Well well well, where do I even begin?

This coming week is going to be very busy and exciting. Every single project, class or program we’re doing has been chosen and planned with careful thought and consideration. The volunteers in my group are all rock stars. The motivation is there on the days where it’s a little harder to find. Because of them every day has been so FUN. 

For example: 

On Sunday night we had a good team meeting about staying positive and motivated. I think we all got ourselves hyped up for the week and started Monday morning with a good attitude and ready to work. Around noon we headed out to St. Stephens… or so we thought. 

We hopped on to a taxi and after riding it for almost two hours realized we were definitely not in the right place. We had been so distracted talking and interacting with each other that no notice was taken as to where the heck we were.To add on to that I had brought the wrong directions (whoops, sorry team) and pretty much had completely forgotten the name of the area we were supposed to be in. So we were in this random place and none of the locals understood what the heck we were doing there. Or what we were saying. Eventually we hopped on some Bodas and ended up in an area we recognized. We decided to split up into two groups. One group went to visit an NGO that we were previously working with (and were in their area so we figured we might as well stop and make the visit) and Steph and I got back on a taxi hoping we could get back to Mbale in a good amount of time to keep working on other things.

All the while our whole group was so lost...and confused. But it was so funny. Steph and I ended up circling around in a taxi for an hour before we even started heading home. Luckily I had brought my ipod with me so we sat in the back, ate bananas, and jammed out to Ingrid Michaelson. Yes we were singing along. semi loudly. Everyone in the taxi was totally listening in. Two white girls with decent voices singing some indie songs… we were so out of place. But even in these squished taxi, sitting in the very non air conditioned back, we were HAPPY. That is the theme of this whole experience. Being happy when everything indicates that we shouldn’t. 

Needless to say we came home Monday night having spent our day driving in a taxi. For nothing. It was a good learning experience. Just super funny that it happened on the day we were REALLY ready to work hard and get stuff done. Just another example of how without (a) patience and (b) flexibility I would be going crazy here.

Two funny stories involving wording/speech/communication here:

On Friday Courtney and I went out to design and order some t-shirts for the youth development/empowerment program she is doing with St. Stephens. At the end of this program we are having a school soccer game. So that is what the shirts are for. Anyways Court went over and gave them the design that she had drawn. The program is going to be called “Shooting for Success” She wanted the word FOR to have a soccer ball  take the place of the letter O. She left the design with them thinking it was very clear (it was) and that it would all work out. 

Somehow, and in some way, they looked at her design and came up with this

“Shooting for soccer success ball” 

That is what they were going to put on all the shirts in huge block letters.   

They were about ready to print but we came in and did a double check just in case anything like this were to happen. Pretty funny.

Next story: 

Yesterday was Brads birthday. The Casa staff (where we are staying) wanted to give him a gift so they went and got a piece of wood and painted this on it: 

“Happy Birthday Brad Baby Boy, TRUST IN GOD” 

Then they glued on pink rhinestones around the edge. 

I think it was the best birthday present he has probably ever gotten.

It was so thoughtful and kind of them. But still. Pretty funny stuff right there.

The team and I keep talking about how we never want to leave. I mean, I guess I’ll come home. But I might do it crying my eyes out and dragging my feet. 

It makes me happy that my team is happy. I worry a lot about them. I feel like the biggest mom here. I guess it’s good preparation for that whole motherhood thing. 

Well for those that have skyped and emailed me this week I LOVE YOU! For those that haven’t I STILL LOVE YOU! 

Just FYI-- I will not be on any form of social media this week. So if you need to reach me… I’ll just talk to you in a week. But I highly doubt their will be any really pressing issues. 

And to end it all, a spiritual thought from me. Just because you know… the gospel is cool and because TRADITION. 

This week I thought it would be a good idea to not read my scriptures. I don't know what I was thinking. I mean, I did spend a few minutes each day skimming through a few verses on my ipod but it was pretty much done with the whole "I need to just do this so I can cross it off my list" mindset. 

Well I would just like to say that there was a very noticeable difference in my day. I finally picked up my scriptures yesterday and man alive, there is a power in that book that is undeniable. Even opening the book of mormon signifies to God that you are ready and willing to have his hand in your life. 

I am excited to try and study harder and with a more real intent this week. The blessings and answers that come from The Book of Mormon are real. If you want to, I think you should all join me this week in making sure to start each day with at least 20 minutes of good scripture study. I know it will make a difference. 

Love you all so much. Feeling especially blessed this week for all I have back home in the form of what matters most: family, friends, and The Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Ray