Homebound!

Hello from Entebbe!


I am settled into the Airport Guesthouse in Entebbe, the city where the airport is located. It is beautiful here. I had a candlelight dinner outside in the courtyard and my room is bungalow-style and very accommodating. This is the same place I stayed on the way in, except that I arrived at 5:30am and had a very hard time sleeping, and then we needed to leave around 10am for the orphanage.

In the morning my flight leaves a little after 7 or so. I will head to South Africa for a 6+ hour layover before travelling to Dulles and then to Raleigh with arrival at about 9:30am on the 21st. I am thankful for clean sweater and jeans to travel home in! Due to a lack of suitcase space I am wearing home what I wore on the flight over, and Amy (one of the missionaries) washed those items for me today. It is a great feeling to know that the griminess of a 24+ hour trip has been removed since I will be wearing those clothes again for 24+ hours! And, for you Adelphettes, I was able to take over all of the items you donated to the missionaries (the reason for my lack of suitcase space, which was completely fine). They were all very appreciative, so thank you all so much!


So, on to saying goodbye to Patu (her nickname here: Pat-too). We sat together for most of the worship portion of church this morning. Then after lunch I went to her home and took pictures of her friends, room and house. When it came time for me to leave, she wouldn't give me a hug. We figure she is either playing the shy game again, or she is mad at me for leaving. Whatever the case, I'm sure she is confused because of what I wrote yesterday about her knowing she is supposed to be going to America with me. I told her many, many times during the trip that I would be leaving on Sunday and that I would return in one month with part of my family. I told her that a month is not a long time, so hopefully it will pass quickly for all of us.

She is a thumbsucker- hello, Dr Clark! (orthodontist)

Esther- I think?- GSF people correct me if I'm wrong, Patricia, Lauren and Sophie; this is the back porch of their house.

This is one of the rooms in her house, but Patricia's bed is in the other room with the older girls (they were resting/reading in their beds so I didn't disturb them for a picture)

Here are the girly-girls posing in front of their tree!  They were very excited about the tree in their home and wanted me to get a picture.  Lisa is in the back- she is one of the ones who braided my hair yesterday- then Sophie, and Lauren in front (with the back of her dress now zipped so it isn't falling off like in the picture above!)

Family Meeting in the pavilion during the afternoon today.  The three girls who hosted me, two are on the right Amanda (teacher) and Meredith (RN) and Sarah (RN) is on the left with a child on her lap.  They are the sweetest, most humble ladies and they LOVE these kiddos!

A random picture while driving to Entebbe today.  This is a nice village hut, comparatively.  In the bottom left is a child carrying a yellow jug (jerry can); this is how they haul water from the local source.  I have more pictures of Uganda, but I will post them later as this one is getting kind of large.

It has been such a privilege to visit Uganda and GSF.  I feel so honored, and I know Nate does too, to be carrying out His will in this way.  It's humbling and hard to believe that he called us to this, and has chosen to bless us with His strength and wisdom in order to fulfill His plan in Patricia's life and in ours.  I am so excited for Nate and Maren to come to Uganda, and for our whole family to meet Patricia that I can hardly stand myself!

Please pray for safe travel home tomorrow for me, and for the couple planning an adoption from GSF who are stranded in London currently and consequently will miss their court day this week for their two little ones.

Love,
Kim

Sweeties and Braids

Greetings,

I need to start off with an apology- no pictures! I mostly stayed at GSF (Good Shepherd's Fold) today, working on my bible study some and then playing with the kids. As a result of going to bed so late last night (2am) I slept in until 10am this morning- yahoo! As I was getting out of bed, I saw two little bodies scurry around the corner, stifling giggles. As I walked into the kitchen I saw Patricia and her friend, Chloe, hiding and giggling. Apparently they had been watching me as I slept; sleeping like a baby in streaming sunlight with animals outside making all sorts of noises, I rested on! Patricia then asked if Chloe could 'have some sweeties' (British for candy). I shared with them some of the M&M's I have stashed for the kids. Patricia also reminded me of the 'gift' (not present) that I told her the day before that I would give her. She opened her Littlest Pet Shop toys, and then the girls were off!

Later today I walked outside and saw a group of kids playing under a tree. Patricia was in the group along with some kids a little older. They asked when I was leaving, and were surprised when I told them that I would be leaving GSF for Entebbe tomorrow and would need to spend the night there because my plane wouldn't fly out until early Monday morning. The next question was if Patricia would be coming with me, to which I answered no, but told them I would return with my husband and daughter next month. (The kids who do not have legal guardianship aren't told that they are being adopted, in case something goes awry with that process). To which someone said, "But she got her injection!" Referring to the TB test from yesterday. Ahhh, what a tough conversation! I ended it by saying we would see if we could take her home in January. I also found out later this afternoon that her grandmother, when we saw her during court, had told Patricia that she would be going to America. So that's the word around town. There have been so many recent adoptions from GSF that the kids are recognizing the pattern (Kampala, injection, doctor), but have been thrown for a loop this time with me leaving after a week rather than staying for 4-5 weeks!

After we hung out outside together, during which time the girls informed me that they would like me to bring some long jump ropes if possible as well as some sweeties when I come back, I was asked if they could come into my home here. So I let them in and they wanted to hear some music on the laptop. Lecrae was a favorite as well as Light Up the Sky by The Afters which was kind of surprising as they told me that a Toby Mac song was 'boring'. We were all sitting on the couch together and I got my hair braided! Not completely- only the top- as I was going to be heading into Jinja so they had to stop. Some of the comments heard: 'This girl's hair is so confusing! I am all mixed up.'... and... 'Your hair is so slippery!'.... and... 'Look at how white the skin on your head (scalp) is!'... and, best of all... to my statement of how good this felt and I was just going to rest my eyes, 'How is it that some girls rest and the others do all the work?' You need the British accent for the full effect, but that was a big belly laugh for me! I know Maren is going to have fun playing with these kids. There are a bunch of sweet kids here, 91 to be exact, and they are not all sponsored currently. If you have maybe been thinking about sponsoring a Compassion child, or one from a similar organization, or if you already sponsor a child somewhere else but have been thinking about signing up for another, this is your place! Tomorrow I will try to take pictures of the kids who don't have sponsors and I will post them for you to see. I'm not sure of the monthly amount, but will include that information as well.

In the late afternoon a big group of us went into Jinja, crossing the Nile River, folks, and did a little shopping. Afterwards we ate at a great restaurant called Two Friends. I got lasagna and they done good! I can think of a few American restaurants that would be put to shame. I also had a pot of African tea, which was like a Chai latte. Very good! The scenery was beautiful- outdoor with lights in the trees and pretty gardens. I know, I know, I needed to take pictures. I think in the back of my mind I know that I will be back, but I will try to forget that tomorrow and snap away!

I am going to the teenager's Sunday school class tomorrow morning followed by the church service. Looking forward to it!

Blessings,
Kim

Kampala- Take Two

It's midnight here and I'm resting with my Coke Light and almonds while I post an update about today. It was a longie but a goodie! We left at 9ish this morning for Kampala again; this time to begin the visa process and also to get Patricia's TB test for sure, with the hopes that they would have time for her physical exam as well.

After a traffic-filled drive we arrived at the Embassy a little before noon. The office closes at noon on Fridays, so I was thankful that we were even seen. I was able to speak with the lady who helps to process visas for kids when parents have been granted legal guardianship. She really wants Patricia's birth certificate, but she said she will get started on the investigation anyway. The birth certificate is in process and will hopefully be turned in to the Embassy next week.

Next stop was the doctor's office. There were many others waiting to be seen for visa purposes as well, so it was a bit of a wait. I can say that getting the TB injection was not very fun for Patricia, but after a while she forgave us. Thankfully she was able to get her physical exam as well. I'm not sure if it was the cure of time or the cure of food that made her feel better as she didn't get her lunch of 'fish and chips' until the afternoon, but soon after eating she was her usual self again.

One of the couples here also working towards adoption arrived on the same flight with me, but unfortunately their luggage did not. They were able to get that today, thankfully. While that was in process we did a little more shopping. At one time in the store, Patricia had 3 big bracelets on each arm and was getting her groove on in front of a mirror! It was hysterical. By the time I got my camera out the moment was over, and she wasn't real excited about doing it again on demand. That chick is forever dancing!

I've been trying to think about how I can describe what it's like in Africa. There isn't anything I can say that will make you feel like you've been here, but I'll do my best to put words to the sights. The poverty is everywhere. In Kampala, the capital and largest city in Uganda, there are many outdoor markets with kids selling goods and there is lots and lots of activity late into the night. The driving is crazy, but pretty fun. There are two types of taxis: motorcycles (boda-bodas) and big minivan taxis crammed with people. And don't think that because you've been out shopping and purchased a mattress that there's any reason you can't take a boda-boda home from that trip! White people are mzungus, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. Some babies and kids are obviously physically sick with malnourishment, right in front of your eyes, and no one else seems to notice or care.

Nothing that I've seen here is much different than other third world countries I've visited. The look in the eyes of the people is the same. The hopelessness and helplessness and the knowledge that nothing will ever change. It's everywhere. But there is hope! Not necessarily hope in the sense of prosperity for this life, but hope in the Father for all things to be made right in the eternal. I don't know why suffering day in and day out is in the plans for many people. But I do know that the one who has ordained all things is good and He is trustworthy and He does what He says He will do. Father, give strength and wisdom to those working here day after day to show your hope to these lovely people.

There is only one thing I know about tomorrow: we are NOT going to Kampala. But other than that I'm not sure what is in store. I will take pictures and post them; that's a second thing you can count on!

Love,
Kim

Pictures now on Facebook

They uploaded easier to FB than the blog. Who knew???

Good Day in Kampala

We had a great day in court! The next court appointment to receive the ruling will be on January 25th. I know this sounds a bit later than we were hoping for, but there were actually some recent documentation issues that arose concerning Patricia's adoption. There had been some false testimony given by the equivalent of the village mayor where Patricia's grandmother is from, and there was concern that this would be upsetting, understandably, to the judge. During the drive into Kampala (close to two hours away) I was praying for the worst thing not to happen, which would be that the judge would throw the case out because of the deception that had taken place, even though it was now resolved. However, he did in fact give us a ruling date, which is great, but he does want some additional documentation. While the judge spoke with Patricia's grandmother during court today, she mentioned that P's father visited the village fairly recently, so the judge is requesting to either see the father or have an affidavit from him agreeing to the release of his parental rights, prior to our court appointment. Our lawyer and Claudia (at GSF) feel that they will be able to present an adequate paper trail to satisfy him, even if they don't actually find the father. If the lawyer had no intention of giving our case a ruling, he would have said as much today.

So, besides court, we ate out for lunch and also did some shopping. This was Patricia's first time in a restaurant, and she had pizza for the first time! Some funny things: after she finished eating, she walked her plate back to the kitchen (we were sitting near there); she picked up food off the floor when she dropped it (not that uncommon for her age); she LOVED the automatic hand dryer in the bathroom; during her passport 'photo shoot', she hammed it up big time; she saved any food that she couldn't finish and put it in a napkin in my purse, and remembered to get it out and finish it within the hour! It was a very fun day, but also very long as we left at 8am and returned at 6pm.

Tomorrow the plan is to get Patricia's medical exam completed in Kampala and also to visit the Embassy and start the process of investigation that they do. Our lawyer will also be able to get Patricia's passport during this next month. The combination of starting the visa process at the Embassy as well as getting her passport should make for a very short trip at the end of January. During this whole process, Nate has wanted to be able to bring Patricia home with me, and we're thinking this may be possible now! Claudia says that we should be home by February. As you think to pray for us, I think that would be a great request of the Great God!

I'm going to close this post so that it can load in case I lose it during the attempt to upload a photo. But I will try really hard to add a picture to it in a few minutes so that you can see Cutie Pie!

Many thanks to everyone for your prayers for us during this exciting time.

Love,
Kim

Court tomorrow!

Hi friends,

I meant to update earlier, but I just got to the orphanage about 8 hours ago, even though I left Charlotte on Monday evening! The flights all went well. My luggage and items for the missionaries all got here safe and sound. The other couple from Greensboro who are adopting as well and who have the same court date as I do did not get their luggage yet. Thank goodness their adoption paperwork and anything essential was in their carry on baggage, as we have

COURT IN THE MORNING!

We'll be leaving at 8am (midnight on the 15th for the Greensboroians) for our appointment at 10am in Kampala. Please be in prayer for the judge to have favor on our family and for a date for a ruling to be set soon. If this date is at the beginning of January, Nate and I will be able to go to the ruling appointment; if it is in December then our lawyer will get the ruling for us. We heard that tomorrow we can also visit the US Embassy and do the beginning phase of the visa application which hopefully will save some time in January.

So, meeting Patricia. How surreal! The orphanage kids were all at the gate to meet us as we drove up. They had instruments going and the little girls had grass skirts tied over their clothes. Once Patricia and I found each other, she jumped up into my arms! It was so precious. We needed a video. I was very surprised that she was so forward. I was trying to get a picture of her, but my camera battery needed charging. I hope to post a picture or two tomorrow. She still thinks that I am visiting her as her sponsor, and that she is going into town with me tomorrow while the adults 'take care of some business.' With all of the recent adoptions from Good Shepherd's Fold we are wondering how soon the kids are going to realize that a) when your sponsor comes to visit you and b) brings a dress for you to wear to c) Kampala for 'all-day business' then d) you will go to America with them! You get the picture.

I know I am in need of sleep, but I think I'm on my 20th wind so I don't realize it! I haven't slept other than dozing since Sunday night, but I feel fine. I am absolutely loving the weather! I might tell Nate that I'll come back to Carolina in April.

I will update tomorrow and let you all know how court went, and I'll also tell some more about what it's like in Uganda.

Love,
Kim