Passport Adeventure!

We headed to the passport office at 8:30 and arrived at 9:30. Again we sat under a tent on a wooden bench and waited, except today didn't feel like fall. Today was HOT! So we waited until we were told to move across the parking lot to another building. 

Soon after walking up they called Jude's name.  We got next to the man who called it, telling him that was us.  He never acknowledged us, but walked away, leaving the passport laying on the desk. Andrew was an arms reach away and half joking said, 'should I just grab it?' So from there we (and 3 other families who aren't with Lifeline, but are using the same lawyer) were shuffled inside a small office.  All the passports were tossed on a counter and we were told to go sit back outside.  So outside we went, to the same place we started, except now we were told to sit.  We all squished on a metal bench and every couple of minutes scooted closer to the front.  Once at the front we were told we weren't supposed to be there and to go back inside...where we had come from.  You can imagine our frustration by this point.  We all walked back inside only to be told to go back outside and take a seat! (Not kidding)  Our worker told us all just to stay, so that's what we did. We stood there and waited.  Our name was called first and the guy looking through our file was very insistent that we had to have the written ruling. We knew they preferred to have this, but were told we would be able to get it anyway.  All 4 families were without a written ruling, and we all walked away without a passport.  We watched them take our passport and put it back in a box.  I wish I had a picture of the tables with long skinny boxes filled with hundreds and hundreds of passports.  At this time we went back outside, under the tent where we first started.  Several different workers tried talking to different people without success.  We left the passport office to go to our lawyers office to see what he could do to help.  Honestly, talking with him made the entire process seem less likely to happen today and Andrew and I left disappointed and very frustrated.  We learned that our judge would not be available all next week which meant no written ruling, which meant no passport. We ate a quick lunch across the street, then headed back to the passport office for a second attempt.  This is when I got on Facebook and asked you all to start praying...it was 2:30 here so 7:30 a.m. at home.  We needed Kentucky to wake up and start praying for us!  We waited only 30 or so minutes before they called us (all families) to go inside.  We stood inside and again we were the first family to be called up.  This time there was a lady behind the counter who restated that we were supposed to have the written ruling before getting the passport.  She was friendly though, and talked with us about the states she had visited in the U.S.  She had Andrew sign a large book and handed us the passport! I felt like we should take off running before they change their mind! We headed to IOM to see if we could schedule an appointment, but they had already closed for the day.  We are ecstatic though...we took a giant step forward today! Monday we will head to IOM for a medical appointment and go from there! Thank you for all your prayers and encouraging words!

Ezekial

Yesterday was a typical day around here.  It rained in the morning, then breakfast & school.  Around 4:30 we headed up to the International School.  Andrew has played basketball there a few times and has went golfing with the school's basketball coach.  It's close to Quality, so we rode bodas there.  Since we are mzungos they assume we are with the school and we can walk right in. The school is beautiful.  They have a huge pool that has a large 3 foot kid pool, which the kids got to swim in for about 20 minutes before they closed.  After, we watched Andrew play basketball and then walked on up the hill to the children's learning center where there were several different play areas.  The kids had a blast and it was nice to be up on this huge hill, overlooking the city, away from all the smog.  (Fresh Kentucky air would be #6 on things that I miss.)

Panorama of the play area.

 

After playing we walked to Quality to buy groceries.  One of the girls that plays basketball enjoys cooking and coming over Friday to cook authentic African food for the families here.  Since it was dark and we had a lot of groceries, we called Abby, a taxi driver who is always parked at the end of our street, to take us home from Quality. 

Today we went with the other families to the kids orphanage.  Today is Independence Day, so when we arrived the bigger kids were all sitting on a blanket, silently watching the Independence Day parade.

 

 

When we sat down, they all turned and just starred at us.  We tried singing 'Twinkle Twinkle' but that just made the littler ones cry.  Since not much activity was happening inside, we headed outside with our crew to play... shortly after a few other kids followed.  

The kids eventually warmed up and began running around and talking to "Danny".  I turned around and saw Andrew handing his rubber band bracelet Chapel had made him to a little boy, Ezekial.  There's always one that pulls on your heartstrings and it was evident to me why Ezekial pulled on Andrews.  Ezekial has some kind of disability, not sure what, but he's unable to walk independently.  He was as happy as could be and seemed to enjoy the extra attention Andrew was giving him.

 

Seeing Ezekial makes us miss our little guy so much more!  It also makes us so appreciative of all the things we have available to help Trust...equipment, therapies, doctors, medicines, ect.

 

After getting some pictures of Jude, Judah and Uriah under the Oasis sign, we walked back down the dirt road to The Lodge to have lunch. 

  

Tomorrow could be a big day for us!  We heard on Wednesday that our passport is ready!  Since today was a holiday everything was closed. The plan is to go tomorrow morning to the passport office.  We do not have our written ruling, so we have been told it will be difficult to get it.  

Please pray that it goes as smoothly and quickly as possible.  It would be GREAT if we found out our written ruling was ready tomorrow morning, which would make getting the passport much easier.

Hannah

Today Chapel and I had planned to go with Tanya, Savannah and Liam to Sanyu Baby Home.  This is the family that invited us to their home for dinner, who are from Canada.  While we were eating dinner they began talking about a little girl who Savannah (their 16 year old daughter) has been working with at this orphanage.  She has CP and Savannah wasn't sure what she could be doing to help her.  I was very excited to offer to help and even go with them the next time they volunteered.   So before we left, we planned to go with them today at 8:30.  Chapel and I woke up a little earlier than normal to get ready and have enough time for breakfast. I thought about it all night last night, and couldn't wait to get to meet her.  At 8:00 they called and said their car wasn't starting and they weren't coming.  This is upsetting for a couple of reasons... 1 - I was very excited about loving on a little girl who needed some extra attention and love. 2 - That was my activity for the day...that was our way of passing the day and now we are up earlier than usual with nothing to do. 3 - I had already showered, so exercising was now not an option.  We headed on to breakfast and at 8:45 they called and said they were on there way! So our plans changed again and Chapel and I left at 9:00. 

Sanyu Baby Home is the oldest orphanage in Kampala.  It's hard to but into words what it's like...concrete floors with paint chipping walls. Rows of iron cribs and rooms with a few old, dirty toys.  There were a lot of children and not enough 'aunties' to care for them.  When we got there a Physio Therapist was working with the little girl, Hannah.  I talked with him a little and watched him work with her.  He would leave to go get another child and I would play with Hannah.  My heart just melted for her.  I kept thinking about if Trust was in that environment and how different he would be without all the therapy and attention and love he receives.  After 3 hours, he was finished working with her and it was time for lunch. I carried her to where all the kids were lined up to eat and was instructed to sit her on a wooden bench.  The next thing I knew I was handed a bowl of food with a spoon to feed her with.

Me & Hannah. She had a beautiful smile...reminded me of Trust's.

 After lunch it was nap time, so we left about 12:30. Tanya and Savannah were very open to my thoughts and ideas.  I shared a few simple things that I would want done as a parent of a child with disabilities.  Simply talking to her and telling her what you're going to be doing. No, she may not understand, but she might.  She probably does understand more that everyone thinks she does.  I also suggested just turning her stander to face the door where people move in and out instead of starring at a wall.  Simple.  That part of today was great. I was in my 'element', loving on a little girl who was a lot like Trust. I hope to be able to go back and show Savannah exercises and stretches she can do with Hannah on days that the Physio Therapist isn't there.

The other part of the day was not as fun...we talked with Linda and things seem to be moving extra slow. We have no passport. All 3 of us families are all waiting extra long for different things. When we were talking to her I just felt like we need to prepare mentally that we are going to be here for at least 5 more weeks.  We kinda got our hopes up that once we got the passport we would be home in 1-2 weeks.

For dinner we walked up the dirt hill to this guy who makes rolex (chapti, eggs and tomato). It's better than it sounds and it's a cheap dinner.  3 of them will feed our family and is 4500 shillings, which is under $2!!  If we want to splurge we buy just plain chapatis for 500 shillings each and put a chocolate spread and powdered sugar on them....tastes like heaven. :)

 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!" Ephesians 3:20-21

5 weeks...5 things I miss

Tomorrow will be 5 weeks of being in Uganda. Here are my top 5 things I miss:

1. Family & friends, but specifically, Trust.  I can't even describe how much I miss him! My arms feel empty without having him to hold.  Our friends and family have been great about being available for FaceTime and sending us pictures of him, but so much of our interaction with Trust is holding him, kissing him, squeezing him.  I miss the ease of talking with everyone, running into them at Kroger or Mi Casita, and walking to friend's houses for dinner.  I miss having our friends & family stop in unannounced at our house and worshiping at church together. 

Trust had his first sleepover with his cousins this past weekend, Madison, Allie & Sadie

 

Love his smile! Can't wait to see it in person!

2.  SPACE! Living space, personal space, any kind of space! I miss having a home with separate rooms! The 4 of us are with each other 24/7, sometimes squished in a hot van for hours together.

Our room. Jude, Chapel and I are in the king bed, Andrew sleeps in the twin.

 

I miss having a kitchen with cabinets and counter tops and a pantry! I miss having closet space. We have been living out of suitcases for 5 weeks. That's a long time.

This is our "pantry".

 3.  My car.  If you have a car you are not trapped in one place. You are free to leave at anytime.  Having a car means you can drive to the grocery the second you want. No calling to find a driver and no waiting for them to arrive at 9 and not show up until after 11! In my car I drive an hour to and from work. That's my quiet time. That's my Pandora worship time.

4.  My photography business.  I have only been on this adventure for 1 year and it's something I absolutely love!  I miss holding sweet new babies, only a few days old.  I miss being in a hot room trying to get them to sleep for hours at a time and creating beautiful images their parents will treasure forever.  I miss buying new props and blankets (this is probably a good thing). I miss seeing clients happy faces when they receive their prints.  I can't wait to get back and start back up!

5. Fall! I'm missing, literally missing fall.  I missed the festivals and am missing the cooler weather, the pumpkins, the pumpkin spice frappuccinos, candy corn, Evan's Orchard, pumpkin picking, hot apple cider, leaves changing, smell of camp fires, my mom's chili, crock pot soups, sweaters and jackets and scarves.  Fall means they are starting to put out Christmas decorations in stores. Fall is my favorite time of the year.

As I write this, I am reminding myself to enjoy our time here. The song "You're gonna miss this, you're gonna want this back, you're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast..." keeps popping into my head. While I am sure there is some truth that, I am also sure we aren't going to wish it had taken any longer.  I am sure we will look back and miss the time we had that was completely set aside to bond with Jude.  I am trying to remember not to wish it away, but to enjoy the days we have here.  Easier said than done when your family isn't together, but trying to make great memories while we are here.

Building Relationships

We have almost been in Uganda for 5 weeks now, which seems crazy. We have met a lot of new people and started building relationships with people outside of The Lodge.  We were invited to go to church by Martin, the friend of a friend of someone Andrew knows, who took us to see animals.  He also took the Newsome family on a weekend safari, so we have seen him several times since he took us.  He picked us all up a little before 8:00.  He was hoping to have a van, so all 10 of us could comfortably fit, but it didn't happen.  Instead of him making 2 trips to take us all, the kids just hopped in the back of the car and the rest of us squeezed in.

Micah, Chapel and Cara..very excited about the seating arrangement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived at his church, Yesu Akwagala (Jesus loves you), a little after 8:00.  As first time visitors, we were invited in front of the congregation to introduce ourselves.  Thankfully, I'm married to a Pastor who doesn't mind being in front of large crowds, so he spoke on behalf of our family.

Church was over about 10:40 and Martin took us all to his home where his wife had made us lunch.  She had cooked a pumpkin that had vegetables and pork in the middle.  She wrapped it in banana leaves and steamed it over a fire.  We were told this type of dish is only made for people who are loved...that it is a very special meal.

 

We also had rice and potatoes and several other African dishes.  It was great to meet Martin's family and we felt blessed to have a meal cooked for us!  Our time at Martin's house was short because Andrew had met the basketball coach at the International School and was meeting him at 1:00 to play golf.  So Martin took us all back 'home' and Andrew left to play golf.  

We were also invited to eat dinner at another families house tonight! Our second day here, we were walking back from the orphanage and we saw another mzungo that Andrew began talking to.  His family had moved here several years ago from Canada and make micro-nutrients.  Later that week we were eating dinner at a restaurant and we ran into his older son (he's the one who told us about the pool at Lindsay Cottages).  Then, last week when we were walking back from Quality we ran into him again and he invited us for dinner.  They have several older children who are in the states, a 16 year old daughter and a 9 year old son that are here.  Chapel had a blast playing with their son and their 3 puppies!  Jude Daniel's reaction to the puppies is similar to that of seeing the butterfly.  He's scared to death! Crying, screaming, running, flapping his hands....coming home to our dog should be interesting. 

Chapel strikes up conversations with everyone and becomes best friends with everyone she meets, adults and children.  It's so fun to watch her in all these new situations and meeting new people.  

When we got 'home' Eric and Josh were already set up watching football...Andrew was happy to join.

 

The basketball coach of the International School has invited us to swim there, so we will probably take him up on his offer one day this week.  Other than that we have no plans...still waiting to get Jude's passport before we can move onto the next step.

Snails, snails and more snails!

The past few mornings here it has been rainy, which means the snails come out, which means the kids spend all morning collecting them.  Cara and Chapel have made a list of daily activities for the snails which include exercise and cleaning their shells.  There are very tiny ones and ones that are pretty big.  The girls have named them and on the larger ones, have wrote their name on their shell. 

The girls put all the snails in the pot then one by one they would name it and put it back in the box. 

 

We have found out Jude is TERRIFIED of butterflies.  We saw an injured one on the ground and he hysterically cried and stomped his feet while he ran away, flapping his hands.  Thankfully, he's okay with the snails.

Jude Daniel checking out all the snails.

The big snail in the middle has her name written on her shell, Old Ma.

The past 2 nights the kids have gathered all the snails and put them in their 'home' which is an empty bottled water box. The next morning about half have escaped and are all over the porch. 

As I am writing this, the house keepers just came and poured salt on each snail! Needless to say, the girls are not to happy about this and they are secretly rescuing the ones that they didn't see. :) 

Yesterday, we left at 9:30 and got back about 6:30.  We went to several different markets, ate lunch, and sat in traffic.  I had many beads to buy and there were several colors that I had to request to be made, so we will be returning next Friday to get them!

Earlier this week we went into a book store at Quality.  They were selling DVD's for less than $2.00.  At that time Dolphin Tale 2 hadn't come out in the theater here, so Chapel was super excited to see it for sale. We bought it and weren't surprised when Chinese subtitles popped up, covering half of the screen.  :) Chapel loved it anyway!

What day is it?

Not much has taken place this week...so little that I was certain today was Wednesday.  When your days are pretty much the same, they all kinda run together.  I was really hoping we would have Jude's passport by the end of this week, so I was disappointed today was already Thursday.

This week we have been hanging out close to The Lodge. We haven't had a reason to go into town, so we pass the time by eating a late breakfast, school, planning what we will eat for lunch (which sometimes will require a short walk to a local bakery for bread so we can have sandwiches), naps, and figuring out dinner.

Monday, Andrew recorded a message for church.  No tripod made for an interesting setup. Here's a behind the scenes shot.

 Twice this week we have had a snack or small lunch, then rode bodas to Quality to eat an early dinner/late lunch.  After eating, on Tuesday, we walked to a basketball court that Andrew had spotted earlier in the week.  There was a slide and some swings next to it, so Chapel and Andrew shot some hoops while Jude and I played.

 

 Today was our 2nd trip to Quality. We had lunch, then passed the time by walking aisle by aisle through the supermarket...trying to come up with lunch or dinner ideas.  After, we sat outside an enjoyed some drinks and chocolate.

 Here's the entrance to the restrooms at Quality.  What you can't see in this image, are the lights moving to show the boy pottying. :)

 

Tomorrow we are going into town to buy more beads at the local market.  Thanks to all of you who have purchased necklaces to help buy Jude's plane ticket HOME!  If you would like to purchase some for yourself or gifts you can here. 

Please continue to pray for our process.  We could still hear something tomorrow about Jude's passport and since we are already planning on going into town it would be very convenient to go then!  

Here's Jude Daniel in his pajamas, walking back from breakfast this morning. He always runs his hand along the ledge on the wall. :)