The Giraffe Room

I've been working mostly with the Giraffe Room at Baby Watoto (babies aged 6 months to 1 year). There are 16 babies in the Giraffe Room, and I finally have all of their names down. Feeding time was really helpful because their names are on the bottles. These babies are sitting up on their own and many crawl or scoot themselves. Yesterday, Oscar stood and took a few steps, so it’s only a matter of time before they are moving more quickly. Kayla is “my” cutie pie baby. She has beautiful big eyes and a grin that can make you melt. I call her “worm” because of the way she crawls over to me when I get to work in the mornings. I guess she thinks it’s faster than getting up on her knees to crawl correctly.

Let's Get Ready to Scrum Down!

Saturdays are my days off. On the 13^th, the Ugandan rugby team had an international match with Tunisia for the Rugby World Cup Semi-finals at the Kampala Rugby Grounds. My friend, Emma (Emmanuel) got us free tickets so we could go and watch the exciting game. I took lots of pictures and really enjoyed meeting up with friends, especially Annet, Christine, and Lucy. We lost the game and I got a little too much sun, but I was glad to be able to go. We made up for the loss by eating some delicious pork kabobs and sausages! There is also a new Fanta drink that I’m excited to finally see in Uganda – Fanta Passion Fruit! It’s delicious!

The Village People

Thursday (June 11th) was the day I got to go to the Watoto villages and see the babies who have “graduated” from the Bulrushes Babies Home. All but 6 of the kids who were at the babies home when I was there have moved on to the village and into a Ugandan family! I couldn’t believe how big they were! It was such a great reunion for me. Many of the kids were in preschool class, but they let us interrupt them for awhile so we could talk to them and take pictures. My “son” John was in that class. He said he remembered me, but I don’t know if he really does. We talked a little about his school and his family and took some pictures together, but I hope to go back on a weekend and spend some time just playing with him.

The first picture is a self-portrait of John and me at his school.

The second is of Moses Junior, who we used to call "Pretty Moses" because he has the cutest little face, snotty nose and all.

The third is of me and Innocent, outside his house in the village.

The First Days

I know it’s been a long time since you last heard from me. A lot has happened in the last days and I will attempt to update you with pictures in this blog.

The first few days here were kind of difficult. I think the most trying thing was getting transportation. When I was here before I had my own car and now I am relying on public means – van taxis (matatu), motorcycle taxis (boda bodas) and personal taxis (special hires). That means whenever I want to go and do something, I have to first decide how I’m going to get there and the safest way to get home in the dark. The matatu can be slow, especially when there is traffic jam. The boda is fast but can be dangerous if you get a driver who is careless. And the special hires are expensive.

The first day (Wed, June 10^th) I went and got money, came to the Baptist Mission Office to check email quickly, and rode a boda to town for the volunteers meeting at the Babies Home. I was so happy to be there that I stayed way too long and the next day I was exhausted.

The picture is of Baby Samara in the "Monkey" room - 3-6 months.

A Hero's Welcome

Well, I am in Uganda!! Yesterday was a public holiday - Hero's Day - and I told my friends that their hero had returned! They thought that was pretty funny. My friends met me at the airport and took me to where I will be staying.

I had one bag that didn't make it, but I will hopefully get it today. For now, I have to go to a meeting at the Babies Home, so will update more later. Thanks for your prayers!

Karyn

All My Bags Are Packed...

This could be a new record for me. My bags are packed, weighed (and within limits), and I still have another full day before I leave! Now I can relax a bit and enjoy time with friends and family tomorrow. I have a feeling it's going to be a great Sunday!

Here's the first of many baby pictures on this blog. Today I finally got to hold my cousin's baby, Tyler Mitchell. I was in the waiting room when he was born and visited him in the NICU the same day, but didn't hold him since he wasn't a "wireless" baby. Tyler was born with an omphalocele so he stayed at the hospital for about a month, but now he is home and doing great!

They passed him to me already crying, but eventually he stopped and fell asleep on my chest. I'm already getting good practice for next week.

So Much To Do, So Little Time

Well, I leave for Uganda on Monday! My list of things to do keeps getting longer, but I find myself writing things on my list just so that I can check them off! Starting this blog was on my list! Check.

I am so grateful to all of the people who have decided to help support my trip through prayer, supplies, and finances. I hope to be as committed to updating this blog for you. I know there will be plenty to write home about! So in those prayers, you can pray for time, electricity, and good internet connections.

Back to my list of things to do!