Joy-full

Hi family and friends, This week I travelled to Rwanda to renew my Visa, which means I have been here for 3 months! I praise God for the smooth adjustment and deep contentment and peace He has given me. What a gift! One of my favorite adventures while being here is travelling to my friends’ villages. There’s no better way to get to know someone than by visiting his home and meeting his family. The first journey was to my brother Ably’s home in Kaharo. Four of us crammed into the taxi and set off down the winding roads for a day away from town. Once we reached that one tree past that one hill (since there are rarely signs or street names), we got out and walked the “only 1km” (more like 3 miles) deep into the hills. While walking, we pointed out all the different crops growing, like potatoes, onions, pumpkins, cassava, matoke, maize…. the list goes on and on! The sun was shining bright, the birds were singing and our hearts were content. Once we reached our destinati...

My mom graciously reminded me that it’s time for another blog, so here it is! Time is flying here in Kabale and the days are becoming blurred together, but I will do my best to recap some of the highlights/lowlights. The surgical ward at Kabale Referral Hospital  This week marks my third week working at Kabale Referral hospital (which is on top of a hill that overlooks beautiful Kabale). It took many months to become certified to work as a Registered Nurse by the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council, but the wait was well worth it. I have been working on the surgical ward, which has around 40 beds (20M & 20F). This ward has a variety of patients, from a 6-month baby boy with burns on his arm to a 90-year-old woman with stage 3 pressure injuries on her hips. There are also many patients in tractions from motor vehicle accidents (or boda accidents). To be honest, the first week was rough and I often thought to myself “what am I doing here??” It felt like I...

February 17 marked exactly one month here in Uganda. The time has flown so fast! I often ask my friends to pinch me because being here still feels like a dream. The adjustment has been with ease and I wake up *most mornings excited for the day and ready to see what God has in store. *Most- meaning there have been moments I want to run straight to my home in Lakewood where it's familiar and safe.   Last week, I traveled back to the capitol Kampala to finalize the registration process at the national nursing council. I traveled with my friend, Allyson, who has been living in Kabale for 5 months working as a volunteer through World Renew. I learned that there was another mzungu volunteering in Kabale just a couple week before arriving and was so excited! She has been an answer to prayer and I thank God for her and for her friendship and support. Her friend, Sarah, also journeyed with us and we had such a lovely “girls trip” to the city. We took walks to Lake Victoria...

It’s been over three weeks since leaving California and I can’t believe how fast it has gone! Each day is so sweet and so full with different activities that I don’t know where to begin. Blogs are challenging for me because I never know how many details to give and which stories to share, so bear with me as I lay out the foundation and try to answer the basic questions. I’ve been living with Bishop James and his wife, Mama Joy. All of their children are adults and have moved out of the house. I've had my own room and am finally feeling in a routine with them. We have breakfast together in the mornings before heading our separate ways and regroup around 9PM over tea. We pray together before meals, before we leave the house and before bed. I’ve enjoyed spending time with their granddaughter, Nicole. She loves playing games on my phone, beating me in cards and braiding my mzungu (white person) hair.   Since my dad left, I have been spending quality time wi...