My heart is happy

October 14

We landed in Ethiopia at 6:40 am. Our flight was pretty uneventful. I took a few naps, watched Rock of Ages (which was not mission trip appropriate but has a great soundtrack!) and ate a lot. We first had a full meal of a roast, pasta salad, bread and yummy cake. Next we had lunch, grilled veggies on a pita. Last

 we had breakfast, a cheese omelette, potatoes, fruit and coffee. They made sure we did not go hungry on that flight!

The plane had maps that I was a little over excited about. It showed landmarks like where the Titanic sank. Very cool. I sat next to a man that was from Ethiopia but lives outside of Atlanta. He was excited to answer all of my questions about Africa!

Our flight to Uganda included yet another meal. I'm going to be fat when I get home! We got to our hotel and settled in. We had dinner there that included rice, beef, spaghetti noodles, potatoes and really good bread that I have yet to understand the name of. At dinner our trip leaders (Sarah and Bill) had their sponsor children visit. A guy named Patrick came with them and we talked for a long time because he had been at Passion Kampala!  We slept from 8:30 to 7. Everyone was exhausted from traveling. 

  October 15

Today my heart is happy. This morning we had breakfast and checked out of our hotel. We piled in the van and went to exchange money, get water, and check into our new hotel for the week (the Tick Hotel). It took us a very long time to get there because traffic is horrendous. If you thought Atlanta has bad traffic planning you'd love it compared to Kampala! We then headed up to Ekubo ministries. The ride was filled with a lot of bumpy dirt roads but luckily I didn't get sick!

We were welcomed by the sweetest, most enthusiastic group of kids I have ever seen. They formed long lines along the road and while we walked up to their property they sang and laughed and waved their tree branches to welcome us. We helped serve lunch and then had an afternoon filled with traditional Ugandan songs and dancing. It was amazing how well those kids could dance and play drums! They are currently trying to get to the US to perform so if you would like to host them, they need it! 

Tomorrow we will go back and help them in the clinic, school and at their baby home. This ministry is still building itself and has several needs including a roof for a hospital, a fence for their baby home, sponsorships for 45 kids, and to become a registered nonprofit (501c3).

If you have any interest in sponsoring a child, please pray about this opportunity and visit their website at www.ekuboministries.org