Yesterday morning, when the electricity went out, it never did come back on. Consequently, when it got dark, we had to use our head lamps to get around. We ended up going to bed around 8:30pm to read as the apartment is pitch black when it is dark.

The electricity was still not on this morning, but we managed to hook up the propane stove to make coffee. Ah, yes . . . Ritual coffee while reading our Bibles on the front porch. Thank you D & B!! Life is good indeed.

I decided today was the day to go for a run. I ended up running around 5 miles but my ankle was bothering me, so I am going to try to run every other day and add miles each time I run. I was a complete spectacle as EVERYONE stared like they had never seen a woman run. Oh, wait. Maybe they had never seen a woman running in running pants/gear. I asked one of the GC women if it was appropriate to run in jogging pants and she said that it was. While I was at it, I also asked her if I should be wearing skirts as opposed to mid-thigh pants. She said that pants were very acceptable.

When I walked back through the Pamba slum to get to the compound, some of the children came running cautiously towards me. When we are in the van, they come running and they stand and wave and grin with the biggest smiles you have ever seen. Today, since I was a little closer, they were careful about how close they should be. I turned around and said “Boo!” and they ran like the dickens. Ha. I then bid them to come and “give me five.” Several children came close and had a look of delight that is difficult to describe. I played with them for a few minutes and then headed back.

It is interesting how connected children make you feel. I always expect adults to be wary, but interaction with children makes me feel very at home in the community. The children here, like in all of Africa, are beautiful beyond words.

Christine is someone I want to write about as I want to remember my time with her. She is so, so precious; sort of quiet spoken, kind and gracious. She also laughs at all of my jokes. Rick and I were asked if we wanted to employ her to do laundry, shopping, and cleaning and we said OF COURSE!! So. . .today, Rick asked her to take me to the market. We had such a good time. She soon discovered, however, when we were looking for a mat for the floor, that she was not going to get a good price if I was with her. So she told me to walk behind her so they did not know I was with her. Ha.

It seems that the bartering, or bargaining takes place in the market place and not so much in the smaller stores. I enjoy being with her and so appreciate how she has helped me feel less lost.

When we were walking back from town, three of the little children from the slums came running up and wanted to hug me. It was so sweet. Their mom looked at me and said, “They love you so much.” Sweetness.

Just made eggs with peppers and onions. Tastes like heaven. Also made tea with marsala, milk and stevia (brought from home).

Rick has been busy all morning. Why is it that everything takes so long? Last night it took him over 2 hours, maybe even three, to fill the propane tank. He is a very patient man.

Rick and Bosco are trying to weld so they can make something for the well. Not sure exactly, but Rick says things are moving so slowly.

January 15

Last night, we opened up our set of three cast iron pans (the largest was broken into pieces—not really cast iron at all-ha), AND MADE POPCORN!!! Bless you, Gertrude, who encouraged me to buy some groceries in Kampala before making the trek to Soroti. I have been craving popcorn for weeks now. We gobbled it up like nobody’s business! I don’t think we’d better make this a habit as we only have 3 small bags L

The electricity was off again this morning BUT we still managed to make coffee with our “trusty” propane stove! Delish. Did some reading in Luke and in the book, Crazy Love, by Francis Chan.

Rick left about 8am to pick up some tools for today’s project, which, can I say, is the same project he has been working on for three days. They have encountered a problem with every aspect of trying to get this well to produce water. Broken tools, needing tools, which are not available in town, etc. Though these inconveniences are predictable, they can still be somewhat of a frustration.

Saturday, I am told, is the best day to shop for food, and so, I am going to walk to town to try and find some goat meat. The chicken is too tough, and there is very little beef offered (and it is expensive). So. . .we shall see.

More later—as the day develops!