Goodbyes are hard!!!

It was probably the hardest thing to do! Some of the mamas started to cry as I was saying goodbye. The children were asking over and over when I was going to return. They had a going away party for me up at the school in the two classes I taught in and all the kids made me cards! They were so cute, it was the quietest party I have ever seen when it comes to kids though. They all just sat there eating their cookies. I was good, I didn't cry until I had completly walked away! I had such an amazing adventure and learned so much! I can't wait to go back to visit or live, I could see either one happening.

I arrived in Ukraine to visit mom, and neither one of my bags made it! However mom was still there waiting, as I tried to talk to someone about where my bags were. It's a quick visit but we already walked around downtown today and I got to see alot! I will see you all soon!

I tried it!!

One of the delicacies in Uganda is a flying ant (termite) that comes out in swarms. When they come out everyone goes around and collects them. They are about an inch long and after they have flown out of there hill they loose their wings. After being collected they are put in the oven or grilled with onions and then eaten. It is something that happens twice a year and everyone gets very excited. A small swarm of them came out last week, and the kids went crazy trying to collect them all. I was asking one of the families a question about them as they were collecting and Tendo walks up to me and hands me a handful of them. They were crawling everywhere! Ugandans also get a swarm of grasshoppers and they enjoy eating these as well. There is an area in Kampala where they attract them with lights and then it makes for easy collection. Well Stu (one of the Rafiki Overseas Staff) likes the grasshoppers and so he got a batch of them today. They take off the wings but when you get them they are still moving around. He then baked them with a little salt added. He brought them out to the soccer game today for the mamas to all have one. I had said that I would rather try one of those as opposed to the ants. SO I DID! It had the eyes and everything; it was very crunchy and salty. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but not something that I would want to eat a lot of. At least now I can say that I tried it! So kangaroo in New Zealand and grasshoppers in Africa!!!!!

Wow time flies!!!

Well it hit me today that I only have 8 more days of teaching (we have Monday and Thursday off). I also only have 18 more days in this country. I am leaving a bunch of things here so I will have a suitcase empty that I am using to take product back to Rafiki. They have a store in San Antonio where they sell the products that girls have made. I was told to bring it up this next week so it could be packed! That is when it really hit me!

This week however it was really neat to see how God works in these children. Rick the little boy that I have been tutoring since I have been here has really made huge gains in his learning. He has built up confidence and is now screaming out the words as he reads. He came to Rafiki only a year ago at the age of 7 and he did not know English or Luganda. So it is amazing to hear him read! It is working with these kind of children that I will miss. Today Mama Anna and Auntie Edith asked when I was going to come back, and they said they would pray for my return. It really just touched my heart as well as all of these children have. Africa has grabbed a hold of my heart and these children will remain with me forever!!

Amazing Animal Adventure!!!

Mom and I just got back from our 5 day gorilla trek and safari. After a 12 hour car ride with 3 hours on roads that were almost completely washed away so it was extremely bumpy, we arrived in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We arrived just in time for dinner, ate and then went to bed because it was early to rise the next morning in order to start trekking. We woke up and walked down to the meeting place, there were three different families of gorillas and so we spilt up into the three groups. Another couple was complaining because they wanted a harder trek so we switched with them, which was a wise decision we found out later. So back into a truck we drove for an hour until the part of the forest where our gorilla family was. We hiked for about an hour through grass as high as our shoulders but not to steep which was good. Our family had 20 gorillas and we were able to see 13 of them! It was amazing to be around these creatures. We followed them for an hour (you can’t stay any longer) the guides would cut down the brush for us to get closer. They were literally two feet in front of us. One adolescent got right in front of me and puffed up acting like he was going to charge me. I jumped and all the guides laughed at me, he was just playing and after he did that he walked on off. It was a little scary but I can laugh at it now. After the hour was up we hiked back when were almost to the bottom it started pouring so we were drenched by the end but it was all worth it!!! The next day we were off to Queen Elizabeth National Park this is where we would go for a game drive safari. Our lodge was beautiful you could look out over the lake and the scenery was just gorgeous. About 10 pm I heard a really loud grunting noise, it sounded like it was right outside. Sure enough when we looked we had a hippo in our back yard. After taking some pictures it came around to the front and was right in front of our door. We took some more pictures and went to bed! Our safari was wonderful we got to see buffalo, elephant, lion, water buck, Ugandan cob, baboons, giant forest hogs, hippos and tons of birds. I have tons of pictures, can’t wait to show everyone!!!

IDP Camp

Well alot has happened in this week. I have been staying with Downie and Bobbie (my boss's daughter) in kampala. They work for Food For the Hungary International and so I got to see a little of what they do and have experienced city life in a third world country. My trip to Gulu got cancelled and it is probably just as well however FHI was driving up to Soroti where there is an IDP camp so I was able to tag along. We drove for about 4 hours and stayed the night in Kumi it was hot and had lots of mosquitos but I used my net anyway! The next morning Marc (the intern from Phillidelphia) and I got into a mutato which is a public taxi, I have been scared to drive in one but this was the only way to the IDP camp. So they crammed 21 people in a 14 person van and we were on our way. After an hour of driving in an uncomfortable position we had reached Soroti. Once in the town we had to take a bicycle boda boda another form of transport to the FHI office. Those who know me, know how I am with bicycles (haha) needless to say you had to sit sideways in a skirt on the back of this bicycle that took you through bumps, grass and anything else you could think of! I made it with only one little fall where he tipped me over, but I wasn't hurt and neither was he so I was on my way!

We arrived in the IDP camp and at first I couldn't tell much different from the other poverty that I have been seeing. This camp is where displaced people from the war have been put to live since they can not live at home anymore. Where I was is about 5 hours away from Gulu which is where most of the war took place. This goes to show why it is hard to believe that the rebels came down this far to make people leave their homes. The camp has 5,300 people living in tiny grass huts. This is a small camp the one up north has 35.000 people at it. However it was still sad and poverty was there. The hardest part for me was their water situation something that we all take for granted. There access to a bore hole was taken away and so they drink from a pond with minnows and algea all in it. That is the only water that is there. Food is scarce and that is sad as well. However the children were so happy to see us, we sang This little Light of Mine and just treated them like they were one of us. The sad part is that they have seen so many white people that have come in and looked and then just left and so they still don't have any hope for the future. The kids aren't in school and there is no medical help or treatment anywhere around. I also was told that one of the kids there had died that day and the local government provides a car for transport back to their village, but no gas or coffin. So the people who have literally nothing helped and supported the family and collect coins to help in anyway possible. It was a very hard thing to see knowing that I could not do anything to help and really due to political corruption no one really can. All these people want is to be able to go home and they can not even do that! Im glad I got to experience and see the need, but now what, all I can do is pray!

This is Victor and his family, This is the little boy who runs over to tell me hi after every meal! It is so cute!

Something you don't get in the states

This week starts our two week break! We get time off for Easter and then it is just a normal “spring break” but 2 full weeks it is great!! So for part of the break I am going to help re organize the library and the resource room. I am going to get to stay and finally meet Downie and her family (My bosses daughter). The Gulu will be during the break! Then my mom will be here, we are going on Safari. We will go to Queen Elizabeth National park where we hope to see all of the game. Then we go to Bwindi National Park to do a gorilla trek. I am really excited about our little adventure! Once we get back from that in middle of April I will only have 3 more weeks in Africa. Time has really gone super fast and I can’t believe that my 4 months is almost up! These children have left a huge imprint on my heart and all of Uganda will remain with me forever. I will let you know how all of my adventures go!
To those of you who have had March birthdays (there was quite a few) happy birthday and we will have to celebrate when I see you!! Also to those of you who have sent me things I really appreciate it, they were all wonderful surprises!!!

This is the Mubende church and our welcome party of children who greeted us!

True African Experience

This weekend Joann took me Mubende which is about two hours away from Rafiki. We took Susan a local pastor up there to distribute free Christian books to the pastors. I got to experience a true African experience. After we met the pastor in the town he took us out to his church and we went down this “road” (I truly thought we would get stuck in the gigantic pot holes) and he said here is the church. I looked and the church was a barely standing boarded up building with no windows and no flooring. So we parked and were swarmed with about 60 children all wanting to touch us because we were white and the special visitors that they had been waiting for. We entered to a full church of standing Africans clapping for us as we made our way up to the front. There were about 6 pastors from different churches and they brought with them Sunday school teachers and elders from their church. As we were told we had to stand in front of the group and introduce ourselves so Susan started then Joann and last I stood and said my name and how long I had been in Uganda. We then for the next hour took the children outside and Susan taught them a song in English and Spanish. I also went up and taught for 5 minutes about who Jesus is and what he did for us as she translated for those who did not know English. Then we went back into the church where two of the primary schools came to sing and dance for us. They sang asking their parents to provide for them so that they could go to school. They asked them to stop child labor and to love them instead of leaving them at home all the time. All the children just wanted to touch us because we were white and so they crowded around. I think they also probably thought we were going to be giving them something (which was hard not to do). They were so happy and grateful that we were there and they just kept thanking us and asking us to return. Then the pastor of the church talked as well as the district council man (mayor). After about 3 and half hours Susan finally got to talk which was the whole reason we were there. So after 6 hours of being there they sent us on our way with two live chickens and two big stocks of Mutoke (Ugandan staple food) this was our thank your present for coming. A definite experience

Gulu Trip!!

This week I got permission from the village director to go to Gulu with Joann one of the Overseas staff that works here. I have been praying that if God wanted me to go that He would open the door. Gulu is where the war has been going on, which what brought me to Uganda in the first place. This is where Invisible Children was filmed and where there are thousands of displaced people living in IDP camps. If you haven’t seen Invisible Children please do so, it will open your eyes to what is happening in our world. The pastor from the church that everyone attends here was an orphan himself and went up for the first time and said he couldn’t believe what he was seeing and was appalled of the living conditions. He said mentally prepare yourself. Joesph Kony the leader of the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) is not there right now, he has fled to Congo and the war has stopped for now. So it is much safer now that he isn’t even in the country. I know that God is going to really open my eyes and this will lay heavy on my heart. Please pray for SAFETY first and then for my emotional state as well. Like I said earlier this is the whole reason I wanted to come to this country and so I feel like I am being called to go and see the need. I will be there April 6th and 7th.

I hate being sick!!

I guess God wanted me to understand what starvation really felt like. I have had a bacterial stomach infection and have had nothing to eat in over 72 hours. I thought at times the 30 hour famine was difficult. Little did I know! I went to the doctor in town that Rafiki uses and was surprised at how nice it is! The doctor was very nice and after having a malaria test and some other lab work, I got some medicine and was on my way. It only cost 35,800 shillings which is only $20.45, which was for medicine and the lab work!! I am very lucky though because the amount of bacteria was huge and to not be feeling sick or throwing up as well has been a God thing. God has been good though in giving me a day of no school (it was Women’s day, which they celebrate here). I made it through teaching one class on Friday and just being weak with no stamina I decided to come back home. So just pray for those who can’t eat for longer than this amount of time, I can’t imagine! At least it isn’t malaria!!!!

What God has shown me!

I never thought I would have to go half way across the world to hear some wonderful sermons that really make you think about your life through God. Since being here I have really had my eyes opened to a lot of things. America is in trouble with religion, we have totally destroyed what Jesus wanted in and through his churches. I think within my lifetime we will end up having Africans come to the states as missionaries rather than vice versa. People here in Africa literally have absolutely NOTHING and they still sing praises to God and glorify Him in what they do. Prayer here is taken to a different level; God is the only thing some people have. They have to FULLY rely on prayer because they have no means to fix things themselves. Where as in America so often we will pray for something and then find a way to take care of it on our own after we have prayed. Even the churches here don’t have much you sit in plastic lawn chairs in a building that is half open but yet they serve as missionaries to surrounding slum areas or to churches in the bush. Your offering truly is an offering to God in that it goes to further His kingdom, not your own church. Today in church 4 ladies where there from a surrounding slum that the church is helping out. They live in huts that have old bed sheets as the roof and they take care of 40 children who have lost their parents to aids. So the church every other week takes food and the weeks in between goes to help teach English so that they can read the Bible. You can truly see the hand of God working in this country through people like this who go out and serve even though they are poor themselves. It is pretty amazing to be in the presence of people who are so passionate about serving.
Let us remember James 1:22---Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.

This is the view looking out from the guest house This is my home away from home






This is my kitchen/living room!

Places I've been and Things I've seen!!

I have been rooming with a wonderful couple from Boerne Sue and David and we have quickly become very close. They have made living here and getting used to things that are different very easy. They have also been like parents to me, reassuring me, encouraging me and helping me to adjust very easily. I thank God that they were put into my life, they are wonderful people and I will miss them greatly. We have been able to go every weekend to a new place so I thought I would update you as to the places I’ve been. The first weekend I went to the source of the Nile. We rode in a small motor boat that I thought would flood (it was kind of scary but we made it) to where the Nile meets Lake Victoria. This is the largest lake in the world and it was very nice. This is where I also walked through my first look at poverty. In order to get to the boat we had to walk through sewer, trash and broken down shacks that were people’s houses. It was a very eye opening experience. The next weekend we got to go to Speke resort which is where the queen and the parliament will be staying when they come in August. It was beautiful I really didn’t feel like I was in Africa, I was surrounding by beauty. We went here with the Anderson’s (a family here who is serving with Rafiki for at least two years) they take their children every once in a while to swim in their pool. The following weekend we went to the equator, which was not anything spectacular but it was neat to know you were standing in two hemispheres. I was able to buy some neat jewelry made by women with aids and it is surprisingly made out of paper. So far I have seen so many things and I have experienced a lot. I am now by myself though being the only person in the guest house and the only mini-missionary but I know I will continue to have many neat experiences. This can be a good thing but also a lonely thing, but so far I have been just fine with it all. Please pray that I will not get lonely or homesick for the next couple of months and that I will continue to grow.

Things I've learned about Ugandan Culture!

You learn real fast that a white person is an mzungu (M-zoo-n-goo) and anywhere that you are seen you will hear at least one person yell that to you. It doesn’t mean anything bad just that you are white and you lead a comfortable lifestyle, some are begging but most are just saying hi. I have learned that in order to adopt a child from Uganda you have to live here for 3 years to be able to legally adopt them. So those of you who thought I would be bringing a child home, I will not be. It has caused problems because Americans come here wanting to adopt but can’t. The problem is that some people come to “adopt” but really take them for child slavery. Also I have learned that Uganda like many other places has some stupid laws for instance any medicine (including gauze) that is expired can cause your clinic to be shut down. So people that send stuff to Rafiki have to send things that won’t expire for a long period of time, really this is just a ploy for the agency that checks for the dates to get money. Another backwards thing here is their understanding of marketing. They believe that if a product sells quickly that they should not replace it. So you can go to a store looking for something that you have gotten before and they will tell you “it is finished” meaning it is gone. They don’t restock it because they believe empty shelves look bad so they just never re-order that product. I have also learned quickly that laughing here means many things it can mean surprise, wonder, embarrassment or that something is funny. That was hard because I thought the kids were laughing at each other like kids in the states but they were probably really just embarrassed. Also silly means stupid here not funny, luckily the kids are used to having so many visitors from the states that they know at Rafiki that silly means funny. So I continue to learn new things everyday about the kids and the culture here, it is way different from the states and New Zealand.

You aren't supposed to have favorites but this is Simon and I think he is one of my favorites!

This is me and Flavia who is 2 and she just stayed hugging me during playtime for 15 minutes! She is so cute :)

Just thought I would share some pictures..more to come hopefully!!!

What Ive been up to!

I am still alive and doing well, sorry the update has taken awhile. Pray that we can get the satellite fixed and running so that i will have access to the internet. I thought I would let you know that I have now started teaching 1st grade math and it is going very well. There are 16 kids but little resources. I have impervised and have learned to talk SLOWER and use less words because they just don't understand. I am also coaching *tutoring* 3 kids MWF and that is going pretty good. They have only been at the village for a couple of months and came knowing no english and no luganda and they had never been to school. So we are starting with basics but they are very smart and love learning so they are picking up on things quickly. In the afternoons I go up to the girls school and help with prep work that teachers need for their classrooms or with the girls projects. It has been alot of fun and I have learned alot of things. I have been to see the source of the Nile and went to a mexican food place and it was surprisingly good. I have learned to eat the Ugandan food or at least fake it in front of the kids. However you can get pretty much anything so I am able to eat at the house if I am not full. So I am not wasting away! Something I read recently that you should all think about..'The difference between an ordinary Christian and a deeply committed one is that the ordinary Christian gets emotional, while the deeply committed Christian gets involved.' If you aren't involved someway just think about what you can do to get involved! Hope all is well for you all and let me know how you are doing!!

HELLO everyone!!

I have arrived and life so far has been very interesting! I saw an eye full just on the ride from the guest house I stayed at the night I arrived to the Rafiki village. There were people EVERYWHERE, the unemployment rate is at 80%. There are NO driving rules here you can pass at any moment and your life doesn't really matter when you are driving. I guess survival of the fittest in a way. The markets expand onto the road, the shacks are falling at the way side and the poverty is just walking the streets. Once arriving at the village though I was overcome by a peace of safety and sercurity. There are guards that are there 24 hours a day with no rest, and you feel like you are in a totally different place once inside the gate. It is beautiful with green grass, beautiful flowers and birds singing all the time. Uganda has the 2nd largest bird population in the world, next to Kenya who has the 1st largest. It is really neat to wake up in the morning to the birds singing their chorus. The overseas staff here are all wonderful and I see a real realtionship that can be built by being here for this length of time. I am also getting closer to another mini missionary Barbara that I met at training, she is amazing and very inspiring with her story and her purpose of being here. Life is great so far, please just pray for me, my malaria medicine (the second one that I am getting) doesn't not work here in Africa. So I am trying a new one starting last night, so pray for NO side affects and that I don't get malaria in the meantime!!

I can't believe it is 3 weeks until I get on the plane!! I will be leaving on Jan. 29th out of Houston!! Please pray that in that amount of time I can get everything done that I need to finish here before leaving! Also that my heart would open to be ready to accept the things I will be seeing and experiencing soon. I am so excited and I can't wait to be there!! I can't believe that after this year of planning that the time is finally here for me to go on this mission. Just so you all know my new email is jenna.reinke@gmail.com and I would love to hear from you the whole time I am over there!! Just remember that sometimes we don't get electricity so if I don't respond that is probably why!!

I'll keep you posted :)