Still in Lira but hit the road for Masaka tomorrow. I have decided that when I get a dog I am going to name it Masaka ha. I love saying it haha. The past two days in Lira have been long but successful. We put a swing for the children at a deaf school, and a church. We visited this church and gave a womens seminar there. After they showed us these tapestry they made. I bought one from a women and she just hugged me so many times. The next day I went back and she bought me a hand made statue of a woman caring water on her head. Oh my word it is beautiful. The fact that I bought something from her then she turns around and gives me more gifts. She is the most beautiful and sweetest lady I've met. The women at this church just amaze me. I love them all. One lady was pregnant with a girl and I tried to convince her to name it Kelli. The rest of the night when she would see me she would rub her belly and say "baby kelli" haha so awesome. Just a little post cause I never really know when Ill have internet. Loves! 

Oh hey yall! This past week has been AMAZING! I wish I could video everything I do to show you. Its hard work but I am having the time of my life. I think I am starting to stress about the fact that I have to come home eventually. crap. 

We have done a lot of traveling the past week. We have been in Gulu, Lira and Murchison Falls.

Gulu; It was about an 8 hour drive from Kampala to Gulu and I rode front seat the whole time. Let me tell you, these vans are going to be the death of me. I could not sleep once because we are so close to people, other cars and occasionally some how we end up on the other side of the rode. The day we spent in Gulu was successful. We were driving to our first place and saw the missionaries on the side of the rode. I stuck my head out the window and screamed "Elders" . Now in Utah, they get so annoyed because everyone is always waving and honking to them. When we yelled they turned around and started following our van hoping that we would pull over. They had the biggest smiles on their face and kept on waving till we couldn't see them anymore. haha I thought it was funny. We made our first stop and met the Governor of Uganda. (Yeah we have met with some important and amazing people here) We picked the Governor up and he came to one of the schools with us. Once we got to the school they were a little more shy. In Bussi they yanked me out of the van. In Gulu, they just smiled and waved...UNTIL...we opened our van with suit cases we brought for them. They requested soccer jerseys and once we pulled those out they got so excited and loud. The deal was they had to play us for them. Our team leader Bill, who is 75 might I add, the governor and the rest of our team pulled on the jerseys and played the kids. I love soccer so much, but playing with these kids just made me love it so much more. They have a blast and I was impressed on how good some of these kids are. After the game we gave the rest of our gifts out. We gave them jump ropes and I have never ever seen a community have so much fun. They kids, the mothers, the fathers, and even a pregnant lady was jump roping. It was so much fun to watch them all laugh and play.

Murchison Falls; Here we went on our Safari. We pulled into the park stopping and taking pictures of so many animals. I'm talking monkeys, giraffes and animals I have never even heard of in my life. IT WAS GREAT!!! Until, we got a flat tire haha. Don't worry we have a rocken driver but sitting in the middle of the jungle where you know lions are near by is not really something I thought I would ever experience. We spent the night in these little huts where every single kind of bug you can think of lives in. I have over 20 bites on my legs and there are people here with more. We just got ripped apart by all these bugs. Not the best part of this trip. The next day was our safari where we saw more monkeys, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and LIONS!! It was insane, I loved it. Then we took this river boat up the river where we say more wild life. I am not kidding we lost count but in one area we saw over 35 Giraffes. I think I took a picture of every single one as well haha. Then they dropped us off on this bank where we hiked to a waterfall. Most beautiful thing ever. Kami and I took more pictures but I have to laugh cause we got to the top then they charged us 10 dollars to see it haha. totally worth it though.

Lira; We are now in Lira and will be for the next couple of days. We went to church on sunday. They have a branch here with the sweetest branch president ever. We showed up a little early and he called us into his office to just chat with us. Strong members here. Today we went to a orphanage for babies. They only take babies from birth to 3 years old. Today I lost it, I've held back the tears the whole trip till I entered the baby orphanage. This is just a very humbling trip for me. It's hard because we have a great team here and we are working really hard but it's never enough. There is still so much more help people need. We will spend these next two days at an orphanage and two other schools working on solar power, putting in swings for the kids, and just playing with all the communities.

Well got to go, Sorry I will post pictures when I get home. I miss you all! Life is good. Remember, You are blessed!!!

For the past couple of days we have been at Bussi Island. I have never really experience car sickness till I came here. We pile into this tiny white van with no ac and hit the dirt roads of Uganda. Talk about a freaking bumpy ride, Uganda doesn't need amusement parks, these roads are just as scary and wild as any roller coaster I've been on. Two and half hours later and we jump in a little canoe and head to the island. Once there we pulled up to the orphanage and school, the kids just pull you out of the van wanting to touch you. They cling onto you so hard and don't let go. Not going to lie, I kind of feel like a celebrity. The kids just stare at you, smile and never let go of your hands.
We spent the past three days in Bussi installing a swing, solar panel, then played and read with the children. Playing with the kids makes this all worth it. Kami started a few soccer games with the boys and they just laugh at us any time we go up against one of them and get schooled or beat one of them. I wish I knew what they were saying because pretty sure they are making fun of me the whole time. Maegan started the Princess Pat song and the kids loved it, they don't stop singing it. Girls camp has finally payed off and helped me in the real world haha. Although, I wish didn't avoid the craft tents at girls camp because we made bracelets with some of the older girls here and I still struggle with making those. It's so hard to explain everything I have done here because we have already done so much. The week has gone by so fast but the days are very long. I wish I could upload pictures but I pay 1000uganda shillings for 40min of internet and they don't have plug ins to plug my camera in.
Other things I've experienced and learned....I hand wash and air dry my clothes. I am very grateful for perfume in America, I can't handle the smell here sometimes. EVERYONE STARES AT YOU. I like coke better here. I learned how to weave a basket. I am very grateful for the things we have in America. Lastly, I am in love with the people here. They are so incredibly grateful for everything.

Cause this is AFRICA!

So... I'm in Africa!! Yeah wasss up?? Traveling was insane but 17 hours later and I'm here. On our flight from Amsterdam to Uganda I had this man sitting next to me from Uganda who realized I was from America and wouldnt stop saying AMERICA IS NUMBER ONE. I thought it was interesting when he said "the people of Uganda believe in Americans more than they believe in god". I am just sitting there nodding and smiling cause I can't understand half the things he was saying but it was mostly about education, jobs, and money! He talked to me the entire 11 hour flight but I felt terrible because I was dead tired and kept falling asleep on him haha. Now I have been here for one entire day and night and I have experienced a lot already. In america I am the pickest person ever but here you eat whatever they have to offer. I ate goat for dinner, and it was suprisinly pretty dang good. I suggest everyone who lives in America to get out and experience the world. These people have hardly anything. Today we packed over 300 reusable pads for girls, soccer balls, glasses, jump ropes, books, toothbrushes all for the 6 different schools and orphanages we will be going to. Tomorrow we head to an island called Bussi where we will stay for about two days helping in an orphanage. I am just excited to get out here and help. So I don't know how often I will have internet but I will do my best. For my parents; just know I am here and safe. For my friends; Thanks for all the help on the friendship bracelets, I get to teach the girls how to make them tomorrow:) And to everyone who helped me get here; THANK YOU! Life is good. It's the simple things in life you need to remember. Like Brushing your teeth is the most amazing thing here because you just feel dirty all the time!! Hope all is well in the states!  I could really go for a chipotle burrito right about now! Peace and Love!