so much to say.

today is a low day. i'm sick...the cold (or flu as mama robinah calls it) is still lingering, at a climax i hope...lots of coughing and sniffling still. i just want to sleep and have a sick day...but I can't because time doesn't much allow it. bum. hadn't anticipated sinus-lung junk...only forethought stomach issues (which have been nonexistent).

News flash, announcement, attention...there are ordinary days even in Africa. Didn't much suppose that bit either. There is routine and monotonous school just the same. wake up. shower with my orange bucket and boiled water. drink my tea/hot chocolate. walk to school. classes...home for tea, socialization and a late dinner right before bed. School is very interesting, but with very limited time to actually study and prepare, I find myself overwhelmed...pray that I can even pass my classes (oh and i fear losing my academic scholarship), pray that time is maximized for study when available...and i don't even want to study because motivation is lacking, even my politics teacher today was mentioning how it is strangely difficult to focus on academics when it is so wonderful outside...or for me when there is so much to experience and take in, people to meet, and things to try...sitting down with a book seems almost irresponsible. enough whining...let me recount some wonders to you!

*the other day, some young gisu boys were dressed in their tribal wear, dancing to drums for the public to raise money for their circumcision celebration (or money for the medication after the fact)...it is the even year you see...a year of manhood for so many. I might even get to see one such ceremony for my religions class....

*had a dance party with my family a few nights ago. i wonder if i could ever shake my hips as they do. much laughter to say the least. I love the african dancing...so wonderfully rhythmic and strong. i love watching children dance and sing in church--purely magic.

*have been learning how to make some ugandan delicacies. ground nut sauce and samosas...delightful. oh how i love to savor the flavor of avocado, pineapple and mango..

*went to jinja this past weekend.
Went to meet some missionary folk...but we also were able to see the source of the Nile out of Lake Victoria (rode around in a lil' boat for a bit)! It was an interesting trip...we saw an industrial area (called "ting ting" for all the clamor and hammering) where men were busy turning junk into some profitable, earning maybe a few dollars a week, and we visited for a few moments the local hospital (the only public hospital for the entire district of some 2 million people). The hospital...oh the hospital!!! I was able to pray with some TB patients...(for only such a short time....) and my heart was wrenched to leave. Every time I cough now (and I don't have TB...all is well...and I really don't think I infected anyone either), I'm picturing George, a prisoner chained to his bed, his family waiting outside the window, a weary man with whom i chatted a bit about God's power. I can't even describe it...the two nurses in their pink uniforms, entire families waiting with their loved ones, people waiting to see a doctor out on the grass (sometimes up to months we were told, with no saying whether they will be able to afford medicine), patients wasting away in their beds, without even a glass of water brought to them by the nurses (all is provided by the family). So it was a trip of contrast, finishing up saturday with a fancy dinner...so many more thoughts on it all...
Sunday was glorious and refreshing...blessed by the congregation we fellowshipped with, by their praise and joy in worship! I helped out with sunday school...we were thrown on the spot to lead a children's program. I have done such so many times...but oh not in english...my mind kept bringing up spanish songs....it turned out great...acting out david and goliath. Johnson, the wee lad that played david was my new friend for the day, a precious lil' lad was he.

*las night's sunset was the first time that has been as I had once imagined it would be every night in Africa. The sky burned in flamboyant oranges and reds...

*my host sister was down with malaria this last weekend...no big deal was the impression i received. she was back on her feet again to greet us by the time we returned...cooking away at the fire...a fighter, resilient and strong is my sister Eva.

*my american sister is sick again too...please pray for her...she was doing so well, regaining her strength from the first blow until an unexpected relapse today. her name is betsy.

*climbed a hill near school yesterday and found the campus monkeys! how i dream of diving from one tree to another without fear of falling!

There are countless things I want to do here! Possibly walking further up monkey hill where there is apparently an orphanage and a center for people with disabilities, and hopefully volunteering at a local clinic my mama knows of...playing football with some local lads, and marketing frozen chocolate bananas to name a few...but i'm stuck until my lungs return to me...

Thanks for reading this note. Pray when you think of it and know that my thoughts are with you.
My love to you,