Finally, communication with the outside world!

I write this to you from “the compound”. I have always thought of a compound as some sort of jail or rehab center where one cannot leave. Our compound is nothing close. I feel no confinement but rather a great sense of freedom. Outside of our compound life is different. There is a green field with makeshift houses covered with rusted roofs. There is a primary school planted on red dirt. There are clothing lines with colorful skirts strung between trees surrounded by huts. It is beautiful. I feel safe outside of the compound but life here has definitely not always been safe. Almost everyone that has told me their story has a close family member or friend that is dead. But these people are strong! They have hope and joy and they are passionate about restoring their land. I admire this and am blessed to have the opportunity to partake in encouraging them.

My pseudo-family consists of Mama and Papa T. They are from Oklahoma and have been taking good care of all who enter our peach little home. I have too many pseudo aunties and uncles to count, and tons of siblings. I feel that I have adopted 23 children and I just think they are the most beautiful kids in this country! (exaggeration; beauty is found in everyone) There is always a hand to hold and a hug to give. I wouldn’t have this place any other way.

In just a week I have shaken hundreds of hands, helped to build a village, counseled children with tragic tales, kissed African babies on their soft heads, been asked to be a bridesmaid in a Ugandan wedding, ventured to the market to buy dinner (a live chicken), and the list goes on!

The sky is so different here. I think everyone who has been to this continent will tell you the same thing. The clouds are cotton fields planted on the bluest of hues. I got to experience my first Ugandan storm following the news of a friends overdose. The rain hid our tears as Andrew, Elena, and I danced to the sound of thunder. It is so nice to see beauty in times of pain.

These people are so broken but their wounds are full of hope. On June 25-27 our team as well as two short -term teams from San Diego put on a leadership conference called Kotel. The purpose of this conference was to encourage existing leaders to stand strong and continue striving for change. I am amazed at the pure faith these people have! This place is destroyed in so many ways but I am completely confident that it will soon be great. The community is putting huge amounts of effort into restoring their villages and bringing their friends and family back to life.

We adventured to Gulu on the 30th and were surprised by the amazing vegetation. Gulu was greatly affected by the war. It is the home of the Acholi people, the people Kony aimed to kill. A few of the interns on my team are part of a club at UCSD called Schools for Schools. The organization raises money to build and provide supplies for schools in Uganda We got to visit the school that UCSD supports, Sacred Heart. It was a beautiful boarding school with seemingly promising academics and developmental programs. It is so nice to see money from the states being used for good things. We also went to the Invisible Children headquarters where we learned about the developmental programs and scholarships that are being used to rebuild the lives of many child soldiers and adults affected by the war. I personally have invested time in this program and was thankful to see the growth of the community as a result of the hard work of many people in America.

One of the best things about Uganda is the unexpected adventures that occur everyday. On our way home from Gulu our mini-bus broke down. We waited for about an hour for the mechanic. While waiting we climbed on the roof and watched the lightening bolt across the sky, true beauty that we would have missed if our bus had not broken. The mechanic came but could not fix our bus so another bus from home picked us up. On the way home the rain began to pour. The windows on our bus were not sealed which allowed vast amounts of water in. Alisa, Emma, and I were sitting in the very back and got exceptionally wet. How many times will something like this happen in life?

I wish you were all here with me. I miss you family! I miss you friends! I wish I could be in two places at once.

Think of me thinking of you.
Jen