August 3, Day 34

Hello to all you Bzungu (Mzungu plural) reading back home,

Thanks for all your prayers and such, I really appreciate it. There has been minimal sickness, but some hard labor going on, but its so awesome to be here. Like a dream come true. I haven't been able to do any blogging the last couple of weeks due to activities outside the norm, as well as a full internet cafe when I last tried, so wasn't able to do it. So here are some updates from the last few weeks.

1. For us on the slum team, our projects have been going great. Today we gave out a loan to a momma in the slums to expand her business and be successful, not worrying about the next meal for her and her children. Also we started doing planned day care, in which two of us head each day's activities, full of fun and educational stuff for the kids that might never be able to go to school due to expense for all levels of schooling. The activites mix fun and exciting with educational and spiritual parts, like songs, games, coloring, letters, numbers, art, and stuff like that. I have my first day to lead with a girl named Caitlin on wednesday, Im thinking singing with guitar, art therapy activity, and whatever she has up her sleeve. So good.

2. We all went to Bagali Falls, in which most of our team river rafted on some awesome rapids (I did it last year) and also bungee jumped about 100 feet off the Nile river (Awesome, but I didn't have the cash for it). Such an awesome experience for us that didn't go too, we traveled into the close town of Jinga and looked around town, visited an amazing local artist, had some great coffee and had great conversations. I read a lot too on this visit. It was great to just relax from a long time working hard, but never a break from loving hard! :)

3. Last saturday we got up early around 4:30 to travel into a remote village for 5 days. This village, home of Julius, one of our Ugandan leaders (someday senator in Uganda), is freakin amazing. Around the small village is a huge banana plantation, and I've now tasted the best of the best when it comes to bananas and matooke (food, basically green bananas that are mashed into something like a thick mashed potatoes, with yellow color). Its so amazing being here. We hiked two mountains while we were here. It was so great, one of my favorite days. Sleeping on the ground every night and long drops only for bathrooms wasn't so fun, but made me greatful for beds and toilets. Ha! Oh and showers... hot showers... I will be more greatful for now on.

4. Leaving the village we went to an island resort for a day and night (dont worry, it was only about $20 US for dinner, lodging, and breakfast). It was an amazing day and night. I swam with a bunch of others, and taught Mugabe to swim for the first time. So fun.

5. Ive probably only showered 4 times since Ive been here, just FYI. Awesome!

So thats about all the major stuff. I cant wait to update again with what God is doing here and in me. And I cant wait to show all the tight pics I've taken. Now to head to the kids house! Peace and love in Jesus!

Matt