Mazungu, white person

14/01/09
God is so prevalent in this place. While taking classes and meeting new people all the time, He is there. There has not been a conversation that I have had with a Ugandan that God was not mentioned. There are amazing things that have happened and are going to happen.
While being here and being the minority, it definitely gives a different perspective. I am getting use to the stares, but the hospitality is in such abundance here. The people are curious and are not afraid to ask things. I have had two people ask me about my birthmark. I am ok with that because I was afraid that they would think I was cursed or something of the sort. Yesterday we went on a scavenger hunt in Mukono. I was with three other girls and one slipped and scrapped her leg. It was an experience. I almost got taken out by a boda-boda. No joke. I am seriously scared of those things. When we got here, they told us that boda-bodas were forbidden and I was bummed because I thought they would be cool to ride. (In case you are wondering, a boda-boda is a small motorcycle). But a couple of things change my mind…a) one almost taking my life, b) You would have to straddle a man, and c) If you didn’t straddle a man and had a skirt on, you would have to sit sideways and I would definitely fall off which would end my life that way. So with some common sense I put two and two together and decided they are too dangerous and it would be very awkward. We found the hotel that we were supposed to end up at and we got sodas. Yes, I drank a soda because a) it was cold, b) it was free, and c) how many times am I going to be able to drink soda in AFRICA? There is a girl, Cyndi, here that is a roommate of Tori’s and I just love her! She is so funny and I think God is going to teach her so much because she Is very grossed out by a lot here. Anyways, she is bald,b ut not because of cancer. She has this autoimmunal disease that thinks her hair is bad and won’t let it grow. We were talking about how we get double stares because she is bald and my face is red. We laugh at it. When we were walking back from town to the campus these adorable little children that lived in a hut came out and was like muzungu, which means white person, and they were just so excited to see us and were waving and I just wanted to bring them home with me. L The children here are so precious. I got some rolled bead jewelry. We go into Kampala on Friday and I’m way excited! Then on Saturday we got to a family for homestays and we stay with them for two weeks. That will be interesting. Please pray.
Some things that reminded me of home were when we were in a church service, they started to talk about Alpha and I thought Mary! It was just way cool! The bananas are amazing! They have such an added sweetness to them. I wish I could bring some home for my dad. L He would love them! I am not homesick right now because everything is so new and seems to be doing well, but here in about a month or two I am sure it will be bad. I do miss my family, but it is not a longing to be with them. I think I could make it living overseas. Anywhere God wants to take me, I am there. He has me reading Isaiah right now and showing me some different lessons that need to be learned. I am blessed to have Him here with me. If it wasn’t for Him I wouldn’t be here and if it wasn’t for Him I would leave. I am so thankful that He takes our burdens away. Praise Him for peace! For grace! For mercy! For wisdom and discernment! I need these things all the time! The devotion I had this morning was awesome! It talked about how we need to hear the call of God and to hear it we need to be listening to Him. O to be face to face with Him. That is my desire! He is my all in all. I am beginning to find out what that truly means.
On some funny notes, we ate dinner in the dark tonight and it seemed perfectly normal to all the students. Last night there was an alarm that went off from 5 p.m. until about 8:30 a.m. Yes, all through the night. It was lovely, but this girl gave me ear plugs and I pray Jesus blesses her so much for that! I have cold showers and today the shower curtains were shredded and so I put my towel, which is really big, up as a shower curtain and it fell mid shower. Lol. Some very humbling experiences. I also took a vitamin this morning on an empty stomach and made me throw up. It was just water and stomach acid so not too bad and thankful I know that I am not sick just stupid :P.
As for the group here, there are so many different personalities which can be very interesting and very annoying, but again humbling J. The guys here are amazing! And no worries I am not falling in love with any of them. They just seem so genuine and real. They are not abnoxious (sp?) or stupid. They seem like they truly care and truly seeking God. It is very refreshing. Well, my battery is about to die and it is more of a hassel to plug it in, so I am going to for now J I lov eyou all and hopefully will be able to post something every other day or what not. Be blessed because more than like those of you who are reading this are in America. Count those blessings! All my love!

Katiebelle