Namirembe Hill

I really should be sleeping, but a quick test of my new mobile modem (which I simply plug into the usb port of my laptop, and I'm connect to the internet) has led to extensive email checking, plus a wonderful Skype call with my parents -- and I'm sitting on a porch at the top of Namirembe Hill overlooking the lights of Kampala, the capital of Uganda!


Our first days here have been both wonderful and rough.  Jet lag is extremely painful for all of us -- the kids even woke the first day vomiting and barely able to get out of bed.  The stark differences and some harsh realities of life in Uganda have been difficult for us, even as we feel very grateful for being here, and are strongly aware of the Father's hand providing for us and carrying us through.


Overriding it all has been the amazing welcome we have received from our Ugandan friends.  I'll have to write more on this later, but we have been received like long lost and yearned for relatives, even by those who only heard of us a few days ago.  We would be in such a difficult, confusing place without these people!


Tomorrow we finish purchases (including buying a van in cash!), and we hope to be on the road to Kabale by Wednesday at the latest.

Here's a great snapshot Leslie wrote in an email earlier today.  I'm off to bed, and will share more soon:

I have been encouraged and amazed by the kids - they are bright and shiny and SUPER TROOPERS - what a gift!  They are carrying us along, not the other way around :0)  Can't wait to send some photos of these early days... imagine our family and the Morrows riding around the bumpy, dusty, diesel-filled, moped & pedestrian crowded streets of Uganda in the back of the ambulance they sent to collect us from the airport... this is how we are making our way in and around the city - no seatbelts (much less seats)... Julia presses her face against the windows and smiles and waves at all the vendors ("hawkers") who come to the window with green-skinned oranges and phone cards, belts, sunglasses, etc... they are shouting, "muzungu, muzungu!" at her... she is so happy with all the noise and excitement and says, "I ride in car!"  Georgia made fairy crowns for everyone yesterday out of long blades of grass and even put one on one of the women who works here in the guest house kitchen.  Jesse was sad when his Nintendo DS battery ran out and he couldn't stay plugged in to the Matrix!  But he's having fun exploring too... trying to catch lizards in empty water bottles - no luck so far.  Lucy is happy hanging out with her "bestie" Mallory.  We are hearing these funny monkey-sounding birds in the background all the time, trying the goat meat and matoke (mashed plantain), drinking spiced tea and coffee with hot milk smelling the smells of burnt trash - there's nothing quite like it!!!  Travis is very strange and must have some Ugandan blood in him b/c he likes the smell - go figure!  Last night was the first night the kids didn't wake at midnight... to their bodies, it is still mid-afternoon, so they are having trouble staying asleep even though they've been up all day here.  (we are 8 hrs ahead of TX time - so your noon is our 8pm)  Travis and I have had success taking the Melatonin - thanks M.E.  That's all from me for now... we will meet some folks at UCU tonight - looking forward to it... with love and thanks for each of you,
~ Leslie