Last few days in Tororo....

Well, I have my last few days in Tororo all planned out.  I am sad my time is ending here, but there is no question in my mind whether or not I will be back.  I have met some amazing people and have new friends. I was visiting with Fiona, the girl I sponsor, last night and she showed me the journal I gave her.  Inside were some drawings that her, her sister and her best friend drew.  Amazing and so sweet.  Her friend Elizabeth drew a picture of  Fiona and I holding hands.  I will download that photo too.  I was so proud of them.  She is such a doll.  They have had exams the last few days and they leave for holiday on Friday.  I would like to say they will all go home, but many will just be going to a neighbors or extended family member’s home, as so many have lost their parents.  Tomorrow we are going to have an activity day for all of the children here at True Vine.  We will do arts and crafts, sport drills, and then a orphan vs. adult game of basketball.  I hope I help my team and don’t hinder them!  Thursday night I have invited some of my new local friends over for dinner.  Most of them work in the orphan office, two of which have already had us over for dinner and I want to return the favor and enjoy what may be my last social gathering with them before I leave on Sunday.  SAD!!!

On Friday I will go to Smile Africa for the last time.  It is the hardest site for me to go to.  The need of these children is so great and it is a place where you really see the neglect of children.  I will be glad to see them one more time.  After that I am going to take a visit to the Tororo City Hospital.  I have heard that it has been remodeled, but that the degree of sickness is still really bad and many people wait to be seen that may never get the chance because they can not afford any of the medical care.  I hope we can help them just by sitting with them and praying for them for a bit. Saturday will be our post Thanksgiving Day.  All of the Peace Corps volunteers in the area will come to the guesthouse and we will make a huge Thanksgiving dinner and invite some of our Ugandan friends.

Sunday, it is off to begin our trip.  Kristina and I (and Kendra will join us for the first night) will travel to Kisumu, Kenya and meet up with a friend from True Vine, Andrew.  His family lives in Kisumu, which is about 7 hours outside of Nairobi.   We will stay with his family and he will show us around the city and then accompany us to Nairobi so we do not have to go alone.  From Nairobi we will go to the coast of Kenya for a few nights, then travel to Mt. Kiliminjaro.  I need to see the Mt. that I know one day soon I WILL climb.  I wish it could be this trip, but that is something I will have to save for and also be in a little better shape for.   From there it is off to Zambia to see Dr. Cary and the work he is doing.  I am looking forward to it all!
I am not sure whether or not I will have my laptop with me while I travel, as Andrew has been kind enough to let me keep a bag at his house so I do not have to travel with it.  I will pick it up from him in Nairobi before my flight.  Oh, my flight leaves Nairobi on CHRISTMAS DAY!!!  Sad, but there were no other flight options.  I asked them to look from Dec 20 to Jan 20 and Christmas day was the only day that had an available seat on all of the flights back to Phoenix.  Please think of me on Christmas Day!

So, in brief that is what has been going on for me and what is about to happen for me.   I miss you all and love you so much.  Everyday has been so memorable,  I am blessed to be surrounded by so many gracious and loving people.

I wish everybody a HAPPY THANKSGIVING, and remember there is so much to be THANKFUL for.  I hope you can speak of that around the dinner table as you enjoy your holiday meal.  Be grateful and know you are blessed.

Until next time….. I am off to let the next stages of my journey unfold!

Peace, Love and MANY blessings,
Heather