It really is easier in a skirt...

It is 11:40 pm here and I am dying a slow death from physical exhaustion so there is no telling how much sense this will make or how long it will be. I hope I capture the day in a way that makes you understand what we experienced because it was pretty neat. We left Iganga around 9:30 this morning for Sipi Falls about a 3 hour drive away. This in itself was an adventure. There don't seem to be any road rules here so it is kind of each man for himself. I was the front seat passenger and when Susan got up to 120 kilometers on a two way road not much wider than our one way streets I decided it was time for a seat belt. On this very narrow road were cars coming the other way, pedestrians walking, and bikes trying to maneuver. It was amazing that everyone seemed to know who had the right of way and that no one got clipped or killed along the way. The horns do blare and that does mean business. And somehow, the people know what each horn honking means and they all react accordingly. For us Mozongo's it all looks like chaos! Half way to Sipi Falls, we stopped for a potty break at a gas station and once again the toilet was similar to ours but built directly into the ground. Hence, the name of the blog... it really is easier in a skirt!! And that is not only my opinion, it seemed to be the consensus of the all the ladies! When we were about 10 minutes away the skies opened up and we saw the first rains we'd seen since we'd gotten here. All I could think of was one chance to see the waterfalls and it is going to rain on us. But God was good, as usual. After we'd gotten settled in our rooms (all the girls are in one, except Jaimie and Kayla who opted to stay in a room by themselves) we settled in for lunch, which served probably the best potato salad ever! By then the rains had stopped and the sun was shining. And so off we went.

Ok, so you have to remember we are a group of varied ages; ranging from teenagers to me. The climb somewhat resembled Enchanted Rock (if you can visualize it covered in mud with a lot of greenery all around and the path about 12-15 inches wide. Periodically we'd see or hear a goat or a cow and even saw two pigs along the way. Now I am talking muddy with a capital M. At the beginning of the hike my goal was to stay clean; you know avoid the really wet muddy patches. About 30 minutes into the hike my goal was to breathe. I want you all to know I have all those muscles I've read about and I can now identify exactly where they are - especially the hamstring and the back muscles. I not only have them but I feel them! Fortunately, just as God sent Moses to lead his people out of Egypt and to the promised land, God sent me Moses! I'm pretty sure it wasn't the same guy but I welcomed him with open arms and never once doubted he was a gift from God and an answer to prayer. I'm not sure exactly where he came from but he took my hand and practically pulled me up the mountain. There was another little boy that appeared with him named Michael and between the two of them I made the trek up to the very top. When they asked me how old I was and I told them they started calling me Grandmother. I didn't care what they called me as long as they got me where the group was going. It was a steep hill (the young kids may tell you differently, but I'm telling you the truth) and it was so slippery there were several times I ended up on my butt! Not a pretty sight I'm sure. When Moses put two and two together and figured out that I wasn't going to make it all the way without some breaks he kept telling me "this is a great place for a picture". It didn't take long for him to become my new best friend! However, when the group found out he was calling me grandmother they thought that was hysterical. In my book he pretty much could have called me anything as long as he took my hand and got me to the top.

Now, here we are in Uganda and all we've seen so far in poverty and red dirt roads. We've seen dirty children, with no shoes and torn clothes. We've seen naked children and children who are sick and then we come to Sipi Falls. It is like a Utopia in the middle of a desert. It is absolutely beautiful. The view just took my breath away (figuratively and literally). It is awe inspiring. How in the middle of this ravished country there can be something so absolutely beautiful blows my mind. It just seems so out of place. And yet it is right here. The views are fantastic. The waterfalls are incredible and when we finally got to the falls at the very top and stepped down into the crevasse of the fall, it is an experience like none I've ever seen and because I had my camera and was afriad of what the water would do to it I hung back. Once everyone was done, Blake and Jaimie took me up and then took me to the crevasse and what an amazing sight. Walking there was very cold. The water had to be freezing but still they wouldn't let me stop. And when I finally got to the bottom it was more than I ever would have believed possible. It was absolutely incredible. I don't even have words to describe the beauty. It absolutely took my breath away.

Then we began the trek back down the mountain and though this was easier on the thighs it was so slippery it was quite an adventure. Again, Moses took my hand and never let go. By the time we got back to the bottom we were covered in mud from head to toe. The shower at the lodge was the best we'd had since we'd been here; good water pressure and hot water. It was terrific. I didn't ever want to get out!

The evening was spent eating dinner (where we all convened in our PJ's) and then just conversing and trying to recap the trip. We ended up each sharing something that we didn't like about ourselves and then a funny something we didn't like. I said that I was insecure in large groups and had a hard time in those situations. My funny comment was that I thought I had raised really good kids and here I was a "grandmother" and didn't even know it!! After that we spent quite awhile going around and sharing what we had really enjoyed about each other. it was really a special evening and the sharing was great. We all commented that our shared talents combined to make this a really successful trip and that we were all willing to fill and help wherever it was needed. The teens have really amazed all of us. They all have such a heart for the children and have jumped right in whenever needed. They have blown us away more than once and we are all so proud of them. I would be willing to claim each and every one of them as my own!

Today, being Saturday we got up and had breakfast and then headed out for home. As usual we were on Uganda time so we didn't get out as quickly as we hoped but we all really needed the break. We took a different route on the way home and it was so beautiful. I managed to take over 1000 pictures over the last 24 hours which really shouldn't surprise anyone. We had an opportunity to stop along the way and see Baboons right there in the middle of the street. We stopped and fed them bananas and they came almost right up to the window. Jaimie's comment was that she wondered if the African's came to Texas and took a special road trip to feed the deer! Somehow it doesn't seem as exciting! It was such a neat experience and the mom's and babies were just precious. The drive on the roads is always an experience in itself and we always thank God that we made it home in one piece. Cars pass at random and there is no rhyme or reason so it is like we are taking our lives in our hands at every turn. Tonight we went to Kymba's (Chimba's) house for dinner (he is a good friend of Jack's). We all sat outside under the stars and were served chicken, fish, meat (not sure what it was) potatoes, and about four other items. I stuck to the potatoes and I think I was the lucky one. Fortunately we ate in the dark because Blake, Josh and Brian were not very well behaved. Every time no one was looking they very discreetly passed their food to the neighborhood kids behind their backs. The kids were thrilled and so were they because that meant they didn't have to eat it! Every time Brian looked away Blake put his food on Brian's plate. It goes to show that men never ever grow up! They obviously weren't too discreet because the rest of us were cracking up!

Now we are home and trying to write letters to all the children who don't have letters from their sponsors. We want to make sure every child gets a letter. Tomorrow is our last day with the kids. We are going to get up and go to church (which we are all very excited about) and then go to Ibra's house (he works with Phil) to meet his family and then in the afternoon we are going to have a huge VBS party for the kids. We are planning to have a mini carnival for them with lots of stations and then have a big dinner with all the kids. I guess after that we will pack up and get ready to leave as Monday we will head for Jinja for some shopping before we leave on Tuesday. I cannot believe how exhausting and rewarding this trip has been. It has certainly changed me. I have made some excellent friendships and met some people halfway around the world I will never forget. I am heading to bed exhausted and worn out and feeling the beginning of not so good. I would appreciate your prayers that God will get me through the next three days without illness as there is so much still to do. I love each and every one of you.

P.S. Emily and Adam congrats on your engagement. I'm so happy for you both.

P.P.S. Paters'ville, every time I pass a post office I think of you!

P.P.S. Steve, Cody, Kari, Sam and John I love you all very, very much! I am so blessed to have you as family.