2 weeks from today I will be in Uganda!!

December 27, 2008
Today marks the two week countdown until I get to live out one of my dreams! Beginning my senior year of high school, I became very concerned by the war taking place in the country of Uganda that continues to corrupt the lives of so many innocent children. These children are abducted from their homes and schools and trained to kill with daily quotas at a very young age. I have a spot in my heart that seriously melts when I think about the unnecessary fear that these children of such a young age have to battle with…and then the effects mentally…and then what their families are left feeling from losing a child. I was blessed with such an amazing childhood that it made me want to be able to help others to be as happy as they should be at any given age! My purpose for wanting to travel to Uganda the first time, during the summer of 2007, was to see with my own eyes what a part of this country really was like…I guess I felt it was a way to put a picture with my on growing passion for the people of Uganda. As I was taking off from the airport after almost a two week stay, I felt like I was leaving a piece of me there. I enjoyed every, and I really cannot think of a time I was not just really happy, moment of my time in Kampala! The culture was the first thing that grabbed me. African countries are described as Collectivistic societies, with an over all focus on group unity. This might sound ironic within the big picture, but I think of the individuals affected by the wars and impoverishment as still wanting to live with that intention. I am so excited about the chapter that will begin in just 14 days from today! I have to let everyone know that I know I am not immune to culture shock and moments of weakness, but I also know that I am going to be doing something amazing for four and half months…I am going to be learning so much about myself and the true meanings of happiness and working with what life gives and takes from a person. Removing the stress and hassle of my daily life to just focus on the true beauty of life in a beautiful location is a way I could describe how I am looking at this trip. I will be living in a community that is completely different than what I am used to and I will be forced to find comfort within my surroundings. I will definitely admit that I am going to at times really miss taking a nice, long shower and eating some Taco Casa, but its what I will actually be doing that I have constantly remind myself that those are things that come with choosing to do it. I wanted to write this entry today because it is becoming so real to me that I will actually be living and volunteering in Jinja, Uganda for four and half months, and the excitement I am experiencing and other emotions constantly going through my mind, I want to be able to look to this at my moments of weakness and remember why I am doing what I am doing…so I also want to ask whoever reads this to please take time and respond. Ask questions but please update me on yourself too! Peace and much love.