My Special Birthday designed seat for me:) 

My crazy cool housemate - Mackenzie!

A beautiful Sunset:)  The photo doesn't do it justice though!

Me on the crazy scary swing!

Sometimes on a Sunday evening we have a lovely pizza made by 'Wonderful' one of the IY students:)  Yum yum!

Chameleon - cool eh???!!!  I wasn't sticking it on my head though!

Pit Latrine Humour - Oh yes!!!

Here is Ode to my house-mate Mackenzie who wrote this on her blog about the steps it takes to go to the Pit Latrine!  She described it sooooo well that I HAD to share it with you all too:)  

"The whole pit latrine process is a piece of work on its own. First, you have to get your key, your toilet paper, flashlight, and walk a ways to get to it. (Note: You will need your flashlight regardless of whether or not it is night or day) When you get to the latrine you then have to grab the broom, unlock the door, and prepare for cockroaches the size of the palm of your hand. Once you’ve swept up all the cockroaches, killed all the spiders, and double checked for snakes you can then remove the “hole” cover. Place the hole cover outside of the stall because if you lose your balance it’ll hurt when you land on it. (I’ve got a beautiful red mark on my right hip currently) Before closing the stall, be sure to turn on the “torch” or else it becomes a dark scary place and you’ll be lucky if you make it into the hole. After you finish your business be sure and put the hole cover back on or else flies will make it their new home and the trip to the pit latrine becomes a whole new adventure. Also, do not forget to lock your pit latrine on your way out or it becomes a public latrine and trust me…not a pretty place.

Thankfully, I only share a pit latrine with my two other housemates and we three girls like to keep it tidy. We’ve even debated whether or not to put candles in it. (We’ve currently decided against it. Candles suggest comfort and relaxation, none of which is in the definition of the word pit latrine.)

With all that being said, pit latrines are a “get in and get out” kind of place."

So, you all now know more clearly the 'fun' we have at every latrine visit!!!

Hi guys,

Sorry it’s been a while since I blogged.  Hope you are all well?  Since my last update many things have happened!  I celebrated my first birthday in Africa, Uganda!  It was an amazing day – even when I was in lectures till 4pm!  My housemates were great and sorted out trying to make my favourite desert – custard, from scratch!  Not quite the same as Birds powder custard – but hopefully my mother shall send me some so that I can educate the Americans of how custard ‘should’ taste and be.  Also, to my surprise my friends in my class bought me a ‘kettle’ – best present ever!  I couldn’t believe my eyes!  It’s amazing what you appreciate when you don’t have something!  Of course, it depends on the electricity being on. 

My birthday cards I got this week, think they may have been sitting around a bit as people at reception were unsure who I was!  But now they know!  Thank you those of you who were super organised in sending a card – I applaud you all.  Well done!

I managed to fall off the concrete path round the side of our house – I will stick a picture on here, so you can see what the house I am in looks like!  So, I fell, by slipping on some water on the concrete and slipped right off the side onto the grass and hurting my ankle (the morning of my birthday-what a delight!).  Thankfully I didn’t damage it badly, though it has hurt for a few days.

The pit latrine is a process!  My housemate tells me I have a pit latrine posture (standing holding tightly to a bunch of my skirt –related to the fear of the latrine time!) before even entering in and looking all around for bugs etc.  I repeat for those of you who haven’t heard me say – it is a ‘get in, get out’ experience – no sitting, or rather squatting around in there!

Lectures have continued to be very challenging indeed.  A week ago we looked into counselling (what is good or bad counsel – and we counselling people ALL the time!) and just the small topic and thing of ‘the Glory of God’!   Kinda blows your mind, which has continued into this week, as well as looking at the Father Heart of God throughout the whole Bible! 

We had the sad news of a baby boy that was at Hope family (baby house) died last week and was only 4 months old.  It wasn’t expected although the baby had been ill and was undergoing investigations.  Keep in prayer the boys Father and the people who took care of baby Dissan here at New Hope (Stu and Sarah who were taking care of him in their own house and Kate who helped care for him too). 

It’s funny having been here 5weeks now and have got sooo into the habit of in the process of introducing myself and people asking where I am from, that yesterday a visiting English-man asked me where I was from and my first response was automatic ‘England’!!! 

Enjoy a British gathering this week for tea time, and it was lovely:) Nice to meet more Brits – who are here visiting.

I also got told yesterday at my family group by one of the girls that they thought I was American – she thinks I have American Eyes???!!!!  Not sure what that means, but thought it was amusing!  I’m trying to get the children in the family group to help me to learn some more Laganda!  We had much laughter over saying ‘water’ in Laganda – as it sounds the same as another word that means something completely different! So, if you say it slightly wrong...you’re NOT asking for water, but Faeces! 

Hope you are enjoying the pictures on the blog?!  I will try and keep it up as much as possible!

Love and hugs,

God Bless You

Rae 

The amazing cans of DOOM!!!  Couldn't live here without it!  Shame you don't have it in England!

This is me in the field at the ready and harvesting Maize (corn/sweetcorn)!  Thank God no snakes seen....but I did come across a frog...! picture to come at some point!

See the hut in the distance?  Ok, so it took a good half an hour walk in the hot hot and did I say HOT sun, to find the latrine in the field whilst harvesting Maize!  Boy, that was harder work than harvesting!!!  

Do you see the green Frog??? Sorry it's not bigger.  So I picked up some corn and felt this wet thing on part of my hand, and a little scream came out, wondered what on earth it was (was not expecting this!) and there it was- green frog!  Not sure who was the most scared at that point?!

This is our outdoor shower - note the bowl and cup in which to complete the procedure of having a 'shower'!

This my house/hut for the 5months here at the Institute!  Note to the very right of the house is the outdoor shower!  See the step cement all round the house, so I slipped off one of the highest points and fell off it onto the grass (on the morning of my birthday!).  Ouch!

This is how we wash our clothes, wash our clothes, wash our clothes, this is how we wash our clothes, down in Africa!