Through the gate and I am home!
The "Big White Arch" is the gateway to my sweet home.
While my weeks tend to follow a sort of familiar rhythm, there seems to always be room for more "firsts" here in Mbarara:
First time holding a tiny infant affected by HIV while encouraging the mom along in the babies physiotherapy. I was truly touched working alongside this mother who loved her daughter so well despite the developmental difficulties.
This is the Mbarara hospital's pediatric therapy room where I spend all my Wednesdays.
First time seeing many extravagant animals in their natural habitat (not behind bars or in cages) during our game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Also, first time feeling shocked at seeing a woman's thighs as we ran into tourists in short shorts along the safari (of course, I wouldn't have given even a second thought to such a sight in the states).
What do you do with a free Saturday in Southwest Uganda?... How about joining a few friends for an impromptu trek through Queen Elizabeth Safari Park! While everyone at home in the US was dawning their best costume for a night of tricks and treats I was on a game drive along the wild rugged roads of the vase Wildlife park with the Rwenzori Mountain range towering in the backdrop.
First time attending a Ugandan wedding to witness one of my colleagues marriage and join in the festivities that followed. After the Runyankore church service the afternoon was full of singing, eating, dancing and taking photos. A loud sound system and plates mounded with food are both a must at such events and always tend to leave my ears ringing and stomach extremely full afterwards!
Even the youngest of our work friends dressed smart for the occasion!
First time taking public transportation as I traveled with a teammate to Kampala for the weekend. During our trek to Kampala and back home we stopped many times over to pick up passengers just waiting on the side of the road. At times we didn't even have to stop but rather the bus slowly rolled in as passengers jumped aboard the still moving vehicle. In both directions we faced at least two hour delays due to heavy traffic stand stills and then due to misplaced documents on our bus driver's part. I thought it was such a sweet surprise, however, when the ticket man asked that Lydia, my friend and riding buddy, to pray over our travels before we departed the station.
Empty bus during our halfway mark while everyone took their snack or bathroom break.
Vendor's like to stick the foods (like meat sticks) through your window if its cracked enough during our roll through stops.
First time planning a birthday party for two little ones approaching the one year mark. As Emily, my roommate, rightly put it, "You don't really need much entertainment for a one year birthday party"... just the babies themselves could have entertained for hours.
mommy-daughter moments with both birthday girls!
Our sweet little Sophie turns one year this December!
Miss Abrielle turned one year this November!
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. A prayer request I have for this month is concerning a new physiotherapist they are interviewing to come work at the clinic. At the moment there are two OTs and then myself as a PT student so this addition would be so positive for OURs if it works out. It tends to be hard to keep employees committed for an extended period of time in private clinics such as OURS so prayers would be appreciated. Also, the Mbarara Hospital where I work on Wednesdays for the CP Clinic is short handed after suddenly losing a physio (he transferred elsewhere) and soon to be losing all the practicing students for Holiday, so we are praying for provision in this area as well. May you all have a joy-filled Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by friends and family. I am thankful for all of you!
Blessings,
Meggie
