Days

On Sunday, Benji and I fasted that we would be blessed with clinical opportunities for me and research opportunities for him. 

So then on Monday Benji rolled his ankle and it swelled up beautifully and I got to play nurse.

Then today, I fell and skinned my knee pretty badly and got to use my first aid kit for the first time.

That's what happens when you pray for medical situations. 

In all seriousness, we just experienced a miracle. Emma has a friend who is a nursing student at Makerere University. Emma called this friend and asked for his help in securing clinical sites for me. A few hours later, Dennis Mulondo arrived at our compound to meet me. We gave him some letters from my BYU professors that he is going to take to his professor and *hopefully* get this twist in the road straightened out. God is so good.

Yesterday, we went to a village outside of Mukono town to visit a group of women and a group of school children who received Days for Girls kits a year and a half ago. (Repeat: I love African villages). When we arrived, the group of women were sitting under a large, shady tree waiting for us. This women's group developed seven years ago as a savings group, but most recently they've been making and selling soap and reusable menstrual hygiene kits. We wanted to check on their progress and address any concerns. 

I love introducing myself to Ugandans. You always say "Good morning" or "good afternoon" and they always respond with "Good morning." Sort of like Aloha in Hawaii. Sometimes they tack on 'sabo' for a gentleman or 'nyabo' for a lady. Benji introduced himself, and then said "this is my wife" and gestured to me. The ladies grinned and smiled and started clapping. They really like married people, I guess. I think we should all always clap when a couple is married. Maybe divorce rates would go down internationally. 

Right after we introduced ourselves, it started to rain. We scampered inside and I had the awesome privilege of waiting out an intense African rainstorm inside a brick, mortar, and tin roofed hut in the jungle. It was awesome. All the little children laid down and fell asleep. The rain is so loud. I felt happy and peaceful. 

When the rain quieted down I taught this little group of women about the rhythm method of contraception. With an interpreter. It was great. Africans have lots of interesting perceptions of family planning, and encouraging different methods is one of the goals we are trying to achieve. Sometimes the rhythm method is the only thing they are willing to do.

Then, we went and visited a school. They recently built a new latrine with a separate place for the boys, the girls, and the teachers AND they provided a washroom for the girls. SUCCESS, PEOPLE. 

We were conducting some surveys and noticed a small group of shy children huddled around the door, whispering and giggling. I tried to talk to them, but they ran away. So I hid close to the entrance and Benji let me know when they were creeping back. I jumped and yelled and they all squeeled and laughed and ran away. Then I went and shook all of their darling little hands and asked them how old they thought I was. They said 5. fabulous. 

A group of older boys were playing soccer (football) in the field behind the school. Benji ran and jumped in and they all stopped. He had the ball and he said "come on! Try and take it from me!" They didn't hesitate after that and I got some great video on the goPro of this tall white man playing soccer with a herd of barefooted Ugandan boys. You should have heard them cheer when he hit the ball off the top of his head. It was beautiful. (This is also when he rolled his ankle. It's all fun and games until...)

I have pictures but it takes about 30 minutes per photo to upload and I just don't have the patience for that. 

We're still plugging along out here (Benji is limping along). Thanks for praying for us and loving us. I try not to spend my entire day waiting for it to be today in Utah so that my mom will text me back or for my favorite bloggers to wake up and post something. The days are long but the weeks are short.