Pictures

Part of the group outside the tombs of the previous kings of Uganda
The group after arriving at the university learning traditional African dances!

The Bus part of the group travels in.

View down road next to University.

A view from outside the guest house we stayed in upon arrival in Uganda

Life at UCU

So yesterday we moved into the dorms at the university, and let me tell you what an eye opener. The rooms are tiny, the drawers don't open, the closets are made for much taller men, and we sleep under pop out mosquito nets. The water is absolutely freezing, so much so that i can only bare being under it enough to wash off the soap and shampoo. Yesterday all the guys went and started a game of soccer and ended up playing for a few hours. After we had dinner which was the exact same food as lunch. After dinner it was time for an early night, I went to bed at 9.

Today I woke up at 6:30 with a couple of the guys and went up monkey hill, which is a hill with tons of monkeys. I took some pics and will upload soon. After we had some breakfast and then began orientation in the classroom. We then had a scavenger hunt this afternoon in Mukona, Uganda, we had to find all the things we will need for the semester, had some scares on the hunt, but nothing huge. I met some of the volleyball guys tonight at dinner and will practice with them tommorrow at 5. Anyways the battery on my computer is about to die so I better go. Anyways doing well and healthy.

I've Arrived!!!

Hey everyone, thanks for all your prayers while I was traveling to Uganda. All of us made it here safely yesterday night at about 8:30 pm, and then after getting our visas and all it took about two hours to even leave the airport. So we were all very tired on the way to our home for the weekend. There are two sets of students here from the United States. There is the students staying on the campus, like me, and then the 10 students who will actually be living with host families the entire semester, close to the school and will walk to school everyday. Currently we are staying in a really nice guest house or boarding house. It is huge, and almost seems like we aren't in Africa, but then this morning me and Bryce from Canada went to look at the view and we are on top of a hill and can see the entire city of Kampala. The pictures I have are amazing, but no way to add them yet, but I will post some asap. Today Bryce and I got up at 7:15 to shower, and to our amazement there was hot water, which was awesome. We then had breakfast and then began orientation with all the students and Mark, who is the director of the Uganda Studies Program. We began the orientation by discussing in groups the reasons we came here and what we are expecting from the semester. It was amazing to me to hear how many students families weren't supported of them coming on the trip at all. I am so thankful that so many people have been so supportive of me coming from family to friends thank you all so much.
After Orientation we had lunch, followed by a trip to the Buganda Kingdom, which is the home of all the kings of Uganda who have died. It was amazing to see and hear the stories of the kings who ruled during British rule to the King now who has been King since independence. After the tombs the group all went to the city center and just walked around. It was refereshing to start hearing the African sounds and smell all the African scents again. I am sad that I'm not at SNU, but even after a day with all these other students, we all have so much in common, and I've never gotten along with so many people so well. This trully has to be one of the most genuine groups of people I have met. I'm so thankful I have come on this trip. Tommorrow we will be having church in the morning then be going to the University in the afternoon. We aren'e leaving for Rwanda till Friday, so I should be able to check my email a few times this week.

Anyways thank you all so much for prayers we will need them. I love you all so much.

Final Preperations

Hey everyone, i'd like to first thank everyone for all their support and prayers and i have been preparing for this next chapter in my life. I leave tommorrow for Washington DC and then will fly to Uganda will all the other students Thursday evening. Please be praying for our safe travels. As I have been sittin at home this summer I have pondered many times about what it will be like in Uganda, and what to expect, but from my previous trip to Malawi, I have learned not to go in with too many expectations, because most of them will be different. This past weekend I talked to some of my best friends from back at SNU, and it made me begin to realize how much I really am going to miss everyone for these few months. I know that this trip is all in God's plan, but it has been very difficult to even imagine being away from all my friends at school. I want you all to know that I will sincerely miss you very much, and that I'll be praying for all of you, that your semester goes well and all. This summer has been somewhat difficult as some of you know, but honestly finally being home for a summer with my family and friends was one of the best things for me. I learned a lot about myself and my friendships. To all my friends in Idaho, thanks for one of the best summers of my life, and you better stay in contact with me while I'm gone. To all ym Sports Info family, have an amazing couple seasons of sports, you guys will do great, I am going to miss out on a lot I realize. Anyways pray for me that God will prepare my heart for the adventure i'm about to be on, and also for all the people I will be going with. pray for the people of Uganda that we will come into contact with. Most of all keep God first. Love you all!