The last two weeks in Lira...

Ruco and I have completed two weeks now working in Lira (the northern part of the country which suffered in the past due to the LRA.) We have been working with a team which is rehabilitating infrastructure and supporting the community to get resettled as they return from living in IDP camps. Samaritan's Purse has really been able to do a ton in this community through various projects like shelter and water sanitation rehabilitation, as well as livelihood infrastructure developments.

While out and about in the field this week, we were fortunate enough to get our land-cruiser seriously stuck in the mud! Nothing was pulling that thing out..not us, not another vehicle or not even a tractor someone loaned us. Ruco was grinning ear to ear, helping all the guys while covered in mud. I on the other hand, found some friends/kids to sit with under a tree..I was very helpful! ;) At 7:30 pm, we called it quits and went home. The vehicle wasn't actually freed until the end of the following day!

However, over the weekend we were able to relax some. We had a little get together on Friday night (Halloween,) with 15 or so people here visiting from Ireland. We played some games and dressed up as much as we could. I turned into a baseball player at the last minute..fitting I know because of my proven sports abilities! :) I also made some bread pudding which was really great! Having good food is pretty much my only dilemma when it comes to living out in the field. So far, the food has been wonderful in Lira. You can get anything here...including diet coke and wonderful chocolate muffins and cinammon rolls---thanks to Brian's cafe!

On Saturday, Susan, Ruco, and I went to a wedding of one of the staff members. I believe it was my first African wedding! It was beautiful! Susan is also a gifted photographer, so she and Ruco took photos while I attempted to play with Brian's video camera. I hope it doesn''t turn out like Christi Tyners wedding video which my husband recorded on a setting which made the whole place appear pink! Sorry again Christi and Justin!!

We have now been working with the HIV team and living out in the field for the past week. I have really been moved by the people we came in contact with this past week. We helped out with some VCT meetings where people were tested for HIV and also went and checked out some local groups who do some income generating activities to benefit orphans and widows in the community. We talked with two groups who both make bricks and grow sunflowers to raise enough money to help those in the community. They keep zero percent of the money for themselves. I was blown away. It is one thing for us to help because we really never want for anything. It was totally different and amazing to see these Ugandans working out in the hot sun so that they can help their own community. I was challenged and inspired after spending time with these groups.

The weekend has come again, and we are lazying around Brian's cafe! I have so many other things I have been thinking about lately, but this post is getting rather long! I will try and post again next week!

Women carrying water for brick-making to benefit vulnerable people in their own community

More income generating activity benefitting the community!

A man waiting to take his HIV test at one of the VCT gatherings last week

Showing off a sling shot!

"Bye Bye to you"-one of my favorite phrases by kids in Lira (not said by kids in the other areas we have worked so far...)

He is "fearing seriously"-another funny phrase said often

This girl told her mom that she was "fearing Ruco's camera would eat her!" ha!