Greetings from Northern Uganda!
Time: 9:14 AM
Location: Adjumani Uganda

Hello everyone! I'm in an internet cafe in Adjumani. We've had a wonderful time with the kids and staff so far. We drove up a few days ago, after collecting all of our trunks from the airport. I was skeptical about the trunks coming in, and at that point we had lost 4 items of luggage, but both Laura and Karin said they had good feelings about the luggage and we booked our ticket anyways. Well, Disa came in, and sure enough all four items were there!

Our trip up was long and cramped. Just outside of Kampala our bus had an accident. We came around a corner and a little van was parked in the middle of the road. Our driver swerved, but we hit the back of the van. Unfortunately it was full of school girls, and the bus is pretty sturdy metal. We jumped out and got about 5 of the girls to a hospital. I think one of them was more seriously injured, so please pray for all of these dear girls. We waited about 3 hours filling out police reports, then headed back on the road. We missed the military convoy because of the situation, and so ended up just filling up with soldiers and drove alone. It was good to understand a bit more of the hardships here in Uganda, and what the people face every day. We were all packed in the bus, with soldiers at the windows, carrying the big guns and surveying the landscape. The area has been pretty peaceful for a while, so no one was that worried as we drove, but I was pretty sobering.

We arrived in town and met Ryan Connole, Jeff and Michele Theisen, and Ezbon. We packed our dirty trunks into a couple cars and headed over to the orphanage. We were welcomed in with singing and tried to get some rest that night.

The past several days have been so wonderful. At this point everyone is feeling healthy, so thanks for the prayers. The kids seem quite happy, and its always a big event having visitors. We donated the clothes, books, and shoes, and they've been so grateful. The kids have finished the music project, and are so proud of it. Many in town have already been asking if they could buy the tape or CD. When I arrived I found that one of the things they were hoping I could help with was a music video. So... we've been out in the sun doing dances and shooting from various angles. It's been tedious, but a good experience over all.

Erin called yesterday, and she arrived safely in Kampala, and we'll pick her up at the airport in Adjumani tomorrow. From there we'll head straight to Sudan and be there for several days spending time with the orphans, windows and those with leperousy. Please pray for our trip up. Ezbon hasn't been feeling well, and the music cordinator Emmanuel Lasu's woke up a bit sick.

Ryan's been over here a bunch since we've been at the orphanage. He's been integrated into the culture, and speaks a lot of Maadi language. He's eager to see everyone back in the U.S. I think we'll head down with him to Kampala next Monday.

Our days have been full. Lots of great talks, and experiences of daily life. The girls went and fetched water last night from the pump. They also helped with bread and some other cooking. They've all recieved new Sudanese names. Karin is "Poni", Laura is "Maria" (very Sudanese name!) and Disa is "Anike".

The faith of everyone here has been so inspiring. The local church service on Sunday was full of life and everyone was so hospitable. We've had great talks and as always the staff and kids believe and trust and love for God always stirs something inside me to push ahead and have a deeper faith.

Nothing in the life here can really be planned with certainty. We wake up each day, and set some goals, and then those goals reset themselves and then set us. We just kind of hang on for the ride. Some of the most enjoyable moments are dancing and singing with the kids with the traditional dances at night. The sky is immense, filled with bright twinkles in a huge black sphere, and the kids twirl and move with these innate rhythms and songs. The weather has been great, lots of rain, and its been quite cool at night. In the morning its probably 70 or 80 degrees, and the kids bundle up in blankets and sweaters in the "cold" weather. The food has been delicious, lots of paypaya, sweet potatoes, tea, casava, beef on a stick, fresh chicken, groundnuts, fresh bread, greens, and posho ugali (corn meal).

As I mentioned earlier, we are heading up tomorrow to Sudan. We'll be taking a lorry up, and a toyota land cruiser. It will probably take about 4 hours. I'll try to post something when I get back.

Thank you everyone again for your support and prayer! Hello to you all.

Tinate! (Kuku word for "thanks".

Dan

Prayer Requests:
* The orphans are undergoing exams at the moment.
* Orphans and Widows - those in the orphanages and those in foster care
* All the staff
* Ezbon and Emmanuel's health at the moment.
* Safety as we travel
* Peace in Uganda and Sudan

I would like to pass my heartfelt thanks to all our reader for their prayer and support to the widows and orphans Association.It is our encourgement to you all that you keep visiting our web site to know more about us and the work we carry out in the sudanese community in uganda and in southern sudan.

God bless and take care over you all.

Ezbon.