Welcome to Uganda

I'm finally here!! After 3 planes, a day in London, and no sleep for over 24 hours I have finally arrived in Africa. I'm settling down for the night to catch some sleep but wanted to share what I experienced today.
First, I learned something completely new about Africa today. It's not all open fields and villages of hut houses and wild animals all over the place. Here, in Kampala, it is more like a city. It reminds me a lot of Mumbai in India...just quieter. After we got settled in to our home for the next week we ventured out for food and our first ministry day. As tired as we were we loaded a van and headed for Gods Grace orphanage. At first I was skeptical of having energy to play with these kids or even what to do with them. But as we turned onto the street children started running from everywhere. They were chasing the van and waving with the biggest smiles on their beautiful faces. This scene literally brought tears to my eyes. Here I am, tired as can be in a country I've been dreaming of for 3 years and God is showing me his blessings right before my eyes. How blessed I am to be here, to be loved on and to love on the children of this orphanage. As we got out off the van, 5 kids hanging from each arm and leg, we were surrounded by children. They each wanted to hold our hands, touch our skin and hair, ask our names and tell us their own. Many I do not remember or could not pronounce. I know Edward because he gave me a fake name when he first introduced himself. Grace because we talked about how my name means Grace. And Mary because we talked of how Jesus had a mother Mary. And Eli, who is 2 years old and just got a name last week. We danced with these children and sang songs with them. They sang and played drums for us and I even got to teach them "Rise and Shine". The rain made it to where we couldn't play our game we had planned for them so we read them a bible story and will go back Friday to play with them some more. I already love it here and it's been one day. But, I'm beyond tired and must put down my phone and sleep. Continue to pray. We begin our bucket ministry tomorrow in the slums.

With love,
Hannah