Arrival in Uganda...

Hello to all Johanna's friends:

Her roommate Laura posted an update on her blog to indicate that they have arrived safely in Soroti. The highlights are as follows:

• Left Kigali base early on Tuesday morning and were on our way to Uganda by 6 30. We crossed the border in less than 2 hours.
• We raced along the highways until we arrived in Kampala in the afternoon. The scenery is very different here, much flatter and drier. We also crossed the equator, which was cool.
• We spent the night at a friends house in the city and had a late dinner before all falling asleep while standing up.
• The next morning we awoke early again and caught a bus to Soroti. This one was much bigger and full of people. We raced along the bumpy pothole-filled high ways, through flat Ugandan marshlands for most of the day. By the time we reached Soroti, we were all exhausted and our backs were aching from the incredibly bumpy ride.
• We found our way to the YWAM base and were greeted by a small staff. The base here is spread out and each ministry has their own compound. Soroti is much more rural than our base in Kigali, and we are in the middle of a big, hot field.
• We were shown to our very "cozy" room, where eight of us girls will live. However, you could put me in a box for all I am concerned, because we have running water, our own bathroom, and a shower!!! Oh, and there is a toaster here as well, in the kitchen!
• We spent our first night meeting them, looking at the stars, and sweating while being eaten alive by mosquitoes.
• We awoke this morning to breakfast and an orientation about the ministries we will be involved in. Mostly we will be working with FACE (facing aids with compassion and education), a primary school, and Amachet, which is a phenomenal ministry for children with AIDS. We will be working night shifts at the center for children and helping ease the pain of some of those who are very progressed in their symptoms. I know it will be very difficult, but this is an incredible ministry to show children love and dignity before they die, and to nurse those who can be saved back to a healthy and somewhat normal life.
• Please pray for us as this will certainly be an emotional experience.

Johanna's Dad