Jinja

Saturday, we drove out to Jinja, a more laid-back town about a 2-hour drive from Kampala. EMI has 1 long-term volunteer (someone who's committed to being here at least a year) and 1 intern out there, so we got to meet them. They also turned it into a "work day" for us, and the 9 of us who drove out from Kampala all helped work at their construction site for several hours (and managed to get pretty sunburned despite several applications of sunscreen). We all really enjoyed meeting the other intern, Danny, and the the volunteer, Phil, and his family (he and his wife are my age and have 2 little kids). Danny's parents were also visiting so we had a big work party to help them get some extra work done on the construction site where they work every day. EMI usually just does design work but, especially in the Uganda office, is delving a little more into construction management, to help see projects through to completion. We were working on a youth camp site, and spent the day sanding, nailing, and staining trusses.

Jinja sits at the source of the Nile (the Victoria Nile, which eventually feeds into the White Nile), on Lake Victoria, and is absolutely beautiful. It's a popular resort setting, and also a place for extreme sports like white water rafting, kayaking, and bungee jumping over the Nile. We went down to a little retreat center on the side of the Nile and most people waded a little. I sat on a rock in the shade and enjoyed the amazing scenery. (I'll try to post pictures soon.) It was great to go out there, and I'm sure we'll go visit again.

Funny story: On the way back home, we got flagged down by a police officer. Matt says "Should I put my seat belt on?" We all say NO, of course, because no one wears seat belts in the ubiquitous 15 passenger "taxis." Then the police officer points in Matt's window and says "You're not wearing a seat belt" and proceeds to tell us how we were all supposed to be wearing seat belts. We all thought that was the strangest thing because there were probably only 3 working seat belts in the whole van, and no one had ever heard of seat belt laws in Uganda. But we quickly tried to dig around and scrounge up what seat belts we could while she got in and informed our driver that she would have to escort us to the next town. On the way, she just read the newspaper (without putting her seat belt on). When we got to the next town, she told our driver to have each of us come into the police station one at a time...and then laughed. Apparently she had just wanted a ride....

Sunday we went to a local Ugandan church where Janet, one of our staff members attends. I loved the spirited, heart-felt worship, which reminded me of being in Kenya again. I am thankful that God has finally brought me back.

Tonight we (the 6 of us interns) made our own food for the first time. (Up til now, we've officially been in "orientation" and had all our meals hosted for us.) We set up a projector and had our first movie night, watching the movie "Clue" on the side of the living room wall. It was great to have a little down time and just hang out. I think we're all looking forward to figuring out a "routine" and having our first day of "real" work tomorrow.