The Buzzzzz from Uganda

Hello from Kampala, Uganda. Kampala is Lugandan for "Mosquito Sanctuary". Actually, I might have made that up, but I think it might be close to true. Okay, so that might be a bit dramatic too, but being a first time traveler to Africa, I'm viewing these suckers (pun intended) differently. If my body was Homeland Security the warning level would have been raised to Fire Engine Red.

But you're not reading this to hear about bugs, so moving on.

We arrived late last night to Kampala. Our driver, Herbert, was a wild man. I don't generally buckle in the back seats of cars, but did so last night. I also decided to wear my sunglasses even though it was midnight. I just didn't want to see anything more than I absolutely had to. Adding to the experience was that--like in Kenya-- Ugandans drive on the opposite side of the road than us Americans, so it just always looks like you're about to crash into the oncoming car.

Sweet Sleep is working with Samaritan's Purse to begin our work in Ugandan orphanages. Today we spent half the day working with our new favorite Sp'er, Roxanne. We heart her.

We also visited a few orphanages....and they were---in a word----primitive. The first one we visited didn't even have electricity. They were in such great need of new mattresses--the few they had were really just chunks of filthy foam under an equally filthy blanket. Many beds here that we've seen are metal bunks with metal lattice instead of springs. Obviously, when the metal breaks the sharp ends can cause harm to the children. Not to mention that many times there aren't mattresses to go with the beds, so the metal lattice is quite uncomfortable for these bony little children.

I was taken back by what I saw in one room...children --not babies---sleeping in baby cribs. Just looking at them laying there with their feet hanging out through the sides did something to me that I still don't have words to put with.

And none, none of the beds had mosquito netting to go with them. As I type this I know those little children are laying in their beds....sleeping.....and likely being bitten by the plentiful mosquitoes which potentially could bring them disease and even death.

I don't know about you, but I'm really looking forward to the day I can tell you all that those little ones are nestled Sweetly in their mosquito net covered beds.

I guess you really did read this to hear about bugs after all.

Thanks for being a part of our work. I am grateful for your prayers, your support and your continued partnership with us that will ultimately save the lives of countless children here in Uganda.

Blessings to you, my friends.

See you in the next blog,
Jen