Finally an Update!! :)

Hello! I apologize for my lack of posts these last few weeks. I would have updated more but the Internet can be very slow and it is hard to put into words what I was learning and experiencing. I am now back home in Little Rock! I really wanted to post right before I left on Tuesday but because of the bombings in Kampala all Internet was down. The bombings in Kampala was about 50 miles from us- though it takes about 2-2 1/2 hours driving time to get there because of the traffic and bad roads. It was a little unnerving to be so close to an act of terrorism. But though I was a little fearful God reminded me of His protection and presence. A song that played through my head for about 2 days after the bombings was one my Keith and Kristyn Getty- "Still, my Soul be Still"

Still my soul be still
And do not fear
Though winds of change may rage tomorrow
God is at your side
No longer dread
The fires of unexpected sorrow

God You are my God
And I will trust in You and not be shaken
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone

We left on Tuesday afternoon to head to the airport for our flight- only to find out that our flight which was scheduled to leave at 9:50pm was delayed and would now leave at 1am. Thus, missing our connecting flight in Amsterdam. So they rebooked us having to separate Britt and I. So my connecting flight was in Atlanta and Britt's in Memphis. They gave me no itinerary to know what times my flights left so all I knew was that I had a connecting flight in Amsterdam and Atlanta. When we got into Amsterdam we found out that my flight was delayed 2 hours which then turned into 3 1/2 hours. The kinda crazy thing that happened on my flight is that former President Jimmy Carter was on my flight!! Totally didn't expect to finally sit down in my seat and then see a President walking down the aisle!

When I got into Atlanta and I was drained physically but more mentally and emotionally. I was ready to be home. Thankfully customs went very smoothly and all my luggage arrived in good condition. I was expecting that my luggage would be lost considering the lady in Uganda only wrote on the baggage tag - "LIT." Then I find out that my flight to Little Rock is leaving the next morning. An overnight in the Atlanta airport is not what I was wanting- but a very nice Delta agent found a flight for me that night so by 8:00pm Central time I was hugging my family in Little Rock!! :) So that was my crazy flying adventure!!

It is so good to be home but I do miss the kids, mama's (Ugandan caretakers) and the volunteers at Amani. God really blessed me with such a great trip- though it was really hard and tiring at times. God's faithfulness restored me and gave me an awesome experience.

Please be in prayer for the country of Uganda these next few weeks especially. The elections are coming up and the terrorist group responsible for the bombings in Kampala are already threatening more. Please pray for the families effected by the attacks. And that through it all God would receive all the glory!

In the next few days I'll share about all that I learned but first I need to process it all and rest up!! :)

Thank you all for your prayers, kind notes and support. I don't think I could have done it without you all!
Love you all!

Mariah