Oh man, just thinking about what all has happened in this short month brings a smile to my face. July has been the best month of our lives. By far, without comparison. The wait for it was long and the anticipation was unbearable. Now it's July 29th and we have to pinch ourselves to believe that everything that happened actually happened and it wasn't just a dream. We want to reminisce as we tell you all about the adventures we had in Uganda with some of our favorite people from the Buckeye State.
Sunday, July 5
My Mom (Sally), Dad (Joe, aka J-O Joe), brother (Clint), sister (Emily), and cousin (Jamie), all flew into Uganda at 1:15pm. I can't even describe to you the feeling of seeing my family after 10 months away. And to have them halfway across the world in the place I now call home, was incredible. For most of them, it was their first time out of the United States and there were about a million questions being asked every day.
The first few days were spent hanging out, cooking, playing cards, swimming, and spending some much needed quality time together.
Wednesday, July 8
We visited Silvester's Grandma and his sister, Christine, where they met our very cute niece, Shantae (the cutest niece ever in my opinion, but I could be biased). We then headed over to Oasis of Hope Ministries to spend time with the children there. We spent a few hours face painting and doing relay games. I think the adults were having just as much fun as the kids. They had their first Ugandan meal of posho (maize flour) and beans, you can ask them if they enjoyed it. This was one of the highlights for me as they got to see what our lives will be like for the next year. They met with Davis, founder of Oasis of Hope Ministries, and heard all about God's faithfulness and the amazing values and visions of this ministry.
Friday, July 10
Silvester & Clinton were off to the airport to pick up five more of my family members while I took the rest of crew to the Friday market in town that consists of local crafts and clothes. The Hershberger's included my Uncle Dave, Aunt Marie, and cousins Amy, Kelsey and the always sleepy, Josh.
Saturday, July 11
We thank Maurice and Jean Bradley who helped to organize this whole day at Watoto Suubi Village, where Silvester spent much of his teenage years. I never thought this day would come. Silvester and I used to imagine what it would be like to have my family collide with his family. It was two worlds colliding in the most beautiful way. We managed to secure a tour of the Watoto Goat Farm where tiny little goats nibbled our fingers and a two hour visit at Baby Watoto Suubi, to experience first hand what my life was like in 2013. We then headed up the hill to find Silvester's mentor dad, Maurice, doing high ropes in the trees. At 2pm we walked down to Silvester's family in Watoto (House 121) to share a full traditional Ugandan meal. We finished the lunch off with arm wrestling and photos. We traveled all the way to the very bottom of Suubi hill where my family finally got the chance to meet our favorite little guy, Sam and his family. I've been talking about this boy since I volunteered in the babies home in 2012, and I had to keep pinching myself to remind myself that this was real life. We concluded the day with bachelor and bachelorette parties for Silvester and I.
Sunday, July 12
Another full and busy day came on us as it included, church at Watoto Downtown, swimming, and the final airport pickup of the trip. Our friends, Billy and Kammi were finally with us to enjoy the rest of the days together. We ended the day with a cultural dance show at Ndeere Center.
Monday, July 13
By this day, everyone was here and all staying between Silvester and my apartments with breakfast always being at Silvester's. Now, our apartments are not big at all and imagine having 14 people all trying to make breakfast and eat at the same time, you could say that sometimes it felt like we were eating on top of each other.
On this day we made our way to the Uganda Registration Services Bureau and took care of all of the legal paperwork for the wedding. It was a fun celebration together. We ended the day with shopping at the craft markets where Kelsey bought almost a whole suitcase full of "mzungu pants".
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| Mzungu pants! |
Tuesday, July 14
I think everyone can agree that this was one of the best days of the entire week. We packed everyone up and set out for a two hour journey to Silvester's home village in Nakifuma. We went out to the sticks, no electricity or running water, just small red brick and tin roof houses surrounded by banana trees and barefooted kids. It was the perfect day. Silvester's Grandma and Grandpa welcomed us into their home with inspiring hospitality. We sat under the banana trees eating mangoes and sipping African tea and introduced my family to ffene, jack fruit. We had fun picking maize for roasting and walking to the fruit gardens where they learned to climb trees for cocoa fruit. It was so special to see everyone embrace the culture, like really embrace it, and want to learn more about this simple way of life. Even though the language barrier between them and the locals kept them from communicating with words, there was no lack of communication through the hospitality and generosity of everyone there.
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| Jack fruit |
Another day, another adventure. This time to Jinja, the source of the Nile River! Thanks to our friend, Sandra, who helped us hugely in organizing this day! We had an amazing time ATV riding in the villages of Bujagali along the Nile River. After a very dusty ride, we went down to the Nile for lunch and a boat ride. We had an interesting time arguing with the boat driver to negotiate the price for 13 mzungus. But hey, they got the true African experience. The boat edge was about one foot above the water, we were a little scared, but we knew that if the boat sunk at least everyone could swim and all we had to worry about were some crocodiles. We ended the day with milkshakes and a long drive home which included card playing and singing, just ask Clinton and Billy how they felt about the singing. I think they were wishing we had sunk the boat and got left behind with the crocodiles.
Thursday, July 16
Thursday the ladies went out for a girls day. We had our nails done, had coffee and lunch with lots of talking happening all at once. Things that boys wouldn't like. In the evening we had our wedding rehearsal which was a bit unorganized (African style) but somehow worked out in the end.
Friday, July 17
One day to the wedding! This day was full of wedding preparations. My mom put together all the flowers and bouquets for the wedding, she is AWESOME! I can't even express the gratitude that I have for her and her willingness to do this. The flowers were beautiful and I wouldn't have wanted it any better. Thank you Mom, you rock. This day flew by so fast its hard to even remember what all happened! We were at the wedding venue until late at night, setting up tables and making sure everyone knew the plans for the Big Day. We had a full house that night with Rosemary and Sandra spending the night, and it was so much fun!
Silvester & Katelyn Forever July.18.2015
Wedding Day! We woke up to no electricity and it stayed that way all morning long. But God had the whole thing worked out and the power came back in time for everyone to finish getting ready! As the day passed waiting for 4pm, people started arriving and the arrangements all came together with lots of hard work from many people. Silvester and I chose not to see each other until the walk down the aisle. I wouldn't trade that moment for anything. We were both nervous wrecks, but in that moment, nothing else mattered. I don't know how to sum up the day, it seemed like one second the day was starting and the next second it was over. The feeling of looking to my left and having my family sitting there was so indescribable. At one point I looked out over everything and thought over the past months; I don't know how He did it, but God worked out every small detail, He brought my family there safely, and brought so much love to that day. Then I looked beside me at my new husband, and all I could think was "How did I get so lucky?". God knew exactly what He was doing from the very beginning.
Now its July 29 and everyone is gone (and we are missing them big time), the wedding decorations have been put away, and life is now back to normal, except that we are married of course. As we head into this new season, we know that God's faithfulness will continue. He has brought us so far and its only through His name that we have reached this point.
We have committed the next year to Him and that has led us to a serving position at Oasis of Hope Ministries. We have known the founder, Davis, for a number of years and are so excited to be a part of this God story. Silvester and I will be serving as the Volunteer and Communication Coordinators as well as organizing co-curricular activities with the kids at Oasis of Hope Christian School. The vision of this ministry is to start up a number of projects in the community and that will be our main focus with the founder, Davis. Some of the projects include, village outreach, a community clinic, childcare home, elderly support, and English lessons. There is a lot of work to be done and we are excited to start. We are thankful that God has called us to this place and are excited to see what He will do in this community.
Please pray with us during this time of transition and new beginnings.
Much love from Uganda,
Silvester & Katelyn Forever (I mean Lubwama).
P.S. Wedding Photos Coming Soon.
