An so the African adventure begins..

Africa, Uganda, Africa hah where to start? I apologize for this entry being so long, it’s just hard to try and fit everything my eye’s and heart have experienced and seen into one post. I have quickly fallen in love with this beautiful place and it's people.

My journey to Uganda didn't start off on the best of foots, the trip over was harrrd. Probably the most strenuous trip of life. I wont get into the details (mainly because i just don't wont to relive them) just know it was like nothing I had ever experienced before, however all that was quickly forgotten as soon as I stepped foot in East Africa. I can remember the moment, thinking "I'm standing foot in Africa, what the hell!?." I found myself self in a place I had long yearned to be, and that realization in some senses has yet to fully set in.

The first night we stayed at a guess house near the airport, since The Good Shepherd's fold is quite a drive from Entebbe and our flights got in late. As soon as I saw my first mosquito net, I was taken back to me and Anna's childhood days of building forts.. and I knew sleep would not be an issue here hah.

The next day we slowly worked our way to the Good Shepherd's Fold Orphanage where I would be spending the majority of my time in Africa. We stopped in Kampala, the biggest city in Uganda, to pick up some supplies for the orphanage and some stuff for us 8 interns.. including a ghetto retro cell phone for each of us haha. Then we made one more stop to get to some grub to survive off of. Then finally we turned from one dusty dirt road to another at a slightly faded sign marked "Good Shepherds Fold This Way," and as soon as we rounded that curve I immediately knew in my heart that this was were I was sopose to be for the summer w/0 a shadow of a doubt.

Upon turning we could see the GSF's gate which were holding back students, orphans, and staff waiting to greet us with drums, dances, and love. As soon as we stepped off the bus, I had a kids racing to hold at each of my hands and one jumping on my back.. with another attempting to climb up me. Needless to say it was a picturesque welcoming to this wonderful place.

The first few days here were kind of a blur. We did a lil touring, and learned a little bit about the culture and stuff like that. This country, and GSF, are simply put beautiful. Uganda is so lush and we are located out in the rolling hills of sugar cane. Every time I walk out of our little guest house or the outhouse I'm taken back by the scenery that awaits my eyes.

Within the first few days of being here the phrase T.I.A. quickly arose. Meaning "this is africa." For example on my 3rd day here we saw a monkey like 1o feet from our porch and shortly after experienced an earthquake… and all you can really say to something like that is T.I.A. haha But yeah Africa is crazy.. and I love it. There have been some many moments when the reality that I'm in Africa slaps me in the face, and it almost seems unreal. For example the other day I found myself crammed into an african hut/house watching the Ivory Cost play against Portugal in the world cup on this tinny little tv, surrounded by Ugandans and cheering for the African country while I myself am in Africa haha. Or today when I found myself in the middle of an african soccer match, GSF kids and us white folk vs. the villagers and it was just like one of those moments when you're like is this really happening haha. Speaking of "white folk" they call us Mzungus haha. So say you're walking through the market, you'll have venders left and right yelling "Mzungu Mzungu come shop here," or when I made a hoffific play on the volleyball court and they laughed and muttered “Mzungu bad” haha. Call me crazy but it just seems racist to me.. but hey what do i know I come from the most racists races of em all right? haha.

Like I said earlier this place is beautiful. We are living in the “guest house.” It’s like a stucko/cement house. It’s not to bad at all actually, I mean compared to what I’m use to its definitely ‘roughing it’ but relative to the conditions most of the people in this country live in (and what I expected to live in) it’s nice. We have lights, and one fan, and the most magnificent porch, with an amazing view that is ahh.. just breath taking. We sleep in simple metal bunk-beds with mosquito nets. And we have a cement outhouse that has a toilet and a shower. Which surprisingly enough has hot water, be it a trickle, but hey T.I.A. right? And I’ve quickly gotten over my hatred or lets say intolerance of insects, simply because they are EVERYWHERE.

Yeah so the first couple of days were kind of just to let us get into the swing of things. So last Wednesday was when we hit the ground running with our work. I'm working with a girl named Baylee and we're working with the orphanage sponsorship program. Our work for the time being consists of getting all the children who live here and have sponsors updated and to have them write letters to their sponsors, cause for a lot of them it’s been over a year since their sponsors have heard anything about them. This task is quite tedious and doesn’t really fit into what I would call my ‘calling’ but the Lord’s already taught me so much through it. We’ll probably be doing this for another few week, but seeing as how I’m a dreamer in the most outlandish since of the word (you guys know me) I plan of radically changing the program in anyway I can so that this place will have the necessary funds to do God’s work and love of God’s people of Uganda. The days here are full of all kinds of other work though, most of which just involves loving on the orphans.

This place is so laid back, which is exactly the opposite of what I expected. For the most part I make my own schedule. I work on the sponsorship program whenever I want throughout the day. I spend an hour with Moses, the special needs child which I was blessed to be placed with, whenever I wanna fit it it. At four I help coach the schools soccer team, which is almost a joke cause they should be teaching me hah.

I don’t know what else to say. I apologize again for the length haha, but I could just keep going and going. I have seen and experienced so much in my short time here, and wish I could tell you in detail of every beautiful story. Seeing the dire situations of the people of this country and just the simple opportunity that I have been given to live here and do what little I can has left me with an overwhelming feeling of genuine blessing. I pray that you are continually reminded of the blessings our Lord has bestowed upon you, and that you continue to use them for the glory of His kingdom. I miss you all dearly, but know I am doing well, and wake each day with a great feeling of purpose and an overwhelming sense of the Lord’s presence w/ me.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement, it has meant the world to me, I wish you could all be here with me! Please email me I would love to hear from you, my email is jordanwhowell@gmail.com, and if you want to learn a little more about The Good Shepherds Fold.. here’s a link to their website www.goodsheperdsfold.org

Peace, Love, and Grace be w/ you,

Jordan