It's great to be back home with my family and friends. I left a part of me in Uganda with the people I met, Mama Alice and the precious children of SITTA NEST and the staff at Living Hope Medical Center. Today our Africa Mission Team gave our testimonies to the KCC members. We were all fired up when asked by Pastor Perry to come up on the stage to sing and dance some of the Vacation Bible School music ("Watching Over you" and "Only a Prayer Away").
I took many video snippets and just now looking through them. Rich memories of the children and people of Uganda. I'm definitely going back to follow-up on Dr. Alfred and his staff. Now that I have a better idea of what to expect, "we'll" be more prepared and ready to share even more things with them. We are spoiled here in the U.S. from toilet paper and paper towel to having alcohol pads and normal saline flush at the tip of our fingers.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Day 19 Africa Mission Trip 2012-2013 (Hilton LAX)
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Good morning! I'm so ready to go home! Having a great breakfast at the Bistro in Hilton LAX with my favorite room mate Laura and Bridgette and her son. The egg sandwich was fresh and hot! Fruit platter was fresh! And a tall size cafe mocha!
Sunrise in LA!
Good morning! I'm so ready to go home! Having a great breakfast at the Bistro in Hilton LAX with my favorite room mate Laura and Bridgette and her son. The egg sandwich was fresh and hot! Fruit platter was fresh! And a tall size cafe mocha!
Sunrise in LA!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Day 18 Africa Mission Trip 2012-2013 (Los Angeles)
Friday, January 11, 2013 or is it?
Our team just arrived at LAX this afternoon from Istanbul, Turkey after a grueling 13 hours flight from Entebbe, Uganda Africa. It seems like eternity. We're back in America! Tucked away my outlet adapter and my 98.11% deet bug spray. Some of us left our hearts in Africa with the beautiful kids at Kampala (Gospel of Light Church and Living Hope Medical Center) and in Jinja with Mama Alice and all the extra special children at SIITA Nest (most especially our sponsor children, sons and daughters).
For some of us it feels like a spectacular fulfilling dream and some of us will make some dramatic changes in our lives. Our time in Africa seems going too fast and when we get in touch with our family back home ( Hawaii) our time in Africa seems forever.
One wish I have is to take Margaret back to Hawaii if not forever, even just for a vacation. I would have taken her back to Kingfisher to have a FB video chat with Ray, Joy and Anthony. There are rules to follow in order to keep things in perspective. If I have my way, Margaret would be staying with me at Kingfisher while the team is there. I know Mama Alice will not allow that. The first time I met Margaret during the pool party, I wanted to take her back to my cottage to have a private quality time with her. Mama Alice had this look on her face and said in her African accent, "It is better not to. We don't allow such". I respected that and was satisfied sitting with Margaret on the green grassy area of the resort. I was truly satisfied that day and my heart was so full especially when I was walking in the swimming pool side by side and hand in hand with our Margaret. She shared with me that she wanted to be a journalist someday. Her older sister Joy also wanted to be a journalist. Then during our days spent at SIITA Nest, Lilian who was one of the SIITA Nest girls is taking courses to be a news anchor someday.
Our mission trip gave me many perspectives in life. Getting to know the team members is one thing, and understanding the culture and the people of Africa is another. I had to remember that we are not perfect.
Our team just arrived at LAX this afternoon from Istanbul, Turkey after a grueling 13 hours flight from Entebbe, Uganda Africa. It seems like eternity. We're back in America! Tucked away my outlet adapter and my 98.11% deet bug spray. Some of us left our hearts in Africa with the beautiful kids at Kampala (Gospel of Light Church and Living Hope Medical Center) and in Jinja with Mama Alice and all the extra special children at SIITA Nest (most especially our sponsor children, sons and daughters).
For some of us it feels like a spectacular fulfilling dream and some of us will make some dramatic changes in our lives. Our time in Africa seems going too fast and when we get in touch with our family back home ( Hawaii) our time in Africa seems forever.
One wish I have is to take Margaret back to Hawaii if not forever, even just for a vacation. I would have taken her back to Kingfisher to have a FB video chat with Ray, Joy and Anthony. There are rules to follow in order to keep things in perspective. If I have my way, Margaret would be staying with me at Kingfisher while the team is there. I know Mama Alice will not allow that. The first time I met Margaret during the pool party, I wanted to take her back to my cottage to have a private quality time with her. Mama Alice had this look on her face and said in her African accent, "It is better not to. We don't allow such". I respected that and was satisfied sitting with Margaret on the green grassy area of the resort. I was truly satisfied that day and my heart was so full especially when I was walking in the swimming pool side by side and hand in hand with our Margaret. She shared with me that she wanted to be a journalist someday. Her older sister Joy also wanted to be a journalist. Then during our days spent at SIITA Nest, Lilian who was one of the SIITA Nest girls is taking courses to be a news anchor someday.
Our mission trip gave me many perspectives in life. Getting to know the team members is one thing, and understanding the culture and the people of Africa is another. I had to remember that we are not perfect.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Day 17 Africa Mission Trip 2012-2013 (Kampala, Uganda Africa)
Friday, January 11, 2013
We're here at Sheraton Kampala and getting ready to leave for Entebbe Airport. This has been an amazing mission trip. We expected to teach the people of Africa but we ended up learning from their ways and character of gratefulness and contentment.
The beauty of Africa is found in it's rich culture where people learn to live simply. On our way coming in I noticed that every house that we passed by has a small farm of banana, corn, cassava and sweet potato.
One of my favorite dish here is the Matoke, or Matooke, a plantain banana dish from Uganda can be made with or without the meat. Laura, my room mate can eat chapati all day long. Here's a link on how to make chapati. This one's for you Laura.
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-East-African-Chapati
We're here at Sheraton Kampala and getting ready to leave for Entebbe Airport. This has been an amazing mission trip. We expected to teach the people of Africa but we ended up learning from their ways and character of gratefulness and contentment.
The beauty of Africa is found in it's rich culture where people learn to live simply. On our way coming in I noticed that every house that we passed by has a small farm of banana, corn, cassava and sweet potato.
One of my favorite dish here is the Matoke, or Matooke, a plantain banana dish from Uganda can be made with or without the meat. Laura, my room mate can eat chapati all day long. Here's a link on how to make chapati. This one's for you Laura.
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-East-African-Chapati
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Day 16 Africa Mission Trip 2012-2013 (Kampala)
Thursday, January 10, 2013
We're back to civilization where there's consistent internet access and American foods! Mama Alice didn't know who I was when I first met her at Kingfisher Safari Resort during the Pool Party. Then I met her again at Siita Nest and she said to me, "I didn't know you at first and wondering who this lady was. Then I saw you on FaceBook and now I know you're the Armstrong Family!" Yes, Mama Alice from Jinja Uganda Africa has a FB Account! I'm going to miss her and her children at Siita Nest.
School started at UH Manoa last Monday, January 7th. I checked my email messages at work and thought to myself, "Back to reality"! Thank goodness I'm not scheduled to lecture until the first week of Feb.
I was able to FB video chat with my family back in Hawaii. Anthony was at basketball practice and Joy was about to do her homework. My husband announced that our bird named Peter had an egg earlier and now there's four eggs in the cage. After losing our baby bird few days ago, God blessed us, mainly Ray with four eggs to incubate and care for after they hatch.
Today some of the Africa Mission Team members had the privilege to visit the Uganda Christian University campus. Moses, Gloria Chapman's son took us on a tour. Then we headed down to the Uganda Hospital to visit Grace and Rebecca. They took us on a tour to the ICU, Pediatric burn unit and Cardio Thoracic Unit. That was quite an experience. We're not allowed to take pictures inside the hospital. All I can say is that it is similar to public hospitals in the Philippines. There were beds and sleeping mats on the floor and everyone is in one big room. We met the charge nurse in the ICU and she reminded Grace and Rebecca that we're not to take pictures.
I have several pictures taken inside the Uganda Christian University. I was delighted to see that UCU has a nursing program and their school bus for the department is in a beautiful purple. It doesn't take much to delight me and that made my day!
We're back to civilization where there's consistent internet access and American foods! Mama Alice didn't know who I was when I first met her at Kingfisher Safari Resort during the Pool Party. Then I met her again at Siita Nest and she said to me, "I didn't know you at first and wondering who this lady was. Then I saw you on FaceBook and now I know you're the Armstrong Family!" Yes, Mama Alice from Jinja Uganda Africa has a FB Account! I'm going to miss her and her children at Siita Nest.
School started at UH Manoa last Monday, January 7th. I checked my email messages at work and thought to myself, "Back to reality"! Thank goodness I'm not scheduled to lecture until the first week of Feb.
I was able to FB video chat with my family back in Hawaii. Anthony was at basketball practice and Joy was about to do her homework. My husband announced that our bird named Peter had an egg earlier and now there's four eggs in the cage. After losing our baby bird few days ago, God blessed us, mainly Ray with four eggs to incubate and care for after they hatch.
Today some of the Africa Mission Team members had the privilege to visit the Uganda Christian University campus. Moses, Gloria Chapman's son took us on a tour. Then we headed down to the Uganda Hospital to visit Grace and Rebecca. They took us on a tour to the ICU, Pediatric burn unit and Cardio Thoracic Unit. That was quite an experience. We're not allowed to take pictures inside the hospital. All I can say is that it is similar to public hospitals in the Philippines. There were beds and sleeping mats on the floor and everyone is in one big room. We met the charge nurse in the ICU and she reminded Grace and Rebecca that we're not to take pictures.
I have several pictures taken inside the Uganda Christian University. I was delighted to see that UCU has a nursing program and their school bus for the department is in a beautiful purple. It doesn't take much to delight me and that made my day!
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| Here's the beautiful purple Nursing Program bus! |
Day 15 Africa Mission Trip 2012-2013 (Last Day at Siita Nest)
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Hand Hygiene
Today is our last day here at Kingfisher's and Siita Nest Orphanage which means my last day to see my daughter, Margaret. Thank you Lord for allowing me to see your goodness in people, like Mama Alice. I know I have a lot of work to do with my character. Thank you for giving me the privilege to see you in the people of Africa. Mama Alice is a great example of a mother's tough love. I was able to find two new children to sponsor. Joel and Jerusha, both 7 years old. There's another girl who wrote me a letter requesting to be sponsored. She's 18 years old. We'll pray about her and hope that God will find her a sponsor.
Hand Hygiene
Today is our last day here at Kingfisher's and Siita Nest Orphanage which means my last day to see my daughter, Margaret. Thank you Lord for allowing me to see your goodness in people, like Mama Alice. I know I have a lot of work to do with my character. Thank you for giving me the privilege to see you in the people of Africa. Mama Alice is a great example of a mother's tough love. I was able to find two new children to sponsor. Joel and Jerusha, both 7 years old. There's another girl who wrote me a letter requesting to be sponsored. She's 18 years old. We'll pray about her and hope that God will find her a sponsor.
Last Day at Siita Nest
Last Day at King Fisher. The older children who completed the Leadership Training with Pastor Perry and Rev. Skip Kite
with our sponsor child/daughter, Margaret
with Mama Alice, love her like a grandma.
Juliet, she's a teacher and completed a degree in Public Health. She speaks good English and was my interpreter during dental and hand hygiene teaching
This is Lillian. She was Siita Nest child and now attending the University to be a journalist. She dreams of becoming a news anchor.
This is beautiful Jerusha, she's Joy's sponsor child.
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| Our beautiful daughter Margaret. |
Laura was such a magnet to the kids. As soon as we get out of our van, the kids just latch on to her.
Beautiful Esther.
Our last day and goodbyes were endless. We were supposed to head back to our hotel around 11:45 am and we didn't leave the orphanage until about 1 pm. Kids were just hanging on to us and we were hanging on to them.
Day 14 Africa Mission Trip 2012-2013 (Hand Hygiene at Jinja, Siita Nest)
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Hand Hygiene
God is faithful and true! This is our second day at SIITA NEST and the kids are waiting for more education. I realized we only have a few soap to go around.
Here's part of the Hand Hygiene segment of the day. This was put together at 3:00 am inside Cottage number 102:
"Our hands are important part of our bodies. God gave us our hands so we can do many things. Without our hands we can't touch and feel things. We can't hold each other. We can't hold things, objects. We can't touch our face. We can't drive, although I know of people who can do these things without their hands and by using their feet! With God nothing is impossible!
What other ways can we use our hands on a daily basis? We use our hands for many many things. We eat with our hands. We need our hands to write down or type our thoughts and ideas. Yesterday you learn how to brush your teeth properly. You used your hands and fingers to hold the toothbrush and brush up and down, round and round motions. We use our hands to open things like opening the door. We use our hands to clean our selves, when we take a bath, we use our hands to wash with soap and water. We use our hands when we wash our private areas in the wash room. We use our hands to wave hello and goodbye. What do you do when you greet someone? You some, and you say "how are you?" Then you shake hands. We use our hands to pray, we put our hands together, close our eyes and pray. We can do many many things with our hands. Our hands can also carry germs from one person to another. If a person is sick, when we sneeze, we tend to cover our mouths with our hands. The germs from our mouth and the mucous that came out from our nostrils are now in our hands. Imagine the germs now in your hands!"
Activities for younger children:
1) Sing the "Hand Song": I have two hands, the left and the right, hold them up high so clean and bright. Clap them softly, one, two, three. Clean little hands are good to see!"
2) Trace both their hands on a paper with crayons and may color them to their liking. Write down their names.
For older children: Draw a picture of ways that we use our hands.
I think these pictures truly speak for itself on how the children see themselves using their hands.
Additional teaching for older children:
Many years ago people are dying from having surgeries. No matter how careful the doctors are with their procedures, people are still dying, not from the surgery but from infection. So there was an investigation and it was found that the infection was due to doctors, nurses and other health care members are not washing their hands properly. The germs on their hands are transferred from patient to patient.
We are going to wash our hands with soap and water and while washing we are going to sing, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or you can also sing the "Happy Birthday Song".
We had chapati, african rice, goat stew and fried chicken. We had Laura go last because she loves the chapati to death and we're worried that there will be none for us if she goes first. For dessert we had fresh pineapple. We fellowship and worshipped. Joshua, son of the Julius and Margaret took out his guitar. The rest of the night were spent worshipping and singing to Jesus. Our stomach were full with delicious authentic African foods. Our hearts were full of love and admiration for Jesus as we ready to leave for the night. The mosquitoes were just waiting for us! Mind you of all the nights, that night the electricity went off so we end up with a candle light dinner high atop the hill overlooking Lake Victoria. Wonderful family of God.
Hand Hygiene
God is faithful and true! This is our second day at SIITA NEST and the kids are waiting for more education. I realized we only have a few soap to go around.
Here's part of the Hand Hygiene segment of the day. This was put together at 3:00 am inside Cottage number 102:
"Our hands are important part of our bodies. God gave us our hands so we can do many things. Without our hands we can't touch and feel things. We can't hold each other. We can't hold things, objects. We can't touch our face. We can't drive, although I know of people who can do these things without their hands and by using their feet! With God nothing is impossible!
What other ways can we use our hands on a daily basis? We use our hands for many many things. We eat with our hands. We need our hands to write down or type our thoughts and ideas. Yesterday you learn how to brush your teeth properly. You used your hands and fingers to hold the toothbrush and brush up and down, round and round motions. We use our hands to open things like opening the door. We use our hands to clean our selves, when we take a bath, we use our hands to wash with soap and water. We use our hands when we wash our private areas in the wash room. We use our hands to wave hello and goodbye. What do you do when you greet someone? You some, and you say "how are you?" Then you shake hands. We use our hands to pray, we put our hands together, close our eyes and pray. We can do many many things with our hands. Our hands can also carry germs from one person to another. If a person is sick, when we sneeze, we tend to cover our mouths with our hands. The germs from our mouth and the mucous that came out from our nostrils are now in our hands. Imagine the germs now in your hands!"
Activities for younger children:
1) Sing the "Hand Song": I have two hands, the left and the right, hold them up high so clean and bright. Clap them softly, one, two, three. Clean little hands are good to see!"
2) Trace both their hands on a paper with crayons and may color them to their liking. Write down their names.
For older children: Draw a picture of ways that we use our hands.
I think these pictures truly speak for itself on how the children see themselves using their hands.
Additional teaching for older children:
Many years ago people are dying from having surgeries. No matter how careful the doctors are with their procedures, people are still dying, not from the surgery but from infection. So there was an investigation and it was found that the infection was due to doctors, nurses and other health care members are not washing their hands properly. The germs on their hands are transferred from patient to patient.
We are going to wash our hands with soap and water and while washing we are going to sing, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or you can also sing the "Happy Birthday Song".
Lillian helping with hand hygiene
Dinner at Julius and Margaret
Pastor Perry and Team A were invited for an African dinner at the residence of Juluis and Margaret. We sort of got lost thinking their house is nearby The Rivers of Life Church in Jinja when all along they are a few stones throw away from SIITA NEST. It was all worth it getting lost for a short time. When we got at the house we realized that we are high atop the hill overlooking Lake Victoria. Beautiful sight it was but I had to get inside the house of I'll be dinner for the mosquitoes that might be carrying the malaria virus.
We had chapati, african rice, goat stew and fried chicken. We had Laura go last because she loves the chapati to death and we're worried that there will be none for us if she goes first. For dessert we had fresh pineapple. We fellowship and worshipped. Joshua, son of the Julius and Margaret took out his guitar. The rest of the night were spent worshipping and singing to Jesus. Our stomach were full with delicious authentic African foods. Our hearts were full of love and admiration for Jesus as we ready to leave for the night. The mosquitoes were just waiting for us! Mind you of all the nights, that night the electricity went off so we end up with a candle light dinner high atop the hill overlooking Lake Victoria. Wonderful family of God.
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