Travel via truck, planes...and a bus on dirt roads

November 1, 2010 – We (Trey, Renee, Suzanne, Rachel and Emily) left Tupelo at 11:30 a.m. It is now almost 11 p.m. on November 2 and we just arrived in the Entebbe airport. The drive from Tupelo to Atlanta took five hours, and the check in at the airport took two. All in all it was a relatively quick process – the flights however were a different story. The flight to London took approximately seven hours, and it was not bad, just a little crowded. The flight into Uganda was great, and I say that because there were seats to spare and I think everyone was able to rest a little. I on the other hand slept for almost eight hours. Then again, I have never been one to have trouble sleeping. At the point where we arrive at the airport and get to London, my brother keeps saying...well are you going to write this blog or not. Aside from the fact that we are traveling on short time lines from country to country, I guess you just have to know Trey. So I look at him and say, I will start it when I can. So as I sit on the floor in customs at the Entebbe airport, our story begins. 

It is pretty amazing to come into a group of 29 individuals that all have one thing on their mind – helping someone less fortunate than they are. I can already sense the emotional struggles that lie before us, but I also feel the amazing compassion and love of 29 dedicated and devoted people that will do whatever they can to change the life of just one person. As we arrived at the airport in Entebbe, the sign getting off the airplane read “The Pearl of Africa.” I had to wonder, as did my comrade Suzanne, how a pearl could be so barren. We both looked at each other and reflected on the moment we began our descent from 38,000 ft – all the way to hitting the runway – and thinking how a country with so many people could have so little light. Now granted it was the middle of the night – I mean seriously, I am completing this post at well after 3:30 a.m. But the shear knowledge that there is so little among people that seem so happy – well it made me feel not only spoiled, but also unworthy of the many blessings I take for granted each day.

 Since it is getting rather late I will wrap this up. We have a long day tomorrow and we are all still showering. We ended the night (after a two + hour drive from the airport with several security checkpoints in to the mountains...maybe...I can only assume this because we were going up and it was getting cooler…and there are lots of trees. But it is night time so I may stand corrected tomorrow.) by dividing some 50 tubs of supplies for the seven orphanages we will visit this week. It really makes a difference knowing that so many people pitching in just a little have enabled each of us to share, if only for a few days, a spectacular part of our life that will forever be remembered by the lives that we touch while in Uganda.

Thank you all for your support of each of us. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as this journey unfolds. You have pictures and video blogs of both the children and individuals working alongside me in the coming week. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy sharing this experience with you.

EWH

Rachel, Emily, Trey, Renee, Suzanne - Team Tupelo

A few of our 50 tubs full of supplies to be distributed to orphans across Uganda

I tried to get everyone, but there were just too many of us. I will do better tomorrow!

Make A Differnce Day, October 23

Make A Difference Day was a huge success! We (MCVS) partnered with the AmeriCorps NCCC, City of Jackson, Keep Jackson Beautiful and the Jackson Zoological Society to bring together over 400 volunteers for a national day of service that really was amazing! All the hard work we put in to planning (and begging for supplies from local retailers) really paid off. We cleared several acres of brush and debris, painted a train tunnel and fence for the zoo and stained picnic tables. All-in-all our goal of creating an accessible and friendly recreation area for residents of Jackson where families feel they can live, work, grow and play far exceeded my expectations.

Thank you to everyone that helped us make such a huge difference for Livingston Park and the Jackson Zoo! One of our younger volunteers summed up my feelings nicely - it makes a difference knowing I am making a difference. How great of a statement is that from a 12-year-old. Photos below for enjoyment!

Make a difference, change the world.

Four shots later...

And I do not feel great, but hey, it's the last round. That also means we are two weeks and a few days until we leave. My boss was great yesterday and let me go home after the shots were injected into what is now a very very sore arm. They didn't hurt as bad as I thought, but I feel really bad - like I have a fever - today. Thanks Yellow Fever, Hep A, Meningitis  and Typhoid.

I must say the Hinds County Health Department was not nearly as bad as I anticipated. Aside from seeing all the very young mothers and some very interesting tactics for keeping children quiet, I was pleasantly surprised. I met the sweetest (and very young) mother of a three-month-old daughter during my visit to HCHD and she had so many goals - one of which is to be a missionary in Africa. How interesting that our paths crossed. We talked for a really long time and I tried to encourage her to stay in school. It is sad to see such a bright and shining child catapulted into adulthood because of a choice, mistake, whatever you want to call it. She had a great and positive outlook on life though. I hope she can reach her potential, and I hope maybe I some type of impact on her life through by just talking to her and supporting her during our 30 minute friendship. It's like my friend says all the time, and I strongly believe: People may forget what your said and forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. 

If you actually know me, then you know I am a planner - for the big stuff. Yes, my clothes are laid out beside my bag, along with all the things I will be taking with me and a big check list. I like to make sure I have everything I am going to need - or everything I want to give to other people. I am so super excited I can hardly stand it! I am like a five-year-old little girl about to see Santa for the first time and understand the context of the meeting.

I have to get ready for work - but I hope you to change someone's life today! I know I will try to. Make A Difference Day is coming up really soon. Find and participate in a project that will make your community a better place for families to live, work, grow and play!

Happy Wednesday!!

Three weeks and counting

I looked up today and realized there are only three weeks left until we leave for Africa. I cannot believe the time has gone by so fast. I also realized I have not been very actively writing on the blog - thanks work and life. I have, however, attended a lot of football games. So there you have it. I have neglected the blog for SEC football - but then again that is the only acceptable reason to do such a thing. Well, I'm getting back in the saddle as they say.

I had my first round of one-on-one emails with Melinda from Pennies for Posho last week, and I have to say she is probably the nicest and most helpful person I have ever met...virtually, of course. She gave me a little crash course in what to bring, how the Internet connection works (YAY! There is wireless!), and so on and so on. Case in point, the blog will be up and running everyday. I am so grateful that this experience can be shared with everyone - friends, family, co-workers...even strangers if they come across it and want to read it.

This will definitely be the most amazing - and quite possible most definitive and life changing - experience for me to date. Honestly, it is possible that I will not come back - sorry to break the news via the blog family! Seriously, I could not stay away from my sweet boys. They are getting older as the days come and go more quickly. The circle life is unfolding before my eyes in my boys, and now I will see it unfolding in the eyes of a child that has no choice but to succumb to an untimely death due to malnutrition, disease and warfare to name a few. I have a mixed array of emotions to think I may be the person to offer a moment of happiness to a child that will not have the opportunity to realize the dreams he or she has. But it also offers solace in that I may be able to put a smile on his or her face, if only for a brief moment in time.

I know this may sound a little ridiculous to some...but I think I will stuff my supply container with candy for the children (and some things that are not so ridiculous like toothbrushes and toothpaste). Kids love candy - at least I did, but I am also kind of a piggy - and I think everyone should at enjoy the experience of sweetness melting slowly in their mouth! HELLO JOLLY RANCHERS! Watch kids, I am bringing a tub full (half-full).

Okay, enough for today. I have to get back to the job that pays the bills and enables me to participate in civic responsibility projects and generally making the world a better place to live, work, play and grow. Thanks to my family and friends who always support me in everything I do. I would not be able to take the strides I do to make the changes I want to see in this world if it weren't for you.

Do the work you believe in. Find and support people who are making a better world and join with them. Educate yourself and become knowledgeable, so you can be effective and have a powerful impact on the world in which you live!

EWH

Shots Round 1

So I went to the doctor yesterday to get my shots (Hep A, MMR, Meningitis, DPT, Flu) and wouldn't you know they only had two. I called to make sure the shots were in last week and the nice lady at the front says, "Yes ma'am, the shots are here, so we will see you next week." Great! I am ready to get four out of the way. Wouldn't you know that I arrive only to find out she only asked about my prescription for Malaria. When did people become so incompetent? It is really baffling to me. But, I love my doctor, so I just say, "No worries Dr. Perkins. I will go to the Health Department and get them all at once."

I leave thinking that was the biggest waste of time ever and that I would just go back to work and finish out the day. Never did I expect to feel like I had been beaten with a baseball bat three hours later (and all night). Really vaccinations...really? Chills, sweats, body aches, fever. It was awful. To say I am a little frightened to get all the additional shots at one time is really putting it mildly. I can only imagine how getting Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Meningitis and Hep A all at once will make me feel. I There are a couple others (maybe Rabies?) that I have to get, but I can never remember them - so I will just let it be a nice surprise.

All in all I know it could have been much worse, but I am a real baby when it comes to being sick. I hate it - and that is the ONLY reason I am getting all these vaccines. I do not want to end up with some crazy random fever or disease that comes from Africa, because that would definitely happen to me. And quite frankly, I value my life - and the lives of those I could pass some crazy case of Typhoid to - and I would like to keep living it for as long as possible. You know me, pursue and engage in meaningful acts of kindness. Change one persons life - even if it's only for an hour.

Believe in yourself and the work that you do! Following your heart will change you forever.

I am a chicken...

So, I was scheduled to go get my shots on September 8. And guess what I did? I chickened out. Now, that is not to say I am not going to get them - actually next Wednesday when I return from North Carolina - but oh my, I am a little bit of a chicken. I am not sure if I am more scared of the needle(s) or the way the shots are going to make me feel. When someone tells you that you will be getting a rabies shot, well, it is not the best feeling in the pit of your stomach. Regardless, I am going to do it - for the love of the kids.

On a brighter note, we are scheduling our Make A Difference Day project. I am so excited for this project. It looks like we will be doing some work at the Jackson Zoo. They have lost funding due to the economic climate and have been forced to reduce exhibits and move animals to other zoos. It's sad, but what a difference volunteers and one day can make. I will post pictures of this as soon as we get the project rolling - or an updated project if this one should change.

For now, be the change, share the love, and never lose your passion to make this world a better place.

FUNDING ALERT: Thanks to your donations, the trip has been paid in full with some left over to purchase supplies....thank you thank you thank you! Your selfless giving will totally change the life of at least one child that goes to bed hungry every night! Pat yourself on the back :-)

$2,430 - Almost there

As of today, I have $2,430 collected for the trip to Africa! I am so excited that it is all coming together - and by the deadline. I have to admit, I was a little worried that I would not be able to get enough donations, but I am not sure what even made me think that when I have such amazing friends and family members. Thank you all!

Off the subject slightly - well completely - tomorrow is the first Mississippi State Football game, and I am so pumped. I am also very excited that I will not miss one football game by going to Africa. Not that it is important, but God must have really been thinking about me and Trey when he led the group in securing dates - that is totally a joke, but I do appreciate it. What can I say, I love football!

Now, back on track. This Thursday I get my first set of shots for the trip. Yes, I would like to run down a hillside through thorns rather than get a set of shots like this, but it's a small sacrifice to be able to participate in the wonderful journey that lies ahead for me. There will be photos of this exciting day, so check back on Thursday to see me act like the biggest baby in the entire world!

Love and hugs to all of you! Great picture below to get the weekend started right (even though it has absolutely nothing to do with the upcoming trip!)

Emily