Atye maber.

Apwoyo larema! Atye maber.

Greetings to you all from Uganda. I have now been here about two weeks, which is unbelievable to me. It seems like I have just arrived, but also that I have been here for a lifetime already.

The first weekend I was here in Africa, my friends and I took the overnight bus to Kigali, Rwanda, to visit some dear friends who run an organization called Keza. It was incredible to not only spend some time with the, but so good to see what they and their organization is doing with some amazing women. I definitely encourage you to check out their website (www.keza.org). Keep checking back if it is not up yet.

Since returning from Rwanda, we have all spent a lot of time at Acholi Quarters, which is where so many people from northern Uganda have fled to. It is a section right outside of the city, and is often described as an underserved IDP camp. This is where James is basing his business, Acholi Beads (www.acholibeads.com) out of. It has been an incredible blessing to meet the men and women he is working with, getting to know them and their beautiful children, and seeing the huge difference Acholi Beads is making in each of their lives. This was my first introdcution to the Acholi people while here in Uganda, and they have welcomed me and everyone else into their family as one of their own. If I had a choice, I would be spending all day, every day with these gorgeous people.

But James and I are beginning work on the children's book project. It was a little slow on the uptake, as honestly, everything takes just a little bit longer in Africa. Which is just the truth and something that is to be embraced. But within a matter of a couple of days of being here, more connections were made than I even dared hope for. Our network for this project keeps expanding, and I should just get used to being amazed as to God's provision and guiding through this. More and more people are being brought along and being run into that are interested in what we are doing as well as willing to help us out in any way possible. I could not be more grateful, and am really excited that this is beginning. We are having our first batch of stories being assigned next week, which is so exciting.

I have really enjoyed being in Kampala, more than I ever would have thought, and have been incredibly blessed to be surrounded by a group of people I just feel at home with. There are several different NGOs that are based out of Kampala, and somehow everyone involved with these are friends with each other. It has been both eye-opening and personally challenging to see the work that these people have dedicated their lives to, and makes me think alot about the implications of such fiery love as they are showing.

But as I have been enjoying Kampala, I am excited as I am to be heading up to Gulu in another day or so. James and I are going to be going up to introduce the idea of the children's book to several people up there. We will only be staying for a few days, but I am ready to get out of the city and see the place I have been dreaming of for so long now.

Besides James and I, we have been joined by his sister, Robin, and another amazing woman named Lanecia. Lanecia left last week to go back to the states, and Robin is leaving in just a couple of hours. It has been incredible to have them both here, and I am so sad to see Robin go. But the women and men at Acholi Quarters threw a farewell party for Robin today, which was an experience like none other. I cannot wait to have faster internet so I can load some pictures for everyone to see. Let's just say that there was much dancing, laughing, and rejoicing in the relationships that are formed in such a family.

On that note, I am realizing that this update is extremely long, so I think I will end it here. If you are one to pray, there are some things that I would ask of your attention. First of all, I have a dear friend in San Diego who is very, very sick. I just got word that he was taken to the ER because of complications with lupus and now his heart. If you want more details, please let me know and I can tell you more, but please just keep Will in your hearts and prayers. Also, if you could pray for continued connections being made and us following Love's guidance through this all. As well as health. James, Robin, and I have all been sick the past week, which is not unexpected, but still a hindrance to what we are trying to do.

Thank you, dear friends, and I hope this update is not too boring and finds you all well. I love and miss each one of you, and cannot wait to hear more about what is going on in your own lives.

peace and love,
kristin lorey.