hakuna matata...

...don't worry - we're not REALLY saying that here in kenya :)
we arrived last night and spent our day seeing different projects in kibera (the largest slum, right outside nairobi) including the mercy children's clinic and calvary christian school (the "blue school" to you people that know about ellie's run) and we also went to a giraffe park and fed giraffes out of our hands! tomorrow is seeing more projects, and also a game park. then...it's off to ethiopia!!
and blogspot apparently doesn't work well in ethiopia, so this may be our last post...but when we return we'll be sure to post pics and follow-up stories.

thanks again for your prayers -- we have all been battling some sickness, so keep praying for our health!

TEAM AFRICA.

iri maber!

iri maber = GOOD AFTERNOON in luo, the language of the achioli.
our friends on staff here are teaching us some of the langauge!
we continue to be blown away with the people we meet here - with their hospitality, their spirits, their joy.

we DID finally get water in our hotel, so we've been able to shower - yay!! the power has still been out for most of the city -- we are actually on the internet using a generator.

we are all being stretched and growing so much - sharing our stories and scripture lessons in front of big groups, singing/teaching our praise songs to them (and learning their songs - aka lots of jumping and clapping!), serving, making crafts, playing sports (ask the girls about "net ball" when we get home), praying over the people we meet, hearing their stories...we are definitely making deep connections with the achioli people here in gulu. they have stolen our hearts :)

our trip is at the halfway point - hard to believe...

LUBANGA MARI!! (God loves you)
Team Africa.

we're here!!

[sorry it has taken us a few days to get internet access...]

after 2 1/2 long days of travel (including a 12 person plane from entebbe to gulu -- quote from our pilot: "there are cows on the runway sometimes, so i may have to circle around again..") we made it to GULU!

it has been amazing so far. the people are so gracious and their hearts are so full of love and joy. we are walking alongside the missionaries and staff here doing all different kinds of ministry. i think our favorite so far is some time spent at the home of love orphanage last night...we all wanted to take those kids home with us! we've also been doing home visitations and helping in specific ministries to women/men/kids with HIV, child soldiers, child mothers, etc. their stories are hard but their hope is unreal.

our water and power at our hotel go in and out, so most of us our very unshowered and thankful for deoderant :) and we're learning to love rice and beans and bananas!!

thank you for your prayers and continued support. we hope to update once more from here...then sunday, it's off to kenya!!

Packing Light

from Ben Ellis:
Okay, sooner or later I'll add some clothes to the mix, but I've been spending hours organizing my video iPod for the trip. I've already had to explain to several 20-something team members the historical and cultural significance of Elvis Costello (what do they teach in schools these days?!!), and I've downloaded two classic Gregory Peck films--To Kill a Mockingbird and Roman Holiday. I'm sure I'm dating myself even more. So, speaking of culture, here is the official Africa Team Theme Song mix playlist, for those of you following along:

A-Team Theme (from the old TV show, you know, with Mr. T)
Africa, Toto submitted by Jack Barrett
Jabulani Africa, African Children's Choir by Melissa Baird
Where The Streets Have No Name, U2 by Nicole Kendig and Chad Humbert
Give Me Your Eyes, Brandon Heath by Marisa Van Houten
Only Hope, Switchfoot by Cindi Barrett
Life Is Short, Butterfly Boucher by Krista Kendig
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding, Elvis Costello by Ben Ellis
There's Hope, India.Arie by Katie Gallerani
Holy Roar, Christy Nockels by Cindi Barnes
Brothers & Sisters, Dave Barnes by Marisa Van Houten
Man In the Mirror, Michael Jackson by Katie Gallerani
Peace of Mind, Boston by Andrew Trammell
Grace, U2 By Sam Darsinos

Dreams into Reality

I just took my first malaria medication.  This is really happening!! We leave tomorrow, and I cannot wait.  Thank you once again (and many many more times) for your support - financially to make this journey possible as well as emotionally.  Your prayers are in route with us. 

itinerary...

for those who want to follow our every move:
Sat, 7/19: Leave Nashville 7:42am, Arrive Washington DC 10:28am
Leave Washington DC 6:30pm (please note our 8 hour layover - yikes!)
Sun, 7/20: Arrive Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 7pm (via Rome, Italy -- just for a fuel stop = 17 hour flight!!!)
Mon, 7/21: Leave Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 11:30am, Arrive Kampala, Uganda 1:30pm
(we then take a small plane up to Gulu)

:: spend the week in Gulu, Uganda ::

Sun, 7/27: Leave Kampala, Uganda 8:10pm, Arrive Nairobi, Kenya 9:25pm
Tues, 7/29: Leave Nairobi, Kenya 6:15pm, Arrive Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 8:15pm
Thurs, 7/31: Leave Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 10:15pm (via Rome, Italy)
Fri, 8/1: Arrive Washington DC 7:55am
Leave Washington DC 4:47pm, Arrive Nashville 5:42pm

ONE WEEK! (the lack of) Agenda

This time a week from today exactly we will be departing for Africa!  We all have a very busy week ahead of us - running around Nashville buying packing supplies, gathering materials and clothes for the women, men, and children there, planning activities for the children, buying and deflating soccer balls, not to mention the regular life stuff such as jobs and seeing people before we leave.  In a society that values "busyness" - where, in a sense, saying "I am soo busy. I have so much to do" often gets touted around as if a badge of importance, this week I really want to not fall into the trap of the details and the rush to get things done.  My friend Brooke, who just came back from traveling in Ethiopia, said that in Africa, it was highlighted for her America's need and value of efficiency. This is in contrast to a life's pace that honors spending time with people, listening to stories at night, and gathering as a community.  The frenetic pace often set by an agenda gets discarded.  My hope is that I can incorporate this perspective and use this week to listen to what God is saying in preparing me for this journey.  Pray for our team to find moments to be still this week.

~Katie