I'm Back!

Wow. I have been absent from "blogland" for some time! And I am not sure I can really catch you up to all I have been up to in the last couple of months.

But I might be able to sum most of it up in one word. Visitors. Since I am SHIM's "Hospitality Assistant" that means I do what I can to prepare for visitors and make them feel welcome while they are staying on the island.

I made up beds and rooms, prepared breakfast each morning (including my "famous" banana pancakes), handed out toilet paper - "white gold," and answered lots and lots of questions about island life.

Leah, Jessica and I, center, with some of the members from W.E. International (based in Wisconsin) who visited for one weekend.

We hosted folks from South Carolina, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania and from places around Uganda. But the place to be from when visiting Lingira Island is the state of Wisconsin! We had more than a dozen people hail from that great state. :)

In those two months of "visitor season" there were many early mornings, some late nights, moments of frustration and anxiety, but countless moments of laughter, great conversations and smiles. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the folks who sacrifice their time, dollars and shillings, energy, and the comforts of home to make a difference in the lives of the islanders.

They worked on water projects, taught primary and secondary classes, played football, performed first aid and emergency medical care, took video, snapped photos, hugged children, dug in gardens, blessed and encouraged SHIM members, washed dishes, mopped floors,and more, but most importantly, they built lasting friendships with those of the islands.

The EDGE Project team from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with some of their Lingira Island friends. The EDGE team spent four weeks on the island in the project's fourth annual visit.

Visitors bring life, energy, and enthusiasm. And it is great to again experience the island and Uganda through their fresh eyes. Sometimes I forget that I live in such a beautiful, peaceful place, surrounded by warm, gracious and lovely people. :) 

Jessica, 17, from Oregon, with a family from the island. Jessica loved and was loved by the primary students she worked with, and others she touched during her month in Uganda.

Of course, my most anticipated visitor was my beautiful sister, Leah! But I am going to save more detail about her stay for a future post. But, needless to say, we had a ton of fun!

One of my favorite photos of my sissy and I! (Taken by Adrianna of the W.E. team.)

 Now, it is a less busy season for me. The secondary school is on break for about a month and I am trying to play catch up on some other projects.

I am happy to be back with y'all! I will try and be more regular in posting, as long as my Internet cooperates (that is a whole 'nother story!).

First and last photos courtesy of Adrianna Zimmerman of W.E. International