I'm no stranger to travel or to other countries. I've been to 7 countries other than my own and on somewhere between 35 and 40 flights. I've learned scads about every country I've visited - learning is something of a passion for me, especially when it comes to countries and cultures.

I thought I had pretty much covered Uganda the last time I spent a month there. Of course, you never stop learning and this trip proved that to me once again.

Did you know that half of Uganda's budget as a country is provided by the USA? Or that of all the USA's involvement in developing countries only 9% of that money is provided by the government?

We're big givers. I think it was 756 million given by churches in the USA for short term mission trips.

Giving is good. Giving is actually GREAT. I love to give, we're commanded to give - but giving doesn't solve problems.

More money doesn't make a lazy man diligent. More money doesn't make a corrupt man honest.

Those are two huge problems in Uganda, just as they are everywhere. All the aid that comes to Uganda is supposed to provide a lot of free things, including free malaria meds. The money and meds are given to the doctors who put the meds in their pharmacies at an inflated price and then pocket the aid money. The poorer people are left using Quinine which is cheaper, but much less effective.

Doctors will also make up any excuse to get your money. I personally know of two Ugandans who have had their ulula (sp??) cut out of their mouths because it was "spreading infection." One of those people was a teething baby.

There are kids begging on the streets, completely destitute. But... most of them could work. They just prefer to beg. It's easier. And why not let someone else pad your pockets? I am proud to say I've never given money to a street kid in Uganda. Is that selfish? Mean? I don't think so. Alternatively I have been part of ministries that help get those kids in school, sports and jobs.

In Uganda, as in many other places, if you look closely it isn't hard to see that aid money and just giving money does not work. So what does? What do you think the solution is?

That's how many bags arrived home with our group last night at midnight.

That return trip was probably the longest 30ish hours of my life. Except when I was in labor. Even labor was better I think.

I got to sleep during some of it anyway.

I'm home, exhausted and haven't taken a shower yet.

Why am I on xanga again???

Uganda in TWO DAYS.

I am cooking shopping and packing my butt off.  Sam is sleeping in the dorm with the guys who are here for training.  Oh yeah, we are training the kids now.  They've been here since Sunday.  Jericho is all off his schedule.  That will NOT get better on the plane ride to Uganda.

We have a two hour flight (hopefully meet Tony in the airport!) then an eight hour flight, six-ish hours of exploring London, another 8 hour flight and then a three-ish hour drive before we even GET to Jinja and then...  OH then the fun begins.  Or work.  When I said fun I meant work. :)

OK, it will be super fun too.

I just finished reading The Shack.  Ohhhhh the controversy. 

I love the kids on our team.  I was afraid they (the girls) would all be girly girly and boy crazy and/or just crazy.  So far they are awesome.  The nicest, sweetest one surprises me constantly.  She's going into the national guard AND she has been skydiving.  Awesome.

The guys are cool too.  So is my brother.  And my ex bf is coming too - he's not here yet, he's meeting us on the plane.

So it will definitely be an adventure. 

Jericho has been sitting up by himself for a couple of weeks now.  He is such a big boy. :) 

My brain is totally dead.  I am going to go to bed now and hopefully get some sleep before my next 18+ hour day begins at like 6am.   

I probably won't be updating much, and definitely won't have anything of worth on here for quite a while.

I would appreciate prayers while we are gone - now through the 29th. 

ps: if you were praying for me the last time I asked for it - THANK YOU.  Things are much better...