Leaving Today

I am headed off today at 5:40 pm!

I have learned a lot through this experience, and on some level am very grateful for it! There were a lot of odds and ends that I got to deal with. I also feel much more at peace leaving now. It is not as crazy as it would have been Monday!

I did go to Detroit yesterday. It was a blessed time.

I am off to finish up my bag and maybe read a book.

I will write whenever I get a chance in Africa!

When Volcanos blow up, and things come crashing down

My flight to Amsterdam was canceled. The airplane is sitting in Amsterdam.

Today has been insanity that I hope I never have to go through again.

But. What matters is that I am leaving Friday, at 7:30 pm. I will arrive in Nairobi at 7:30 on Saturday the 22nd of May. We will meet up with the half of the team that made it in Sudan, as they will already have started the first retreat.

In the mean time, I have decided not to waste this time.

I will be working at the Capuchin Soup kitchen in Detroit all day Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday... helping with a training program there.

There is ALWAYS something to be done... if you look for it.


And I leave you with this quiet consolation.

"Where ever you are, Be ALL there. Live to the Hilt every situation you believe to be the Will of God."

I don't know if this is express "Will of God"... but I do know that I am here, in the states, and that I have a choice.

So I am going to believe that there is a reason, that in fact God does want me here. I am working in Detroit and not Sudan... and just trust for the rest.

The Schedule!!

I leave on Monday for this epic Adventure!  Keep tuned in here for at least once a month updates!

Here is the schedule as it currently stands:

7:30 May 17^th fly to Amsterdam, then onto Nairobi

May 18^th Arrive 7:30 pm in Nairobi

May 19^th:  Fly to boarder at 9 am!

Get into Land Rovers

 Loki - Narus

20 May

Thu  Narus

Orientation & Preparation

21-23 May  Fri-Sun

Narus: Bread of Life Youth Retreat

24 May Mon

Narus - Hiyala

Travel

25-26 May  Tue-Wed

Hiyala

Parish mission

27 May  Thu

Hiyala - Isohe

Travel

28-30 May  Fri-Sun

Isohe: Breadof Life Youth Retreat

31 May  Mon

Isohe – Torit - Lowoi

Travel

1-2 Jun  Tue-Wed

Lowoi  Parish Mission

3 Jun  Thu

Lowoi – Torit

Travel

4-6 Jun  Fri-Sun

Torit: Retreat

7 Jun Mon

Torit: Wrap-up

8 Jun Tue

Torit

9 Jun Wed

Noelle depart for Entebbe, Uganda from Juba

Uganda!  Arrive June 9^th

I am exploring in Uganda.  I am interested in seeing what work in being done throughout the country.  This country was ravaged for over 25 years by a terrible civil war.  But things are looking up for Uganda.  I hope to get to see the different levels of development, how it is taking place, and help and serve wherever I can!

Kampala

                June 9^th- 14^th   Visiting with Susanna and Peter:  A time of rest!      I will be staying with a close friend and her family to see what normal life is like in Kampala (Uganda’s capital).  Also, it will be a bit of a break after the craziness of Sudan!

                June 14^th-16^th  Cornerstone Development, Kampala:    I will visiting/shadowing at the head quarters for Cornerstone Development.  This will be a great chance to get a feeling for the work being done by this organization and how their offices function on the group.  I will be staying in their basic guest house.  (And self catering!  This will be fun!!)

Luwero/ Surrounding Area

                June 16^th- 19^th (or 20^th depending on transportation)  Cornerstone Ranch, Luwero area:  I will stay at Cornerstone’s girls ranch for 3-4 days, visiting with the girls and helping however there is need.

                June 19^th (or 20^th)- July 5^th   Emmaus Center, Luwero:    Working at Emmaus… serving the center and the community however there is need.  I will probably do some work at their school as well.  There is a chance of volunteering at a local hospital, depending on where there is need.

Mbarara

                July 5^th- Travel day to Mbarara… in the West of Uganda (5 hours on a good day!)

                July 5^th- July 24^th   Yesu Ahiire Community, Mbarara:  Working with the Yesu Ahiire Community will include working in their orphanage and volunteering my time to whatever other needs I can assist with!

Masaka

                July 24^th- August 4^th  Masaka Catholic Diocease, Masaka:   I will be working with a development organization and at an orphanage while visiting Christ the King Catholic Churches’ sister parish!  It is the cathedral of the Masaka diocese.  They have their own development organization across from the guest house!

August 4^th Fly to Nairobi from Entebbe

I am going to do my very best to serve the poor well in Kenya.

Nairobi

                August 4^th – August??  The Slum of Kibera:  I will be working with a Human Rights Organization and a school.  Half day with each, Monday through Friday.  I will do this for at least 2 weeks, if not longer.  On one of the weekends I will work with a group called Carolina for Kibera from a Friday afternoon to a Monday morning.  This will give me experience with another organization in the same area.  I also am still working on connecting with the Missionaries of Charity who serve the poorest of the poor.  I hope that the last 2 weeks in Kenya can be spent with them.  I also will be taking a 4 day visit with my friend Bahati in the West of Kenya over a weekend in the middle of August. 

September 2^nd:  Depart Nairobi

September 3^rd:  Arrive in Detroit 

See you on the other side!

... with photos, and stories!!  

Thank you all for your support!  

I hope you all have a fantastic summer. 

I'm Cold!

I'm Cold. It is May 8th and no where near 50 degrees! But for right now, I don't mind being cold. In 9 days I am going to be VERY hot.

So it's coming up. I leave a week from Monday.

Am I ready? Sure. Do I want to be on the plane right now? Yes. I'd rather not do the odds and ends of this week. It always comes down to that last pile of stuff you just don't know what to do with. I am still holding my breath on the 44 lbs issue.

My time in Southern Sudan is set. I am glad for this. I still have some personal prep to do before heading out, but that shouldn't be too hard.

Uganda is almost there. I am still waiting on confirmation for one of the communities I'll be with. However, I have the first 2 weeks all planned out well and phone numbers. I figure that'll be enough. I have concert plans throughout the 7 weeks... I just need some final date confirmation. :)

Kenya has come together. I have a promise of being picked up at the airport, which was my biggest concern. I have a chance to spend about 4 days with my friend Bahati outside of Nairobi, that'll be nice. I am glad I get to spend time outside of the big city in Kenya.

I have no plans for when I return, except making sure that I don't have malaria or something else.

I am planning on resting a good bit this week, having a good schedule and eating well. Lots of veggies and ice cream for sure! I am thinking some night I will go out and get pizza. I am pretty sure that pizza won't be a regular meal while away. :)

I'm glad that this adventure is about to take off! :D