Our one year Uganda-versary!

One year ago yesterday, we landed on the red soil of the place we now call home. It’s hard to believe that it’s only been a year as some days it definitely feels like we’ve been here for ages and others like we’ve just arrived! To celebrate both our one year Uganda-versary and our 18th wedding anniversary we snuck away for five blissful days. We gathered up the tents and kids, and headed to Murchison Falls for a two night DIY safari in one of Ugandas famous national parks! It was AWESOME! Wild animals by day, wild kids animals by night.

We had a few uninvited visitors to our campsite – warthogs, baboons and another unidentified animal – though I guess we were the uninvited ones as we were camping on their turf! We were warned that hippos may also pay us a visit, but we didn’t have the pleasure of their company which we were relieved about! I did get a fright one night after we were all in our tents. I heard Josiah say he could see a big warthog over by the van (which was next to the tent Riana, Lily and I were in). I lay quietly listening to it snorting and scuffling as it was coming closer, then suddenly it launched itself onto the side of the tent that I was sleeping on. I’d heard the stories of how if you have even a crumb of food in the bottom of your backpack, a warthog will sniff it out and rip your tent and belongings to pieces to find it. Being the super awesome, caring and protective mum that I am, I jump on top of both Lily and Riana – risking my life to save theirs. The warthog backs off and starts laughing. What??? Warthogs don’t laugh. Josiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! Yip, he got me good. Good to know that I’d risk my life for my kids though!

just in case you thought a warthog was a harmless little fellow, check out these tusks!

 From Murchison we headed north to Gulu to stay with friends for three days. We hadn’t seen the Rackleys since beginning of January when they moved from Kampala, so everyone was really excited to hang out again! I love Gulu, it’s MUCH quieter than Kampala, and getting out of the city and relaxing with friends for a few days was just what we needed. Even though we had a dozen kids between us you’d hardly know unless it was mealtime!

thanks Acholi Inn for letting us hang out at your pool for the day!

We arrived back in Kampala in all it’s traffic jamming, smog covered and high density living glory on Monday night, fresh and ready to face the world again! There’s an excitement brewing, and God is stirring us to get ready for something new he’s about to do. As we head into our second year here, we do so with a peace that God is in control and at work, a deep thankfulness to those that financially support us and our work here – you really are as much a part of this as we are, and an indescribable joy that we get to live this life, and that we get to be here, serving God in Uganda. He truly is so very, very good.

And now, for those that want a six minute safari experience with Team Gordon - enjoy!