Africa Adventure: Safari, “the call,” and dance practice

Hello friends,

This last week has been totally awesome. I went on a safari in Africa!! Can’t believe it. We saw lots of Giraffe’s, elephants, African Kobb’s (which are a breed of antelope), wart hogs, lots of birds, baboons, and water buffalo. My face felt like it was a windshield for four hours. With my head outside of a moving jeep for that long, definitely had a few bugs splatter on my face. Well worth it. One of the most memorable moments of the game drive was when our vehicle got stuck in the mud and we had to get out. Well, while we were waiting we decided to chase after some Giraffe’s out in the jungle. As we trecked back to our car we were trying to wipe off the mud that was caked onto the bottom of our shoes. Then Francis, our guide, said, "We're in the WILDNESS, it's ok to be dirty." He was right. I have found a brand new love for the wildness. We also went on a real life Jungle Cruise!! So much better than the Disney ride. We saw lots of Hippos and Crocks, and some more elephants which you can see in the picture. Our last day of the safari we went rhino tracking. I thought we were just going to watch them while standing in the jeep again. Nope. We really got out and trecked through the jungle to find the rhinos. Before we started. my favorite was reading on the pamphlet that "if the rhino's charge, climb a tree." Right.... I'd say we were about 30 feet from the rhinos. The reserve we were at, is about 10 years old with the purpose of developing the rhino species in Uganda once again. Two of the rhinos were donated by Disney's Animal Kingdom. Go figure. We watched mother Nandi and her son Obama rest. The safari was absolutely amazing. I forgot to mention that on the first night of the safari I got a phone call at 4 in the morning. The phone call was from the family, giving me a chance to be a part of my little brother's mission call. David Joseph Panek was called of God to serve in the Mesa, Arizona Spanish Speaking Mission. He reports to the MTC on August 18th! I'm so proud of him!! I only have a week to spend with him when I get back and before he leaves. I wish he was leaving later, but he's needed so i guess i can accept that.
Life in Lugazi picked right back up when we got back from our trip. I have formulated smaller groups for the different wards in the hospital for the back program. We met with the administration group yesterday and today we are meeting with the antenatal clinic. We have been asked by a friend if we would be willing to present our back program to his fellow carpenters. So now it seems as though this back program can spread to many different professions. The people here are extremely responsive to the program and they all want to continue throughout the summer. Things are really picking up for everyone here and it seems like our days are getting busier and busier. We had soccer practice with the boys yesterday and today we are working together to dig up the field. The field has many many huge mounds in the middle of it. These boys deserve a good, flat field to play on. So we're going to use some hoes and dig it up! We are also going to plant a garden for the boys on the team who don't go to school. We thought this would give them something to do during the day, and also provide them with food, and small income generation. I'm still looking for a sponsor for these boys, so we'll see how that goes. The eye camp is just in a few weeks as well as the AIDS Extravaganza. This festival of sorts is promoting AIDS awareness to the youth. As a team we are doing some traditional Ugandan dances. Oh man. It has taken hip shaking to a whole different level. Apparently it's "still coming" for me. Well that's all for now! Let me know what's going on back in the states. Like what's on the news.

Paula: The living arrangements are a little crowded. 24 people living in a 4 bedroom house isn't that roomy. But we get by. I just have to occasionally hunt down my things to make sure i get them back. Am i eating good? Well I'm definitely eating enough. our cooks are trying to make us fat and they are succeeding. Everything here is fried carbs, so that'll do it. I love that you read my blog! I really appreciate hearing from you. Make sure you make plans with mom for when i get back and we can have a girls night out! I hope things are going well at home. Love you miss you!! PS Bon Iver, best band ever.