Instead, I opted for something much smaller and less expensive (although, may present many of the same difficulties of parenthood..I'm guessing!) It's official…I am the host of some lovely, unidentified (as of yet) parasites. They live in my intestines and keep me company throughout my days. I have finally lost those pesky extra pounds…if I could bottle and sell the "parasite diet" I would! I'm choosing to look at my medical situation through a rose-tinted lens because I have the great fortune of complete access to the best medical care, medicines and support one could ask for…all thanks to the American tax payer. Which means, of course, that I am "paying" for having these tricky buggers in more ways than one :) I have been in and out of Kampala over the last few months trying to figure out why it is that my body is doing what it is doing (I will spare you the colorful details) and working out a health plan with the Peace Corps medical staff. Bottom line….no worries. I appreciate all the emails of encouragement and the subtle hints (and not-so-subtle, in some cases!) that "coming home" might be the best thing for my health. I assure those of you that are concerned that I will not sacrifice my long-term health because I am my father's daughter. (For those of you that don't know my father, let's just say that I inherited my "determination" – okay, stubbornness – directly from the big guy!) I will not "stick it out" for the sake of pride or expectation, but will continue to make rational, safe decisions regarding my health and my time in Uganda.
Okay, enough of the heavy stuff…I have great news: Bethlehem Parents' School now officially has a girls' futbol team!! We have been practicing for about a month and the young ladies are really coming along in their skills and teamwork. I have 35 young women (ages 12-16yrs.) who attend BPS with the help of donors as all the students at the school are orphans. There are about 600 students at BPS and it is run by two incredible gentlemen, Mr. Fred and Headmaster Ronald, who have been instrumental in the team formation and in leading the residents of Bethlehem in their support of such a unique venture. We have an audience during our practices – we have a pitch that we share with the cows – if the cows are there before us, we have to defer to them but if we are there first, then the cows will wander off to the side of the pitch and only move to the center when we are done…it's quite a fair arrangement actually – which I run barefoot and sweaty (it's been a looong time since I ran laps around a pitch…and I've never played on a pitch with cow pie as frequent as grass) alternating between my shaky Luganda and English. We laugh together as much as we learn together. I've managed to buy two futbols which the young ladies share willingly. They have never had a "real" ball (they told me when I brought the futbols to our first practice) and can't believe that now they have two!! We spent a few weeks just getting used to the weight and texture of the ball – none of the girls have cleats or shin pads so kicking the ball barefoot has been a learning experience for all – and now we're moving on to heading, trapping and throw ins. Quite thrilling stuff actually. I can't keep the grin off my face as they run from the field back to the school/orphanage, a cloud of dust trailing, the pink bottoms of bare feet and the bright blue of the school uniform standing out from the cloud, chanting in unison "One, two, three, four…we are GIRLS who play FUTBOL…five, six, seven, eight…as a TEAM we CELEBRATE!"
Although I continue to be conscious of the health challenges I face, I also continue to be blessed every day. The small things (like being called "sister" by one of my Ugandan friends for the first time…which is actually a "big thing" to me!) and the BIG big things (Barbara is visiting in two weeks!!) alike, serve to remind me that I am among the fortunate. I hope that this long overdue update finds you and yours healthy and enjoying what each day has to offer.
Much peace and love to you...
Okay, enough of the heavy stuff…I have great news: Bethlehem Parents' School now officially has a girls' futbol team!! We have been practicing for about a month and the young ladies are really coming along in their skills and teamwork. I have 35 young women (ages 12-16yrs.) who attend BPS with the help of donors as all the students at the school are orphans. There are about 600 students at BPS and it is run by two incredible gentlemen, Mr. Fred and Headmaster Ronald, who have been instrumental in the team formation and in leading the residents of Bethlehem in their support of such a unique venture. We have an audience during our practices – we have a pitch that we share with the cows – if the cows are there before us, we have to defer to them but if we are there first, then the cows will wander off to the side of the pitch and only move to the center when we are done…it's quite a fair arrangement actually – which I run barefoot and sweaty (it's been a looong time since I ran laps around a pitch…and I've never played on a pitch with cow pie as frequent as grass) alternating between my shaky Luganda and English. We laugh together as much as we learn together. I've managed to buy two futbols which the young ladies share willingly. They have never had a "real" ball (they told me when I brought the futbols to our first practice) and can't believe that now they have two!! We spent a few weeks just getting used to the weight and texture of the ball – none of the girls have cleats or shin pads so kicking the ball barefoot has been a learning experience for all – and now we're moving on to heading, trapping and throw ins. Quite thrilling stuff actually. I can't keep the grin off my face as they run from the field back to the school/orphanage, a cloud of dust trailing, the pink bottoms of bare feet and the bright blue of the school uniform standing out from the cloud, chanting in unison "One, two, three, four…we are GIRLS who play FUTBOL…five, six, seven, eight…as a TEAM we CELEBRATE!"
Although I continue to be conscious of the health challenges I face, I also continue to be blessed every day. The small things (like being called "sister" by one of my Ugandan friends for the first time…which is actually a "big thing" to me!) and the BIG big things (Barbara is visiting in two weeks!!) alike, serve to remind me that I am among the fortunate. I hope that this long overdue update finds you and yours healthy and enjoying what each day has to offer.
Much peace and love to you...
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