End of Summer...

I hope everyone is enjoying their last bit of summer break, it’s strange for me to not be getting ready for school, but the interns are coming in two weeks, so I’ve got the same “new semester” feeling. We are keeping busy at the office coordinating orientation week, housing, and office preparation.

Just a few updates/stories about the past few weeks:

The first weekend I was back, we had a bit of a scare at the office. I woke up Saturday night to our dog, Benny, barking right outside my window. I was hearing some other strange noises as well, and suddenly I heard our guard, Patrick, yelling for someone to call Stephen (the head of security).

To make a long story short, two men had jumped our eight foot high wall into the compound and were checking to see if doors and windows were locked on the house and office.

Patrick confronted them and fought with them for a half hour. Eventually they were scared off when he wounded one of them in the head. Patrick was actually stabbed through his wrist with a screwdriver, but thankfully can still use his hand and fingers, and he is on the path toward full recovery.

Stephen came with the police, who patrolled the area, but they never found the thieves. It was a very frightening experience, but what makes us really uneasy is that thieves tried to break in less than a month ago (probably the same ones). Luckily they were scared off by the guard before anything got out of hand. We now have two guards at night, and more barbed wire around the top of our compound wall.

Thanks to all of you who have been praying for us, and please continue to pray especially for safety at the office!

On a lighter note, last Thursday I was asked by our cook, Janet, to bake a cake for her little girl, Faith, on her first birthday. I love our local staff…and baking…and children, so I definitely couldn’t pass this opportunity up!

I was invited to deliver it after work, and also to be the official birthday party photographer. So I’ve posted some pictures of Janet, baby Faith, and the rest of the family. (Stella is actually Janet's sister in-law, so she stopped by the party as well).

I really enjoy visiting the Ugandan staff. It’s been great having the opportunity to get to know some locals through work, being able to interact with them daily. This summer I had the opportunity to visit the homes of our house cleaners, Stella and Monica, as well as Janet’s place. I’m so happy to have such wonderful Ugandan friends!

This week things will start to pick up around the office. I’m getting ready to move out of the eMi house/office; when I decided I would stay until December, I knew I wanted a housing change- for a bit more privacy, and also just for some change.

Also, Liz, a former eMi volunteer (and housemate) from last year, is coming for a visit! She has been working in the Sudan for a few months. Next week, a new civil engineer, Paul Berg, and his wife, Karen, will join the eMi East Africa team.

The Fall interns will be at orientation in Colorado Springs next week, and arrive here August 26th. I am very excited to meet them all and start the new semester!