Muzungu.

Welcome to Jinja, Uganda where you get hit by cows while riding motorcycles, and your name officially changes from your name...to Muzungu.

First step off the plane and I remember looking at Caroline with the biggest smile my face could handle. We traveled for over a day (though it seemed like over a year) and yet our tiredness seemed to eradicate with the first wiff of Ugandan soil. It was in that cheesy moment that I realized all of the planning and waiting was well worth it. We got to the orphanage pretty late so the hello's turned to goodnight's and we slept soundly under our trusty mosquito nets. We woke up the next morning and met all of the kids who really are just the cutest you'd ever laid eyes on. Then we went to town and exchanged currency and got some internet so we could do what I'm doing right now.

Although we say expectations aren't set, they're always somewhere deep down so it's going to take a while to adjust fully. It's the second day, and I'm already wiped (which I blame on jetlag whether that's the truth or not) but there have been little moments that surprise me. Like yesterday when I was sitting outside and Zeke comes up and blows my whistle hard as can be. With those puppy dog eyes the whistling continued until I had to say "Neda" because not everyone thought it was as cute as I did after it went on for more than 5 minutes. Then Walter who had been shy with me all day long comes up and grabs my whistle and after way too long I said "Neda" again and the tickle war commenced.

And like tonight, when I was fake reading with some of the kids, the power went out. And the couple seconds of chaos turned into little faces cuddling mine and it was in that moment when the weariness subsided-and I was reminded why I was here in Jinja.

I am not here to have fun, build relationships, or help kids. Yes, those will all hopefully occur...but I am here for one purpose and that is for the glory of my Father-for He is the one who sent me here. And as day 2 turns into week 3 or month 4 and eventually I will be on my way back home...I hope to always remember these small moments. Even if they are few and numbered...I will be content with that. And whenever I hear someone call out "MUZUNGU MUZUNGU!" I will just laugh and remember that that is all I am. A silly little white person who said sure to a calling and who will probably now have permanently dirty feet. YES!

-Kelsey