I live in the most beautiful place!

Different towns in Uganda are known for different things:

- the capital is great for the big city feel, traffic jam, and if you are willing to pay the price, you can get just about anything.
- Jinja is mzungu central, with so many NGO's and many great places to eat
- (I haven't really been many places in west Uganda so I can't comment on them)

But my town, Mbale, is the most beautiful place. On the foothills of Mt. Elgon, is the smaller Mt. Wanale. Having gazed on this mountains beauty for the past (almost) 7 years, I finally decided to climb it.

With the company of some great people, we started our adventure up the mountain.

Things seemed smooth at first, more like a walk than a hike. 

It was a cool but sunny and just gorgeous morning. 

But the higher up we got, the more climbing we actually did. This was not a hike for the faint or weak.

And then we reached this…

Are you kidding me?!?! This is a ladder, made by the locals out of sticks, between two boulders. And it was the only way up. The closer I got them more crazy I realized this actually was. 

And as I contemplated the risks of climbing this ladder, these kids went up like there was nothing to it.  Notice one even has a hoe and twigs on his head.

There was some more hiking and climbing before we actually reached the top. 

But once there, the scene was breath-taking!

Some were surprised to learn that people live on the top of the mountain.

We took another path down the mountain and reached back to the truck safely, 

praising God for his AWESOMENESS and BEAUTY!

And as we drove back to our house, I couldn't help but think how great it was that we just climbed to the top of that waterfall.

I have TEAMMATES!!

My heart has been overwhelmingly blessed by the grace and love that the 44 Ugandan staff of LCH have shown me everyday. As the only expat staff member, I have learned so many lessons and been loved well.

But to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. And in this season, God has brought teammates to join me at Lulwanda. 

The Palmer family officially moved to Uganda in February. They have already been such a blessing to LCH, but even-more-so to me. I love them so much already! 

Bobbi is a teacher by profession and is focusing on homeschooling their two children, Lilly and Jackson.  John's background is in city/neighborhood planning/development and will be serving as the treasurer and development planner at LCH. Jackson is 10 years old and loves adventures and asking questions. Lilly is 6 years old and makes up songs, jokes, and lots of other imaginations. 

I am so blessed to have them not only as teammates, but also as friends. 

(And to make things even better, they just live 4 houses down the road from me!)

Inner House Sports Competition

Term one of school always brings the anticipated sports competition. To spot our LCH's best, the school hosted "inner-house" competitions. With high stakes of a goat roast for the winner, the lions, snails, and chameleon's had a day of competing.

Zacharia doing high jumps.

Phoebe, community child, and Gift racing.

And we had many onlookers from the community.  These being some of the cutest.

And in the midst of the athletic competitions, there was still time for some other fun.

Children collected grasshoppers for Charles' chickens

And the winner of the competition were the SNAILS, leading by 2 points.  They enjoyed a goat roast. Other shinning athletes were appreciated with other small gifts.

LPS is now off to Sub-county and District competitions. 

My favorite part of today...

We hope you have a great day too!