Misc. Funny Moments...

(Leah) So, I'm writing from the "sick room". Yes, I started getting sick last night much to my dismay. We had all been doing so much better...it's really frustrating not knowning what foods will be ok for you and what foods are going to make you sick. I had been lying in bed all day dozing when Amy received a phone call that a new baby is on its way here. Not sure if we mentioned that in a previous post or not, but Damali told us that a 3-4 month old baby was coming to Sonrise. I'm not sure how accurate the age thing will be since we were told Brenda was 4 months old. But, I guess we'll wait and see. Anyway, I threw on some clothes and now we are waiting...
I had started feeling better later this morning and then ate three crackers. Now I'm starting to feel bad again. This too shall pass.
I wanted to share some funny moments that have happened here recently. Both of them happened on Sunday. We got up to go to church with most of the older babies. We left Miko and Anisha at home since they tend to cry and be disruptive, so we thought it would be smooth sailing. It is quite a job finding nice clothes for everyone and then finding shoes that fit, but eventually all were dressed and ready. We squished in the car...8 babies and 4 adults...tight squeeze. The church we went to this week was different than last week, so when we got there they had already started. Amy waited outside while Mark and I went inside to listen to the worship. They sang "How Great Is Our God" and I started getting teary-eyed. I have experienced church in other countries, and it never ceases to amaze me that even halfway around the world we are serving the same God. It made me think of Brother Bill (my pastor) - that is his favorite song and I know he would have loved it! Anyway, the kids were dismissed for Sunday School so Amy and I went with them. We arrived in this open room outside and it was already pretty squished. I didn't see Amy right away so I was getting a little worried, but then she marched around the corner with everyone in tow...apparently they had to make a stop at the bathroom. I need to mention that we put diapers on all of the babies, but the oldest three so as to cut down on bathroom stops and little accidents. We waited in the Sunday School area for awhile and Trust started crying for no reason. Amy got up and left with him because he was being disruptive and about three of the children left with her. This left four with me and four with her. We waited some more for the teachers and finally they showed up and were about to divide up into smaller classes by age. All of a sudden, I see Amy walking up waving for me to come and help her. I'm a little confused, but we make a huge scene leaving with my four kids in tow. I felt bad because they were about to head to Sunday School, but I knew that whatever it was it must be important. We made our way to the bathroom area and I could hear Trust still wailing about something. We walked over to one of the bathrooms and there was Ian with his pants and underwear down and poop ALL OVER HIM. I had a hard time not busting out laughing. Apparently, he said he needed to go to the bathroom and so Amy rushed him over to the toilet. As he was pulling down his pants, he started going and couldn't stop so he ended up going all over his pants and underwear. There was no way to even salvage them. Trust was still crying, so Amy kept getting onto him to be quiet. I felt like everyone could hear us as it was kind of open between the church, bathrooms, and Sunday School area. Amy was trying to clean up Ian and I got all the kids to sit down in the grass. Trust was still crying and then a few of the others started tearing up for who knows what reason. Ali, I later found out, had already found a basin of water and dumped it on his shorts and shoes...always into something. All of a sudden, Amy lets out a scream and backs away from the bathroom door - out walks a huge ROACH! DISGUISTING!!! By this time, Amy had had enough so she walked into the church, up to the second row where Mark and Chris were, got the keys, and we loaded everyone up in the car to head home. Ian was naked from the waist down, Trust was still crying, and we were trying to be inconspicuous with two Mzungos driving and eight children stuffed into a car. We had a hard time not laughing on the way home at the hilarity of the situation. I still don't know about this whole church thing. I know it's important, but it seems like so much trouble and something has gone wrong both weeks they have been while we've been here. Hopefully one week will be good.
Amy and I later had to go back to church and pick up Chris and Mark. That afternoon, Mark and I were talking in the room and I mentioned about the roach at church. All of a sudden I hear a huge commotion coming from the kitchen, so thinking there's another roach I decide to investigate. I head in that direction and hear Amy squealing about something. I walk into the kitchen and there is the ugliest black bird I have ever seen laying on the floor with its feet tied (I later found out it was a chicken). Betty proceeds to pick it up by its feet and chase me around the house with it. The chicken doesn't like this, so she spreads her wings and starts squawking in protest. Did I mention it was ugly? It reminded me of a vulture. Anyway, I run back to my room (all the while screaming) and lock the door. After a few minutes, I don't hear her so I decide to sneak out and see if this episode is over. NO...she sees me coming and corners me in the dining room. There I am standing with my face to the wall covering my eyes (still screaming) while Betty has this ugly chicken mere inches from my face. I think at one point it touched me, but I can't be sure. She finally agreed to put it down and quit scaring Amy and I with it which is fine with me. Adrenaline was pumping, so after this episode is over Amy and I busted out laughing. The nannies and cook were laughing hysterically over mine and Amy being scared of a chicken. I think it's pretty funny myself, but you didn't see this chicken...UGLY!!! I have never seen a chicken like this in my entire life!

I did get to drive yesterday. We went into town to take Brenda to the clinic and then found out that Richard was at the clinic being admitted for malaria. Amy was staying in town to talk to Damali, so that left me and Betty with the car. Betty is learning to drive so the task fell to me. I was a little nervous at first, but all went well. I didn't have a problem remembering to stay on the left side of the road, but it was really weird sitting on the right side of the car. I think I did quite well, although I hit a few potholes too hard and went over a few speed bumps too fast because I didn't see them...they don't color them bright yellow here in Uganda. I hope you have enjoyed the pictures. Amy finally figured out how to compress the images so it was faster to upload...PTL!! Today, Anisha is going to the clinic. It is so frustrating because it seems that almost every day someone needs to go to the clinic or is feeling sick so might need to go to the clinic. Thanks for everyone's prayers and support. It has been a really great trip so far. So hard to believe that two weeks have already passed. Just under 4 to go! I have never been away from home for this long or not seen at least part of my family for this amount of time. So, it has been great to talk to them on the phone, but every so often I wish they were here with me or that I could at least see their faces (love you fam!). I will have a new niece being born on February 11th, so that will be sad not to be there although Mom has promised that pictures will be posted quickly after the birth. Until next time...Leah : )