Newest Update!

Hello everyone,
Facebook is really hard to get onto in Soroti and email at times doesnt let me send messages so this is the best way for me to give everyone updates on my trip. The place we are staying at in Soroti is great, the people are amazing and all have crazy stories. We went and visited both of the orphanages yesterday for the first time. I held the most beautiful baby boy in the world for about an hour and had my first melt down, I cried for the first time since arriving. On the wall were pictures of all of the babies that had been at the orphanage in the past, and the stars represented those who had passed away. Most of the pictures had stars which made me really sad. They all have smiles that light up their faces, and even though most are sick with AIDs they all are incredibly happy babies. The orphanage with the older kids needs lots of work. We plan on painting some of the walls and decorating them with a rainbow of our handprints with the kids handpints inside of ours. We also are hoping to buy materials and build some soccer nets for the community and for the orphanage.
Yesterday we also filled some pot holes in some of the local roads in hopes to make it a smoother ride for the few cars that are here, but mostly for all of the bikers. It was a long job in the heat but we sang songs and had a really good time. Wherever we go crowds gather around us. We feel like celebrities here it is really exciting.
Today we went to a local church. Walking in was very intimidating but eventually they called our team up and introduced us. We each said our names and where we were from and everyone was so excited to have us as their visitors. Church here is all about singing and dancing and it was a blast. One little boy came up to me out of nowhere and sat down beside me. I looked down and saw his little hand wrapped around my thumb, it was amazing!
Tomorrow we are planning on going to help paint the new library that has just been built, so that should be exciting!
Rice and beans is delicious!

Mom! I wont be able to call today, but I hope you had an amazing Mother's Day. I love you and wish that you were here with me. You are the best mama in the world and I hope you and Nana are having a great Mother's day together and that my sisters are spoiling you!
Love you, love you love you!

Miss you all! xoxoxo
Tory

We made it!!!

Hello everyone!
We arrived safely on Wednesday after two separate 8 hour flight, and another 8 hour lay over in Heathrow. Right after we got off the plane all 25 of us piled into a small van, with all of our luggage and made our way to Jinja, Uganda. We drove through Kampala which is the capital of the country and it was like nothing I have ever seen before. People fill the streets, motor cycles weave in and out of the traffic and on sidewalks, and their are no road rules. We arrived in Jinga and were greeted with tons of little ones who were so excited to see us. The family that we stayed with was amazing and made us all feel very welcome.
Yesterday we made another 7 our trek to Soroti which is where I will be spending my next 25 days. We are staying at a base called YWAM (Youth with a mission) and there are about 15 staff and students that are staying with us. They constantly thank us for coming to help their people and are so genuinely kind and giving.
We plan on visiting the orphanage tomorrow and meeting the little ones that we will be working with. We also plan on helping to finish paint a church and fill pot holes in the roads, as well as visit many patience suffering with HIV and AIDS in the local hospital.
Overall it has been incredible so far. I cannot even put into words what this culture is like other than amazing. Everyone should witness the poverty fist hand to realize how fortunate we are back at home.
Love you all!
Ill update as soon as I can!
xoxox
Tory

Adventure of a Lifetime

As of tomorrow at 6:00 pm I will be venturing into an experience that will change my life forever. This weekend I will be training and preparing to see the amazing things that I will encounter throughout the next month in Uganda, Africa. I will be flying out Monday night and eventually making my way to a small African village called Soroti. There, with my team of 12 others, we will be volunteering our time at an orphanage with babies, and another with slightly older children. All of the kids that I will be working with have either HIV or full blown AIDS and we will be doing everything that we can do put a smile on their faces during the short time that we will be spending with them.

Thank you all for your love and support, and keep me in your prayers throughout the next month! I will try my best to keep you updated on all of my adventures!

xoxoxo

Tory