The First 100 Hours

Today I was calculating how many hours I had in my internship out of the 400 that is needed to graduate. I realized that I am 25% done with my internship, I have exactly 100 hours. ROTOM has one of the kindest staffs that I have ever seen in a office setting. They care so much for each and every jaja we take care of (jaja means grandmother or grandfather and I'm probably spelling it wrong). They care for each other just as passionately. Most importantly they care for their relationship with God. We have devotions at least three of the days that I'm there (I'm there for sure four days a week) and there is not a single day that you cannot feel his presence where ever I am for that day.

For those curious what I do:
-Some days I'm in the office sorting pictures for donors, updating lists, typing reports from the field or creating new lists.
-Some days I go to Katuba Carepoint- it is a program for grandchildren and it helps with their education. I help the children write letters to their sponsors, do arts and crafts and have admired the children doing a traditional African dance. They wanted me to join them, but my hips do not move like that.
-Some days I go and visit the jajas that are in the program. Most of them do not speak English, but joy is universal. We always pray before we leave if they let us. It's always an blessed day when I get to go.
-Yesterday I went to the field and was able to do home assessments on new profiles. Basically, I wrote how many rooms, dirt or cement floors, condition of the roof, if they had a kitchen or a pit latrine. The rest of the questions needed some more knowledge of the language, maybe by the end I can be more help.

I've made it this far and now three hundred hours doesn't seem so bad after realizing how quick the first one hundred went. Classes are good, I enjoy the social work seminar. It's a chance for me to hear about all the other internships and what they are learning. It's amazing how quickly these girls became friends that I know have my back if I have a rough day in the field. I miss my Dordt social work friends, but I am equally blessed here.

In other news, this weekend I am heading back to my families house because on Saturday there is a catering event. This means on Saturday I will learn to butcher a chicken. I do not think I will actually do the butchering, but my brother wants me to learn and who knows it could be a good life skill? I'm hoping to learn how to make a lot of other Ugandan food (CHAPITI!!!) but am unsure what we are making exactly.   Whatever it is, I'm just happy I get some time with my family and that they are so willing to not just call me family, but treat me like family. This helps make Iowa and family not seem so far away.