Sick

When it was suggested that Oddyseus descend into Hades in order to find the best route home, his men were hesitant. But our hero braved the darkness and despair to recieve the answer to his question. So too did I have to descend into the bowels to recieve an answer......
It all began when we were in Murchison park on Safari. We were on top of our SUV enjoying our surroundings when my stomach went from slightly upset to full on cramps. I chalked it up to too much food the night before coupled with some wild dancing around the fire that would have made Native Americans proud and left our Acholi drivers very confused about the culture of white Americans. But after I had a "long-call" and puked my guts out I realized it was something more. Long story short we finished the Safari and by the time we all were going to board the boat to go to Murchison Falls, I was laying on a mat with severe cramping being told by locals that I should really go to the hospital. I opted out of the river cruise and went with Bonnie and Catherine to the local doctor.
I crawled out of the car and walked to the stool sampling room in the back. The sun shone bright on the local livestock feeding and children playing as I shut the door into all that is unsanitary. A healthy sized lizard ran up the walls of the latrine obviously unable to go when another is in the room. The fecal stains on the wall resembled ancient cave paintings and with the number of dung drawings so high, it can be assumed that this "cave" had been occupied many times. Sample gathered, I exited the prehistoric potty and resumed breathing through my nose. The doc was back in ten minutes to inform me that I had a parasite and Ecoli going to work in my tummy.
When we got back to the parish I was checked out by Father Martin's nurse who said the dose of medicine I took was wrong and that I probably had malaria. (This seems to be a common form of consoling among Ugandans since our guide on Safari, upon seeing what I had for dinner the night before, assured me that it was surely just a touch of malaria.) We went to Gulu to get the test and it was negative for malaria, but they confirmed that the first doctor's results and advice was correct.
So sadly I spent the next week in Gulu and Anaka in the bed, but did enjoy some wonderful conversation with the priests and workers at the parish. I am so blessed to know those beautiful people. I also want to thank everyone who was praying for me. God is so good! I am excited to finish strong at Anaka these next two weeks and continue to develop the service club with students to help garden and work at the Parish. Peace.