August Update Letter- Coming to a Close

August 2, 2010
Currently I am sitting in Matoke Inn(AIM Guesthouse), Kampala, Uganda one week before I was supposed to be. If you have following my life in the last year, heck, two years or even more you would know that plans changing has been a constant theme in my life and should be no surprise to me. But, somehow it always is.
New Teacher and Net ball lessons
In June it was decided that the girls of ECA needed to have more time playing net ball. Net ball is an woman only African sport, basically it is mixture of basketball and ultimate Frisbee. I just learned how to play last month and enjoy it, but it is so different. So we decided to have a student versus female teacher game. It was quite fun as we all learned what rules were, even the referees.
The first week of exams the new teacher finally arrived in Goli. Brenda, is an amazing replacement for and I am so blessed to have her. She is a Kenyan young lady and will do an amazing job at ECA. We got along really well.
“African dance, Daniella”
My relationships with the kitchen girls has really been great lately. About month ago they decided to try to teach me to dance. I know some of you are rolling your eyes right now and chuckling to yourself, because you know my extreme lack of coordination and rhythm. But, they were convinced it could happen. So after the first day they tried to teach me after that, whenever they would see me and wherever they would see me they would say or yell, “Daniella, African dance” and that meant that right than and right there I would have to do a little diddy. I did however tell them I would never do it front of men, because that is just weird. But, it was like our little thing. So, we would dance parties in the kitchen. Oh I’m going to miss that.
Packing it up
Three weeks ago I began the long process of packing of my house. I had accumulated more than I thought, basically because I had accumulated everything from people who had been there in the past; Tara, Dorrette. Oh, my so my house looked nuts for weeks, trying to figure who to give what and make sure I would give it to someone who would actually use it. Trying to figure to out what to keep and what not to. I actually quite enjoyed it. I love giving, at first I was going to sell some things, but then I started giving and I couldn’t stop. It was fun! So, luckily when I was rushed out of Sudan, most of my stuff was already packed and already given away. I did have a bunch of clothes that I was planning on selling to the kitchen girls(so I could use the money to give to a family in need) and some other things. Thankfully the Saturday before I went a packing and getting rid of frenzy and didn’t want to stop until I finished with everything but the basic things I need to live with for a week. With the little I did have left, thankfully my amazing friends in Goli helped pack up the rest of my stuff and somehow, someday soon, my suitcases will arrive in Kampala.
School and Curriculum
Currently, ECA is on break. Second term end July 30 and from what I hear it ended well, minus me. End of term exams had began on July 22 and luckily I finished all of my exams the end of that week. The next week I was planning on working on curriculum and finishing on Friday. Unforeseen events happened to change those plans. So plans and desires have changed. The goal is to still work on some curriculum when I am back in the States. I’m just working on Senior 2 history and geography, but it will be good.
Leaving more than my heart
If you have been keeping up with my blog than you know that I was rushed out on Tuesday, July 27 with severe abdominal pain. The ECTC staff thought it would be better to be safe and take me out of Sudan just in case it was my appendices and I would have to have surgery. Well, they were right. I had an appendectomy on Wednesday, July 28 and everything went ok. I was discharged from the hospital on Friday, July 30 and have been recovering in Kampala ever since. Because, of doctors’ orders I will not be going back into Sudan before I fly out to the States on Tuesday, August 10. My heart is broken from my sudden exit from Sudan and my lack to back in and say goodbye. When I was rushed out of Sudan I was not thinking straight and was convinced I could go back in. I was literally transferred from my bed to the car, so did not get to see anyone let alone say goodbye. But, God has a plan and He will mend this heart of mine.
Future Plans
In my last update letter I had stated that I did not know what I was going to do when I went back to the States. I had had some options, but God had closed the door on those. The day I got out of the hospital God re-opened one of those doors. Now I have a plan. I am kind of hesitant to say what that is, considering I have not signed paper work yet, but just an agreement over email. But, let’s just say God is providing and you will know soon. This experience has opened my eyes and my heart to certain places and people groups in Africa. Please, pray with me as I look down the road and see where God might lead me in my future ministry.
Leaving on a jet plane…
I fly out of Entebbe, Uganda late Tuesday evening, August 10 and arrive in St. Louis late Wednesday evening, August 11. I will see you all then! I will also send a letter out soon of my reflections on the last year and what I have learned and been challenged in.
Praises
• God protected me and got me out of Sudan in time before anything horrible could happen.
• A good end of Second term for ECA.
• A new teacher for secondary school to teacher history.
Prayer
• My heart as it heals, that I will continue to grow closer to the Lord in this
• My health as I fly back to the States
• ECA as they begin third term in a couple of weeks, that students and teachers will be challenged and grow.

Only Because of God’s Amazing Grace,
Danielle Olson
daniolson84@gmail.com
www.daniellesafricandiscoveries@blogspot.com