nothing short of extraordinary

We have made it in Uganda!

{Me, Jessica, Jalia, Zack & Zoe!}

It has been a whirlwind of a trip so far; I have loved every second with Jessica and then getting to meet Jalia, Daniel, Zoe & Zack. Jalia is the lead artisan for Noonday Collections Uganda collection!

After over 30 hours of travel, we were picked up by Jalia & her brother Nessa at the airport with a precious “Jessica & Wynne” sign – as if we were getting picked up by a limo in New York City. They have treated us very well and it is a JOY to get to stay in their home with them at the African Bible College. We stayed up last night until 1 am eating rice & giving out gifts for the kids and helping them celebrate their 6^th wedding anniversary. I have to say getting off the plane in Entebbe reminded me so much of our team from this summer and I loved that the sights and smells were all too familiar. It’s already bringing back memories and in a sense it seems so “normal” that I am in Uganda. But it’s nothing short of extraordinary! The way that God has ordained this whole situation is incredible. It’s a dream to be here with Jessica and I can’t wait for tomorrow to meet all the women who work with Noonday Collection at Jalia’s home. Right now, Jessica and I are sitting at the dining room table with Jalia & Daniel and they are working on samples for some new spring designs that we have showed them tonight and we are both trying to blog about our experience so far. Church today was wonderful, not your typical African church but it was so nice to be worshiping with believers here in Uganda and to be reminded of what Jesus has done in my life by dying on the cross for my sin. The worship was sweet and powerful and the Spirit was for sure there! We had a nice lunch with Jalia & her family after church at a pizza place that all the “Muzungos” love to go to – it was a huge hit. It felt in a sense so ordinary that we were having lunch with Jalia and her family after church. We played outside with the kids when we got home, talked a lot in the living room with Jalia & Daniel, and took long Sunday afternoon naps. I’m trying to work on my Perspectives homework - and it’s so fun to see what we’ve been talking about all semester come to life, or see it happen in real life.

{Jessica with Jalia's two super precious kiddos in their new costumes that she brought them from the States!}

We’ve had a lot of really good conversations about Uganda & America and Christianity. It’s a totally different experience to be staying with a family and get to go about their lives with them. I am loving it! When we got off the plane, tears filled both Jessica & I’s eyes as we were just so overcome that God would allow us this opportunity! There is SO MUCH that Noonday can do for these women here in Uganda and I can’t wait to see Him work. Sorry if this is a little scattered, it’s late and I’m still feeling a little jet lagged. I have so much to tell you about Jalia & her story…..she is a beautiful woman of God! But for now…..back to brainstorming new Noonday designs and ideas! Tomorrow we get to meet the women!

Pray that we have renewed strength and energy and that we are filled with the Spirit as we love on and encourage these women!