First Week Experiences

Well, I've been in Bundibugyo for over one week now! It has been a week of emotional ups and downs for me and I have to admit I've been surprised by the weight of adjustment. But, in reviewing the week, I can say I've had a lot of firsts, some more fun than others.

• Within the first 20 minutes of being in my home, I realized the sound of lizards running around in the ceiling would soon become normal. Thank goodness they seem to be quiet at night :)
• I've learned to light my gas stove but am still learning to cook on it.
• I killed my first 3-inch long cockroach that was trying to make its home on my desk. And I saw the handiwork of Chloe, our teammate's dog, in a dead rat in our kitchen. So happy she killed it so I didn't have to!
• I received my first phone call from America.
• I learned how to keep records for the nutrition program as Charles and I went to the health center and an outpatient village site.
• I pinned down goats while Pauline clipped their hooves--definitely a new experience for me. I've never felt so much like a city girl since I've been in Bundibugyo!
• I helped Anna light our propane fridge. Electricity is an amazing thing and something I've taken for granted in the past!
• I went to the Saturday Nyahuka market, a pretty big deal in these parts!
• And so much more...

Firsts are both exciting and exhausting. I'm looking forward to more and also anticipating finding some sense of normalcy in life here. It may be a while before that comes but I'm trusting that God has me here for a reason and He will be glorified in it!

New Home

I've been in Bundibugyo for 4 days now! The range of emotions has been wide from excitement to fear to overwhelmed to joyful. Uganda doesn't feel like home yet but I'm looking forward to the day when it does. Or at least when it feels a little more familiar :)

Here are some pictures of my first day in Bundibugyo:

On the MAF plane from Kampala to Bundibugyo!

A fantastic welcome sign over my desk :)

And for my mother--my new bed, complete with mosquito netting.

I'm Here!

Just wanted to let you know that I've made it to Uganda along with all of my luggage! Tomorrow I fly to Bundibugyo!

See Ya Later

While the past week has been stressful with making sure my health is good to go, the past several weeks have been filled with fun! As hard as saying "See ya later's" (not good-byes) are, it also makes for lots of good excuses to have fun and enjoy those relationships that are so special. Below is a little picture review of the past few weeks. My next post will be from Uganda!

Family picture at my Bon Voyage party.

Me and Rachel at the top of a lighthouse in Maine.

Siblings in our finest threads :)

My cousin, Scott, kissing his bride, Tracy!

Addie making her "monster face" at our family Thanksgiving-in-September dinner.

Me and Mom in Maine...lots of M's!

I went crabbing with Tony and some friends for the first time. Learned something new!

I also was able to visit friends at Nyack and spend a wonderful 24 hours there--no pictures were taken though. Oops!

Leaving Sunday despite it all!

Here is the email I sent my supporters this morning:

I just wanted to let you all know that my ultrasound went well yesterday and nothing was found on it. I’m feeling better—still not at 100% but I am planning to leave on Sunday. The doctors aren’t entirely certain as to what is causing this “lump” feeling in my throat but it could easily be a virus, allergies, reflux, or just stress. Everything that could be done medically has been. So, I’m believing that God will heal me completely and that the stresses of this week will be forgotten when I land on Ugandan soil!

I leave Sunday evening around 9 pm. I will travel from Philadelphia to London to Kampala and on to Bundibugyo. I think I’ll be arriving at my new home about 3 days after I leave! Here are some things you can be praying about:

• Please continue to pray for my health—that I would be at 100% when I walk onto that airplane!
• Please pray for my luggage. That may sound ridiculous but it is quite a challenge to fit everything into 50 lb. bags. Pray that my luggage would not be lost and that I would not struggle to get them off the baggage carousel onto a cart when I arrive.
• Please pray for my family as I prepare to say good-byes to them. It is so hard to know I won’t be with them for so many months but pray that we would have peace as well as excitement for the two years ahead!
• Please just pray for details to work well. As I meet people in London and Kampala, pray that I’d have no trouble finding them. Pray that all would go smoothly with immigration and customs. Pray that my flights would be on time. Pray that the weather would work so that I can land on the air strip in Bundibugyo. So many little things but thank goodness they are all in the Father’s hands!

Hopefully my next email to you will be from Uganda! And thank you for your prayers—they are felt!

Until the darkness turns to light,

Chrissy Chipriano

Just keep praying!

I went to the doctor on Monday and was diagnosed with esophagitis, given steroids and an antacid. I've been taking them for a little over a day and a half now and I also had an endoscopy done today to double check. The endoscopy was fairly inconclusive--nothing really showed up on it. So tomorrow I have an ultrasound scheduled to be sure that it isn't my thyroid. The doctor dilated my esophagus today which may help but because my throat is sore from the procedure, I can't tell if it has really helped or not. Please pray for my health, for the ultrasound tomorrow, and for my faith. I'm struggling to keep my morale up, believe that I actually will leave on Sunday, and will be feeling well soon. Can't wait until I have a positive update to put on here!

Please pray!

Please be praying for my health. Within the past week, I've had some trouble swallowing and it has gotten much worse the past few days. I'm here in Maine for my cousin's wedding this weekend and struggling to enjoy it while eating very little. I've scheduled a doctor's appointment for Monday and hope that I can get this figured out soon. Please pray that any tests I need would be expedited and I would find answers and help well before my Sept. 26th departure date. Pray that I would not have to delay it and that I would leave the U.S. healthy and happy! Thanks!