These two clung to Cristin and I throughout the whole morning conference.

Left: this boy was watching us through the underground church window the whole time with a smile. Right: She is a church leader and translator

The kids got a little out of hand with wanting to have their picture taken so we played a little impromtu Simon Says ("hands up" "hands down" "turn around")

God is here. I can feel him in the children's smiles. I can feel him in the clouds. I can feel him in the thunder. I can feel him in the sugar fields. I can feel him in the baby goats. I can feel him in the red dirt that is stained on my skin. I can feel him in the way the children hold my hand. I can feel him in the trees. I can feel him in the worship of Ugandan women lifting their voices together and sharing their testimony. I can feel him in the wind that blows against my face through the bus window. I want everyone to feel him here. I want people to see what poverty looks like and have their heart break for it and for the way we live our lives. I want to keep this feeling of love mixed with pain when this girl is pushing others away just to be as close as she can to me. I want to remember this feeling of deep compassion when I meet eyes of the boy through the window with the smile. I want to always hold the hand of the little girl, her dark skin contrasting with mine, as she laced her two hands with mine.

I'm not feeling well. I had to miss half of the day to try and rest. Please pray that my stomach will feel better and my body will cease to hurt. Tomorrow Cristin and I will be leading a children's group. I could not be happier, I already love the kids that I've seen the past few days with all of my heart.

church in Kakira and a walk to the source of the Nile.

"lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving I'll be a living sanctuary for you"

49 hours to Uganda

From left to right. Top: Jim, Jill Tracy, John, Cindy, Robin, Renee, Kim

Bottom: Me (Shannon), Jodi, Cristin

LAX airport

Dubai. We had an 11 hour layover that was spent in a great hotel with complementary dinner and breakfast.

UAE Dubai makes their own islands.

This little boy sat in front of me on the flight to Ethiopia. We had a blast together.

Travel

Ethiopia

Our flight attendant.

Lake Victoria from the 34,000 feet up

Welcome to Uganda

Our bus. Chris is the best driver in Uganda. (thanks God for that... driving is pretty aggressive in Uganda, and on the other side of the road)

Sarah, Caroline, and Sara came to pick us up from the airport. Sarah (right) and Jodi and I got to talk throughout the bus ride to Jinja. She is 21 and beautiful.

Enjoying my "pretty delicious" Mirinda at Lake Victoria

Kampala

Driving through Kampala

Bus ride to Kampala

Kampala

There are tons of Storks around. Scott Harrell thinks they are the ugliest birds ever.

View from the hotel restaurant

This is a dumpster that is on one of the main roads in Jinja. This woman and children were going through it to find things they needed.

In Jinja, A christian run coffee shop and gift store.

Jinja

Jinja

Jinja

Cristin and I with our cokes. It's a little humid, but the weather is amazing. Thanks Jesus!

I am so blessed to be here and learn from so many wise women and men. God is already preparing me to learn something extraordinary. I am so excited to share with you all what that will be. Tomorrow is church and then our conference for the local women of Kakira starts :)

Morganne & Shaye

baby dedication

I got to photograph this cute little family at church on Sunday. They are living in the Carlsbad area but dedicated their new baby girl at their home church in Ventura.

to see more click HERE

Kelly's Graduating!

I have really pretty friends, and I get the great opportunity to be their photographer when they need me. Take Kelly for example: She's been working her booty off at Biola University and will graduate in two months with her bachelors. I'm so proud of her!