Many of you probably keep up to date with our various Instagram/Facebook posts, through Ryan or Alicia, Hope Smiles or Ekisa. That is a quick and easy way for us to keep you briefly informed about the day to day goings on, but you don't really get a complete picture of our thoughts and insights into our life. So, we thought we'd share more stories through a blog. This way, if you feel inclined to read or know a bit more - then this is the place!
To start, it has now been over 4 months since our return to Uganda, after being away for 6 weeks to get married, visit family and friends, attend another wedding of a good friend, experience Alicia's first Tailgate and Michigan Football game (we won't talk about the end result), enjoy American Thanksgiving and the annual Shinska football game, complete CE courses (Ryan), and visit Nashville for some Hope Smiles business.
Needless to say, we had a great time at home and have since adjusted to life in UG. We weren't away for too long, so the transition back wasn't too tough; however, it was quite cold back home, especially in Chicago and Michigan, and when we returned to UG the difference in temperature felt more drastic - it was SO hot. After our return it quickly turned into dry season out here, and for the months of January, February and most of March we were told it was the hottest dry season they have seen in over 15 years, so that was nice. When you don't have AC in most cars or buildings, or when it is culturally necessary for girls to wear clothes that go to their knees when you are in public, and it is 30-40 Celsius/85-100 Fahrenheit every day with no rain, it should really be called sweaty season.
Thankfully, we have found our way into rainy season. We have had quite a few wonderful rain and thunder storms in the past couple of weeks. We have enjoyed some cooler evenings; Alicia has even worn leggings and a long sleeve shirt or sweatshirt to bed, while Ryan has actually slept fully under the covers. It's the little things.
As far as our work and purpose for being out here, it's been a busy return to work for both Ryan and Alicia.
Hope Smiles - www.hopesmiles.org/programs/uganda
Ryan got right back into the swing of things upon our return. He saw people out of the clinic for the rest of December and went on a few outreaches throughout the month of January and February. In January he went back out to Buziika where he saw Amazima Ministries secondary students for the 3rd January in a row. This was his 4th time on outreach working on their students, many of them were there when he first came in April 2012. It was a full week for the Hope Smiles Uganda crew, as they worked long hours attending to 200 children in 5 days. However, it was evident that the students had made changes since 2012, and that they had a better understanding of the necessity of caring for their teeth properly. Since then, he has been busy at the clinic leading, mentoring and teaching his staff, working diligently on patients, taking time to work on taxes, organizing future outreaches, and all the while keeping a smile on his face. God has definitely blessed him with a spirit of endurance.
Ryan also got to welcome a good friend from Dental School, Brian Hoyner, who came to assist him in the clinic and on a few afternoon outreaches. Ryan was looking forward to Brian's visit, getting to hang out again, and of course, have his help around the clinic. Brian was also the first to test out our epic bunk beds - which has since seen two more guests, friends of Alicia's, and more to come in the future! We're not entirely sure what Brian thought of his week with us in Uganda, but we had a great time and hope he comes back in the future!
Ekisa Ministries - www.ekisa.org
Alicia also got right back into the swing of things. Pretty soon after we got back, Stacy left for a visit and fundraising trip back home - Stacy is Ekisa's Office Administrator extraordinaire. During her absence Alicia was responsible for most of her financial duties, and she attempted to do that well enough to keep Ekisa afloat in Stacy's absence, while continuing to oversee the Community Care Department, as well as assist in editing a lot of paperwork and planning for the Night to Shine prom Ekisa put on, thanks to the Tim Tebow Foundation. It was an overwhelming season for the Ekisa family, as they transitioned into a new year, dealt with a fire, and attempted to cope with the sudden passing away of one of the older boys, Sam, who had so much life and love in him.
Alicia is beginning to "see the light" and although it was incredibly overwhelming and emotional, there was still joy. In those months, 8 community care outreach mama's graduated from Ekisa's business class program, each one beaming with pride in their cap and gowns. Ekisa Academy opened it's doors to the first community care kids, as we added a new school campus, and we, Ryan and Alicia, started the dance at a Night to Shine with great enthusiasm. Definitely a lot to be thankful for at Ekisa.
All in all, it's been a learning and growing closer to Christ season - which is life - everyday is an opportunity to know God through what He did for us through His son. We were reflecting on the birth of His son this past Christmas and the gift that He really was for us as we dealt with the paradox of losing a sweet young boy, and we were reminded this past Easter season of the grace received through the sacrifice Christ made for us, as we sought rest and restoration from a busy few months. We will continue to trust in these truths as we work in UG. We know we don't need to be in UG in order to trust and serve, but it's strange, or some might call it a miracle, how we both felt called in our own paths to be here and now get to be here together, continuing in the call. We understand it's not easy for our family and many of our friends to see us so far away, but we hope this blog will help you feel a little more connected to our daily life. PLEASE remember, you are all always welcome to visit!
For now, we will continue to push ourselves to be better followers of Christ and to learn how to love each other well.
For a better "picture" of our daily life in UG we've posted a few photos below.
Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers, and support!
Hope to see you out here soon!
~ The Shinskas
Ryan Swinging a few boys at Ekisa (on a swing that is now broken, not sure how;)
A few of the boys we used to hang out with regularly. We have since said goodbye to two of them; one to the Lord and one to his family.
Ugandan Michigan Fans
We gained some custom-made furniture...table & chairs.
A beautiful headboard.
Lastly, Rainy season brings incredibly colourful sunrises and sunsets.
This was the view from our Balcony one morning.
