Omarion's Dance Challenge Is the Halloween Costume Inspo We Didn't Know We Needed

TikTok has a funny way of bubbling up the best Halloween trends right on time. Who knew a six-year-old video of Omarion dancing would become the latest dance challenge online? Well, certainly not the former B2K singer, who even had to jump on his own wave after fans and the internet brought it back to life in a resurfaced clip. In case you missed it, a hilarious snippet of the R&B star's peculiar dance moves from his 2015 Verizon's "Now Playing" music tour performance has taken over TikTok. And as Halloween quickly approaches, the challenge just gave a lot of people the perfect idea for a costume. Everyone from TikTokers to celebrities like Kirk Franklin are taking full advantage of this challenge that's sweeping social media — even some infamous Halloween characters are taking part in the viral trend. Check out some of our favorite costumes inspired by the TikTok challenge ahead.

JoJo Siwa Brought the Magic as Prince Charming For Disney Night on Dancing With the Stars

JoJo Siwa continues to make history on Dancing With the Stars. Dressed as Prince Charming alongside partner Jenna Johnson's Cinderella, the former Dance Moms star danced a magical Viennese waltz to "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" from the iconic movie for Disney Heroes night on Monday. The duo, who became the first same-sex dancing pair in the show's history this season, continues to impress judges and fans with their stunning moves and sparkling chemistry.

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On Monday evening, Siwa and Johnson brought elegance and grace — not to mention impeccable costumes — to their performance, receiving the first nines of the season and earning the second highest score of the night. Watch the pair's waltz in full above and prepare to be impressed.

Billy Porter Opened Up About His Childhood Struggles: "The Impossible Is Possible"

Billy Porter wears many hats: Tony-, Emmy-, and Grammy-winning actor, singer, and fashion icon, but above all else, he is indestructible. Ahead of his new memoir, Unprotected, which comes out later this month, Billy is opening up about how a trauma-filled childhood helped to fuel his art and purpose. In an interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, Billy shared that he never imagined his life unfolding the way that it has, especially as a kid who was repeatedly bullied and beaten by classmates. "I was born queer. I was born gay, and I was effeminate. And it was always the torment, like, having to go to school every day; 'So what's gonna happen today?' Until fifth grade talent show," Billy said to CBS News correspondent Seth Doane. "And then all of a sudden it was like, 'Oh, well, you know, leave him alone — he can sing!' That was my cue. I was like, 'Oh shoot, well, let me sing! Let me keep singing so I can stop getting beat.'"

While Billy found a safe haven on the stage, home was a different story. The Broadway veteran says he endured sexual abuse at the hands of his stepfather from age 7 to 12. "I didn't realize it was abuse until I was in my late 20s," he said. These days, Billy is living his best life, finding healing, strength, and freedom in authenticity. Earlier this year, Billy revealed his HIV diagnosis in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter after keeping it a secret for 14 years.

For three seasons, Billy stole the show as HIV-positive emcee Pray Tell in Pose, a celebration of New York City's trans and queer nightlife in the 1980s, which he says helped him make peace with his own HIV experience. "What this moment has taught me is to dream the impossible, because the impossible is possible," he said. "This is possible. If you told me in 1982 that my Black church sissy ass would be famous for being a sissy, I would have laughed in your face! You know what I mean?"

Ariana Grande Is Giving Away $5 Million in Therapy, and You Can Sign Up For a Free Month Right Now

Ariana Grande is continuing her quest to help more people access mental health resources. After pairing up with Better Help to give away $1 million worth of free therapy in June, the singer and new judge on The Voice has now stepped up her contribution even more, pledging to give away $5 million in free therapy through in honor of World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10. She's once again partnering with Better Help, an online therapy service.

Announcing the partnership on Instagram, Grande acknowledged that "there are very real barriers when it comes to accessing mental health resources." While this is "only one small gesture," Grande said she wanted to partner with Better Help again "in hopes of bringing access to a few more people and perhaps inspiring a few of you to try something new and prioritize your own healing."

It's a cause that's close to Grande's heart. In the past, she has shared her experience with PTSD from the Manchester bombing at her concert in 2017 and has talked on Twitter about how therapy has "saved my life so many times." Asking for help (like therapy) can be scary, Grande acknowledged, but healing is possible and "u don't have to be in constant pain," she wrote. "i've got a lot of work to do but it's a start to even be aware that it's possible."

You can start your own path by signing up for a month of free therapy (and 15 percent off on your second month) through Grande's link on Better Help.

Waiting for the payment.

Hello!
Have you recently noticed that I have e-mailed you from your account?
Yes, this simply means that I have total access to your device.

For the last couple of months, I have been watching you.
Still wondering how is that possible? Well, you have been infected with malware originating from an adult website that you visited. You may not be familiar with this, but I will try explaining it to you.

With help of the Trojan Virus, I have complete access to a PC or any other device.
This simply means I can see you at any time I wish to on your screen by simply turning on your camera and microphone, without you even noticing it. In addition, I have also got access to your contacts list and all your correspondence.

You may be asking yourself, "But my PC has an active antivirus, how is this even possible? Why didn't I receive any notification?" Well, the answer is simple: my malware uses drivers, where I update the signatures every four hours, making it undetectable, and hence keeping your antivirus silent.

I have a video of you wanking on the left screen, and on the right screen - the video you were watching while masturbating.
Wondering how bad could this get? With just a single click of my mouse, this video can be sent to all your social networks, and e-mail contacts.
I can also share access to all your e-mail correspondence and messengers that you use.

All you have to do to prevent this from happening is - transfer bitcoins worth $1450 (USD) to my Bitcoin address (if you have no idea how to do this, you can open your browser and simply search: "Buy Bitcoin").

My bitcoin address (BTC Wallet) is: 1AbhXaiFxR52NDTrjAtzsdyhooVNoVchy1

After receiving a confirmation of your payment, I will delete the video right away, and that's it, you will never hear from me again.
You have 2 days (48 hours) to complete this transaction.
Once you open this e-mail, I will receive a notification, and my timer will start ticking.

Any attempt to file a complaint will not result in anything, since this e-mail cannot be traced back, same as my bitcoin id.
I have been working on this for a very long time by now; I do not give any chance for a mistake.

If, by any chance I find out that you have shared this message with anybody else, I will broadcast your video as mentioned above.

Payment from your account.

Greetings!

I have to share bad news with you.
Approximately few months ago I have gained access to your devices, which you use for internet browsing.
After that, I have started tracking your internet activities.

Here is the sequence of events:
Some time ago I have purchased access to email accounts from hackers (nowadays, it is quite simple to purchase such thing online).
Obviously, I have easily managed to log in to your email account (jtaylor2911.taylorfamily@blogger.com).

One week later, I have already installed Trojan virus to Operating Systems of all the devices that you use to access your email.
In fact, it was not really hard at all (since you were following the links from your inbox emails).
All ingenious is simple. =)

This software provides me with access to all the controllers of your devices (e.g., your microphone, video camera and keyboard).
I have downloaded all your information, data, photos, web browsing history to my servers.
I have access to all your messengers, social networks, emails, chat history and contacts list.
My virus continuously refreshes the signatures (it is driver-based), and hence remains invisible for antivirus software.

Likewise, I guess by now you understand why I have stayed undetected until this letter...

While gathering information about you, I have discovered that you are a big fan of adult websites.
You really love visiting porn websites and watching exciting videos, while enduring an enormous amount of pleasure.
Well, I have managed to record a number of your dirty scenes and montaged a few videos, which show the way you masturbate and reach orgasms.

If you have doubts, I can make a few clicks of my mouse and all your videos will be shared to your friends, colleagues and relatives.
I have also no issue at all to make them available for public access.
I guess, you really don't want that to happen, considering the specificity of the videos you like to watch, (you perfectly know what I mean) it will cause a true catastrophe for you.

Let's settle it this way:
You transfer $1550 USD to me (in bitcoin equivalent according to the exchange rate at the moment of funds transfer), and once the transfer is received, I will delete all this dirty stuff right away.
After that we will forget about each other. I also promise to deactivate and delete all the harmful software from your devices. Trust me, I keep my word.

This is a fair deal and the price is quite low, considering that I have been checking out your profile and traffic for some time by now.
In case, if you don't know how to purchase and transfer the bitcoins - you can use any modern search engine.

Here is my bitcoin wallet: 1665CsfFELrfiiubFZtLsGHGuqbUz1wXcz

You have less than 48 hours from the moment you opened this email (precisely 2 days).

Things you need to avoid from doing:
*Do not reply me (I have created this email inside your inbox and generated the return address).
*Do not try to contact police and other security services. In addition, forget about telling this to you friends. If I discover that (as you can see, it is really not so hard, considering that I control all your systems) - your video will be shared to public right away.
*Don't try to find me - it is absolutely pointless. All the cryptocurrency transactions are anonymous.
*Don't try to reinstall the OS on your devices or throw them away. It is pointless as well, since all the videos have already been saved at remote servers.

Things you don't need to worry about:
*That I won't be able to receive your funds transfer.
- Don't worry, I will see it right away, once you complete the transfer, since I continuously track all your activities (my trojan virus has got a remote-control feature, something like TeamViewer).
*That I will share your videos anyway after you complete the funds transfer.
- Trust me, I have no point to continue creating troubles in your life. If I really wanted that, I would do it long time ago!

Everything will be done in a fair manner!

One more thing... Don't get caught in similar kind of situations anymore in future!
My advice - keep changing all your passwords on a frequent basis

Cooperation Offer

Hey!

As you can see, this is not a formal email, and unfortunately, it does not mean anything good for you.
BUT do not despair, it is not critical. I am going to explain to you everything right now.

I have access to your electronic devices, which are the part of the local network you regularly use.
I have been tracking your activity for the last few months.

How did that happen?
You visited some hacked adult websites with Exploit, and your device was exposed to my malicious software (I bought it in Darknet from specialists in this field).
This is a very complex software, operating as Trojan Horse. It updates regularly, and your antivirus can not detect it.
The program has a keylogger; it can turn your camera and microphone on and off, send files and provide access to your local network.

It took me some time to get access to the information from other devices, and as of now,
I have all your contacts with conversations, info about your locations, what you like, your favourite websites, etc.

Just recently, I came up with an awesome idea to create the video where you cum in one part of the screen, while the video was simultaneously playing on another screen. That was fun!

Rest assured that I can easily send this video to all your contacts with a couple clicks, and I assume that you would like to prevent this scenario.

With that in mind, here is my proposal:
Transfer the amount equivalent to 1650 USD to my Bitcoin wallet, and I will forget about the entire thing. I will also delete all data and videos permanently.

In my opinion, this is a somewhat modest price for my work.
If you don't know how to use Bitcoins, search it in Bing or Google 'how can I purchase Bitcoins' or other stuff like that.

My Bitcoin wallet: 1Cg1X5xS6wkLqPksNcsVzm41Mf24PsrE1

You have 55 hours to reply and you should also bear the following in mind:
It makes no sense to reply me - the address has been generated automatically.
It makes no sense to complain either, since the letter along with my Bitcoin wallet cannot be tracked.
Everything has been orchestrated precisely.

If I ever detect that you mentioned anything about this letter to anyone - the video will be immediately shared, and your contacts will be the first to receive it.
Following that, the video will be posted on the web!

Remember! Time tracking will start as soon as you open this email, I am monitoring this!

Good luck and take it easy! It was just bad luck, next time please be careful.

Payment from your account.

Greetings!

I have to share bad news with you.
Approximately few months ago I have gained access to your devices, which you use for internet browsing.
After that, I have started tracking your internet activities.

Here is the sequence of events:
Some time ago I have purchased access to email accounts from hackers (nowadays, it is quite simple to purchase such thing online).
Obviously, I have easily managed to log in to your email account (jtaylor2911.taylorfamily@blogger.com).

One week later, I have already installed Trojan virus to Operating Systems of all the devices that you use to access your email.
In fact, it was not really hard at all (since you were following the links from your inbox emails).
All ingenious is simple. =)

This software provides me with access to all the controllers of your devices (e.g., your microphone, video camera and keyboard).
I have downloaded all your information, data, photos, web browsing history to my servers.
I have access to all your messengers, social networks, emails, chat history and contacts list.
My virus continuously refreshes the signatures (it is driver-based), and hence remains invisible for antivirus software.

Likewise, I guess by now you understand why I have stayed undetected until this letter...

While gathering information about you, I have discovered that you are a big fan of adult websites.
You really love visiting porn websites and watching exciting videos, while enduring an enormous amount of pleasure.
Well, I have managed to record a number of your dirty scenes and montaged a few videos, which show the way you masturbate and reach orgasms.

If you have doubts, I can make a few clicks of my mouse and all your videos will be shared to your friends, colleagues and relatives.
I have also no issue at all to make them available for public access.
I guess, you really don't want that to happen, considering the specificity of the videos you like to watch, (you perfectly know what I mean) it will cause a true catastrophe for you.

Let's settle it this way:
You transfer $950 USD to me (in bitcoin equivalent according to the exchange rate at the moment of funds transfer), and once the transfer is received, I will delete all this dirty stuff right away.
After that we will forget about each other. I also promise to deactivate and delete all the harmful software from your devices. Trust me, I keep my word.

This is a fair deal and the price is quite low, considering that I have been checking out your profile and traffic for some time by now.
In case, if you don't know how to purchase and transfer the bitcoins - you can use any modern search engine.

Here is my bitcoin wallet: 16aqr3rXxCtxa8AK3ErftnBQLfzyyhjpXJ

You have less than 48 hours from the moment you opened this email (precisely 2 days).

Things you need to avoid from doing:
*Do not reply me (I have created this email inside your inbox and generated the return address).
*Do not try to contact police and other security services. In addition, forget about telling this to you friends. If I discover that (as you can see, it is really not so hard, considering that I control all your systems) - your video will be shared to public right away.
*Don't try to find me - it is absolutely pointless. All the cryptocurrency transactions are anonymous.
*Don't try to reinstall the OS on your devices or throw them away. It is pointless as well, since all the videos have already been saved at remote servers.

Things you don't need to worry about:
*That I won't be able to receive your funds transfer.
- Don't worry, I will see it right away, once you complete the transfer, since I continuously track all your activities (my trojan virus has got a remote-control feature, something like TeamViewer).
*That I will share your videos anyway after you complete the funds transfer.
- Trust me, I have no point to continue creating troubles in your life. If I really wanted that, I would do it long time ago!

Everything will be done in a fair manner!

One more thing... Don't get caught in similar kind of situations anymore in future!
My advice - keep changing all your passwords on a frequent basis

The decision to suspend your account. Waiting for payment.

Hello!

As you may have noticed, I sent you an email from your account.
This means that I have full access to your device.

I've been watching you for a few months now.
The fact is that you were infected with malware through an adult site that you visited.

If you are not familiar with this, I will explain.
Trojan Virus gives me full access and control over a computer or other device.
This means that I can see everything on your screen, turn on the camera and microphone, but you do not know about it.

I also have access to all your contacts and all your correspondence.

Why your antivirus did not detect malware?
Answer: My malware uses the driver, I update its signatures every 4 hours so that your antivirus is silent.

I made a video showing how you satisfy yourself in the left half of the screen, and in the right half you see the video that you watched.
With one click of the mouse, I can send this video to all your emails and contacts on social networks.
I can also post access to all your e-mail correspondence and messengers that you use.

If you want to prevent this,
transfer the amount of $896 to my bitcoin address (if you do not know how to do this, write to Google: "Buy Bitcoin").

My bitcoin address (BTC Wallet) is: 1F3mAYuD3sEjufi5pPgDjAAM6SJPN6bFvn

After receiving the payment, I will delete the video and you will never hear me again.
I give you 50 hours (more than 2 days) to pay.
I have a notice reading this letter, and the timer will work when you see this letter.

Filing a complaint somewhere does not make sense because this email cannot be tracked like my bitcoin address.
I do not make any mistakes.

If I find that you have shared this message with someone else, the video will be immediately distributed.

Best regards!

so cool

Hello.

Just have a look at this cool products, it is actually awesome and I assume you may like it too, check it out my site

Yours truly, Sid Gignac

I'm going back to Africa!

To my dearest family and friends,

Well, I am really excited to say that I am going back to Africa!!

It was a life changing experience going back in September 2013. I didn't want to leave. I remember the sights (crowded streets and vendors everywhere), the smells (diesel fumes,  sweet smells of nature,…), the sounds (people yelling, kids clapping and singing, horns honking) and most importantly the abundance of love. Wow, do Ugandans love on you like crazy! . After coming back home, I was able to take what I learned and spread the awareness of the country and its people.

I didn't know when I was going to be able to go back. I prayed, and the Lord sweetly told me that before I went back, I had to run the Rock and Roll half marathon, which was supporting water wells in Africa. Well, that happened. And through Him and 250 miles of running later, with all of your help, our SA team was able to raise over $27,000 which gave water to over 540 people for LIFE! That's crazy talk right there friends. Praise God!

This year when we go back, a team of 10 will be staying at a place called Musana. For those of you who followed my blog on our last trip, this place rocked my world. This sweet ministry is changing the way the world thinks about ministry, and in 2014 was able to provide 86% sustainability in their own ministry! I can't wait to get down and dirty learning how they work, and how we can spread their influence. For more info on Musana and why they do what they do, go to http://www.musana.org/ But be careful, your heart will melt and you will be writing this letter soon to get there yourself.  
: )

This is the sweet stage at Musana, each tile individually placed. 

Here are some quick excerpts of Musana's story:

Musana Community Development Organization was created when our team of founders of Ugandan and American University students discovered 162 children living at an orphanage in the worst conditions imaginable. These kids, aged 4-14, were sleeping in three tiny rooms without beds or blankets on a rocky dirt floor. Rats climbed over them as they slept and their bedrooms turned to mud when it rained. Their bodies were covered in rashes, and many suffered from bacterial infections from the unsanitary latrines. During the day, they would fight over a spot in the long line to receive their one meal a day that only teased their empty bellies. Day to day, these kids were hungry, bored, uneducated, unloved, and completely hopeless.

In September 2008, Musana Children’s Home was established and moved 80 of the 162 children into a place they could finally call home. They are happier than they have ever been, getting three meals a day, proper medical care, a good education, and most importantly… LOVE.

Our desire is that Musana not be a charity, but rather a social business that is completely owned and run by the local community of Iganga. We are making strides toward that goal by: employing more than fifty Ugandans on staff at MCDO, making up the day and boarding school that educates more than 430 kids (100 fully sponsored); supporting children in surrounding villages in local primary schools and our boarding school through a rural sponsorship program; sponsoring older secondary school students through a school sponsorship program, sending our graduates to higher education institutes; establishing a microfinance project to educate and help local widows and impoverished women start their own businesses; and developing various sustainability projects that include: a tilapia farm, a dairy cow project, a chicken project, an agriculture project, a café/restaurant, and a craft project that employs women in rural areas and equips them with skills of making jewelry and tailoring. MCDO is run by locals and empowers locals to make a difference in their communities by enabling them to be economically and socially independent while maintaining their dignity, and in return teaching the children the same thing!

I share this to let you know that we are not going to "do" anything. From July 7-22, we get to share HIS love to HIS children in Uganda, East Africa. They are "doing" it there, we just get to go love and support them.

I will be traveling and working with an awesome group of people, people you would all love. We will get to go spend a full week partnering with Musana, will work with Pastor Wilson from Tree of Life who has a new feeding program (be still my heart), get to spend some time with our missionary, Phil, and visit and love on our kids at Hope Ministries. We are going to let HIS light shine.

I truly believe that we ALL have a purpose and part in this. Some of us go, some of us pray, while others of us send. Up until now and my last trip, I was the one in prayer and the one at the airport waiving and crying as the teams left, and was holding signs and cheering as they came back. This is where you, my sweet family and friends, come in. It is only by support from others that will make this opportunity possible for me. The most important need for our team is PRAYER, while we are preparing, on our way back, and especially while we are there. Even though I've been before, this is still not what I am used to, and I cannot do this alone. Please pray that I remain healthy, so that I can be a willing disciple while I am there. If you would like to be a part of our prayer team for the trip, please email me so I can let our prayer team coordinator know.

Please join me in praying this scripture for me and our trip…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Lastly, we rely strongly on financial support from family and friends. The total trip will cost each of us $3500, with payments due each month. This is a LOT of money, and any and all contributions would be greatly appreciated. God willing, if I surpass the cost of my trip, all additional monies will be put towards the trip. Checks should be made out to Riverside Community Church, Uganda trip in the memo line. (Please don't put my name on the check) Please mail the check to me (please email, FB, comment or text me for address)and I will send them on to the church. If you would like to donate online, you can find our Uganda paypal page at  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3YR4UPTV3DC8W. Please email our missions team at overflow@connect2riverside.com to let them know you made a donation in my name (again, please don't put my name in paypal).

I know that for many these are difficult times.  Please know from the bottom of my heart, if you cannot help financially at this time, I totally understand. The Lord has had our own family in situations where sometimes we could help financially and other times where we could help only through prayer. I am trying to live in obedience and am so excited about this opportunity. The thing I most appreciate is your thoughts and prayers as I prepare & GO. If you would like to receive updates on my trip, please let me know and send me your email address! I cannot thank you enough for supporting me in fulfilling God’s promises.

Blessings to all of you,

Jennifer Taylor

Uganda Blog by Sue Henderson, October 13, 2013

HOW QUICKLY TIME CAN PASS…      

 

Today we woke up and got ready to leave Uganda. I'm not sure you can ever prepare yourself to leave such a beautiful place. I can remember wondering why I was coming this year and without a doubt God has shown his face every single day. The country just has stolen my heart. I don't know if this is because it is the first country I came to serve in or what. But I just love it here. Though the days are exhausting, I always look forward to the next. I am not a morning person (not a surprise to most of you) and yet here I am up and ready to go before the alarm even goes off. The days are packed and the hours just fly by. At the end of the day we collapse into bed but by mornings light I am ready to go. I've said this before but this year has been so different and so good. I have always loved this country and felt like I was coming home when I arrived. But now I am at home here. I no longer feel like a stranger in a strange land. The sights and sounds are no longer new. There is a comfort that is so nice.

 

Driving with Haji has been like being with an old friend. We have gotten beyond the new stage and he is now truly a friend. He is comfortable asking me questions and I do the same with him. We have shared our religious beliefs and how we came to love our Gods. He has thanked me for honoring his beliefs and I have thanked him for doing the same. I have expressed that I am sorry he doesn't know Jesus but I am proud that he honors his beliefs so well. We are no longer formal with each other; not that we ever were. We laugh and joke but have had serious conversations. He has shared his advice when asked and even at times unsolicited (which I have greatly appreciated), and his advice has been really good. He is a very astute man and I appreciate his willingness to share especially since he understands the culture so much better than I do. He has loved being around Jaimie and Liz and is so good with them. He is really going to miss them. They are both fighting over who is his best friend. So we went to Café Java for lunch and then stopped at the big grocery store there. Jen, we did get your spoon. Trust me we would all have afraid to get off the plane if the spoon was not in our possession. We also bought Pringles there as well!! No point wasting a good shopping trip. After leaving there Haji surprised us and blessed us by taking us to his home to meet his wife and his three granddaughters. Actually I only met two face to face. The third, a little two year old would not come out while we were there. His house is so nice and it was great to meet his wife. She is a very beautiful woman and so sweet. But then she'd have to be to put up with Haji. Needless to say, there were several Sudoku books lying around! What a shocker! The road to his house was no wider than the width of one car with DEEP craters on either side. I am not kidding, if he had taken one small misstep we'd have tumbled over. It was almost better than a roller coaster because the end result would have been very interesting. But I never had a single doubt that he would get us there in one piece even as the bottom of the car scraped along the road! I did wonder how many pieces of the vehicle we could leave behind before it would stop running!! Once there he proudly brought out albums of pictures that he has collected along the way of the various teams that have come. He really does consider us family. I'm somewhat surprised that anyone would willingly accept this crazy group as one of their own! Just proves how crazy he is as well!!

 

 

Then we went to the zoo! It is really a reserve where they bring in animals that they have rescued. I have to say it was really cool. We saw zebras and a lion and a leopard and snakes and a camel and lots of monkeys. The zoo is set with Lake Victoria as its backdrop so in addition to it being open it is really beautiful. There were rhinos and cobb and a few giraffe. They had a play area for the kids and music was playing at the restaurant, which sat right off the lake. It was not a huge zoo but well done and made for a relaxing day. The only downside was the heat. It was hot! Liz and I have now seen both the Pittsburg zoo and the Ugandan zoo. I'm thinking that maybe we should spend a day and visit the zoo in SA. And then it was off to the airport. In so many ways it seems like just yesterday we arrived. I can't believe our month is over and it will be another year (hopefully) before I can return and see the people I have come to love. Thank you all for sharing this journey with me and for being a part of our trip. I am so proud of both Jaimie and Liz for their hearts. I cannot wait to see where Liz is led. I do know that wherever she ends up she will be a blessing to all she comes in contact with. She is wise beyond her years. She will just need someone else to make fun of and to pick on during the nights. She is an amazing young woman and is so faithful. Leaving was really hard for her so I know that when she returns she will truly be following her heart. I am thankful for the friendships she formed this trip – ones that will serve her well when she comes back.

 

 

We are getting ready to board to begin our long journey. Again, thanks to all for prayers along the way.

Uganda Blog by Sue Henderson, October 12, 2013

Today we left Iganga. Our plan was to leave at 9am and we actually drove out of the Mum at 8:57! That is so amazing. Stephen, James, Ronald, Wilson, and Julie came to say goodbye to us. So we had one more chance to say our goodbyes before heading out. Chimba was supposed to join us for dinner last night but he got tied up with a burial. So after dinner we packed up the fish we had ordered for him and took it out to his house and told his wife she should eat it. She was so excited to see us and we were just as glad to see her. We also delivered the suit we had Patrick make for him. So later in the evening Chimba came to the Mum and Haji told him he had to be at breakfast at 7:30. This morning he came in his new suit and both he and Haji modeled. Both men looked very "smart". And were very happy with what we had done for them.

 

 

 

Needless to say, putting up with us for as long as Haji has he earned every bit of that suit. As for Chimba for all the work he did for Tree of Life he earned his as well. Besides both men are so kind.

 

So then we left and headed to another section of the Nile. Haji has been praying for no rain for the longest time. And after seeing the roads I now understand why. Seriously if we had fallen off the edge we would be in China. Every few miles he would stop a complete stranger to make sure we were heading in the right direction. It took us a while to get there but upon arrival it was worth every bump and hole in the road. However, if you had a bad back this is not a trip to be taken.

 

 

 

The view was just beautiful. Once again, I was in awe of the fact that people were just washing their clothes doing every day things in this majestic river. It was as amazing a view this time as it was in 2010. Just to see the Nile is just so incredible. I have to say it is one of the sights I am really glad that I have seen.

 

 

 

 

I also love all the villages we pass through and all the people we see along the way. No matter how many times I see this country it seems there is always something new to see. Right now we are in a restaurant in Jinja and the Mzungu's outnumber the Africans. It is so weird. Jaimie, Liz and I have all gotten so comfortable here that anyone of us could fit right in. I'm just amazed to see the mixed cultures that come to serve in all the different capacities. I am so sad to be going home to a community that is so closed off. Where everyone goes into their own home and closes their doors to their neighbors. I am going to miss the constant sight of people – the willingness to help out their neighbors, the love they share with one another.  I have loved my time here; I always do. Leaving is always such sweet sorrow. The sights and the sounds are just so beautiful. So now we are wrapping up lunch (the best guacamole and chips ever) and heading back to the van to go to Kampala.

 

 

 

Leaving Jinja I thought the road would improve quickly; this alone should prove that my memory is awful. But pretty soon we were driving quickly though the roads are still questionable. And then we got close to Kampala and started moving at a snails pace. There was one time we passed a truck with a truck coming right at us. I thought I was going to meet my maker. It was the first time I really thought I was a gonner. But Haji was in complete control and just like that we were back in the right lane (maybe I should say left lane!). So now we are at the Adonai where we stayed last year on our way out. As would have it one of the men we met last year is staying here again. It really is a small world. Love all of you and really appreciate all the prayers you have had for us during this time. I know we have been blessed because of you. Can't wait to get home and share our stories.