I'm here and safe!

I am starting writing this in the airport in Istanbul, Turkey! I have an hour layover here before getting on the plane to head to Entebbe. The first 10 hour flight went smoothly enough, but its nice to have a layover to move my legs a bit - except navigating the airport has proved slightly difficult because everything (including most of the announcements) are in Turkish so I can understand next to nothing. But I found my gate number so here I sit getting ready to board. Internet is a little shaky, but I think (hopefully it went through) I sent a message to Stephan telling him to tell dad I made it here! I'm hoping he got it and someone at least knows I'm safe:)

And after a very long journey I am sitting in the hotel on Entebbe eating breakfast consisting of coffee, fresh fruit, and a nutrigrain bar packed from home. Our flight from Turkey to Entebbe had a stop in Kigabe, Rwanda, but we remained on the plane for about an hour. I'm not really sure where time went wrong, but even with our stop we were supposed to land in Entebbe at 2:50 am, but we managed to leave Rwanda at 2:45 - and I seemed to be the only one that really minded this, I guess this is all part of "Africa time" that is going to take some getting used to:) Needless to say we arrived way late, closer to 4:00, and I was very nervous that the guy who was supposed to pick me up at 2:50 had already gone home. Then I went to pick up my bags and only one came, and it should be noted that the one that is now missing is the one with all of my clothes in it..good. So I had to leave Abdul (my driver) waiting even longer as I gave them all my info to hopefully find my bag. But around 5:15 I checked into the hotel and about 5 minutes later there was a rooster crowing out my window haha. I got about 2 hours of sleep and am now back up and waiting for Job (my driver to Ekisa) to come get me at 10:) Can't believe that this is actually real, that I am in Uganda and will be meeting everyone this afternoon!!

I would love to not only have you read about my life but also hear from you too, either via email (brb9p@virginia.edu) oorrrrr if you want to send me snail mail :) my address is:

Ekisa Ministries

Attn: Brecklyn Bodkin

PO Box 817

Jinja, Uganda 

Formatting kinda sucks.. Sorry about it, slightly technologically challenged:)

1 WEEK!

1 week from today I get on the plane and head across the world. People have been asking me all summer if I'm getting ready for my trip, or if I'm ready, or how I feel, and most of the time the answers are "kind of," "not quite," and "so excited!" Now, one week before I leave, the answers are "trying to," "still not quite," and "still so excited, but a little nervous."

This past weekend I was in Richmond after being in the wedding of one of my best friends - Mrs. Brittney Kraus :)  Not only was it such a blessing to get to be a part of such a beautiful weekend and celebration, it was also so nice to be able to see, and consequently, say good bye to so many close friends. However, with that said, it was a much more emotional weekend than expected, as it was a lot harder to say good byes than I thought it would be. I realize that three months is not that long and will go so quickly, but I started to feel some feelings of anxiousness of going by myself, not really knowing what to expect, and adjusting to everything as it comes.

I have mentioned previously how I am completely affirmed that this is where God wants me this fall, and I don't think I can truly describe how awesome that feels! So with that, I know that I need to cast my fears and anxieties to Him (1 Peter 5:7), and I ask that you pray for me to do this as well. I want to be on my way to Uganda in a week with a heart that is anxious to serve Him and His beautiful children!

Here's my itinerary:
Depart from Dulles: August 28 at 11:25 P.M. (it will be a late night for my parents)
Two Hour Layover in Istanbul, Turkey, than land in Entebbe, Uganda at 2:50 A.M. where I will be picked up by a hotel van and spend the rest of the night at the Entebbe Inn :) Later that morning I will be picked up by someone from Ekisa, and then taken to Jinja to meet everyone!

I am assuming that I will get internet access somewhere, so hopefully I will be able to at least get on to let everyone know how travels are going! Please also pray for safe and easy travels! Thank you all for your support, prayers, and interest in my adventure - I really could not be more excited!