The water is finished.
Thats what Pastor's wife told us this morning.
The water does not fill up until evening, so don't ask for any more water until night time.
Because the water is finished.
This is a common conversation here in our village — and probably all over Africa.
The very 1st afternoon we were here, I found myself walking down our red dirt road with 2 jugs of water- one in each hand. Those jugs of water would soon become my first shower in Africa. As I felt the weight of that realization settled in my mind -and the weight of the water jugs settle on my arm and back muscles- it hit me, "Yep- I am living in Africa."
It was the most challenging shower I have ever taken, lifting those jugs of water above my head to wash myself, with my hands all soapy and slipping down the handle…but hey- I got clean 😉 The water situation here is a few days running water, a few days off. But hey- like I said, I'm glad to be getting clean at all. We are actually super blessed- we have a roof over our heads, 3 home cooked meals a day, and the most wonderful people to serve alongside.
The people here are gorgeous. Their shiny black skin and big white smiles. The warm handshakes they gives us – that go from a normal up and down proper handshake into a bro-hand grab (thumb to thumb/ palm to palm upright) and then back into a proper handshake- making me feel like I have been accepted into part of secret society. The way they tell us enthusiastically "You are very welcome!" – letting us know they welcome us into Uganda. And the way they really mean it.
The first church we visited, Paradise Faith Church, told us we were 'a special kind of miracle to them, because we are the FIRST white people to ever visit their church!'
It brought tears to my eyes!
They considered our very presence a MIRACLE.
It was SO humbling!
And I LOVE the music here.
It's exactly what you think it is: tropical melodies, drum beats that you can't help but move your feet to, and their soulful voices that rise up to the Heavens- makes me think, WOW! THIS really is Africa.
I love the way they dance! I am already trying to learn a few of the dances and I've already asked a few of the young women who help take care of us to show me their moves 😉 When you see them sing and dance– part of you wants to be African, I swear 😉 And when you DO allow your body to move to the music and you really start to feel the drum beats deep down inside, I start to wonder, "Maybe I AM part African!" hahaha. It's a funny feeling- but its so welcoming and warm that you want to embrace it. I rationalized it out to think that maybe African culture is just a lot more like the Latin culture I come from than I ever realized – how would I have ever known that? I've never been to Africa! But yea- when I think about it- African culture IS a lot more like my Latin culture than the Asian cultures I just spent 3 months in… and the Eastern European cultures I lived in the months prior to that. They are just so vibrant and life-giving and colorful — maybe my heart IS part African 🙂
I am excited to share with you much more as this African adventure continues- we are only 1 week in! And today marks 11 weeks until I come home – craaaaazy!
The time really has flown.
Oh yeah- I have a return date!!
I will stepping back on American soil on May 29th at JFK Airport in New York City! 🙂
If you are interested in helping support me with a donation to help pay for my flight home to FL or to help bless the beautiful people of Africa I will be spending these next 11 weeks with, you can do so via paypal.com to my email address: [email protected]
No donation is too small! Everything is much appreciated! 🙂
Thank you for all your encouragement and support!
You all are such a blessing to ME!
Love you!
Big Hugs from Uganda 🙂
