UGANDA. Where do I begin? I guess I could start with “we’re not in Nakuru (Kenya) anymore.” I have realized in this past week, Africa gets its stereotypes for a reason. I have seen more this month than last, just how poor Africa is. We walk a few miles to the church along dirt roads, passing families digging through trash, and businesses being run out of large storage containers. Barefoot children, flies, trash, and bad smells follow us. We pass countless “butchers” chopping up chickens on a bloody mat swarmed with flies, while other animal carasses hang in the windows. You would think being in the capital city, life would be a little different. Our power has gone out 3 nights of 7. I am really praying I don’t have to visit the doctor this month, cause I don’t know that I’d trust him treating me in a one- room hut. We have experienced a lot more opposition this month for our faith as well. People sarcastically shout “Pastor!” as we walk by and then laugh among themselves. Our pastor shared with us that in Uganda there is a lot of witchcraft (some families sacrifice their first born child to get blessings.. how awful is that?!) and we have seen a bit of Muslims as well. The thing we continue to find strange though, is that everyone we ask says they want to pray to accept Christ into their lives. Even Muslims will ask for Jesus after only a minute or two talk. It makes you question the seriousness of religion here. Is it REALLY that easy for a devout Muslim to convert.. didn’t seem that way in Malaysia. And I have to wonder if it’s the fact that they just want to talk longer with a mzungu. Either way, we have to hope God will use that interaction. Our pastor is very sweet, and very quiet. He has a wife, Ruth, and 4 daughters ages 9, 7, 2 and 2 months. Traci and I love holding the baby. It is funny because last month our Pastor would yell into the microphone, leaving us wishing for earplugs, and this month we all scoot our chairs closer when the Pastor speaks. Unlike Kenya, Luganda is the primary language and English is not super strong as a second language. We have interpreters, which are funny to get used to again. You really have to think hard about how to piece together the words they have spoken. And on the other end, you have to be very wise with your word choice. One word could completely change their understanding. One of the most exciting things about this month is that we are staying at a guest house that is being completed and we each (drumroll, please….) get our OWN ROOMS!!! Yes, I jumped up and down and did a little dance when I heard this. My own room and bathroom! Hallelujah! This is the first time I have had my own room/ been alone in a room in 9 months! Forget the fact I have a bucket shower and all of our rooms smell like sewage, having our own space is so wonderful and perfect for month nine. And it’s only $7 a night! I can’t decide if I’m homesick or not. Some days I just want to be in a place I am familiar with. But other days I can’t picture myself being back home, or being in one place for a long time. I’m in a weird phase, I guess. Hopefully it’ll work itself out. One of things that makes me long for home the most, is memories of good times spent with family and friends. (Shout out to you all!) 🙂 You’ll make the transition of coming back home much easier. Some fun tidbits about Uganda thus far: 1. This morning we watched birds explode from landing on the electrical wire in the distance as Pastor spoke to us. The explosions were huge, with gray smoke and feathers flying everywhere. I thought we were under attack… Nope, just birds exploding. 🙂 Try keeping focus to the sermon when you see that happening in the background! 2. Pastor (who doesn’t speak often, so his words really count) told me this afternoon I carry myself and seem like a Ugandan woman. Not quite sure what that means yet. A compliment? 3. Mom, you asked me a while back if I have made any children cry with my white skin. Yesterday we visited some schools and there was this really cute little girl named Patience. Patience moments later found herself in a small room surrounded by white people. She didn’t like it and began to cry. Me, thinking it would help (hindsight is 20/20), picked her up. This led to screaming bloody murder while staring at my face. So now, yes, I have made a child cry. 4. We celebrated Traci’s birthday last night. It was a costume party and I dressed up like Lady Gaga. I’m sure you’ll see pictures on Facebook. 5. Been asked to marry a few men here… don’t worry, I’m not seriously considering any of them. One man couldn’t understand when I refused him, he told me “I’m even a University student.” Then he asked me if I could buy him a mango. Isn’t it supposed to go the other way around?? 6. I have only had ice cream once in 2 months. I think it’s a record. 7. Our Pastor’s daughter caught a grasshopper one afternoon and then grilled and ate it. She likes them because they are sweet. (Keep in mind “sweet” here is often referred to in comparison to a sweet potato… it’s been done. It’s hard to have a sweet tooth in Africa). 8. There are birds here the size of Jessica. Seriously. Unfortunately pictures don’t do it any justice, so you’ll have to take my word on it. 9. We visited a school out in the country the other day and there were barefoot children. The headmaster told us many of them are orphans, due to the parents having AIDS, and that the school has taken these students in. It broke my heart to see them and their big smiles. It reminds me what this year is all about.
