Unfortunately Ugandans do not have a term for hello in their local language, Lango. Instead they greet each other with kopango or hello! Despite their lack of a word of greeting, Ugandans are extremely hospitable and open people. While most of you are experiencing frigid weather in the United States this time of year, we are experiencing tropical heat since we are so near the equator. We are battling the heat with plenty of drinking water and refreshingly cold showers.
Cultural Issue: Uganda is a small country in East Africa located to the Northwest of Kenya. Only two short years ago the northern districts of Uganda were overrun with rebels, particularly the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The Lord’s Resistance Army, documented in the 2003 film Invisible Children, (http://www.invisiblechildren.com) kidnaps and brainwashes children turning them into child soldiers, often giving them no choice but to kill their immediate families to save their own lives. Today, Lira continues to be in recovery and the LRA, although still in existence has decreased the intensity of their activities which plagued the country for 23 years. In addition to the rebels threatening their children, local witchdoctors also threaten to kidnap children off the streets and kill them as sacrifice to their gods. Local authorities and PLAN International (http://www.plan-international.org) are working to bring awareness to this issue. Please pray for the continued healing and recovery for children, the future of Uganda. The Bible says that the Kingdom of heaven belongs to the little children. Please also pray for the rescue workers, who are working towards rehabilitation and restoration of Uganda’s future.
Ministry: The curiosity towards muzungus is less obvious in Lira, Uganda than in Kitale, Kenya. I attribute this both to previous missionary groups of muzungus that have served here in Lira and the UN base that is located here. While in Lira, Uganda, we are working with Pastor Johnson (PJ) of Victory Outreach Ministries. We will have the opportunity to work with church ministries, youth, children, evangelism, cell groups (small groups), hospital and prison ministry, HIV/AIDS support groups, Compassion International Children ministry (http://www.compassion.com), and church media center. Victory Outreach Church is also currently using the Purpose Driven Life for their lunch hour prayer, morning radio ministry, discipleship, and cell group discussions. We have already started diving into these many ministry opportunities and are excited to see how our diversity of gifting and talents are being used this month to further the Kingdom of God. We are praying for miracles and a demonstration of the power of God through healing, spiritual and physical, and fresh revelations.
Language: The primary languages are Lango and English. While most Ugandans speak English, a few speak only Lango and their local dialects spoken in their local villages. Here are a few key phrases in Lango:
- Ibuo-aber (ib-wo-a-bear) means good morning
-
Kopango (co-pang-oh) means how are you?
- Ber (bear) means good
- Apwoyo (ah-pwuy-oh) means thank you
- Apwoyo bino(ah-pwuy-oh bean-oh) means you’re welcome
- Apwoyo dogo (ah-pwuy-oh dough-go) means welcome back
- Amari (ah-mar-ree) means I love you
Food: Matoke, mashed bananas, are the staple food in Uganda. Beans and cabbage are also a common side dish. Fresh tropical fruits, such as mangoes, jack fruit, pineapple, bananas, and sugar cane, are readily available and cheap! J This month, we are privileged to have cooks (Dorcas, Miriam, and Susan), who both cater to our tastes and also allow us to sample the local flavor.
