Uganda Uganda Uganda, Uganda the Pearl of Africa

Hmm… let’s see here. I think I will start with talking about school. I believe I prompted last time about how different school is here in Uganda. Well let me just take the time to say that it has been very stressful teaching the class Kelsey and I have. I have quite a bit of patience, and it has definitely been acquired through the years, but whew I feel when I go back home teaching is going to be a piece of cake…well at least managing the class and discipline. This has led to me really equipping that teacher voice. It is safe to say that Kelsey and I would really enjoy your prayers for these children to see all that God has in store for them, that God would give them the desire to come each day and develop more knowledge and grow an understanding of what it is like to respect their authority…more or less muzungus (white people.) I will say, aside it is the most rewarding thing to see these children learn and beam with happiness when they get a hi-five and pound from Kelsey and me.

The most empowering thing is entering the gates of the home each day and hearing the children scattered about doing chores saying “welcome auntie.” Kelsey put it well when she said, if you have ever wondered what it is like to be a princess, we’ve got it. We are greeted by everyone with hellos, hugs, hands grabbing our bags for us, leading us to our room, asking about our day. It really is royalty. The children here at the home are so unique. They are selfless and so confided in Christ. I so look forward to what each evening brings with each of these children. Each day brings about brand new memories and brand new “funnies” that the kids create through their silliness.

This weekend was definitely the greatest I have had so far here in Kampala. It was very eventful and enjoyable. It started off with Kelsey and me meeting her friend Lisa for pedicures. Can I just say, my mom always tries to drag me to the nail salons and I always refuse, but wow a pedicure has never felt so good or been so appreciated!! After our pedicures we went to a little restaurant and I had a chocolate chip muffin and a “mokka frost”…it hit the spot and was very refreshing to have some sweet instead of salty rice for the day. Kelsey and I then quickly left on the boda and prepared our scavenger hunt for the boys at the home. The clues led to them finding a Uganda Cranes football jersey for each of them and tickets to the football game. Oh my goodness, they were so excited, we were so excited, there was screaming going on everywhere in the home. We quickly left for the game…talk about the craziest experience of my life. People were amongst the streets screaming, shouting, dancing, singing, painted up and decked out in Crane attire. We arrived to the game to find that we had left our tickets in all the excitement. They were able to get our tickets in time, but oh no it gets better, the excitement only escapades. We reached the gate area to go in; purses secured in one hand, ticket in the other and literally were shoved into a mob of thousands of people. This consisted of being shoved into the gate, seeing a fight happen right in front of us and Kelsey protecting one of the boys who kept getting knocked in the head from the fight, to holding on for dear life to the other little boys who were shoved underneath in the crowd.

Once we finally entered we ran to find seats. In the process of finding seats we realized we lost Lawrence. Yes, one of the boys was lost the ENTIRE game. Umm their culture is not to freak out, cry and scream for your child. It is more or less he’s fine he knows the way home. You bet your bottom dollar I was praying my heart away in the process of shouting with excitement at the game. Uganda won 2-1 after an intense match. Boy oh boy, I have never seen such a packed place with constant horns blowing and people shouting/dancing the entire game. These people are dedicated fans! The game was over, and still no Lawrence. We stayed in the stadium and searched for quite some time. We then decided to go to the bodas. I was standing there praying “God please bring Lawrence into our presence” repeatedly. Not seconds later, I look over and say “Is that Lawrence? LAWRENCE!!” I ran up to him screaming and grabbed him…his response: “I was looking for you. How are you?” Not a worry in the world, he enjoyed the game himself and had no fear of finding home. My heart could finally beat again after the excitement of the game and the lost being found. My advice to a man who interviewd me was that “all Americans should come to a Ugandan Cranes football game!” So come J Kelsey, Claire and I all slept in our jerseys last night…talk about some newly dedicated fans.

Today was Sunday. We went to Victory Church today to see Sarah and George be introduced for their wedding in July. I am so excited that Kelsey and I will be here, because it is going to be amazing. This church is more like what I was expecting from the “African experience.” It was a lot more contemporary; jumping, singing, clapping, praising the Lord, my kind of church if I might say so. Afterwards I was able to meet some wonderful people from the church and have some delightful conversations. It is so nice to be welcomed into the culture and get a taste of what life is like for Ugandans close to my age. It is an understatement to say we are truly blessed in the United States. Sundays are also so much fun at the home because it pretty much means football the entire afternoon and sloppy-joes and cookies at night. Today I finally got a little sun on my shoulders, I have been wondering when this sun would reach to me because I feel like a ghost each day. Or maybe it is just because I am surrounding by much darker people.

God has been stirring in my heart a lot about peace lately. Prayers for peace in my heart as well as peace in this country, peace in this world of hurt and sorrow, peace in the children that are so underprivileged, peace for men to rise up and be men of God, women to have peace in their families and that they are not alone, peace for all to understand there is a Savior greater than anyone could know!

 

Appreciation to the culture shock

When I thought of what I should title this, appreciation was what came to mind. Appreciation of what I have learned so far in Uganda. This is going to be somewhat humorous, but let’s just be honest this whole adjusting to the Ugandan culture has brought nothing but laughs.

-          Ugandans literally would be able to survive in any situation. People work from sun up past sun down planting, plowing, building, selling, washing, cooking, cutting, crafting, and so on. So far the kids have taught Kelsey and I how to wash clothes outside by hand and let them dry, how to peel potatoes with a knife, make posho, put grounds in hot water and stir for a fresh cup of java, form charcoal from bark on a tree, heal a wound with ashes, burn holes by a magnifying glass reflecting the sun, umm ya you get the point. Oh and did I mention these 17 children prepare and cook EVERY meal? Ya, they are pretty much little Betty Crocker’s running all around each doing their own job.

-          The children can play outside all day. Never once do you hear a child say they are bored. The simplest thing, rolling a tire with a stick can entertain the youngest child for hours. Playing “futbol” doesn’t stop just when you get sweaty or when your team starts to lose, it would continue all day if allowed. Chores are entertaining, and these children are always smiling about whatever task is at hand.

-          Worship here at the home is simply heart-warming. The first few nights spent here, I had tears falling down my face as Kelsey and I sat and learned what the nightly worship looks just like here at the home. Let me just give you a glimpse. Imagine for a second 17 children gathered in a small living area, the boys are playing the drums and guitar; the girls are dancing in two straight lines. The house echoes with the rejoicing of children’s voices genuinely praising the Lord. No they don’t just stand there; they dance, they shout, they sing, they raise their hands, they bow before the King; they WORSHIP the Lord. A child then speaks each night, standing before the rest of us reciting scripture and prompting with questions. Let me tell you, I feel guilty each night when I see how these children truly have a passion to know the word, love the Lord, worship him, and live each moment of their day for him. They actually have time, to sit down as a family each night and worship together and eat dinner together. Now that is something unheard of for us, but it is possible and the part of my day I look forward to most.

-          Individuality is acceptable. Although there are so many little chickadees running around here they all have their individual personalities and somehow they magically all go together. It is hilarious to watch these children interact. You have the children who keep to themselves, the ones who are definite leaders, the girls who steal the show, the boys who are absolutely hilarious and love to pull pranks on Kelsey and I, the lovey-dovey girlies who want to do your hair and lay in your arms, the leaders of each the boys and girls, the loud and rambunctious, and those who simply appreciate every aspect of all circumstances. To be a part of this controlled chaos, and praise the Lord they are so willing to let Kelsey and I bring in our own personalities and crash their oh so delightful family.

To be continued….

Now for a little tid-bit of what I have learned:

-Riding a boda is definitely something I should have had on my bucket list; we will pretend it was and say it is now checked off. Each day Kelsey and I ride the boda, which is like a smaller version of a motorcycle and risk our lives in Kampala traffic.

-It is true that pedestrians do not have the right of way; you have the right to get out of the way. The other day a car was reversing in to me and would have hit me if it wasn’t for Kelsey coming to the rescue and pulling me out of the way.

- If you ask the kids to run with you, expect to get a cut in your arm from them pushing you in the fence to do whatever to make you lose the race.

- With the boys, be sure to always be on guard because you never know when they are fibbing, pulling a prank, or being mischievous. And when it comes to Kelsey and I who constantly laugh at all they do, we definitely play the part of the fool perfectly.

- Shaving your legs can be done outside in a tub of water. Bathing can be accomplished by standing in a bucket and attempting to keep the most water possible in the bucket. Washing hair is easiest to be done in the sink.

- Having to flush the toilet by pouring in a bucket of water is not always…actually is never an appealing smell.

- Mosquito nets block out all air, especially when AC is not in the home. It is perfectly normal to wake up in a sweat each morning.

- Dinner is the time to devour as much food as possible. And let me tell you these kids know how to ration their food. Have you ever seen a child cram as much food possible in an easter egg, a wipe container, a jar, a plastic bag, or a water bottle? Well they are pros. And if the “aunties,” being Kelsey and I do not finish our food, you can bet those kids lick our plates clean. No food is wasted in this house.

- Letters from the girls are the most genuine and sincere. They brighten my day and cover the wall in Kelsey and I’s room. And the boys tonight…to catch a glimpse of their humor, gave the “aunties” a letter, we opened them and they were blank letters. Don’t worry Kelsey and I were feeling the love.

- Discipline is hard to come by at the school. And let’s just say, when it comes to teaching, if you think you have the hardest class in the US, you should have a taste of the classroom here. Whew, exhausting yet absolutely rewarding.

 

Ok enough of the jabbering. I am LOVING it here. Kelsey has become the greatest friend I could ask for, and we share so many laughs each day. We are the dynamic duo! God is teaching me so much, and I am learning to appreciate all parts of each day. I will try harder to keep up with this blog thing so it is not as long. But I will say, when you love the kids this much you can’t help but spend all your time with them!

 

What a mighty God we serve!!