DAY 20: June 6- Kacoma Village, Part 1

** Disclaimer: This is a very long entry. I wanted to be as detailed as possible (however for the sake of space, I did leave out some details). But it is still a very long entry. Also, I will be shortly leaving Jinja, and heading to Rwanda. I might or might not have internet for the rest of my trip.. we will just assume that I won’t, to be safe. I know that I am at least 3 days behind on my blog and I apologize. I hope to have the second day of my bonding experience up before I have to leave Uganda, but I make no promises. Thank you for staying true to the blog… Hopefully I will be back soon to finish the rest of the trip, but maybe I will have to wait until I’m back in the States in order to post the last 2 weeks. Thanks again! Sorry for any inconvenience! You all are great!

 

I woke up, and I was at peace. It was the day of our “village bonding,” and I was at peace. We weren’t going to leave until 10 am, and it was about 8 am when I got up. Almost too much time to think. As I sat in my room trying to think of all possible situations like using the bathroom, eating the food, talking to my family, etc.. I started to get nervous and anxious.. (I guess that sense of peace was a little more fleeting then I thought). When 10 am hit, we all gathered in our common room. As we sat and waited for all the missionaries to get there, I got more and more nervous.. because that is when I found out that in my travel group I was going to be the first one they dropped off and the last one they were going to pick up the next day.. Tom told me that he would probably be there by like 5 to 5:30 pm.. SAY WHAT?! It was like 10:15 am now.. and my village was only like 30 minutes away.. do the math.. that’s way more than 24 hours.. that’s about 30 hours.. oh boy.. this was going to be a long long long day.

So we got ready to go, I got in to the Matatu with 5 of the other students whose villages were in the same direction as ours. We waved to our friends and we were off.. for the adventure of a lifetime. Before I knew it.. our Matatu was already stopping. I guess I was being dropped off at the main road, and meeting Paul there. So after a little confusing about whether I was getting out or staying in the Matatu I finally got out and met Paul and John. It was slightly awkward just because I wasn’t ready for any of it. So that’s when I realized that although Paul might speak English very well, he was pretty soft spoken. (A slight difference from my personality… dot dot dot.. yah.. slight..)

So Paul and I started walking, and 5 steps onto the dirt road and I was greeted by a man. I said “hello,” and he countered by saying.. “you need to learn Lusoga.” So there it was.. the first 1 minute of me being left alone.. I was already being called out. So what did I do, I busted out my Lusoga. I said “how are you?” and he laughed and smiled. And that was the beginning a long day of Lusoga greeting and laughing responses. We walked about 20 minutes talking and passing people on the way as I smiled and waved, while people stared.. and for the most part smiled and waved back.

Finally, when I got to his home I realized he had one of the nicest places in the village. Plus hundreds of tall eucalyptus trees shaded his house.  He introduced me to his family. His wife Christine (that spoke no English), his daughter Martha, his son Michael, and little son Spencer (who was terrified of me.. It was like I was the devil to him.. not the normal reaction I get from kids, but maybe the first Mzungu he’s seen maybe?!). (also I think he had an older son, but he wasn’t there). After I put down my stuff in his home, he showed me the kitchen, which was in a separate little room that was detached from his home with some special ventilation thing for the smoke. He then showed me his poultry house.

Next, he got two chairs and we sat under the trees. And this was the first of many times that we would just sit. Sit. Sit. Sit. Sometimes not even talk. Just sit. But this time we talked. We talked about his church that was right next to his house. Its basically just a roof covered space (no walls), the education system in the village, and his vision for the church. (Just FYI: Paul is the church leader (aka Pastor) as well as one of the government leaders so basically he knows everyone in the village .. a rather large village might I add.. which made my trip all the more better…which you will find out later). After we talked he showed me the really nice water well that the missionaries’ Water Source Program brought to the village. It was all cemented and just sitting in front of the church. When it rains then the water is caught and goes into this system that filters the water so its clean water! Which is awesome. Then he showed me another water pump next to it that another organization came into build.. that just brings water from a stream (its not clean water, but its constant water, unlike the other pump that only works if there is rain). Then it was time for more sitting and then time for tea.

So we went inside (just the two of us) and his daughter brought us Chai Tea and warm g. nuts.. (yup… ground nuts. aka peanuts nuts). He brought out a bowl, a cup of water, and soap for me to wash my hands, prayed over the meal, and we ate/drank. Mostly in silence. It was really good tea, just awkward.. because in my head I kept on thinking that Tom had once said that in Africa people don’t really talk when they eat, so I wanted to be polite. But it was awkward because it was just the two of us..

So after we were finished, then it was time for some more good old sitting (slash me trying to play with his kids, you know slap bracelets and stickers). Then Paul came out and said we would go on a walk. He wanted to show me his mother’s home (his old home). We walked for about 15 minutes (always stopping to greet people.. so maybe it was longer then 15 mins.. yah Pauls really POP in the village so basically every home we were stopping so they could do their musically sounding 2 minute greeting process.. ask me what it sounds like when you see me). On the way he told me about sugar cane and other crops, about how he found God after training for 3 years to be a witch doctor, his calling to become a pastor, and other random things.

We got to his mom’s house but she wasn’t there so he decided to show me their land. I saw their fields and fields and acres and acres of land filled with Maize. It was absolutely beautiful… Now this was the image of the Lion King’s version of Africa I had imagined. I took some pictures (even Paul took some pictures.. yes he is probably the only Ugandan I met with a camera.. yah I know Baller Status). He even took a picture of me. Then we heard a storm approaching so we quickly started to walk back. On our way home it stated to rain so hard that we needed to take shelter. We stopped at a home that used to be one of the places that their church worshiped at before they got a building. So I tried speaking in Lusoga.. and that’s always fun and they always are surprised and laugh a lot. After sitting (while they are talking) for awhile, then it was time to leave. Did I mention that they always give visitors the best chair and treat them like royalty?.. cause they do.

When we got back we sat for a little, then it was time for lunch…?! Just the two of us again. It was probably around 2 maybe 2:30 pm.. (I could be totally wrong.. I didn’t know the time, we weren’t allowed to bring ipods or watches.. missionaries’ rules to make the experience more “real” although ever African has a cell phone and a radio).. I thought we already had lunch.. but I guess I was wrong. After eating the really good tasting cabbage, rice, and posho (millet mush) (that I had accidentally requested …cause I realize now that he asked me what my favorite dish was and I said rice and cabbage.. and guess what lunch was.. rice and cabbage!!!) But anyways it was really good. We even had forks this time, and did the whole washing of hands, and grace. Then it was time for sitting..again..

So I sat while Paul did his thing. Then he came out with these little God cartoon booklets and said that some people were expecting us and we were going to hand them out.. I wasn’t sure what that meant.. but I was up for anything. John (who is the other pastor of the church, under Paul) joined us. We stopped and talked to so many people. Paul knows everyone and their mother.. literally.

We stopped in a home with about 10 children. The older kids brought three chairs out as soon as they saw us. As we sat down (outside) the women and kids kneeled when they greeted (I guess this is their way of showing respect to the men/visitors.. yah.. it’s as awkward as you think it would be). But when the father came home, he saw us sitting and moved us inside. I started to hand out stickers to the kids cause I figured the adults were just going to talk Lusoga to each other.. but I guess they were actually waiting for me.. AWKWARD  MOMENT.. oops. There were 3 women and 2 men and Paul and John waiting for me… yah about that.. The women greeted me and I did my Lusoga thing. They laughed, then just talked in Lusoga to each other. At the end of all of it.. John prayed for the home. Then we were off to our next family.

More homes (I call them homes because they aren’t really houses more like multiple huts that make up a home… just like before.. chairs, greetings.. and sitting. Then we went to a home where the father was Christian but the wife and daughter were not. Paul had talk to them for awhile (especially the daughter). Before I knew it, Paul was telling me that the daughter had finally decided to accept Christ! I was like.. wait what?! That’s so awesome. He explained that for awhile she had been thinking about it, but finally today she decided to! He said that John was going to lead her in a confession prayer and then “you will pray for her.” Dot dot dot.. wait what?! “you” as in “we” will pray for her.. ?! I was so confused.. but no, he meant me. He wanted me to pray over this girl that I didn’t even know her name who had just accepted Christ… yah.. what?! I’m not qualified, you are the pastor! That’s what I was thinking.. but God and life doesn’t work like that.. so there it was. My first prayer of many.. So I prayed. Paul translated. And the father was eternally grateful to me. So I guess it’s a really big deal when visitors like pray over your house.. so that was pretty cool. Plus Praise God! She accepted Christ!

Then it was to the next place with Rachel and her family. Rachel was a student as well, who had been thinking of accepting Christ but not sure yet. But yet another miracle, her and two other boys decided today, finally, they would accept Christ as their Savior. So again John gave them the confession prayer.. and once again Paul turned to me to ask me to pray (well more like tell me to pray for them). Surprise Surprise.. not. So there it was praying again for people. I guess praying it isn’t the praying that is weird because I’ve prayed out loud many times, but more like .. I’m in Africa, I don’t speak the language, they just accepted Christ, they didn’t know me, there is a more qualified person sitting next to me, and it was just a surprise that he would ask me or trust me.. it’s just really random.

Then it was another goodbye, and a few more homes to say hello. But then it was time to walk back to Paul’s house. (I was kinda excited just to sit for once). So I sat for a little.. took a little break, tried to play with the kids again. But before I knew it.. Paul was coming out again with another stack of the handouts… a bigger one. He said “sorry, you must be very tired, but we have one more place to go. Or are you too tired?”.. well duh I was, but obviously I was going to go. So … we headed off again (for the 3^rd time in case you were counting).

We started walking and greeting. I was smiling and waving. People were staring at me.. same old same old. And before I knew it, I started recognizing where we were.. we were heading back towards the main road. I started to see more people, and then it was like town life again, but it wasn’t like a town.. just like a more populated area.. with electricity. I think its called a town center.. but its not like a town town like Jinja. As soon as people saw me they stared.. and I don’t mean like for a minute and I don’t mean like 10 people I mean 50 people and for the entire time I was there.. again.. this must be what it feels like to be an animal at the zoo, no privacy and just blank and confused stares. Loved it! Not. So Paul bought me a soda (which I didn’t want, but he said that I had to and I didn’t want to be rude.. it was mountain dew it’s only been here for 6 months.. he said it was the new soda.. yah I know.. it’s not. Also, it was terrible.. I mean just the fact that I don’t like soda and had not had any sodas but fanta and ginger ale for the last 6 years of my life.. it kinda made me sick.. but I had to). After I met some more people, chugged my Dew, we went off to see a pumping well he really wanted to show me. He said that people came from as far as 4 km to get water from there.. and it was down a steep hill.

When we got there, it was filled with at least 100 people. People were freaking out cause I was there.. laughing and staring.. and asking questions about me.. but its all good. So we walked down the slippery half destroyed stairs that had just been built a few years ago (can’t imagine what it was like before that).. to get a better view. I was blown away that children and women.. did this.. carried the jerry cans back up.. so dangerous.. and so far… and so impressive. After taking a few pictures, it was time to cross the road and get back to where we were.

Paul wanted to show me the neighboring town, but since it was getting dark, we couldn’t walk.. So he called one of his friends to borrow his motor bike. Ha ha ha. Sick! So we drove for awhile, by the time we got to the town (which he just drove thru) it was late and so many people were out. I wasn’t used to seeing Africa at night (we aren’t suppose to leave the Gately at night).. so it was cool to see a city that was kinda like Jinja but a lot smaller and more crowded. On our drive back it was getting really dark, but the moon looked absolutely beautiful. When we got back to the little town we were in before, Paul got his friend to drive us back to his house so we didn’t have to walk back in the dark.

The first thing we did was eat g. nuts and drink black tea (that was super sweet.. so I don’t know what was going on there, but it was good). He had also just bought some bread before we left the little town. So we ate some thin sliced white bread. After I we were finished, I decided to go to the latrine (bathroom).. it was outside.. it was a small hole.. in this brick building.. but it was all good.. I was getting better. When I came back I thought it was time for bed.. NOPE it was time for dinner!? I thought the g. nuts were dinner.. but I guess not. We had this soup with beef and then rice to put in it. It was good, salty, but good. But I couldn’t finish it.. which I know is rude.. so that kinda sucked.

Then I busted out some of my little paper cardboard animal cutouts to piece together for the kids. They got a kick out of it. Next, Paul was telling me it was time to take my bath. Yup… this was going to be interesting. So they showed me to this bricked off space that had 3 and a half walls. There was boiled warm water in a tub, they gave me soap.. and a towel.. and that’s it. So I left my shorts and sports bra on (just in case.. it really wasn’t that private), and I just kinda washed myself.. if you could call it that. I put my dirty clothes back on and went inside the house.

Paul said it was time for me to rest and showed me to the room over that had a bunkbed that I was to sleep on. (the top and there was a princess net! Yes!). So I hopped in bed (with all my clothes I was wearing) and started to look over my journal notes.. because at dinner Paul asked me if I felt comfortable sharing verses with a large group (aka. Speak at church tomorrow)… So I wanted to make sure I felt comfortable with what I was going to say.

Also, did I mention that he had a light in there.. the only solar powered light in the village. So that was sweet. Too bad he didn’t turn it off the entire night.. and um.. it was bright.. and I was on the top bunk.. so I’m not sure about that logic. Also the kids under me were kicking, and baby Spencer was crying..all night.. But at some point I did fall asleep so that was cool… it had been a long day.. and I was slightly nervous about tomorrow.. I mean.. speaking in his church and all.. NO PRESSURE OR ANYTHING MZUNGU. But yes.. that was day one.. overall a good day (maybe a little bit different than my typical Saturday, but still a good one and a very big eye opener day).

 

DAY 19: June 5- Beam of Hope

Today, I woke up to a surprise at breakfast.. instead of toast it was CHAPATTI! I know right?! So that was fun. Then it was time to read my textbook.. while our sink flooded our bathroom (there was a leak that just got worse.. but don’t worry its fixed now). Then it was off to lunch (we crammed 13 people into Ben’s 7 person car.. which included 2 car seats… TIA this is Africa ..there is always room for one more.. as they like to say).

A few of us decided to have lunch at the Source.. basically my favorite place. I have my guac chicken wrap and a SAMOSA.. yum so good. And seriously they are 500 shillings. That is 25 cents.. can you believe that.. you can’t even get a gumball from the gumball machine for that little anymore. I LOVE THIS PLACE. After hanging around the Source, talking to Mark, and playing with his kids… (Oh Tessa you are so cute).. A group of us decided to go back to The Beam of Hope, hoping that the guys would be there this time (no pun intended).

They were. SCORE. So we talked with a large group of them.. There was a new guy named John.. and the guy I thought was called Jeff was actually Sylvester. We talked about our lives, hung out, and then helped him with his computer homework once the electricity came back on. Can I also add that their Microsoft homework is dang hard.. like for real.. anyways… After getting his email and giving him mine, it was time to say goodbye until Monday. We took Pikis back home.. and well they practically raced all the way home.. quite scary to be honest.. they go really fast.

Then we decided to go the the orphanage that is across the street. WOW. Kids.. they are so so so cute! Just like the one in Kampala, they just want lovin. If I could pick favorites then I would pick this little boy in this red shirt named Nathan. Oh he was adorable.. but I don’t pick favorites so I loved them all… I pulled them in wagons, picked them up, carried them, and even just sat with them on my lap. It was way cool, fun, and so cute. Also, there were a lot of American students helping out as well. They just came over to Africa and decided to live there and help with the children.. Bayli and I even met an LMU Pi Phi. HA what are the chances.. after about an hour and a half it was time for dinner.. saying goodbye is always the worst. The entire orphanage just broke out in burst of crying fits… Practically our entire group came.. so that was about 15 babies that were no longer being held or played with… so sad.. but its okay ill be back on Monday. 

Then it was dinner and class… and time to get ready for my village bonding experience…wrote down a few words to say in case they ask me to say something at church.. dot dot dot.. pray for me?! It’s going to be EXCITING and challenging and I’m ready.. well I’m ready as I’ll ever be.. so talk to you all in a few days!!!!!

 

DAY 18: June 4- Back to Jinja

Back in Jinja, I woke up to the routine breakfast of pineapple, bananas, and toast. After breakfast, I just relaxed until lunch. We took the Matatu to a restaurant called “2 Friends.” It had this beautiful outside seating area and all kinds of different foods. We all got the “2 Friends Burger” except Tom got some good old ribs! YUM it was so good. Like delicious! It was a little taste of America…

After our long lunch (it takes about 45 minutes to get our food), we made our way to The Source by means of Matatu. I sat down at the tables with the rest of the group who was talking to Mark about the families they will be staying with on Saturday. That’s right. Saturday is our “village bonding day,” where each student is dropped off to in a village for the entire day including the night. We might be 30 minutes to 2 hours away from town. This is the chance for us to really delve into the culture. I’m excited. Plus a little nervous.. which makes me anxious.

The Mark said they (the missionaries) put a lot of thought into their decision about where each student should go. They thought about the village person’s personality and each student’s personality, and thought about who would work best where.. They thought about the level of bed comfort, level of toilet hut, and level of cleanliness of the villages and compared it with the students. They thought about the craziest villages and the ones that would ask the students to “break the Bible” aka give a sermon like thing… they thought about the pairing of the village and student in depth.

Mark told me I would be in a village with a man named Paul. Paul was actually the man who does research for Mark, and supposedly speaks pretty good English..so that’s a plus! I think he used to be the governmental head of the village so he knows everyone. So I might be greeting the entire village for about 3 hours. (I better bring my walking shoes). Mark said that’s the reason why they put me there.. they thought to themselves.. who is going to be willing to greet people for 3 hours.. I guess I came to mind?! I think that’s a good thing?! Anyways. I’ll be off to my great adventure soon.. and I’m excited. Keep me in your prayers! THANKS.

Next it was time for service learning. I decided to go back to The Beam of Hope, so I could show the guys I did my homework.. and practiced Lusoga. So I got on my first Piki (motorcycle transportation) with my friend Morgan (oops we broke one of the rules that you aren’t suppose to double up on Pikis… but hey that’s not a Uganda rule.. just like a rule of thumb by the missionaries.. so yah… its not like I would get in trouble, plus it feels safer with two people on back. ANYWAYS). It was fast, a little scary, and also a little fun!

When we got to the place only Joseph was there. He said the rest of the group went to this assembly thing about Disabilities. So unfortunately I couldn’t talk to my guys from last time. But hopefully ill go back tomorrow and see them. Then the founder/head guy of the place came and sat down to talk to us. He told us all about the Beam of Hope, how it was started, its goals, and challenges. He asked us to get involved, to tell people about it.. and basically do something to help.. He kept asking for advice we can give the people, or what they could do better.. but on the spot it was hard to think of something or some skill that we could help them with… that’s the thing about the culture here, they expect us (westerners with education) to know everything or just know how to solve their problems… it’s an interesting thought process.

After talking for awhile, we headed back home. Back on the Piki. Did a little reading from Lucado, and then dinner. After, we had class, and for part of the class the lady missionaries came to talk to us about culture shock and their experiences. They started talking about life in Africa, what they loved and what they hated. They told us about their struggle to come back to America and all the wealth… and I know it will be something that we all wrestle with when we go home. They said they now look at God differently and see a different nature of Him, because of living here. The Bible means something different to them when they are in the Word, in a culture of suffering and poverty. It was pretty intense.. but a good start for me to prepare for my journey back home.. back to the U.S… back to wealth.

 

ps.. So I guess I have a twitter now. dot dot dot. thanks to SOMEONE. and NOT by choice!

DAY 17: June 3- Island, Part 2

Let’s just call the second day of the island my spiritual awakening. It started with the night before when we had decided that we would all wake up early to watch the sunrise. So the boys came in at 6 am to wake us girls up. We all crawled out of bed and walked to this hill to watch the sunrise over the line of trees. Before I knew it, tears were starting to fall down my check and I was walking away from the group without a sound. Something inside of me was aching, something inside of me was telling me I needed to get away from the group and be by myself.. (maybe I should say Someone). I went back to the cabin grabbed a towel, my Bible, my journal and my ipod. I put on some worship music and sat down by the water.

I stared out at the beautifulness of the water, the trees, and all living creatures. I let God take me. I was broken. For so long I had been in a slump waiting for this.. waiting for this moment. And the tears didn’t stop. I started prayer journaling.. about everything in my life.. and about everyone from my friends to family to the rest of the students on this trip to even the people in my life that were no longer part of my life. I praised God for this opportunity and for His almighty power. I asked for forgiveness and thanked Him for saving me. Six pages later… I signed it “love, Brittany,” and opened my Bible.

I had been thinking for awhile that I want to start reading the Bible, I mean from cover to cover. I have never done that but I realized it was something that NEEDS to be done multiple times in a Christian’s life. The Word of God, the book that tells us all about our loving and protecting Father.. How can we not read it? I had planned on reading it starting when I got back so I could read it at the same time as someone else (not physically read it with someone else just the same passages each day), so we could keep each other accountable cause I know it gets tough… but that morning, something in me lead me to Genesis. And there it was: the creation story… just the two chapters I read reminded me and taught me more than I ever thought possible. Especially since I’ve read and heard the story so many times since I was a little girl. But I have learned that in different times and for different people, God reveals what He knows is needed. I could go on for hours about that morning.. about the tears, about where God led me, about what he taught me, but I also realize that a few paragraphs in a blog would never do it justice. But I will leave you with one thing that really stuck out to me was that we are all God’s creatures. Although he made man superior by giving us the ability to name the plants and animals and he gave us the job of taking care of the earth, we are all God’s creatures. What makes the ant crawling on my foot so much less important than the sun rising in sky. God made everything, every person. We all have a place in His heart.. He loves every creature just as He loves me.

I have been struggling to realize that I am no better than anyone else. I have been struggling to accept people as they are. I have been struggling with judging others. And how many times has God reminded me that, that is not my place, that he loves the annoying boy and superficial girl just as much as He loves me. Really, the passages reminded me that we are all His creatures, all guilty of the same sin (just in different forms). And we are all in different points in our spiritual journey. That morning God opened my eyes, and He placed a renewed fire in my heart, one that I hope to keep burning. And it was a morning I will not soon forget. 

(Ps. For my friends and family who are reading this.. you know who you are.. we most def will have dates later to discuss further.. and to the people who just read a whole lot about something they don’t understand or don’t really care about.. well I’m sorry, but at the same time I’m not, because this is who I am.. and I would also love to talk more about this if you wanted).

The truth is, is that I needed this time. It’s hard to explain except maybe saying I just had a conviction to give all my attention, open my ears, and receive what God has been trying to tell me. I know that should be a 24/7 thing, but let's get real, I am human. But I am blessed and so thankful for His ever-present love and guidance, and His ability to just place peace in my heart.. After my cry fest slash emo time, it was time to get ready for the day. Then I grabbed my book (thanks to Meredith to letting me borrow on my trip) “Traveling Light” by Max Lucado to read. Another blessing from God. So many great points about resting in the Lord, not worrying about tomorrow, and reminding me that God has His perfect timing. It was just what I needed.

Then.. God continued to work in my heart and gave Bayli and I the opportunity to take our friendship to a whole other level focused on God. We had about a 30 min or hour heart to heart about what God has been teaching us within the last day or two. I feel blessed that God put Bayli on this trip and I feel blessed that she opened up to me. We talked about our struggles and our “light bulb moments,” and everything else in between. Again.. it was a God moment for sure.

Then it was lunch, hangout time (with the group as well as with the kids and the missionary families.. had some good conversations with Lori about parenting and God.. she even brought up the creation story.. um duh.. God moment considering I read it that morning), boat, and then Matutu back home. Although it was raining the ride home was a lot shorter, plus I fell asleep a few times. Back at the Gately meant SHOWER and DINNER. Then it was girls night out at Candace’s and Bobby’s place. We ate a cookie cake, Italian breadstick popcorn (yup I just said that and it was GOOD. She used the same spices and herbs that you put on a breadstick on the popcorn). We talked and then watched “The Holiday,” such a good movie. I even forgot that I was in Africa for a second. But it was a really great time just to relax and hang out. Perfect closing to the night… until I found a worm on my mosquito net as I was falling asleep..  yah.. dealt with that and then it was time for sleep. 

DAY 16: June 2- Island, Part 1

Today, we woke up with no electricity. Actually, at 10:15 pm yesterday our electricity went out. People were screaming, candles were being lit, and flashlights were busted out. I, on the other hand, was peacefully blogging in complete darkness when the electricity went out (that’s why I haven’t posted Monday’s blog up yet.. no internet without electricity, I apologize for the delay). However I knew it was out.. one, because of the screaming.. two, because Bay and I sleep with the fan on.. but its all good. So I woke up, and the electricity was still out. But it didn’t really matter we were off to an island for a little team excursion.

I was excited to have a break from school, plus Mark said this was one of his favorite spots in the world (I know I know bold statement). Also, Mark, Lori, and their 4 kids came as well as Ben, Kim, and their 2 boys, and Spencer, Emily, and little Adam. Even Priscilla (Roy’s daughter who also goes to University in the U.S. with Tom) came with us! It was like a little retreat. So we got in our 2 Matatus, and we headed out. We didn’t know it was going to take so long, and we didn’t know it was going to be another Indian Jones ride.. but it was. Uganda had poor road systems. Well actually the roads are just poor. They are dirt and have lots and lots of ditches (huge ones) especially because of the rain. So after about an hour and a half, we were finally at the spot of the Island. We got out and all took little boats, kinda like the canoe we took in Panama (but smaller).

Once we got to the actually site of where we were staying, we went to check out our girl’s “dorm” as it was labeled on the tomato can that was connected to the key. Your basic cabin with bunk beds, however we did have individual “PRINCESS NETS.” Yup, that’s right, you know what I mean if you’ve been following my blog… mosquito nets! Then it was time to take a look around. It was hot, but beautiful. The sounds of the water, plus the running water and small waterfalls as well as the beautiful greenery made this place a little bit of bliss. Of course there were a lot of flies, but it’s all good.. come on, beggars can’t be choosers.

So after I had a little tour, it was time for lunch. YES. CHAPATTI and curry! Eat it up! After lunch, I did my textbook reading and then sat by the water to soak in all of God’s beauty. Before I knew it, Pricilla came to sit by me, then Brian, and Tyler, then Paul, and Bayli, then Michael, then Krista, Morgan, and then Thierstan.. basically I can’t remember who else was there and not there, but it was practically our whole group just relaxing and talking. Then Lori came over and we asked her to finish her, “you were born then what happen..” story.

It was awesome, just like a lot it was going to be. Plus, it was really encouraging. I asked if she ever imagined that she would be in a place like Africa or a missionary, and she said no. She said she would have NEVER guessing that. She said that when she Spencer and Emily and were talking to them about Africa, God just spoke to her. She felt a spiritual calling that Africa was where her family needed to be. (She said it was one of two she has ever had in her life.. well I think at this strong of a level). She said she just knew. And she said that Africa has shaped her, her marriage, and her family into more than she would have ever thought possible. Africa has been this complete saving grace and blessing in her life.

I wonder if that was God trying to tell me something. I know he planted this seed in my life for a reason. Maybe I’ll find out tomorrow, when I get back, or maybe 20 years from now, or maybe never. But in His time He will reveal His will and plan.. I’m not worried. I’m just encouraged to hear that it’s not always a missionary gene you are born with..

After talking with Lori it was time for dinner. Yum. Then after dinner we all hung out and talked and then decided to look  at the stars (even tho there weren’t many of them). We all laid down in a long row.. played a few games of ‘telephone’ and just laughed it up. It was a good time just to relax and hang out with each other. Then it was off to bed with the sounds of the flowing water right outside our door. It was peaceful… just like God first created. 

DAY 15: June 1- Mvule Project

Whoa! It’s JUNE! That is crazy! Time flies when you are having fun! So today was my group’s turn for our Service Learning project while the other half of the group went to Kampala. We were going to go an hour and half away to a village in order to learn about the Mvule Project. In case you never read my blog from a week ago, the Mvule is a type of really strong tree. The Mvule Project deals with giving villages Mvule seedlings to plant. Also the money they raise they use to come together as a village (Muslim and Christians) to think of a project to install for the benefit of the entire village. Plus the trees will be very beneficial in the future when they are full grown. Also, I mentioned last time that each person gets a bar of soap every time they plant a tree (which is worth like double a daily wage). Then if in 3 months the tree is doing well they get sugar, which is another really special item of food that people in the village don’t normally have. The money to support this project comes from sponsors in America.

So when we finally got to the village (2 hours later than we planned.. typical Africa time, I’m starting to get used to it), we got out of the Matatu and there was a girl bringing out chairs and benches for us to sit on. We met a few people, but the village basically looked bare. So Bobby started showing us different plants. We got to see coffee trees, mango trees, banana trees, corn, beans, yams, jackfruit trees etc. We also looked at the church they built in the village.. which was just a little room that was built. But either way, it’s still pretty awesome that they have a little church there.. where they actually used corn husk and water to write Bible verses on the inside walls.

Also there was this little boy that was just staring at us and following us. Before we new it he was at the top of a mango tree picking a mango to eat. It was really impressive that he was up there. It was high, I thought he was a bird at first. So after looking at some of the plants, we decided to take some jerry cans (yellow cans they use to carry water) and walk down to the water well and bring back some water. DOT DOT DOT. I don’t think we knew what we were getting into when we made that decision.

So we started to walk down the dirt road with about 5 to 10 kids following us and laughing at the girls cause we were trying to carry the jerry cans on our heads. (It is only proper that the girls/women carry the water.. not the men.. yah, I don’t think I would like village life too much). So on our way to the water well (which doesn’t even have clean water), we stopped to see how some of the Mvule trees were doing that they planted a few months ago. Bobby was so excited to see how they were doing, and they were so excited to show him how well the trees were growing. It was really cool to see.

After we saw the trees, we took a break to eat JACKFRUIT, which I see people eating all the time in the town, but I never knew what it was until today. If you don’t know what jackfruit is, its like the size of a watermelon (although it can be a lot larger), its green and prickly on the outside, but yellow on the inside. You have to rip pieces off and bite off the white fiber like part and then you can eat it! It tastes like a mixture of juicy fruit gum and bananas! It was SO GOOD, but SO STICKY. We had to us petroleum jelly to get the stickiness off and then use water and soap to clean our hands.

After the jackfruit, it was time to get back to the road to get some water. After at least another mile of walking, we finally made it. The jerry cans were extremely heavy (and they didn’t even fill them all the way up because they knew we weren’t as strong as the women in the village). They were awkward to carry and they didn’t have caps on them. The boys definitely had to help. We did a teamwork carry (where 2 people held on to the handle in order to carry the cans the like 2 miles back to the village where we were). When we finally arrived in the village, I was exhausted because it was hot and they were heavy. I just can’t imagine that women and kids make that journey at least 3 times a day. It’s honestly UNREAL. But I am so thankful I got to experience it (well sorta, I didn’t even carry it far by myself.. but I got the point.. it is really tiring and difficult to do).

When we got back we learned that Tom’s niece passed away today (Tom was with us). She was three years old, and she had be crushed by a dish rack and he had just seen her the day before… We were all blown away and stunned by the news. And you could see the sadness on Tom’s face. It was really sad, but we prayer for both Tom and his family. And we know she is now in a better place.

After the heartbreaking news, we ate dinner in the village. Rice and cabbage (with our hands again). It was tasty.. and this time the portion was more reasonable so I actually “cleared the mountain.” We learned to say “thank you for cooking” in Lusoga, and each of us went up to the woman that prepared our food and thanked her. She.. like all the women was one her knees to greet us. (Cultural difference: Women get on their knees when greeting men or maybe its visitors or “superiors,” either way it is a really weird thing to experience, and kinda just didn’t rub me the right way.. but what can you do.. that’s their culture?). Then the chairman of the Mvule Project in the village spoke to us. He told us about how the project was going and thanked us for coming.

After everyone was done talking and we greeted everyone goodbye, it was back to the Gately.. (an hour and half later). The village had been a long and tiring day, but an awesome day to learn and grow. It’s just a completely different lifestyle out there.

DAY 14: May 31- Church

I can’t believe its Sunday already. It feels like yesterday that I was going to the Anglican Church. Although the days are long, the weeks go by fast. Today for church we were going to the Jinja Church of Christ (CoC.. is so Pepperdine) that is held in our very own Source Café. But instead of going into the Source Café it is actually behind it, in a semi open space that has a roof built on top. At first we thought we were late, but its African time, so 10 am really means at least 10:30 am. When we arrived it seemed like our group was 95% of the congregation. Of course people trickled in late, so by the half way mark there was a lot more people.

The church started with greetings and a whole lot of worship songs like at least 6 or 7. I love worship time. Especially because I knew a few of the songs slash they are easy to pick up on unless they were in Lusoga. Then Minister Richard came up after the prayer. He spoke about a drunken woman who had many sins, who even accidentally killed her baby because she was drunk. When she finally declared her sins at this “crusade” as he was calling it, she was sobbing and feeling the Lord’s presence. (Sorry, this isn’t that descriptive, I know there was a lot more to this story, but its been over a day and I was slightly tired in the morning).

After he spoke it was time for communion. The bread we ate were little pieces of CHAPATTI! And they even used those same plastic clear cups that we use in the States. After communion there was an offering purse. Yes it looked like a purse and praying. Next, it was time for FOOD AUCTION. That’s right. Basically, people that have extra crops or just want to give to the church, will donate a crop and they will auction it at church to raise more money for the church. So the first item was a box of beans! It went for 6000 shillings. Next was one (a single) avocado that went for 10,000 shillings. If you are trying to remember the math that is 5 US dollars. (Normally an avocado goes for 300 to 500 shillings.. so I hope it was a good one. And actually both of the items were bought by different missionary families (Mark and Lori got the beans and Spencer and Emily got the avocado).

If that wasn’t interesting enough during church, we got to see a Baptism! So let me try to explain how this goes down. There is a slight stage (made of just the concrete the floor is made of.. there is just a few steps to make it a stage. But isn’t of the concrete going all the way to the back of the church, there is a space between the stage area and the wall. You can see that they store chairs, metal rods, wood planks, or anything they else they need to store in the space. But also in the space is like a bathtub like thing for the baptism.  After Richard asked the two teenagers 2 questions regarding their belief in Jesus Christ. They went to the tub and were dunked in the water backwards (like usually). But still.. it was just cool to see a baptism.. although its miles and miles away from home, its comforting to know that people still make that life change and symbolize it using the same methods. God is good!

Next, we had to introduce ourselves. Then we sang them a song.. These are the Days of Elijah! HA it was fun. After church was over, they prepared a special meal for us. It was rice, cabbage, and pieces of beef. But when I say they prepared for us.. they prepared a lot…like a sickening amount.. I wish I could describe the MOUND of food that was piled on each plate, but you would have had to be there to even believe me and not think I was exaggerating.. anyways. We had to eat with our hands.. so that’s fun. Then my competitive side came out.. and I challenged Tom. I thought I could finish it.. but I was really really wrong. He tried to encourage me “Have the faith, clear the mountain” was his exact words. Yup. It’s going up on my wall when I get home.. like my inspirational quote… anyways at the end I felt ILL. Then it was time to walk home and walk off the 10 pounds I gained from lunch.

Then I took a 4 hour nap. SIESTA. Dinner… yah I didn’t eat that much.. kinda still ill from lunch. Then it was to the Manry’s house for some CHAI TEA yum! So good. Another game of psychiatrist with Bobby in the center.. and the usual playing with the kids. After a few hours it was back home, a cold shower, and my paper for class. Another day finished.

 

 

DAY 13: May 30- Kampala

***First off, I am sorry I am a few days behind on my blog. For this reason I will only give the key moments of my day.

So today half the group when on a service learning trip to a village to learn about Water Source, and the other half went with the Manry family to Kampala (to visit the city and to see the Manry’s soon to be son.. John Paul a little Ugandan baby they are adopting). I was on the Kampala trip (I would be doing my service learning about the Mvule Project on Monday).

After heading to the Manry’s before we left from Kampala and chilling out there for an hour, it was time to start our journey. It was about a 2 hour one by Matatu. During the long ride we played the game.. “So (Insert Name Here), you were born, then what happened?!” Basically we all gave our life stories. It’s a really good way to bond. BTW.

When we FINALLY got to Kampala, we arrived to the Nursery Home (orphanage) to see John Paul and the other kids. We could barely get both feet in the building without a little boy or girl running up to us and wanting to be picked up. The first boy I picked up squeezed me with all of his might. He just didn’t want to be let go of.. basically it broke my heart, because these kids just wanted to be loved. They were so desperate for someone just to play with them or hold them. After staying there for about 15 to 20 minutes it was time for us to leave. But every time I put the boy down that I was holding he just put his arms out and gave me this sad face.. so of course I picked him up again... this happened about 4 times before I finally got the courage to leave him.. those kids.. so full of life.. and so ready to just be held. I would take them all home if I could. Adoption is looking more and more like a possibility for my future.

Next we went to a mall. It was basically Kampala’s attempt to imitate an American Mall, and they did a pretty good job of it. We went to NYK (New York Kitchen) for lunch. I got a huge slice of pizza and split a Caesar salad. Fish and Paul didn’t realize that the pizzas were 18 inches and they order one pizza to split between the two of them.. when they saw the pizza their faces looked dumbfounded. HA it was so funny! Anyways I got to sit next to Luke and Connor during lunch.. and oh wow those boys like to talk. They had more stories to tell me then anyone I know.

Next we went to a really cool store in the mall.. that even sold coffee that was made at THE SOURCE. How cool was that… that the coffee that the Source produces was sold in this store. Bomb diggity! Next it was off to the craft market. It was an outside area that had all these little stores. After we were done, we walked over to this coffee place called 100 Cups. It was a little unique coffeeshop.. but by this time, I was exhausted. Practically falling asleep.

On the ride home, it started raining like no other. I mean it was the hardest rain I’ve ever been in. Plus our Matatu seemed a little or a lot shady, which made the ride even more sketch. We had to squeeze in the front few rows of the Matatu because it was leaking water all over the back of the Matatu. (Our driver even had a bag contraption set up.. that would just leak water when it was full).

Finally, 2 hours later, we were home. We got back late.. it was like a 10 hour day.. and we had a late dinner around 8 pm. After dinner, Bayli and I hung out with people in our room (party like always) and then talked to Tom for a while… Man I heart Tom. He is such a good guy and cracks me up all the time with his awesome stories and accent. He thinks I’m crazy… and all he does is laugh at me (in a good way). And I like it.