Rikki-Tikki-Jesse

I read Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the story of the cobra killing mongoose in 6th grade literature class. I actually saw a mongoose the last time I as at Queen Elizabeth National Park. I remember thinking to myself that I might like to have one for a pet, as snakes rate up in top 5 of things that I fear. But now I know that there is not a need. I have a cobra killing dog!

I really am not sure if I would have the guts to kill a snake. When faced with fight or flight, flight would definitely be my choice. And God knows this so he set Jesse. Jesse was first the Pierce’s dog. She was well loved by them but she did not deal with the transition well and after we were having break in problems at RMS we decided that Jesse we would try her at guard guard dog. When she came to RMS. She was skin and bones, but more than hungry she was starved for attention. When I would enter into the gate in the morning she would come streaking across the dewy grass and jump all over me. The kids probably thought I didn’t ever do laundry. Despite her often annoying tendencies, she also had as sweet and pitiful side that did me in. Especially when she would come to the window as I was working, feet on the window sill barely able to see in but when I called her name her tail became a blur and she shook all over at the prospect of getting a little love.

If you have a dog you know that they have personalities and if Jesse were to take the Myers Briggs she would for sure be off the charts extrovert. She could not stand to be at school all alone on the weekends. She kept finding ways out of the fence at RMS and into the one that surrounds our yard. So after going back and forth for a couple weeks. We finally decided to let her stay at ours on probation. Her terms being that she refrain from tearing clothes off the line and chewing on them, and to generally not drive us bonkers. She has managed to control herself minus a few moments of weakness when her hyper energy could not be released in any other way. She chewed a hole in my favorite pair of jeans and I swore I was going to beat her.

The other night I was in the kitchen and I hear Jesse and Chloe, Pat’s dog, barking. It was like one of those, “hey look at this” barks. It was dark out so I went to the door with my flash light and shined it through the screen, telling them to calm down. But there was indeed something. I thought I saw something. Then Jesse lunged, grabbing something shaking it and her head violently. I called to Heidi, We both put our flash lights on the scene and to my great disgust saw a huge snake. At this point I think it was dead but it gave us a few good jumps as Jesse continued to shake it with each of it’s post death twitches. I called for Pat and she came over. Then travis came to the fence to inquire about all the commotion (being girls, we scream about snakes... or at least I do) By this time Pat had separated Jesse from her conquest and dumped it in our trash pit. But Travis (being a guy) came anyway to take a look at the 5 foot (at least), black, disgusting creature.

Jesse had risen to hero in my mind. The jeans were forgotten! She may be pesky and needy, but the girl is a snake killer! I love you Rikky-Tikki-Jesse!

Dinner and a Movie

The rain is beating on our tin roof and even coming in the windows as yet another storm rolls over the mountains. Glad to be back from taking the neighbor kids home in the dark and mud.

Tonight Heidi and I had dinner with our friend Naume. I eat at Naumes more than any other Ugandan and I have to say I always look forward to her g-nut sauce. Tonight was no exception. Naume’s mother lives in Kampala with Naume’s dad, his other wife and several of Naume’s sibling and half-siblings. Naume was left in Bundibugyo to take care of her grandmother. Eating at Naume’s is a unique experience. Because she essentially lives alone at about age 14, we eat with a bunch the neighborhood kids. Traditionally men will eat with the guests, often in silence, while women and children wait outside and eat later. At Naume’s we crowd around the little table with the one little kerosene lamp flickering. Kids chatter or just eat really fast because they haven’t eaten all day. Naume switches back and forth from English to Labwisi and laughs often. Her friend Susan sits quietly in the corner, always smiling. It is just fun. Because it was Heidi’s goodbye meal we has a surprise. We were to going to take them back to our house to watch a movie. Oh the squeals and smiles of delight when they realized that we were going now! Yes, “now, now”.

We went to go ask their parents, and our party grew from about 5 kids to 8. But that was okay. The plan was to watch Night at the Museum, then Richard says, “What about the one with the man who has the legs of a cow.” “Narnia?” “Yes Narnia... we want to see that one.” So Heidi ran over to Pat’s to see if it was there. It was. Before we started Heidi explained that the movie came from a book that was telling a story about Jesus. “Oh!” they all reply. Couches were in position, pillows were on the floor and the kids huddled around Heidi’s little macbook. In awe of the “surround soundish” little speakers... that I have to admit are pretty amazing to even me. They were quickly drawn in by World War 2 England the planes, the trains, the music. I always wonder what it is like for them as they watch a world that is so much different from their own. They laughed at the first sight of Mr. Tumus, and the talking beavers where hilarious, though I am sure to them they looked more like the huge edible rats that run around Bundibugyo. We stopped occasionally and Heidi and I would explain what was happening and then Richard or Naume would translate for the younger kids. Ugandan’s love stories (I guess we all do) It was neat to experience this one yet again. To be struck once again by the power and majesty of the Lion. A Lion that can breath life into a statue of stone, as God does with my heart and I pray will continue to do the same with the hearts of these young ones who sat in our living room. What a great way to spend a Saturday night!

Things Fall Apart

Many vehicles in Uganda post phrases in big shiny letters on their front and back windshields. They say things like “Allah is great”, “God’s Power”, “Manchester United” but my most recent favorite has been, “Things fall apart”. I remember Heidi and I chuckling when we saw it, thinking so true. Well, now we might as well paste it our our own windshield as our most recent trip over the mountains proves that the Bundibugyo road literally rattles your car to pieces.

So we had made it past the switch backs and were bumping along maybe 25 km from home when we heard metal making contact with dirt. I whirled around and seeing nothing left behind, stuck my head out the open window to check the tires. Still nothing, then another big bump and metal scraping again. Heidi pulled over to makes sure the “underside of the car wasn’t falling off”, she joked. But this was no joke. The cover for the fuel tank had lost 2 of its bolts and was dragging the ground. Heidi made a call to John back in Bundi about what we should do. Since we had a few tools the plan was to remove the cover and continue to drive. So there I was on my back with wrench in hand unscrewing things off the bottom of the car. A few guys on boda’s stopped to watch and help. I have to admit I felt pretty proud of myself. Hands all greasy, dirty pants... practically a mechanic. Never mind that I still can’t drive a manual transmission on my own. As the saying goes. Pride goes before the fall. I just didn’t know how literal this was going to be.

After the successful removal we hit the road again. Not two minutes down the road we passed a friend, Vincent Kawah, who is the headmaster of a local school and friend of many on the mission. He waved us down to give him a ride and we were happy to oblige. Onward we went chatting about Nyahuka news until interrupted by a load thud. Vincent yelled, “STOP! STOP! something has fallen from the car.” Bet you can guess what that was... Yep our fuel tank had actually fallen off the car!

We hopped out yet again. Vincent headed down the road to inspect the fallen tank. Heidi started to make phone calls and I looked back under the car and sure enough where the fuel tank had been, remained a few loose wires and hoses. Vincent managed to save all the fuel from draining out and used plastic bags and banana fibers to ceil off the openings. We were also thankful for his eyes and ability to keep those who wished to syphon off the diesel from coming too close. And thankful as two single women in the middle of nowhere, for his presence when about 15 UPDF (Ugandan Peoples Defense Force) came walking up the road in their camo with rifles slung on their backs. The mechanic in Bundibugyo town was actually out of town, so we called the Bishop’s son Robert who had a vehicle and might be able to tow us. Praise God! He was already headed our way. What we didn’t know was that his car was already being used by Samoli who is currently campaigning for a place in parliament. Just as dusk was turning into dark, Robert and his gang pulled up in the party wagon plastered with huge yellow posters of Samoli’s face. Music was blaring from monster speakers in the bed of the truck. Samoli got out, starting to shake hands with the crowd that had already about tripled in size. An wrinkled little woman approached me encouraging me to join the spontaneous dance party... but for some reason I just wasn’t feeling it. I went over to Heidi and considered asking her to pinch me. I mean this had to be some crazy dream that I was having.

Shortly after that John and our neighbor Biwah also arrived bringing us a little more back to reality. We were equally excited to learn that John brought pasta salad with him... THANK YOU Loren Clark! The party wagon was now hooked to our car with John in the drivers seat and Heidi, Vincent, Bihwah and I happily waiting in the Clarks car. Then the party truck stalled and almost rolled back into ours... by this time we just laughed, not surprised by much. The second start was successful and the car was towed to the Bishop’s house were it now waits to be repaired.

Vincent, Heidi and I sat in the back seat sharing Loren’s DELICIOUS pasta salad. Tired, but not too tired to thank God for how he had watched over us. Vincent had no idea what he was getting into when he flagged us down, but the timing of it all was none other than the orchestration of our Heavenly Father. Vincent could not have been more kind and helpful. Robert and the mobile disco were our life line, as well as a little comic relief. And the presence of John and Biwah were assuring, and made me thankful yet again for a supportive team and neighbors we can depend on. Amazed again at the hand of God in our lives and the reminder that God is good... all the time!

Fort Weekend

Welcome to Fort... goodbye dirt road

Last weekend our team took a trip to Fort Portal for a little r&r. It was truly refreshing. The temperature is always cooler in Fort and this trip was no exception. We arrived in early afternoon, dusty from the Bundibugyo road and had lunch at the Gardens. Our favorite restaurant which is described by my Uganda guide book as the most alluring place in town. They also have the best samosas I’ve ever had. After lunch we went to Y.E.S. (youth encouragement services), a hostel that is clean and efficient... and pastoral. This is vastly different from Bundibugyo scenery. In the morning when there is still mist hovering above the grass and the air is cool, minus the the banana trees, I feel like I could be in England.

We settled in for a much needed afternoon nap at Y.ES. We were happy to find that the mountain pillows valley mattresses are no more. New mattresses for Y.E.S. and I remembered to bring my own pillow this time. A thunder storm rolled it which made the nap that much more delicious.

The following day team Bundi went exploring in some caves where we listened to African legends from our Guide and stood behind waterfalls. Then we hiked to several crater lakes near by. Replenishing expended calories at Pier’s Pizzeria. A new favorite Fort restaurant. Then paid about 3 buck to spend the afternoon by the pool at Mountains of the Moon.

So wonderful to have fun as a team. To get rest from a tough last couple of weeks. Thank God for rest and keep praying for us!

Heidi Anna Susan and me behind the waterfall

Kids that followed us on our climb... crater lakes all around

Just Love 'em

Lately my life consists largely of nursery rhymes, counting the days of school with counting caterpillar, feeding objects and letters to sound muncher and getting pre-school songs in my head. I loved teaching middle school and still do love that age but I never realized just how much I would love teaching kindergarten and pre-school. Just a few highlights:

-A flower for the teacher from Lilli.

-Patton snuggling when we read books.
-Lilli asking me if I will come over and play after school or watch one of her favorite movies like Felicity.
-Sharing popcorn or cookies at snack and Lilli divvying up the fruit snacks (an American treat).
-Tuesday tea and talking with Lilli.
-Watching almost four year old Patton attempt to hoola hoop. Quite a challenge when your waste is only about 2 feet from the ground.
-Laughter and fun for over 30 minutes just blowing up balloons and letting them go.
-Ots and Cwafts (as Bryan says) aka arts and crafts time. An all around favorite (as long as Patton is sure that we can wash hands when we are done.)
-Never tiring of “Here is the church, Here is the steeple, open the doors and...”
-Listening to the prayers of little ones.
-Sitting on the couch at school reading the Box Car Children to Lilli.

Sure do love these kiddos. Bryan, can’t wait till you come back. We pray for you every day :)

Nowhere is safe

This little teacher was not expecting a creacher

To disturb her while she worked away.

But out jumped a rat, which she hit with a bat

Oh, what a way to start the day.

So nursery rhymes where the theme for the last week of pre-school and this popped into my head on the morning of this event. Our second kill in 48 hours. We have been having a lot of rain in Bundibugyo lately. This seems to be driving certain critters into our house in a higher quantity. We have killed 4 rats in our house in the past couple weeks. After each kill the hope is that we will sleep in peace as they tend to be very active at night rustling around, chewing my necklaces in half... infuriating! Doing something that sounds like furniture rearranging... equally infuriating at 2am, 4am... yet we can't seem to get a break. Just one after another.

A few days ago I was awaken to paper shredding that sounded like it was right by my head. I turned on my flashlight that I keep in bed with me and shined the light on two beady black eyes that starred right at me not moving from my night stand. I watched it crawl down behind the books... gross! At least this one was a little more mouse like in size. I think I made metion in my last post of how thankful I am for my mosquito nets and all that it keeps out of my bed. I am one to faithfully tuck it in every night insuring no unwanted visitors. I feel very safe under my net even if I hear scratching on the night stand by my bed.

Last night I woke up because something had crawled over my leg. I had caught a lizzard in there just a few days before and figured that somehow he had just got back in, but I turned on my flash light just to see. The net was moving so I looked down and there trapped between the side of the mattress and my net was a rat! Fortunately I did not scream as Heidi and Anna probably did not want to be awake at 4am any more than I did. But I am sure that I made some noise as by now I was practically standing up yanking out the net and saying to the rat GET OUT! GET OUT! shivers running down my spine as I realized that a rat had just awakened me by running up my leg! I went around the circumference of my bed forcibly re-tucking the net probably almost pulling it from the ceiling. Then laid down heart still pumping praying that I would be able to fall back to sleep. And God was gracious, it was certainly a work of the Lord that sleep came and that I am already laughing at this CRAZY experience.

This one was much bigger than the one in my bed. Thank the Lord!

Not your average sleep over

Last Sunday brought Anna our summer intern! As part of Anna’s welcome and orientation to Bundibugyo and Africa, I arranged for the 2 of us to spend the night with Eusta, one of my Ugandan friends. We arrived at Eusta’s place about 4:30 on Friday afternoon bearing gifts of sugar, rice, and a pumpkin. We sat and chatted with Eusta and her neighbor, while a brood of neighborhood kids stood around mostly staring at us and giving us shy smiles from time to time. Then we walked down the dirt road through... well the jungle to greet Eusta’s sister-in-law who had just produced her second set of twins. We sat in the dark room mostly just watching after I had exhausted the little Lubwisi I know. But I do love visiting with Ugandan’s and just watching how life works for them.

Back at Eusta’s dinner was in preparation. I donned my long sleeves and slathered on the bug repellant to fight the never ending (and probably never winning) battle with the obakakuni (no-see-ums). We peeled sweet potatoes and two types of bananas that were to be boiled for dinner. The simmering pot of beans was removed from the little charcoal stove to make way for the two new pots to be added to the tower. Dinner bubbled away as we swatted bugs and chatted. I got to hear about the new school where Eusta is teaching and her boss (and friend) came to greet us. And the story began. One of the great privileges of being in a place where missionaries have preceded you is the rich stories and getting to see the kingdom worked out over time. Eusta and her friend are both graduates of Christ School (the secondary school started my World Harvest) It has been a long time dream of World Harvest to have a primary school as well. World Harvest as a mission has yet to start a primary school but we keep praying. And they continue to keep springing up. This story was another answer to that prayer for sure. After attending teachers college it is very hard to get a job. This hardship has been water to the seed of vision planted by Kevin Bartkovitch (founder of CSB) in the hearts of this particular student. Since work was not to be found... why not start your own primary school. So classmates were recruited along with Eusta, the community was rallied, and support of parents gained. And a school was born, without the aid of a single missionary or American dollar. WOW! They still don’t have a building or land of their own, but they are dreaming and praying.

Eusta’s friend ended up staying for dinner so in Eusta’s tiny candle lit eating room over rice, beans, gonja,and matoke. The story of God’s faithfulness continued. He went on to tell me that he was a scholarship student at CSB as his mother died when he was small and his father was killed in the war. We talked on until it was time to go to bed. Since after dinner that is what you do. We went out back and brushed teeth spitting into the bushes and made a quick trip to the pit latrine. When we went back to Eusta’s tiny bedroom we found that she had moved one of the foam mats from her bed to the floor, which completely covered the remaining space. She was giving up her bed and even more precious mosquito net for us, her guests. So with the door shut and the a candle out Anna and I settled in to the single bed with Eusta on the floor. As we lay there Eusta said, “oh, I for got to tell you the rats sometimes make a lot of noise on the roof.” I assured her we would be fine as we also had a rat problem in our place. I was surprised at how quickly I fell asleep, but this was not to last. I awoke with a damp shirt... our tiny room had transformed into a hot box. I could also hear scurrying and squeaking and I am pretty sure that it was not happening on the roof. I thanked Eusta in my heart for the gift of her net that doesn’t just keep the mosquitoes out. I did sleep some and the heat subsided by morning, but I was pretty happy when I realized it was light outside.

First job of the day was to sweep the compound. Passers by starred at the 2 white women and continually thanked us for working. We sat eating oranges again battling the morning bugs while kids played soccer with a tiny rubber ball. One little neighbor boy pounding g-nuts for breakfast. Anna commented on the difference in Saturday morning activities... no cartoons and fruit loops here.

After breakfast we visited some more neighbors. As it was time to leave Eusta presented us with gifts, oranges from her tree and sugarcane. We were thanking each other back and forth. Eusta told us not make this stay our last. She expressed honor in hosting. She walked us a bit down the road and bid wesalo. Anna and I continued down the road each with sugarcane in hand and bags under our eyes, but our hearts were full with Ugandan hospitality and generosity.