A great day at Wasini Bay... (a vacation reflection)

I have been waiting my whole life to go snorkeling! As I think back, I can’t believe I have waited this long, because I love the beach and water. Three weeks ago I was on vacation, we were at the Indian Ocean in Kenya and my time had finally come.

The Masso family, Bethany, and Caleb from the Sudan team and Jessica and I started out pretty early in the morning. We all piled into the Masso’s little white pick-up truck two people lying on cushions in the bed. I hadn’t even had time to eat breakfast, so I munched some peanuts I had brought with me as we headed down the road. About 30 minutes in we were stopped at a police check point. Gaby and Caleb tried to hide under the cushions, but the legs hanging out somehow gave them away... the police man actually laughed. And was pretty quick to send us on our way. We arrived at the dock and were escorted out to the boat that we would be taking. Right away they gave us tea, fruit and mandazi (kenyan doughnuts) Which I also gobbled down (in retrospect this was NOT a wise choice). The crew were quick to tell us to put lots of sunscreen on our Muzungu skin and also passed out pills for seasickness. At this point I only had one memory of being seasick, which was when I took a ferry to Ireland in an all out storm and even then I didn’t actually throw up. It was a sunny day and I didn’t want to be drowsy, so I turned them down... another bad choice.

It was so beautiful as we set out across the blue water to make our way around the island to the marine reserve. But despite the sun the water was choppy and we were doing a lot of up and down motion. I started to wish hadn’t eaten all those peanuts... and mandazi... and fruit. I fixed my eyes on the horizon, even moved to the back of the boat but it just wasn’t helping. I did eventually loose all those morning snacks and I will not be eating peanuts in the near future, but the good news was I felt a lot better and we soon reached the place where we were going to do our first snorkeling stop. I donned my flippers, mask and snorkel and quickly jumped over the side before the seasickness plagued me again.

The view under those beautiful blue, choppy waves was incredible. I dove down over and over and was swimming through schools of colorful fish, staring in awe at all the incredible coral in various shapes and colors and sizes. After swimming around for about 2 hours our guide beckoned us back to the boat. When we had almost almost reached the boat we saw a pair of fins surface and then disappear. Our guide called out, “Dolphins!” I swam back out and looked down and saw the out line of about 6 dolphins, young and adult ones swimming below me. We followed them around for a while. At one point I turned around and a dolphin was right behind me, swimming up next to me. I could see scars on its back, I wanted to reach out and touch it, but I got scared. Later I was swimming behind a mother and a baby and even got to seen the baby nursing. So amazing! I could have stayed with them for a long time, but it was time to go, because some people were actually hungry.

We climbed back on the boat and made our way to the lunch spot on Wasini Island. About halfway there the motor started to smoke, I was starting to feel sick again and the smoke inhalation wasn’t helping. The motor eventually died. This didn’t seem to phase our captain very much and soon they were attempting to put up the sails. As the large wooden beam began to swing around I was not feeling very positive about this plan, but what do I know about sailing? They did get the sail up, but just as we were starting to move forward the sail ripped. Our plan B had just failed. And I was wanting to get on solid ground as soon as possible. Our captain radioed for another boat to come and get us and let us jump out and swim, because there is considerably less up and down in the water. Eventually another boat did arrive and we transferred all out stuff to the more sea worthy vessel to complete our 3 hour cruise. Upon nearing the Island we had to get into little canoe and eventually wade to shore. When we got there a lunch of freshly caught crab and fish was awaiting us. Fortunately, I had regained at least some portion of my appetite. After a tour of the island we headed back, tired, salty and sunburned. What a great great day. Who cares that the boat died, I threw up, and was sunburned. I had swam with dolphins in the Indian ocean. Thank you God for creating such a beautiful place full of amazing creatures!

RVA

It is a 15 minute walk up the hill and A LOT of steps from where I am staying to the campus of Rift Valley Academy (RVA- A Christian boarding school started by African Inland Mission, over 100 years ago). Despite having walked this route for 2 weeks at least twice a day, at almost 7,000 ft I am STILL huffing and puffing by the time I get to school (but finally warm... warm enough to take off the top of my 3 layers). Just before I round the corner to ascend the last flights of stairs, I change out of my tennis shoes, into something a little more professional, but my calloused feet that have been wearing nothing but flip flops for almost two years protest as they squeezed into the second hand shoes I had bought at the market. But I felt like I fit the part... I actually look like a teacher.

For the past two weeks I have been substitute teaching for Ryan Dahlman, as he was in the US for his sister’s wedding. It has been great fun to be back in a traditional classroom with 105 student in my 9th and 10th grade World History and 11th and 12th US Government, going to ball games, hanging out with other teachers... even grading papers. These kids, having ethnicities from all around the world and homes all over East Africa and beyond, form a culture all their own. Something that has stood about them is their attitudes of gratefulness. Every day I have multiple students who on their way out the door from class say, “Thank you”... and not in a teachers pet, suck up kind of way. Just simple thanks. Saturday was an outreach day where students went out to serve and love people in the surrounding communities doing everything from planting trees and painting murals to playing soccer in prisons and visiting orphanages. In chapel on Monday during open mic time, student after student stood up expressing how their experiences (among other things) made their hearts thankful for the blessing of God in their lives.

Another thing that has struck me about this place is a commitment to prayer. Once a week there is an optional 15 minute prayer chapel... that a good number of kids actually choose to come to. I sat with 2 middles school girls as they prayed for unity among the students at their school various other things. Also every day the staff meets for Chai and Prayer. Yes warm, sugary, spiced, milky, delicious tea... (and snacks). I could for sure get used to this! But over this refreshment staff share prayer requests for the school, specific students, etc. And we pray!

I am thankful for this place and how it has impacted and continues to shape the lives of missionaries and future missionaries. It has been a blessing to be here!

Truffle... ( a Bundibugyo reflection)

Late at night, head lamp on under the mosquito net I often find myself laughing out loud as I have been reading James Herriot’s “All creatures Great and Small”. I have always been an animal lover, but I am far from a farm girl and my experience with animals other than dogs and cats, has been somewhat limited. But living out in the bush of Uganda has broadened my experience as I now ride the bus with chickens. Goats and cattle roam the streets and sometimes our yard. And three dairy cows now share half of our school yard. I have to say, that despite the fact that they continually break though our fence and as Buligi puts it, “Abuse my garden”, I love those cows and I have become particularly attached to Truffle.

When the cows first came to RMS it was Truffle that would come to the window and stick her big nose up to the screen to see what we were doing. One time I was quite alarmed at the frantic knocking at the door. Upon going to see who it was, Truffle had her head through the screen door and was banging the door back and fourth by moving her head up and down.

I do remember a time were I was even a bit afraid of these huge animals. Most of the time when I walked through their grazing area I wouldn’t get too much of a reaction. Maybe they would look up from the clump of grass they were currently chomping. However, one time I came in with the milking pail. The particular one that was carrying has a lid that doesn’t fit tightly and rattles rather loudly when you carry it. The moment I came in the cows perked up and started to follow me to school. They were moving more quickly than usual with kind of a curious look in their eyes. (A look that I now know to be one that is expecting maize, something special that they get to eat when they are being milked). I put the pail down where Buligi had been milking and walked back across the yard to leave. When Truffle realized that I had not delivered the maize and was nearing the gate she started to gallop (yes cows can gallop) toward me. I also started to run hoping to reach the gate before this very large animal with horns did. I quickly squeezed out and flung the metal gate closed behind me just in time. Two of our neighbors looked at me about to burst into laughter... explaining didn’t help.

Since then I have grown more accustomed to these animals and their habits. Truffle also is quite fond on nibbling on my skirt when I go to pet her. She also gets very excited and will come running for cucumbers from the garden. I guess that cows do normally run but some other things that Truffle does are definitely out of the ordinary. Truffle gets up on her hind legs like a goat to munch on leaves of tree branches that are out of normal cow reach. A few weeks ago we were having trouble with them pushing down the fence to get to greener grass on the other side. The day after we had fixed it, Lilli and I were working the cows when I heard munching in a place that should be a NO MUNCHING zone! I ran outside just in time to see Truffle down on her front knees crawling in between two of the lines of barbed wire. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Due to the recent intrusions, cow wrangling has become a new past time at RMS that I never expected to be doing. The first time they broke in I was determined to get them out away from my garden Lilli handed me the yard stick and out I went. But even with my yelling and butt smacking, I managed to get out DMC and Oreo but Truffle does what she wants.

Despite all this, I love this cow and even volunteered to be her second milker. And several times a week I get to herd these three across the mission back up to their milking pen with Buligi, and I like it. I have finally built up the hand muscles to produce a pail of milk without getting hand cramps and we left for Kenya, when I get back I know a lovable frisky little cow who will be waiting.

Snickers... truffle's calf

Randy and Rachel come to visit... it doesn't get much better than that!

I couldn’t believe that the time had come as I gave final hugs to Randy and Rachel. The tears just started to come. I hate goodbyes. But as a missionary they are a part of life. I have learned that despite the pain... they are worth it and this goodbye was no different. Because goodbye meant that I had said a hello. Randy and Rachel gave me the best gift ever this past August... coming all the way to middle of nowhere Uganda to see me. Now that is awesome! And we had a great time together!

A few of the highlights...

Being serenaded by Randy as he learned to play his mountain dulcimer (the body of which is made of cardboard and Randy brought with him on the plane in a plastic bag) I love my musical brother!

Having Rachel hang out with me at school... being a part of my every day life.

Many great meals together, with lots of longs talks and catching up on life.

Hanging out with Friends and sharing jack fruit!

Motorcycle rides!
Hiking through the jungle to Nyahuka falls in Bundibugyo!

A hike at one of the crater lakes in Fort Portal.

Swimming in the lake at the bottom of the crater... bathing suits are over rated.

Public transportation adventures on the way to Queen Elizabeth National Park. In which were dropped off in the pack on the side of the road, whisked quickly to a waiting Matatu, and crammed inside (me still carrying around Randy’s cardboard dulcimer in the plastic bag). Then another time waiting in the rain while we served as entertainment for local children. After 2 filled to the brim passed the third one had room for us and apparently a lot more. (there were 6 grown men at one point in a row meant to seat 3!)

Seeing lions at Queen Elizabeth!

Rafting the Nile!!

Rest

People constantly at the door, ending a term at Christ School, hosting visitors, day to day teaching, walking with friends who are struggling, the fatigue of cross-cultural living in a remote place... all these things start to add up. And I just get tired, body tired, head tired, even soul tired. Heck I haven’t had time to even write a blog post in 2 and a half months. Last week all the teams in East Africa with World Harvest Mission met in Mombasa, Kenya to rest and be renewed together.

In the morning we had a short session, then an hour or two to just meditate, and be with the Father. One of the spiritual exercises was to intentionally put yourself in the presence of God and do something that you delight in. So there I was in my little chair the warmth of the sun, rhythm of the waves, rustling palm trees, the breezes washing in from the Indian Ocean, thinking to myself... I delight in this! My mind finally began to stop reeling as I poured out my heart out to Him. And it was so great to have uninterrupted conversation with God. Thinking of his steadfast love that is as constant as those waves, as faithful as the tides, alluring and beautiful.

I also read Psalm 62:1 “My soul finds rest in God alone”. Rest is an important part of life... even Jesus took time to get away. God created us to rest... to enjoy a nap, savor a cup of coffee, enjoy a long talk with a friend. But if I seek true rest, then these things have to include God. This is something that I am learning to do... and often not very good at. In Bundibugyo during a team devotion a few months back we were talking about rest and all the things that we do to rest that are good, but a lot of the time, they are cheap, not real soul rest. In America I was could be satisfied by a night out with friends or taking a hike in the mountains. Here in Africa the options for rest are minimal or they just don’t give me what I need, if I attempt them independent of God. But God has met me here, ever inviting me to find rest in Him ALONE, to enjoy the fun, but enjoy HIM in it. I love how Eugene Peterson put it in the Message:

Matthew 11:28-30

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Psalm 62 seems to almost play with the word rest. Saying that the soul finds REST in God alone. As well as saying that we should REST on God as our rock and fortress. So pray that when I work I will rest in God as my rock; and when I rest, my soul would find rest and refreshment in Him!

... And I'm back

After a long pause in the blogging I am back! Sorry for the silence. It has been a busy season. As of tomorrow I will be in Kijabe, Kenya for the month of September and will be substitute teaching at Rift Valley Academy since none of my team mates are currently in Bundibugyo. I hope to have a little more time to reflect and will even post some stuff from the past few months that I never got around to sharing. Thanks for sticking with me... those ones who still check my blog :)

Jess and Anna Take a vacation

So there we were in city center Kampala. The street I chose for us to take was the one that all the taxi busses used to get back in the massive taxi park. On the two lane road there were three lanes of taxis bumper to bumper, exhaust blowing into our open windows. It reminded me of a scene from the old movie Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation. In which Jimmy Stewart stars as Mr. Hobbs. There is a scene just before the Hobbs take their family vacation to the beach, Mr. Hobbs is driving home from work (definitely ready for a vacation) but things aren’t starting too well for him as he is in bumper to bumper traffic with semi trucks in front, back, and either side. I don’t remember all the details but there were a lot of other obstacles that he had to overcome before and during his “vacation”.

World Harvest Mission was having an East Africa teams retreat in Mombassa Kenya. Jess and I similarly were headed to Kampala to begin our vacation, and have had our own set of hurdles to jump before vacation.

Hours prior to our matatu sandwich situation we got a flat tire. Fortunately, my brother and sister were visiting (more on their visit later) and Randy was willing to help out with changing the tire, as Jess and I with all our heaving could not manage to even loosen the lug-nuts on the spare tire. The jack did not raise high enough to be able to get the flat tire actually off the axel. But Randy soon had a team of African men to supervise in the tire changing endeavor. After a few boards under the jack and only one time of slipping off onto the support rocks below, an hour later the spare was on. We paid a small fee for “shoap” (soap) so that our helpers could wash their close after helping us.

The day that Jess and I were to leave to head to Kenya for the East Africa retreat we left the guest house in Kampala at 5:30 am (not my favorite hour). Arriving at the airport our taxi driver dropped us in the pickup/ drop off parking lot where we had to carry our luggage (with some help of strong men in jumpsuits whose sole job is to carry peoples luggage up to the departure gates). We went to the Fly 540 desk to get our boarding passes which the attendant actually hand wrote. A little sketchy for an international airport, I know! I began to wonder just what kind of air line we had chosen to fly with. I started to picture all of us passengers peddling the plane down the runway like the Flintstone's car. Jess and I started to come up with things that 540 could stand for, like 540 days that they go before inspecting their planes. We were to leave from Gate 1 (one of about 6) at the Entebbe International airport (the only one in the entire country of Uganda). About 5 minutes before our plane was scheduled to leave, in African fashion, they finally started to board. In not so African fashion, the attendant hurried us onto the plane. Despite my misgivings the flight was quite nice and I also enjoyed a second breakfast of a cucumber sandwich, which is more than I can say for any 1 hour flight that I ever took in America.

We landed in Nairobi and hurried to catch our next flight. We ended up in some mass general seating area for anyone flying anywhere with Fly 540. There were no speakers so when one of the planes was getting ready to leave, someone would walk around and kind of mumble the destination. About the time our plane was supposed to start boarding we heard some mumbling we went to the gate (just a doorway that lead out onto the plane parking area) But it was not the right flight. Jess and I really anxious to get this vacation started continued this pattern of getting up at the mumbling, one time the guy even took our ticket and we almost got onto a plane headed to a place in Kenya that I have never heard of. Finally we picked a seat that was right by the door. The Fly 540 attendants then could personally speak to us about what was going on with the planes... turns out ours was delayed an hour or so. We did finally board and land in Mombassa and were so happy to see taxi driver waving us down among the throngs of pushy drivers trying to get a fare. He was very helpful pointing out to us interesting land marks like the prison, and train station, and giving us other tid-bits like, “and those trees on the left and right... those are palm trees.”

So we made it and I waved excitedly to see the Myhres and give them big hugs as I hadn’t seen them in months. More East Africa World Harvest Reunions to come. Let the vacation begin.