Saturday

We have a phrase that we say a lot here... “Never a dull moment” Which means days here include anything from fuel tanks falling off, hilarious comments like, “Cats, when you eat their feathers, it’s giving you like a pot belly.” ??? someone carrying a basket of chickens on their heads, or like this Saturday traipsing through the jungle that is our backyards. I guess that is just the adventure of living in Uganda.

So here is a typical (or perhaps not so typical) Saturday.... I actually slept in, thanks to the earplugs that blocked out the loud music from town, noisy neighbors and motorcycle horns from the road. Ate a bowl of homemade granola with milk from our cow. Piddled around in my pajamas for a bit getting things done around the house. Answered knocks at the door and sent some kids asking for work to get a pineapple and charcoal from the market. Headed to town a bit later to do a bit of shopping of my own. Perused outfits made from colorful African kitangi, hung on sticks outside the market. Already feeling sweat collecting on my upper lip. Chatted with Christine, a seamstress I like, about getting a dress made. Hurried to get the rest on my list and and get out of the equator sun. Feeling hot, tired, thirsty, and increasingly hungry stopped at a chapatti stand and got 2 to go. Sprawled out on the couch drinking a cold beverage. Up... and there went the power. Hopefully it will be back on so I can check email in the afternoon. Neighbor kids played cards on our porch. Paid a Esmo to weed in my garden that now has corn almost as tall as me!! Yay. Still no power so Chrissy and I accompanied the Johnsons down to the river to cool off. Down the ravine, trying not to slip or run into a banana tree. Boys hanging around shimmied up trees for fear of the Johnson’s dogs. Waded around, gave 2 dogs a bath. Went on a little safari adventure in search of a swimming hole, through the bush and peoples gardens to follow the river, avoiding impali (viscous biting ants) and groups of bathing men. Just one of the things we do for fun around here :)

Once we were back the plan was to grill on little Ugandan charcoal grill. I had only done this once before and I had a kid help me get the fire started... which at the time seemed really easy. After burning 10 sheets of scrap paper, melting 2 plastic bags, dumping the charcoal out 3 times to rearrange it, about 20 matches, some black and burned fingers later it was finally burning. Chrissy was in the kitchen skewering veggies and I started grilling the chicken. It promptly caught on fire and turned the outsides black. I started the veggies a little later and took off the blackened chicken. Due to some skewer flesh wounds, Chrissy and I switched jobs. I cutting into the chicken and seeing blood put it back over the coals. The power was still out so I lit candles, while Chrissy labored away over the fire, shooing away the 2 salivating, hovering dogs. After the 3rd check while veggies were on the table getting cold the chicken looked cooked and we sat down to enjoy. The chicken was pretty tasty once the quite crispy skin was removed. And after dinner a special treat. We had found mmmMallows (a pink and white version of marshmallows) in Kampala and were going to make s’mores. We loaded up some skewers with the non-pink variety and turned the marshmallows over the dying embers. Then put some America chocolate on rather stale cookies over the grill grate to melt and dry. The cookies ended up a little black too but it was definitely mmmGood. And a great end to a great day... with not one dull moment.

Owen showing off fire making skills I have yet to acquire

Sights and Sounds of Kampala

I have been in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, for the past couple days to do some restocking and just to have a rest from life in the boon docks. Here are a few snapshots of the “big city experience”.

Crazy traffic and sometimes even crazier boda drivers weaving around the “jam”.

People transporting large often dangerous items, like huge panes of glass on bodas.

A matatu (taxi van) with the top totally filled up with chickens.

Political campaigning trucks with huge loud speakers blaring music so loud that it kind of takes the breath out of you when you pass them.

The crazy mix of beamers along with sputtering run-down toyotas from the 80’s next to each other in traffic.

Security guards at pretty much every public place that carry huge guns.

Oversized wooden wheel barrows full of fresh pineapples to buy.

Restaurants (that serve something other than rice and beans) where someone else can do the cooking!

Techno/dance praise music from the nearby exercise club.

Advertisements in simple black and white on computer paper plastering telephone poles for everything from “JOBS IN CANADA” to “GAIN OR LOSE HIPS AND BUMS” CALL...

Lots of dust in the air that sticks all over your face and clothes from riding around the city... especially now in the dry season.

Children with babies strapped to their backs running across the road in bare feet to beg at your window while stopped at a traffic light.

Guys selling sunglasses, maps, air time, electric bug zappers, candy, grasshoppers from buckets, and any number of random items along the road.

Going to church where they sing familiar songs in English.

Tub on a boda

boda on a boda

Witnessing History: President Museveni causes the first Jam ever in Nyahuka

Zainabo came in Monday morning taking about town... “Ehhh! Towne, it is busy! Everyone is wearing yellow.” All of Nyahuka was in a bustle as they prepared for the visitation of the current president of Uganda, Museveni, on his campaign trail. Museveni came and spoke in Bundibugyo town in the spring, but today he was coming to the little trading post of Nyahuka. He has never reached this far! I could already hear motorcyclists going up and down the road. Honking more than usual. Susanna came in all excited. Zainabo translating for me that Susanna had never actually seen the president. The word on the street was that he was coming at 2:00; or was it mid day? Then when a motorcade drove past and a bunch of black SUVs at 9:30 the news was that it would be at 10:00! Susanna and a few others had run out to the road, then back a few minutes later, thrilled that they had seen the president... or at least his black car. Travis has been asked to go, and not wanting to miss the event Chrissy, Pat, Bethany, our friend Amina, Capu, Joas, and Joyce... and maybe someone I am forgetting all piled into the Johnson’s car and headed past town to a local elementary school that would be hosting this even. People with signs, sandwich boards, cardboard hats and flags continued to pour on to the road forming a parade. Trucks creating big clouds of dust were packed with way too many people. We were passing one and I swear the back tires were off the road and it looked like it was going to tip. We arrived at Bundikakemba primary school and drove a bit past to park in someone’s yard. We were not allowed to bring cameras in so Bethany snapped one last picture of a group practicing a tradition dance all decked out in feathers with tin can noise makers strapped to their ankles.

We got in the women’s line (substantially shorter than the men’s) and awaited our turn to get the full security pat down. Once in, Travis was escorted to special seating under the tent, but we were not so fortunate. There was an unfinished school building up on the hill that Pat had her eye on. We headed that way then settled ourselves in the windows. We were pretty far from all the action, but had a great view of all the festivities... and a breeze. Venders had tarps spread out selling political paraphernalia for the NRM where anyone who forgot to sport their yellow t-shirt with a large picture of Museveni on the front could purchase one. I prefer to stay out of politics here. But I have to admit I bought a visor with Uganda’s colors that said NRM with 2 thumbs up. (It was pretty sunny after all). We watched as the field became a sea of yellow and black. Two dance circles emerged, one for women and one for men, the drumming mirroring the excitement of the crowd.

After a while the security guards came off of their tank like, very intimidating vehicle and told us that we could not sit so high up. Despite our pleading we had to go down, but he did tell us that we could go and sit under the tent! (with the important people like the king of Congo who popped over for the event) Holding hands we squeezed through the crowd to the tent. We had to split up but all found a seat. I felt a little out of place with all the cheering and chants for everyone supporting the NRM and the bashing of the other parties. Isaiah, a local business man and board member from Christ’s School was particularly colorful with his yellow, red, and black track suit with NRM painted on the front and a yellow ball cap.

It was now after 1:00 and Museveni still had not shown up. We were to learn that he was not in the Mercedes truck/ movie star trailer. He was not even in the district yet and was scheduled to fly in on the mission airstrip. By about 2:30 he finally showed up to the general pleasure of everyone. I could not understand too much of his speach but, Isaiah frequently turned around to give me little tidbits. His speech was kind of like an interrogation of local officials and how they had been using money. But he did manage to address many issues and people love him here because we have received electricity and started the paved road construction from Fort Portal in this term of his presidency. At this point even if I could understand what was being said it is questionable that I would actually have absorbed it, as aIl I could think about was how incredibly hungry I was, wishing that some local chapatti maker would have had the foresight to see what a financial opporturnity setting up a stand would have been. Anyway! When Museveni finished we all pushed through the crowds to get back to the car. There was a river of people to traverse and this process took a while. Those walking (or footing as they say) made it back before we did. We passed Isaiah walking. He called to me, “Anna, you are seeing history. The first jam in Bundibugyo! Seriously, have you ever seen this?!” What a day!

The crazy truck that looked like it was going to tip.

Now that's a lot of people!

Eating Sunshine

“That was just like eating sunshine.” The words of Pat Abbott as she tosses a mango pit with a sticky hand out the window. We get a lot of sunshine here at the Equator, but to eat it... tangy, sweet, orangey goodness? Definitely smile producing and endorphin releasing! And so many ways in which to experience this deliciousness: mango salsa, smoothies, pie, crisp, slaw, margaritas. Mango season comes 2 times a year and each season is anticipated with great excitement as the trees get blooms and the tiny green fruit grows, getting dotted with pink and orange. Oh glorious mangos! I knew when I came back from America mango season would be beginning. On the way back to Bundibugyo as the switch backs are beginning there is a place on the side of the road where you can get a plastic grocery bag full for 50 cents. I bought a bag and eagerly pealed a sizable mango as soon as I got home, leaning over the kitchen sink juice running down my arm. Sunshine... pure sunshine!

Lydia enjoys eating sunshine too!

People asked me when I was home what American foods I most missed eating. I miss oreos and ice cream and a few other things that I actually can get in Kampala if I am willing to pay. But some things just can not be packaged or transported. When the tables are turned and I am back in America and the only mango to be found was picked when it was hard as rock, never to reach lovely ripeness. Then this mango was shipped half way around the world to sit under lights, getting the occasional misting in the produce section. This mango for which I am also sure to pay a whole lot more than 50 cents. Then I will miss Uganda and that priceless 50 cent bag. Right now I feel pretty blessed to be right here eating sunshine!

A merry little Christmas

Just a little window into Christmas in Bundibugyo...

Charlie Brown Christmas tree #1... webale electricity this year with means LIGHTS!

Christmas tree #2 (which more accurately is 6 branches wired together)... the dead branches of tree #1 started falling off

RMS Christmas party with special guests Kym and Lydia... Happy Birthday Jesus!

Johnson's Katube living nativity/ RMS program. With Ivan reading in Lubwisi, and Pat costume coordinator. I love how this picture captures the afternoon with our rambunctious shepherds, lovely angel Lilli with pink wings, and expressive Afsa as a beautiful Mary

Two Kings...

... And 3 wise women

Christmas eve at the Johnsons... Chrissy is really excited about santa, Lydia... not so sure :)

Church service on Christmas day... ladies choir in new Christmas dresses

What's in a Name?

From the very beginning of time naming was something important to God. To name something suggests ownership. Adam’s first job was to name all the animals, as his work was to subdue the earth and husband it. God himself gives Adam his name, an identity linked to his creator. However, after the fall, our true identity was marred, lost even. We lost the ability to be ourselves. We knew shame for the fist time. We couldn’t love, we couldn’t trust God or even do the work created for us. We needed a new name, a new identity... we needed a savior! When God promised to link himself to Abram, to save and bless the world through him, He also changes Abram's name to Abraham (father of a multitude). God routinely does this through out the old testament, a gesture of redemption, of making these men and women His own. For Abraham’s wife Sarai He changes her name to to Sarah (Princess... even after she laughed at the promises of God). Abraham’s grandson, Jacob becomes Israel (one who struggles with God). These names were were reminders of one who would come.

The creator, the one who was there in the very beginning, would become flesh and dwell among us. But when Christ came he was born as he son of peasants no one had ever heard of. Jesus from Nazareth... who was that? This indescribable God actually took a name, a shrunken identity. Not nearly showing the glory of all that He is. Isaiah attempts in several names, “He shall be called, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” But on that night when he was helpless crying baby these were things that he laid aside. The shepherds got a glimpse of his glory in the singing of the heavenly hosts. The wise men saw the star that spoke of his greatenss. Joseph and Mary each got visitations from angles trying to describe His wonder. But his majesty just couldn’t be contained or explained even in dozens of names.

At Christmas it is appropriate for us to ask ourselves: why would God do such a thing? He came to live among us, attempted to describe himself because He so longs for us to know Him. He gave up part of his identity so that we could have His. A new, a perfect identity. He came to give us a new name. Just as he gave names to Abaham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and so many others. He has a name for you... as his beloved Child. “I will give him a stone, with a new name written on the stone, that no one knows except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:16 Last Christmas as our team prepared for advent, Jennifer Myhre asked us to read John 10:3 “To Him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice and, he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” She asked us to to listen for Jesus calling our name. I have been blessed this year by revisiting this meditation. I hope you will take some time to do the same. Let him call you by name. May you know more his deep, deep love for you this Christmas!

A gift that keeps on giving

Another year at Christ School Bundibugyo has come to a close! I have so enjoyed spending time with these secondary school students. Praying with them! Hearing their stories. Watching God enter their lives. The students that I have spent the most time with are part of the orphan and vulnerable children’s scholarship program. My team mate Chrissy interviewed some of the graduates. Read and be blessed!

Meet Kansiime Asumini. She calls Bumate village her home and answers my questions in a soft-spoken voice with a smile. We find common ground being the youngest child in our families and she tells me about her favorite Nigerian movie. Asumini recalls both the happy and the sad life-changing moments that have occurred in her nineteen years. She remembers the joy she felt at being accepted at Christ School as well as the discouragement of becoming ill during her first term there. While teachers made preparations for her to return to her home, a friend and fellow student named Miriam, prayed for Asumini. Soon after, there was no more talk of Asumini returning home due to her illness—she had been healed! Remembering God’s healing power, Asumini says she learned that “God has plans for me and He can make a way when there seems to be no way.” As she dreams of what those plans may hold, Asumini hopes to become a journalist, taking photos and writing stories of important events in Uganda. Join us in praying for Asumini as she graduates from Christ School, that her light would shine brightly here in Uganda.

Meet Nyangoma Agnes. Her story is one full of pain and hardship but also one of victory. She comes from Buganikere village and enjoys visiting home on term breaks, where she helps in her aunt’s shop and plays with her uncle’s young children. Agnes completed primary school but there was no money for her to attend secondary school. God provided her with a sponsorship at Christ School, where she began to learn about God and the teachings of the Bible. When she came down with smallpox, she thought death was near but after being healed, she began to trust God with her whole life. Two years ago, Agnes’s twin sister died. As Agnes remembers her sister, tears roll down her cheeks and the pain is still great. However, Agnes can still say “God has done great things for me”. She says with confidence that God has always been with her as she has passed through many troubles. She also states that God is for her and not against her, pointing to the evidence as she prepares to graduate from Christ School. Agnes has a passion for math and economics and hopes to one day become a businesswoman. Join us in praying for Agnes and other students of Christ School—that they would have similar stories of triumph and be able to say “God has done great things for me”.

Would you consider blessing future CSB students? I would love to introduce you to one of them! We will have 10 new freshman scholarship students in 2011. You can sponsor a child for $600 a year ($50 a month) and give the gift of hope! For more information visit http://www.whm.org/csb. OR just send me an email at annalinhart@gmail.com.