The first weekend we went to an Anglican Church service which was amazing. It is so cool to dance and clap and stomp in worship and then the Ugandans all whisper their prayers at the same time. The pastor had us stand up then he said, “Welcome from Obama’s land!” (Needless to say, everyone is OBSESSED with Obama).
Each morning someone leads us in an hour of devotions. We sing and dance, then read the Bible, discuss, pray etc. You cannot imagine the wisdom and faith of the Ugandans here. I am in constant awe of their knowledge of God and the words they use to describe Him. The Empower-a-Child employees, volunteers, and friends are so faithful, humble, and thankful. I have a lot to learn so it is such a fun time to listen and have God open my heart and mind.
Our second Sunday we went to KPC – Kampala Pentecostal Church- and it felt so American, just like Saddleback or New Venture, with huge screens, movies, etc. The pastor is an American named Gary Skinner. An English woman shared an amazing message with us about having and “After you” spirit.
We visited a gaudy Catholic church in the middle of the city and we are going to go to mass next Sunday.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ugandan Accent
Half of the time, Katie and I have NO idea what the Ugandans are saying even when they are speaking English. So we just stare at them or pretend that we understand. They also use the word ‘stubborn’ to mean ‘crazy’ so they love to describe us as stubborn.
One time the fourteen-year-old neighbor boy, Jovan, was telling us elaborate stories about his cow but I am convinced that he was not speaking English. So I just responded at the appropriate places with a nod and smile.
One time the fourteen-year-old neighbor boy, Jovan, was telling us elaborate stories about his cow but I am convinced that he was not speaking English. So I just responded at the appropriate places with a nod and smile.
Katalemwa Hospital
Before we visited the hospital, Ivan & Collin told us that we could not cry or get sad when we see the kids because of course it would discourage them. I was so afraid that I would burst into tears when I saw them (or throw up) because of their situations. I prayed that I wouldn’t cry and thankfully I didn’t. It was incredible to see these children- only pictures will do it justice but they have strange contraptions on their legs which are growing the bones or they can’t walk… etc.
It was a MIRACLE to see the way the children lit up when we danced and sang for them and made them laugh. They couldn’t get up or dance, but they clapped and sang and had HUGE smiles the entire time. How inspiring to see the faith and joy that they have despite their situations.
Katie & I led games and since they cannot easily move, we played ‘Categories’ where they each had to name a different animal, but that lasted only so long and then we started acting out the animals for the kids to guess. They couldn’t stop laughing!
Then we brought hats, scarves, belts, jewelry, and sunglasses and put them all on and pranced around. The kids had to remember each accessory that we were wearing so that when we left and took them off, they could try to name them. We did a craft and Geoff, a Ugandan volunteer, shared a message on faith.
Children come to the hospital from all over Eastern Africa, usually with their moms (many of the fathers abandon them when they find out about their disfiguration/diseases). The hospital also creates its own prosthetics, wheelchairs, crutches, shoes, and casts for the children so we visited the factory and the workers.
Sanyu Babies Home
50 babies (ages 0-3) live at the Babies Home that we volunteer with a couple of times a week. We play with the kids, mop, cook, or do laundry. Then we have some music and next we feed them. I wish everyone could see this- FIFTY babies being fed this strange mushy food or bottles depending on their age, at the same time. Needless to say, it is pure chaos and I have never seen dirtier children. They throw the food at each other or it just goes all over their clothes and the floor. Next we change the younger babies’ clothes and diapers while the older ones all sit on little plastic potties at the same time. Then we find their crib for their nap time. The babies are sweet but I am in awe of the women that work there full time!
Transportation
The taxi system is insane here. The taxis are really vans that fit fourteen people plus the driver and a “conductor” who hangs out of the window pointing in the direction of the destination.
During our first ride an ‘agent’ came up to our driver who was stopped in traffic and demanded that he pay a fee.
Driver: Refuses to pay
Agent: Tries to pull key out of ignition
Driver: Tries to roll window up on agent’s arm
Agent: Yelling and shaking the taxi with fourteen people in it
Driver: Hitting the agent
Us: Everyone piles out of the taxi.
Conductor: Lets everyone go without paying except for Katie and I because we are white.
Us: We continue our journey on foot.
Yesterday we took our first Boda Boda ride! Which means we are on the back of a scooter weaving in and out of buses, cars, and people while the driver was turned around the entire time asking us questions.
Making our first meal in Uganda
Katie and I had to make dinner for ten people using about $7.50 (US). We spent three hours weaving up and down the three aisles thinking of different things we could make and then realizing that it would never work because it would be too expensive or impossible with the food options.
Some of our genius ideas included:
-Garlic bread & fruit salad (fruit is too expensive and very bruised)
-Peanut butter and banana sandwiches (not really dinner)
-Oatmeal (they don’t own bowls)
-Hot dogs (too expensive- no buns)
-Risotto (doesn’t exist)
-Pancakes (no syrup)
-Bruschetta (too expensive)
We ended up making Egg McMuffins- everything that could have gone wrong, did.
1. The electricity was out.
2. Somehow we spent 2500 shillings instead of 1500.
3. The cheese didn’t melt and it tasted like dirt.
4. The eggs tasted like dirt.
5. The ‘rolls’ crumbled all over the bottom of the pan.
6. By the time dinner was made two hours later, half of the people had left to eat somewhere else.
7. The “country potatoes” were burnt black – luckily no one could see what they were eating.
PS Our second meal actually turned out to be great! We made tacos with chapattis as tortillas.
Some of our genius ideas included:
-Garlic bread & fruit salad (fruit is too expensive and very bruised)
-Peanut butter and banana sandwiches (not really dinner)
-Oatmeal (they don’t own bowls)
-Hot dogs (too expensive- no buns)
-Risotto (doesn’t exist)
-Pancakes (no syrup)
-Bruschetta (too expensive)
We ended up making Egg McMuffins- everything that could have gone wrong, did.
1. The electricity was out.
2. Somehow we spent 2500 shillings instead of 1500.
3. The cheese didn’t melt and it tasted like dirt.
4. The eggs tasted like dirt.
5. The ‘rolls’ crumbled all over the bottom of the pan.
6. By the time dinner was made two hours later, half of the people had left to eat somewhere else.
7. The “country potatoes” were burnt black – luckily no one could see what they were eating.
PS Our second meal actually turned out to be great! We made tacos with chapattis as tortillas.
TIA
This is Africa
Ugandans, and probably most Africans, say TIA, meaning “Get used to it- this is Africa!”
1. Cockroach the size of a mouse in the shower
2. Nescafe instant coffee
3. Potholes jostling my bowels EVERYWHERE
4. No electricity for days
5. Katie & I waking up screaming from the storm and our windows banging against the iron.
Ugandans, and probably most Africans, say TIA, meaning “Get used to it- this is Africa!”
1. Cockroach the size of a mouse in the shower
2. Nescafe instant coffee
3. Potholes jostling my bowels EVERYWHERE
4. No electricity for days
5. Katie & I waking up screaming from the storm and our windows banging against the iron.
More to come...
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