Eating Ants

Today I most definitely ate an ant. A huge, fried, white ant. It was as you might expect an ant would taste – crunchy and pretty disgusting. Actually, if I’m completely honest, the taste really wasn’t bad. But I couldn’t mentally get past the fact that I was eating an ant and therefore it was quite nasty. The Ugandans really enjoyed them and apparently it is quite a delicacy here. Maybe I will try another one in a couple of months, after I’m a little more adjusted to eating strange things…

My day was once again teaching the alphabet. Today, I had four pupils: Okema, Moses, Gloria, and Walter. Little Okema is doing wonderfully. He can now identify and write A, B, and C in both Acholi and English. The accomplishments academically have made him behave a lot better as well. He can be quite naughty, but I have noticed improvements over the last two days. Moses is definitely going to struggle, but he too is improving. It’s so fun to see the kids proud of their achievements!

Chrissy and I are heading to Kampala in the morning. Her visa is expiring and I’m just excited for the opportunity to see the city. I was there for two days when I first arrived, but I was sick both of the days and did NOT enjoy my experience. I am confident this trip will be much better! We really have no plans other than going to the Ugandan immigration office and the US embassy and relaxing. Sounds like a plan to me!



Okema, showing off his achievements!



Working with Moses on the letter "A".



Our view as we walked back from Tegot after the car broke down. The sun setting over the African dirt roads really is gorgeous!



My littlest friend, Oscar. His sister is Gloria. They come visit me every day at the school, and this one LOVES to cuddle!

The Letter "A"

Today was a great reminder of why I came to Africa.

I spent all afternoon working with a little boy named Okema, teaching him how to write the letter A. This kid had seriously never even held a pencil in his hand, and by the end of our time, he could write and identify "A"s and "B"s. I have never seen a kid so proud of his accomplishments. I took a picture with him holding his chalkboard, but it takes a long time to upload photos and we don't have power right now, so I'll share it later.

It's so encouraging to watch a child succeed, and when it comes to literacy, being able to read and write is so empowering!

We also met with the family of little Gloria, who is the one in the blue dress in the first picture that I posted. Their family has seven children; 3 biological and 4 orphans. They were a sweet family and one of the few people I've met so far that regard adopted children as the same as biological. That was super encouraging to me and I'm looking forward to furthering that relationship.

Gotta save battery power, but I'll post pictures of our writing lessons soon!

T.I.A.

T.I.A. or “This is Africa” is a phrase I have used many times in the last couple of weeks. It is three little letters that attempt to explain the various things that occur here that make absolutely no sense or seem utterly ridiculous (to Ugandans and Americans alike). Today was a T.I.A. day.

Our time at camp was great. It was the first day of school, so all the kids looked smart and clean in their new uniforms. It’s really a privilege to go to school here, so all of the children really look forward to the start! Their day ended early, so we fed them and then required all the sponsorship kids to come to our newly constructed library so we could explain the expectations for their studies.

One of the things I really like about ECM’s sponsorship program (if you’re interested in the program, check out the “Hope in Uganda” F@cebook group!) is that the kids are really held accountable to take care of their schooling. If they don’t, they will be dropped. Sounds harsh, but when there’s tons of other kids who want to go to school, the threat is enough to keep them in line!

After we met with the kids, our team was having a meeting when we hear Apio (the deaf girl who’s picture was posted yesterday) screaming outside and a bunch of other kids running away. Naturally, we’re suspicious. It turns out three kids were being mean to her. So, in a scene I only wish occurred more in the States, one of the Ugandan staff makes the three lay on the grass on their bellies. After a long lecture, he gets a long switch and smacks each of their butts twice. Let me assure you that he did not hit them hard at all. There wasn’t even a sound with the paddle. But the point was that their behavior was unacceptable and wouldn’t be tolerated. Plus, in a culture that runs off shame instead of guilt or punishment, the point was well taken. And I will add that Chrissy and I had to walk away because we were laughing. It’s moments like these that I really wish I spoke Acholi.

So, we finish our meeting and are leaving Tegot to head back to Gulu. We get probably 3 kilometers out of 20 when we blow a tire. Thankfully there was a boda-boda (motorcycle) going past which we stopped to help. Our spare had already blown and we haven’t had money to fix it, so it was clear that we were going to have to get this one repaired. After about 20 minutes of trying to level the dirt road to get the jack on solid ground, we (meaning the men there, I did nothing) finally get the tire off. Simon hops on the boda with the tire and heads off the Gulu to get it fixed. Almost two hours later he comes back with a newly repaired tire and we are once again on our way...

Only to get about 5 kilometers outside of town before blowing the same tire. At this point, we make the decision to send two of the guys to drive slowly back to town while the rest of us walk. The only problem with this was that I had new shoes on and my feet were killing me. I seriously have eight blisters. In hindsight, I should have just ridden with them, but that didn’t occur to anyone in the stress of the moment!

So, we shuffle shoes around and Christine, one of the Ugandan staff lets me wear her shoes. Only problem is I cannot walk in them. They looked like regular flip-flops, but they were definitely some African version that my American motor skills could not handle. I felt (and looked!) entirely ridiculous and we laughed almost the entire 5 kilometer walk back. While I wish I did not look like a fool, I treasure that time of fellowship with Chrissy (my roommate), Christine and Mary (another Ugandan staff). I have been praying that I would be able to connect with Christine and Mary as friends and not just co-workers, and this really gave us a great opportunity to bond. The ability to laugh at myself has come in useful more than once, even though it’s sometimes forced laughter! By the way, Chrissy tried them the last stretch home and couldn’t walk in them either, so it’s seriously a Ugandan talent to walk in these shoes!

And since that wasn’t enough for one day, there was a snake in our house when we got home. Not too big around, but still about two feet long. Sick. Luckily, Chrissy’s a much braver woman than I and she got it out! We found out later from our night guard that it was poisonous, so we are very thankful no one stepped on it.

Oh, and the power is out. Again. T.I.A., friends, T.I.A.

So, in closing, God is good. His presence is so clearly evident in the ministry here and I can see Him working in the lives of so many of the children and families I’ve been working with. I’m so thankful for that! The verse that I am continuously reminded of is “the people living in darkness have seen a great light.” There truly is a spiritual awakening occurring in Uganda and it’s so awesome to witness the freedom that the people are realizing in Christ. They have been free from the oppression of the LRA for almost two years now, but that is nothing compared to the freedom they are gaining in Christ.

Learning to Live in a New Country

So many times in the last week I have felt as if I’m completely clueless about how to take care of myself. Everything here feels different. And hard. I’m praying that I learn to live like an Acholi quickly, because I’m getting tired of feeling overwhelmed by life!

For example, we have had a mouse – a totally uninvited little guest that I have not appreciated. He ate approximately 10 of my granola bars. Not the entire bars, but he conveniently chose to eat from the center of each, so I wasn’t able to just break off the end and save the rest. Chrissy had traps set for awhile, but there was no bait in them. Basically the only way the mouse was going to be caught was if he happened to step on the trap while making a mad dash for my granola bars. So, I decide to bait the trap. I used my half-eaten granola of course. I mean, I already knew he liked those!

This was yesterday morning. Last night, we came home to find out the power was out. This is something that happens typically at least one night per week in Gulu. Sometimes it will stay out for a few days, and never is there any good reason for this. (Sometimes it’s even for big events elsewhere in the city, so they shut down power to all of Gulu so one venue can use all the electricity.) So anyway, I was already a little stressed about not having power and a fan last night. Then I am woken up at 3 AM by the stealer of all Gulu’s electricity – some party nearby. It was LOUD! As I’m lying in bed annoyed, I hear the mouse trap go off. And naturally, I freak, immediately hoping that the house somehow escaped the trap. But no, the trap had done its job. And I had to empty it this morning. Ew.

It is times like this that I pray that if God calls me into full-time oversees missions that He will let me get married first. A husband would be very helpful at times like these! :-)

Just in case you’re getting worried, I still love it here. I love the people, I love the children, I love the city. I’m sitting under my mosquito net right now listening to children play outside and it just makes me happy. But it’s definitely an adjustment. The overwhelmed feeling makes some of the little things seem like a big deal, but it also makes some of the everyday things very exciting. The things like a cold Coke, an e-mail, or a child laughing. All reasons to celebrate life!

A quick update on Mama Ochella: she is doing better! On Wednesday we went to the pharmacy and got three bags of saline solution and took them to the hospital with a plea to please administer them. They agreed and it really helped her strength a lot! I can’t figure out why the hospital doesn’t do these things on their own; none of us are trained in medicine, but simply by being exposed to U.S. hospitals we have more experience than almost everyone here. It’s a cool opportunity to minister to people.

Now for long-awaited pictures! I still don’t have pictures of the house because our shelves and furniture are still not ready. There aren’t closets here, so I am currently living out of 4 suitcases…my room is not a pretty site!


Some of the kids from Tegot. They absolutely LOVE having their pictures made.

This is Bosco. The first time I met him we brought him to the clinic in town and he was diagnosed with malaria and worms. The next time I saw him, he was much more active and his belly had gotten significantly smaller. Yay!

This is Apio. She is deaf (which is really common here due to untreated ear infections) and was really shy the first two days I saw her. Then day 3 something changed and she plopped into my lap as soon as I sat down!

P.S. Cold showers are absolutely wonderful here!

Mostly Awesome, a Little Hard

Today (Wednesday) was basically an awesome day! It began in Gulu University Hospital, where we went to bring food to a mom from Tegot, the IDP camp where we work. This is actually the second time we’ve been to see her since I got here, but the first time my experience there was so horrendous that I’ve had to take a few days to process and not talk about it. I promise after the bad my day got much better!

The hospital is open-air and consists of a bunch of different buildings, each containing a separate ward. The mom, Mama Ochella, is in the TB ward (also has AIDS and malaria). It is absolutely horrendous. They have a trash heap right outside where they slowly burn the trash every few days. It is not a place of hope and has a stench that I will never forget. The hospital is different than what I’m accustomed to in many ways, a big one being that they only provide medical services. The patients must bring and cook their own food or have someone stay with them.

Mama Ochella’s family will not come to the hospital and she is too weak to cook for herself, so ECM staff and volunteers have been bringing food up there each day. Still she seems to be growing weaker. At this point we can only pray for healing and wisdom to know how to handle her care. It is so strange to have any part in an adult stranger’s healthcare, yet there really is no alternative. Please be praying for Mama Ochella and the 6 children she normally cares for!

Now moving on to brighter things: After visiting Mama Ochella, we went to see another mom from the camp who had just given birth to twins. When I say just, I mean within the last day. So, where do we find her? Washing clothes outside the ward. Because that’s what I’d be doing if I had just given birth to twins! The babies were absolutely tiny and totally adorable. She asked if we could give her a ride to camp and since we were going there, we agreed. Then, I told her I could carry any of her stuff for her and she hands me a kid. A precious, tiny newborn handed to a mzungu stranger. I was totally shocked, but of course completely thrilled too! When Mary, one of the Ugandan ECM staff, was helping us into the car, she informed me that the mother wanted me to name the child I was holding. My face was so shocked that everyone laughed!

It is customary in Uganda to have a traditional Acholi name and then a Christian or American second name. From what I can see, most go by their second names, particularly after beginning school. Twins are always named Opin and Ochem, or first and second, but I was to choose Opin’s second name. Mary informed me that it should be after my father or brother since it couldn’t be after me (both were boys). I told her my father’s name is David and my brother’s middle name is Michael. Still they wanted me to choose from those two options. So I chose Michael, since that’s actually after both my father and brother. Opin Michael was now the child I had in my arms. But more than that, the mom decided that the second child would be Ochem David, so really I got to name both babies!

As we rode back to camp, I snuggled the baby in my arms and prayed over him. He has a lot ahead of him and will be fighting an uphill battle from the beginning, but I am so thankful that I had the chance to be a part of his life. It’s so strange to me that you would ask a total stranger to name your children. I asked Chrissy about it later and she said that that is a really big honor to them. I feel really weird about it, but it is very humbling and certainly was a huge honor for me as well.

Lest this sound too much like a fairy tale, you should know that as I prayed I was also sweating. A lot. Ugandans wrap their babies in layers of blankets and don’t like wind on them for fear of sickness. So here I am with a child snuggled against my chest, three blankets on top of him, and the windows up and no air conditioning. In the midday African sun on a dirt road with potholes. Let’s just say that as much as I was thankful to be there, I was thankful for our trip to end too!

And moving on: two of the other Ugandan ECM staff, Pato and Christine, and myself went to speak with a man who had questions about becoming a Christian. It’s hard to tell exactly how old he was, but I would guess at least mid-50s. He has had a hard life. His family was greatly affected by the war, he still has injuries from the LRA, and he has a large number of children he supports. It was such an awesome opportunity though. We read some Scripture to him and answered some of his questions. We are planning to go back and meet with him tomorrow. He is going to think about what we said and have more questions to ask us.

In keeping with custom, his wife (or sister, I’m not actually sure which) gave me a chicken for coming to visit. Usually they just serve you a meal, but I guess she thought I looked like someone in need of a chicken! I let Pato have it because I’m not quite ready to launch into chicken slaughter yet. Plus it wasn’t an egg-laying chicken.

As we were waiting to leave camp, I made friends with some of the kids that I’ll be working with. A lot of them are shy toward mzungus, but break out the camera and that breaks down even the toughest defenses! This is little Gloria. She clung to me the whole time I was there, layed in my lap, and played with my hair. It’s cool to think that, unlike a normal mission trip, I’ll actually be here long enough to get to know these kids and build relationships with me. They’re a lot of fun!

That’s all I have time for now, but thanks to those of you who made it to the end. Sorry this was so extremely long!

Life in Gulu

I know I've only been here less than a week, but I seriously feel like I'm already settling in to life in Gulu. So far, I really have loved it!

Today was a Ugandan holiday, so we didn't work, but instead Chrissy (my roommate) showed me around Gulu. We walked through the market, bought a fan (yes, yes, yes!!), and had breakfast with another American missionary I met through someone at Fellowship. It was a really nice holiday and really helped me get to know Gulu a little bit more.

Also, can I just say that when you don't fully understand the culture or language, visiting with other Christian Americans is a HUGE blessing? I can't remember if I already wrote this in my previous post, but in the airport in Entebbbe, I met another missionary family from Waco, Texas. These are not the same people I met with today, but it's very comforting to network with other Americans when you're so far from home!

I went into the IDP camp, Tegot, yesterday and was completely overwhelmed by the state of life there. It is a village of mud huts and I was not prepared for the level of poverty I saw. The distended bellies of the children was the thing that bothered me the most. It's amazing to me that in spite of the conditions in which they live, most still have joy.

The cool thing about that joy is that it supposedly wasn't there two years ago. ECM adopted this camp and focuses on holistic ministry. This truly has given the people hope. They were SO excited we were there and you really can see hope in their eyes. I pray that they come to truly know and understand that Christ is where they should place their hope and trust!

Some things I've learned:

• If you smile really big and shake an Acholi's hand, they will like you immediately.
• You can con small children into touching you if you extend your hand for them to shake it. They're culturally compelled to oblige. Side note: This does not work on children under 2. They run away screaming, terrified of mzungus (white people).
• Cold Coke is pretty much the best thing you will ever taste when in a foreign country. However, Chrissy showed me a place with ice cream and yogurt, so those will be high on the list as well.
• Laughter crosses all language barriers.
• Africa makes you very, very dirty. I have been covered in dust and dirt since I've gotten here. The bright of that is I look several shades tanner just by walking down the road.

That's all I have for now. Thanks for the continued encouragement!

Finally Here!

After a very long couple of days, I have finally arrived safely in Gulu!!

The journey began in Dallas and after almost 24 hours of travelling, I arrived at the Entebbe airport late Thursday night, exhausted and feeling sick. I was taken to my hotel where I probably slept 3 hours that night. I felt sick, I was overly tired, there was pouring rain on a tin roof, and I did not enjoy being by myself in a strange hotel in a new country. Not a good start to being in Uganda. Friday I was sick all day as well and wasn't able to eat anything. I had to go into Kampala that day to get a cell phone and pick up a couple things for the other missionary here in Gulu.

In Kampala, I experienced my first boda-boda ride (a motorcycle taxi). It was quite an interesting experience and I am very thankful to be alive today! There weren't any traffic laws that I could tell and the driver had no problems driving on the sidewalk, between moving vehicles, or on the wrong side of the road. I enjoyed it though and am glad that I had the experience!

Saturday morning began early again, as I had to take a 6 hour bus ride from Kampala to Gulu. Can I just say that my body was in no way prepared for the heat of that trip?? The Ugandans get cold with the windows open and the breeze, but I'm of course dying in the heat and sun with no air conditioning. That bus ride was seriously one of the longest 6 hours of my life!! BUT, the cool thing was that I got a lot of time to pray! Someone told me before I came to have an attitude of joy when things are tough. Having that attitude and mindset made the trip bearable!

It was awesome too because I started to feel better about an hour outside of Gulu. This was good because as soon as I got here, we went to two graduation parties. Culturally, it's very rude not to eat, so I'm so thankful that the Lord gave me a reprieve from my sickness so I could honor the families! The first Ugandan food I had was excellent as well. I stuck to potatoes and rice, but it tasted really good, especially after not eating for a couple of days!

This morning (Sunday) we went to church at the Watoto Church. It sounded so familiar to me, and I found out that it's because a song on Chris Tomlin's Hello Love CD features the Watoto Children's Choir! The time of worship was truly incredible. It was in English and I knew all the songs - including The Stand, one of my favorites! The doctrine seems to be sound from what I can tell and the people were all extremely welcoming and friendly, so I am really looking forward to going again next week.

We went to church with 14 little girls from the Zion Project, a ministry for girls of Congolese prostitutes. The girls were absolutely precious and I could not have enjoyed them more. Their home is only a five-minute walk from my house, so I am quite sure I will spend quite a bit of time there! :-)

I am loving being here. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be here and can't wait to see what God has in store for my time in Gulu.

Here is my contact information while I'm here:

Mailing address: PO Box 116, Gulu, Uganda, East Africa (I will write you back if you write to me!)

Phone number: 0789 56 1799 (I would love for you to call, but please keep in mind I'm 9 hours ahead on Central time!)

Skype name: my first name, underscore, last name: first_last

I would love to hear from you and am so thankful for all of your prayers and support. I'll try to get pictures on here soon!