Well, I'm finally back on the blog, after malaria, recovery, returning to a full schedule and internet breakdowns. I'm completely recovered from the malaria (I'm not even perpetually tired anymore), and I was blessed during my whole time of illness with a comfort in God and the ministerings of Sadie. Life has definitely been full, and I have been finding a lot of joy in my times with God, fellowship with people and opportunities for service.
I hope that everybody's Easter was wonderful, special and restorative! It was my first Easter ever away from the commercial twist. I hardly saw any chocolate bunnies, and there were no shelves full of brightly colored baskets or egg die kits. It is every bit as much of a holiday here as in the States (the children get Good Friday off of school, as well as the following Monday), but the people here aren't as dependent on the "stuff" to make it a holiday. Anyhow, I really enjoyed my time with the Good Friday service (which was an amazing gathering of most of the Jinja missionaries), the Easter Sunrise Service, and the excellent fellowship surrounding that time.
With less than two months to go now, my mind is frantically turning back over all that has happened, then leaping forward to the idea of the end of the trip coming into view. I look forward to going home, but I don't look forward to leaving Uganda. It's an odd mix of enthusiasm about the future and enjoyment in the present, because I am completely content in both! I know, for whatever reason, that God has me here for this moment, and that I am to give him (and those around me) my best, but I am also excited to walk on into the new plans for the summer, as I return home, to find out what God has for me there.
When I originally came to Africa, one thing I was hoping for was that God would use this time to narrow down/clarify the specific plan for my life. Well, my impression of what God's eventual plan for me is has actually gown wider! Yeah, very unexpected. God has been showing me the challenges of cultural barriers, and the amazing length of time and effort that it takes to become truly effective to minister in another culture. In the middle of my speculation on my desires for travel and a better understanding of the international mission field, I realized that the culture I was learning the most about here in Uganda was my own. Stepping outside of your surroundings and way of life can reveal so much about that culture! I could be given a burden to travel and learn about other cultures simply to enable me to recognize my own culture and how best to minister to it. I'd really never thought of it before, and possibilities for God's plan for my life seem so endless now! Oddly, it doesn't bother me. It actually makes me excited, because I'm backing off from trying to "finish God's sentences" in regards to my future! I know enough to take the next step, but I'm letting Him plan the trip.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
March in Uganda
Hello Everyone
First of all I want to say thank you for all of your prayers, they have been wonderful especially these last few weeks. As many of you know, Megan came down with Malaria on Monday morning. She’s had a harrowing few days, but we think that we have seen the worst of it. We took her to get a test done and the Malaria is gone! But she is having some side effects of the meds, like nausea and dizziness which have gotten better today but still need complete eradication. We thank you all for faithfully praying; please continue to pray for a speedy recovery. Two of the Fulks family members, Benjamin and Jacob have also contracted the illness. Benjamin is all better, and Jacob as of today has recovered nicely. Once again thanks for your prayers.
We traveled home on Sunday from our two week visit to Gulu, Northern Uganda. God blessed us with safe travel and a good driver, kudos to John Fulks and his navigation/piloting skills. It was a very special time that we had up there. We stayed on the Coggin’s compound in their Guest Banda (hut). As John was in Arua teaching, we spent time with the Coggins, got to know their ministry, explored village life, met some wonderful people and had a few adventures.
The Coggins’ have been in Gulu for the past two years working with the Acholi people. They started a primary (elementary) school the first year that they came. They have been working on a contextualized Christian Curriculum for the Ugandan school system. It was exciting for me to hear about their plans for the future and to see them working out throughout the weeks that we were there. In the evenings, after the generator was turned on, at seven, we would spend time in their place, fellowshipping, playing music, talking, playing games and enjoying each other’s company. With a crowd of 14 we never really had a dull moment.
A few days we were outfitted with an Interpreter and allowed to go into the village and meet the people. The village we were in had surged in size during the war, people fled their homes and crowed into villages in hope of protection from Rebel troops. Now that the war is over many people have relocated back into more rural parts leaving numerous huts abandoned. This village was full of very friendly and welcoming people. Every hut we walked by, we stopped and talked, even if it was about nothing at all. We sat around a pot with a group of ladies and their infants, talking as they cut up Cassava for their supper. Another day we went out with an interpreter and Lisa Coggins. This day we didn’t go to the main “Suburbia” part of the village but we walked out a less traveled road which turned into a trail leading to a beautiful plot of land with four mango trees and a hut. We went out all this way to visit Mary.
As we walked down the narrow path opening into a clearing we were greeted with kind eyes smiling back at us. Mary greeted us and set up three chairs and a stool for us to sit and visit under the mango trees. As we sat she told us how happy she was that we had come and began to tell us about her new job. She sat on a papyrus mat, holding in her hands a skillfully woven basket to which she was currently adding the finishing touches. She started to make baskets out of palm tree leaves and their spines in order to help with the family expenses. That sounded good to me but even more so when I heard the rest of her story which came in parts, but I will tell to you as cohesively as I can.
In her village growing up Witch Doctors were very important, as they are in many villages. The village decided that Mary should be their next witch doctor; through ceremonies and summoning they “empowered” Mary with all of the spiritual powers available to them. Thus she was anointed. She married and had children, while making money through her ‘doctoring’. But she came down with tuberculosis and fell very ill. Her Husband heard about a church where he might be able get help for his wife. He went to church, being at that time addicted to alcohol, and heard about Christ. He professed belief in Christ and started attending. Shortly after he told the Church about his sick wife and asked if they could come and help her. They went to their home and found Mary very near to death. Carrying her swiftly to the hospital they got her the care that she needed. Since then she put her trust in Christ and as evidence has completely given up witch doctoring. Now that her family does not have the income she is making baskets instead. Her Husband has stopped spending time where all of the drinking takes place and sets himself to work with his cattle as well as with crops and weaving some with his wife. The light in both of this couple’s eyes is unmistakable. I was told that Mary’s countenance did not use to be so radiant, but now she truly shines with the light of Christ. Praise God … Great things He has done!
There several stories similar and other stories different but just as wonderful of a testimony of God’s goodness and mercy, but to write them all at once would be unfair, for our minds need time to think and absorb. I have already told you one story, now I will recount for you an experience.
It was a warm morning, as was usual in Gulu, as a Lorry truck drove past the compound, packed with students in the back wearing pink and white uniforms, and singing joyously. I went about my work downloading and editing pictures from the previous day’s outings. Suddenly I heard my name called, I quickly grabbed my camera, thinking I was needed to document some compound happening, and hopped out of the Banda. To my surprise I saw the whole staff compound running, or biking towards the gate. I caught up with Lisa, whose voice had called my name. “There’s been an accident, people might have been killed. You’re an EMT right? They’ll need you up there.” She turned around to go get the staff van as I took off running towards the gate and down the road. As I ran I said a prayer and thought of the truck full of kids that had just driven by. It wasn’t long before I saw the crowd of people and heard the wailing cries of scared and injured teenagers. The truck was on its side, my heart skipped a beat, but I was thankful to see that everyone was out of the vehicle and no one was under the bars of the Lorry. Once the van arrived, we loaded the most injured in and headed to the hospital. It was a hard ride especially for the girl with a broken leg, the bumps must have felt like torture, I kept it as steady as possible and the driver drove well, but it was in no way a comfortable ride I’m sure. Arriving at the hospital we unloaded the kids and tried to get them some emergency service, which has yet to be developed to its fullest potential. After some time, of waiting and watching, we had to take our leave and head back to our compound, now that the kids were in capable hands. On the ride back out I thanked God for the training that I had received and that He allowed me to be of use in some small way with those kids. Please pray for their recoveries and that they will know the love of Christ.
Our trip home was wonderful and we spent some really nice time together at the Murchison Falls Park. What an exquisite part of God’s creation. Thankfully on the actual drive home no one had come down with Malaria symptoms and we made it home in good time and without any mishaps!
I hope all is well on the western front and that you are continuing to grow in the knowledge of the love of Christ, as I am. Much love from Uganda,
Sadie
“O God, you are my God, I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You in a dry and weary land where there is no water...Because Your loving kindness is better than life.” Psalm 63:1,3
Sorry its so long... will send pictures soon!
First of all I want to say thank you for all of your prayers, they have been wonderful especially these last few weeks. As many of you know, Megan came down with Malaria on Monday morning. She’s had a harrowing few days, but we think that we have seen the worst of it. We took her to get a test done and the Malaria is gone! But she is having some side effects of the meds, like nausea and dizziness which have gotten better today but still need complete eradication. We thank you all for faithfully praying; please continue to pray for a speedy recovery. Two of the Fulks family members, Benjamin and Jacob have also contracted the illness. Benjamin is all better, and Jacob as of today has recovered nicely. Once again thanks for your prayers.
We traveled home on Sunday from our two week visit to Gulu, Northern Uganda. God blessed us with safe travel and a good driver, kudos to John Fulks and his navigation/piloting skills. It was a very special time that we had up there. We stayed on the Coggin’s compound in their Guest Banda (hut). As John was in Arua teaching, we spent time with the Coggins, got to know their ministry, explored village life, met some wonderful people and had a few adventures.
The Coggins’ have been in Gulu for the past two years working with the Acholi people. They started a primary (elementary) school the first year that they came. They have been working on a contextualized Christian Curriculum for the Ugandan school system. It was exciting for me to hear about their plans for the future and to see them working out throughout the weeks that we were there. In the evenings, after the generator was turned on, at seven, we would spend time in their place, fellowshipping, playing music, talking, playing games and enjoying each other’s company. With a crowd of 14 we never really had a dull moment.
A few days we were outfitted with an Interpreter and allowed to go into the village and meet the people. The village we were in had surged in size during the war, people fled their homes and crowed into villages in hope of protection from Rebel troops. Now that the war is over many people have relocated back into more rural parts leaving numerous huts abandoned. This village was full of very friendly and welcoming people. Every hut we walked by, we stopped and talked, even if it was about nothing at all. We sat around a pot with a group of ladies and their infants, talking as they cut up Cassava for their supper. Another day we went out with an interpreter and Lisa Coggins. This day we didn’t go to the main “Suburbia” part of the village but we walked out a less traveled road which turned into a trail leading to a beautiful plot of land with four mango trees and a hut. We went out all this way to visit Mary.
As we walked down the narrow path opening into a clearing we were greeted with kind eyes smiling back at us. Mary greeted us and set up three chairs and a stool for us to sit and visit under the mango trees. As we sat she told us how happy she was that we had come and began to tell us about her new job. She sat on a papyrus mat, holding in her hands a skillfully woven basket to which she was currently adding the finishing touches. She started to make baskets out of palm tree leaves and their spines in order to help with the family expenses. That sounded good to me but even more so when I heard the rest of her story which came in parts, but I will tell to you as cohesively as I can.
In her village growing up Witch Doctors were very important, as they are in many villages. The village decided that Mary should be their next witch doctor; through ceremonies and summoning they “empowered” Mary with all of the spiritual powers available to them. Thus she was anointed. She married and had children, while making money through her ‘doctoring’. But she came down with tuberculosis and fell very ill. Her Husband heard about a church where he might be able get help for his wife. He went to church, being at that time addicted to alcohol, and heard about Christ. He professed belief in Christ and started attending. Shortly after he told the Church about his sick wife and asked if they could come and help her. They went to their home and found Mary very near to death. Carrying her swiftly to the hospital they got her the care that she needed. Since then she put her trust in Christ and as evidence has completely given up witch doctoring. Now that her family does not have the income she is making baskets instead. Her Husband has stopped spending time where all of the drinking takes place and sets himself to work with his cattle as well as with crops and weaving some with his wife. The light in both of this couple’s eyes is unmistakable. I was told that Mary’s countenance did not use to be so radiant, but now she truly shines with the light of Christ. Praise God … Great things He has done!
There several stories similar and other stories different but just as wonderful of a testimony of God’s goodness and mercy, but to write them all at once would be unfair, for our minds need time to think and absorb. I have already told you one story, now I will recount for you an experience.
It was a warm morning, as was usual in Gulu, as a Lorry truck drove past the compound, packed with students in the back wearing pink and white uniforms, and singing joyously. I went about my work downloading and editing pictures from the previous day’s outings. Suddenly I heard my name called, I quickly grabbed my camera, thinking I was needed to document some compound happening, and hopped out of the Banda. To my surprise I saw the whole staff compound running, or biking towards the gate. I caught up with Lisa, whose voice had called my name. “There’s been an accident, people might have been killed. You’re an EMT right? They’ll need you up there.” She turned around to go get the staff van as I took off running towards the gate and down the road. As I ran I said a prayer and thought of the truck full of kids that had just driven by. It wasn’t long before I saw the crowd of people and heard the wailing cries of scared and injured teenagers. The truck was on its side, my heart skipped a beat, but I was thankful to see that everyone was out of the vehicle and no one was under the bars of the Lorry. Once the van arrived, we loaded the most injured in and headed to the hospital. It was a hard ride especially for the girl with a broken leg, the bumps must have felt like torture, I kept it as steady as possible and the driver drove well, but it was in no way a comfortable ride I’m sure. Arriving at the hospital we unloaded the kids and tried to get them some emergency service, which has yet to be developed to its fullest potential. After some time, of waiting and watching, we had to take our leave and head back to our compound, now that the kids were in capable hands. On the ride back out I thanked God for the training that I had received and that He allowed me to be of use in some small way with those kids. Please pray for their recoveries and that they will know the love of Christ.
Our trip home was wonderful and we spent some really nice time together at the Murchison Falls Park. What an exquisite part of God’s creation. Thankfully on the actual drive home no one had come down with Malaria symptoms and we made it home in good time and without any mishaps!
I hope all is well on the western front and that you are continuing to grow in the knowledge of the love of Christ, as I am. Much love from Uganda,
Sadie
“O God, you are my God, I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You in a dry and weary land where there is no water...Because Your loving kindness is better than life.” Psalm 63:1,3
Sorry its so long... will send pictures soon!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Gulu: Challenging the Past
Well, I’m most of the way through my first week (of two) in the northern area of Uganda, known as Gulu. John Fulks is doing some bible teaching in Arua (to the west of here), and his family, Sadie and I are staying with a missionary family, getting to visit and encourage their ministry. I’m only doing half-days or so of school with the boys and Lynnsi, but we’re all enjoying the change of pace, and a chance to fellowship (I with Lisa Coggin, and the boys with her adopted sons, Jonathan and Elisha). It’s incredibly hot here, but it cooled down nicely last night (yeah, I actually could actually get under my sheet). Now it’s back up to ‘very hot’, and the generator is off during the afternoon, so there is no cooling hope of fans until this evening. Still, the land is beautiful, and the fellowship is very good, and I’m learning so much about all that God is doing here, as well as all of the challenges that His workers face here.
Northern Uganda has an entirely different feel from the lake-side area I’ve experienced so far. It’s not that there’s a huge geographical difference (although it is a bit more flat and dry with less trees), but the cultural attitude has been radically effected here by poverty, displacement and the trauma of war and rebel attacks. On our 7-hour drive up, we drove through two IDP (internally displaced people) camps, where the huts’ roofs were touching each other, and numbering in the hundreds (maybe thousands). There has been hopelessness here, and the immediate community-relationships have been the only source of support (cutting yourself off from the community is seen as a potentially lethal action. Although living conditions are so hard for many people here, fear is still stronger than want. Change means risk, and risk has, for so many years, meant life or death (as well as isolation from the cultural norm or community). Fear is holding back the entire region from reaching out for the healing cure of change, in this time of post-survival-mode.
Lisa Coggin, the missionary and director of a fee-less school here for the village children, has shared her burden for the education of these little ones with Sadie and I. Because of the recent wars, almost a generation of the people here are uneducated and illiterate, and Lisa has a great desire to raise up this future generation in the strength of a new system of education that promotes critical thinking and reasoning as opposed to unstructured fact and rote memorization. This huge change in education has met with the very heart of the oppressive fear of change and community-separation that Gulu struggles with, yet so desperately needs! She has set before herself the daunting task of re-writing an American curriculum into Ugandan cultural contexts, and then integrating it into her school, despite the many misunderstandings (starting with the very teachers, who have only known the system of rote memorization). Please be praying for her, as she continues through the many discouragements, to do what God has put on her heart.
Northern Uganda has an entirely different feel from the lake-side area I’ve experienced so far. It’s not that there’s a huge geographical difference (although it is a bit more flat and dry with less trees), but the cultural attitude has been radically effected here by poverty, displacement and the trauma of war and rebel attacks. On our 7-hour drive up, we drove through two IDP (internally displaced people) camps, where the huts’ roofs were touching each other, and numbering in the hundreds (maybe thousands). There has been hopelessness here, and the immediate community-relationships have been the only source of support (cutting yourself off from the community is seen as a potentially lethal action. Although living conditions are so hard for many people here, fear is still stronger than want. Change means risk, and risk has, for so many years, meant life or death (as well as isolation from the cultural norm or community). Fear is holding back the entire region from reaching out for the healing cure of change, in this time of post-survival-mode.
Lisa Coggin, the missionary and director of a fee-less school here for the village children, has shared her burden for the education of these little ones with Sadie and I. Because of the recent wars, almost a generation of the people here are uneducated and illiterate, and Lisa has a great desire to raise up this future generation in the strength of a new system of education that promotes critical thinking and reasoning as opposed to unstructured fact and rote memorization. This huge change in education has met with the very heart of the oppressive fear of change and community-separation that Gulu struggles with, yet so desperately needs! She has set before herself the daunting task of re-writing an American curriculum into Ugandan cultural contexts, and then integrating it into her school, despite the many misunderstandings (starting with the very teachers, who have only known the system of rote memorization). Please be praying for her, as she continues through the many discouragements, to do what God has put on her heart.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Blog- “Another glimpse . . . “
Well, I was trying to come up with a coherent way to give you a smattering of Jinja and what’s been happening, but I’m not feeling very coherent today (yeah, I know, what else is new). So, I went through and pulled a few recent (-ish) photos out and wrote a brief description of each. I hope it manages to bring you a breath of Ugandan air!
From top left to bottom right:
1. The back of a storefront shop, where I bought a loose dress called a kitenge. It was too big, so I marked out the alterations and the lady took in the seams while Sadie and I waited and talked with the other people in the shop.
2. My buddy Abraham and I, out at Good Shepherd’s Fold Orphanage. He had been crying because of an argument over a toy, and so I scooped him up and bounced him a few times and then we began to explore the possibilities of a drum. Pretty soon everything was better.
3. Little Brian having his “porridge”. It is generally called Ugali, and is a mixture of posho (or, cooked maize paste, like dry mashed potatoes) and milk.
4. Sadie and I on the bus to Kampala. We were headed for the immigration office to get the extension on our visas. It looks like we had all of the paperwork we needed, and we were in and out in a jiffy, but we have to come back next week to get things cinched up (gulp). The drive was somewhat harrowing, but I was still recovering from being sick, and slept most of the way.
5. As you can see, we take a very disciplined and serious approach to our schoolwork. Hehe. It was just after lunch break, where the boys had gotten creative and returned in a wealth of color and creativity. I especially like my flower-hat! I forgot I had it on, and was going around getting chores done later and Rebecca had to point it out to me.
6. Sadie is holding one of the new additions to Good Shepherd’s Fold; a sweet-hearted little guy named Pious. He had been crying, but he wasn’t fussy (there was just a pair of wide eyes and a single tear slipping down his cheek), and he was such a wonderful cuddly guy! You could see him just soaking up the hugs and love from Sadie!
7. Ah, here I am in the kitenge that you saw being made! I loved the green, and the lady at the shop had taken the finished left-over fabric and tied it onto my head in a very African manner. Walking home, I was trying to decide if I looked more African or more Tourist; I decided that, as soon as the hanger creases went away, it would be more African, and it’s super-comfortable to wear in the heat!
8. The back of the truck is a favorite play place for the little kids. Here, Lynssi and Benjamin had been climbing around, and were now sitting on the bikes that were in the truck. This was at Global Theological Seminary, where John teaches and where we all met him for lunch a couple weeks ago. He helps ferry students and their bikes to the school.
9. Sadie, out shopping on Main Street. I believe we were looking for eggs at that point. She was also on the phone just then, and I thought she looked quite striking. She has an air of ease and familiarity with her surroundings, making her part of them, but she also has a foreign exotic look with her blond hair and bright colors. It is so much fun to see Ugandans recognize that familiarity that we are beginning to have, and getting friendly smiles and encouragement at our snippets of Luganda.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, I was trying to come up with a coherent way to give you a smattering of Jinja and what’s been happening, but I’m not feeling very coherent today (yeah, I know, what else is new). So, I went through and pulled a few recent (-ish) photos out and wrote a brief description of each. I hope it manages to bring you a breath of Ugandan air!
From top left to bottom right:
1. The back of a storefront shop, where I bought a loose dress called a kitenge. It was too big, so I marked out the alterations and the lady took in the seams while Sadie and I waited and talked with the other people in the shop.
2. My buddy Abraham and I, out at Good Shepherd’s Fold Orphanage. He had been crying because of an argument over a toy, and so I scooped him up and bounced him a few times and then we began to explore the possibilities of a drum. Pretty soon everything was better.
3. Little Brian having his “porridge”. It is generally called Ugali, and is a mixture of posho (or, cooked maize paste, like dry mashed potatoes) and milk.
4. Sadie and I on the bus to Kampala. We were headed for the immigration office to get the extension on our visas. It looks like we had all of the paperwork we needed, and we were in and out in a jiffy, but we have to come back next week to get things cinched up (gulp). The drive was somewhat harrowing, but I was still recovering from being sick, and slept most of the way.
5. As you can see, we take a very disciplined and serious approach to our schoolwork. Hehe. It was just after lunch break, where the boys had gotten creative and returned in a wealth of color and creativity. I especially like my flower-hat! I forgot I had it on, and was going around getting chores done later and Rebecca had to point it out to me.
6. Sadie is holding one of the new additions to Good Shepherd’s Fold; a sweet-hearted little guy named Pious. He had been crying, but he wasn’t fussy (there was just a pair of wide eyes and a single tear slipping down his cheek), and he was such a wonderful cuddly guy! You could see him just soaking up the hugs and love from Sadie!
7. Ah, here I am in the kitenge that you saw being made! I loved the green, and the lady at the shop had taken the finished left-over fabric and tied it onto my head in a very African manner. Walking home, I was trying to decide if I looked more African or more Tourist; I decided that, as soon as the hanger creases went away, it would be more African, and it’s super-comfortable to wear in the heat!
8. The back of the truck is a favorite play place for the little kids. Here, Lynssi and Benjamin had been climbing around, and were now sitting on the bikes that were in the truck. This was at Global Theological Seminary, where John teaches and where we all met him for lunch a couple weeks ago. He helps ferry students and their bikes to the school.
9. Sadie, out shopping on Main Street. I believe we were looking for eggs at that point. She was also on the phone just then, and I thought she looked quite striking. She has an air of ease and familiarity with her surroundings, making her part of them, but she also has a foreign exotic look with her blond hair and bright colors. It is so much fun to see Ugandans recognize that familiarity that we are beginning to have, and getting friendly smiles and encouragement at our snippets of Luganda.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Learning from Wasted Plans
You know how you get in the habit of something that you’re pretty sure is going to form a good, solid routine, and then something comes along and manages to completely throw you off? Yeah, that’s happened to me this past week or so. My plan was to write a blog last Sunday, about a beautiful sunset boat ride at the head of the Nile, with its overgrown banks and brightly colored birds. I was also going to write about my visit (along with the Fulks family) to a beautiful mansion in the middle of a sugar-works community, where the gracious and sweet-hearted owner served us tea (accompanied by silver, filigreed china, crystal, and several servants) and then took us out to play hard-core sport version of badminton with her trainer. Yup, all that was one of the most different experiences I’ve ever had. It was very fun, and I loved getting to know this kind Indian lady, especially seeing (even in the midst of her generosity and charities) a hunger for truth. Rebecca Fulks has been a long-time friend of hers, so please be praying that God uses that relationship to reveal Christ to this lady.
Anyway, that’s sort of the gist I would have written in my well-laid-out schedule of last week . . . then I got sick. Sadie left with the orphanage for several days to take them on an amazing adventure to a game park, and I was going to get soooo much done! But all I did that first afternoon was sit on the couch and grind through various emails and school planning that I had. I was feeling tired, headachy and slightly nauseous, and by late afternoon I was chilled. At first I thought it was because I hadn’t done much moving around that day, but as the chills became worse, progressing into the stage that I christened years ago as “pineapple skin”, I realized “TIA” (this is Africa), and I shouldn’t be this cold! I finally chattered my way into the Fulks’ part of the house, trying not to look like a frozen mummy, and the first thing I saw was John in a sleeveless undershirt. OK, there was either a problem with him or with me! Eventually I found my way to a thermometer and discovered that my temp was 101.5 and climbing!
It proceeded to be the worst night of my life! If that is, in any way, an exaggeration, then I can at least safely say that it was the longest. My back and head hurt terribly, the fever got worse and I could hardly stand! Then after about forever (or, around midnight), my stomach/intestines decided that they needed to drain my body of all hydration! During all this time I was able to pray, ask for healing, encouragement and stamina, and I knew Sadie was praying for me, and I had Rebecca checking up on me and taking care of me like crazy! I was so fortunate in all that, but my mind was constantly cast back to the situation of a girl I had met just a few days before. It was in a small clothing shop in Jinja, and after we had gone in the lady running the shop apologized to us, told us to keep looking around but she had to lie down, and she curled up on the floor in the back. The poor thing was dizzy, chilled and desperately waiting for her shift to be over so she could go to the hospital. Here I was, sick but well looked after, and what was her circumstance? At least one that didn’t even allow her to get off of work early when she couldn’t even stand! Did she have malaria? What kind of treatment would she get, and what could she afford?
I, fortunately, did not have malaria. I had some kind of bacterial infection, for which I was given a course of medication and hydration instructions, and became better shortly. It left me very drained for the rest of the week, but I’m pretty much back to speed now. That couple of days interruption completely destroyed my rhythm and schedule, and I’m still trying to get the schedule back, but that actually helped me in driving home the point that has been the main theme of my time with God lately; that all must be in Him! It’s just like in James 4:13-16, where we are called to approach all of our planning with “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that”. Plans that I took for granted dropped to irrecoverable pieces in an instant, but it reminded me that I am called to give all of those plans to the Lord, and let Him sift them into the best schedule, the best plan for my ministry and life. I hadn’t even realized how much of the planning I had decided that God was leaving to me!
So thanks to all of you who got wind of my being sick and prayed; it helped wonderfully! And thanks to God, that he allowed his lessons to come through such a time.
Anyway, that’s sort of the gist I would have written in my well-laid-out schedule of last week . . . then I got sick. Sadie left with the orphanage for several days to take them on an amazing adventure to a game park, and I was going to get soooo much done! But all I did that first afternoon was sit on the couch and grind through various emails and school planning that I had. I was feeling tired, headachy and slightly nauseous, and by late afternoon I was chilled. At first I thought it was because I hadn’t done much moving around that day, but as the chills became worse, progressing into the stage that I christened years ago as “pineapple skin”, I realized “TIA” (this is Africa), and I shouldn’t be this cold! I finally chattered my way into the Fulks’ part of the house, trying not to look like a frozen mummy, and the first thing I saw was John in a sleeveless undershirt. OK, there was either a problem with him or with me! Eventually I found my way to a thermometer and discovered that my temp was 101.5 and climbing!
It proceeded to be the worst night of my life! If that is, in any way, an exaggeration, then I can at least safely say that it was the longest. My back and head hurt terribly, the fever got worse and I could hardly stand! Then after about forever (or, around midnight), my stomach/intestines decided that they needed to drain my body of all hydration! During all this time I was able to pray, ask for healing, encouragement and stamina, and I knew Sadie was praying for me, and I had Rebecca checking up on me and taking care of me like crazy! I was so fortunate in all that, but my mind was constantly cast back to the situation of a girl I had met just a few days before. It was in a small clothing shop in Jinja, and after we had gone in the lady running the shop apologized to us, told us to keep looking around but she had to lie down, and she curled up on the floor in the back. The poor thing was dizzy, chilled and desperately waiting for her shift to be over so she could go to the hospital. Here I was, sick but well looked after, and what was her circumstance? At least one that didn’t even allow her to get off of work early when she couldn’t even stand! Did she have malaria? What kind of treatment would she get, and what could she afford?
I, fortunately, did not have malaria. I had some kind of bacterial infection, for which I was given a course of medication and hydration instructions, and became better shortly. It left me very drained for the rest of the week, but I’m pretty much back to speed now. That couple of days interruption completely destroyed my rhythm and schedule, and I’m still trying to get the schedule back, but that actually helped me in driving home the point that has been the main theme of my time with God lately; that all must be in Him! It’s just like in James 4:13-16, where we are called to approach all of our planning with “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that”. Plans that I took for granted dropped to irrecoverable pieces in an instant, but it reminded me that I am called to give all of those plans to the Lord, and let Him sift them into the best schedule, the best plan for my ministry and life. I hadn’t even realized how much of the planning I had decided that God was leaving to me!
So thanks to all of you who got wind of my being sick and prayed; it helped wonderfully! And thanks to God, that he allowed his lessons to come through such a time.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
"Have You Ever...?"
Sadie's post!
Monday, yes indeed it is Monday, the second day of the shortest month of 2009, can you believe it?
Well this week I have acquired some good experience to throw out when playing the ever awkward “Have you ever” game. ( for those of you fortunate enough to have missed out on this social embarrassment, it is a game in which you say things that you have done by asking the group “have you ever…” and then everyone who has done this has to stand up and frantically search for an empty chair, somewhat like musical chairs without the music.)
“Have you ever”… eaten dinner with a Hippo? Well, we did, or at least in close-ish proximity with a wild member of the hippopotami family. As we sat at the Café in the Queen Elizabeth National Park across a small open space separated by a gapped tree line we saw, on the bush-style air strip, Mr. Hippo grazing lightly on a salad of wheat grass and sage brush (these names are merely guesses; remnants of Sim Safari which I played many years ago).
“Have you ever”… seen the stars from the equator on a crystal clear night? Now coming from Alaska I have spent a number of nights gazing at them through till the sunrise, I’ve experienced some pretty spectacular moments of cosmic panorama, but this was different. The stars we so numerous that, it nearly made this crystal clear sky appear foggy, while in fact it was the stars themselves, being so many that they were overtaking the black void. The blanket we call night now appeared to be a thin veil allowing an overflow of light to be channeled through every perforation.
The very next night there were three lightning storms happening at the same time right around us, while we were in the middle of them without any such storming. To the east there was pink lightning, to the south it was blue, and to the west I was a crimson red and orange. It was a spectacle to which no fireworks could compare, hand in hand with Norah, a 14 year old from the orphanage we stared into the sky while navigating our way to the cabin and trying to steer clear of our friendly neighborhood warthog family.
“Have you ever”… smelled the sulfur of a salt crater lake in the plains of the eastern rift valley? As we embarked on our day of animal viewing the kids started to accuse one another of eating too many eggs for breakfast as they cracked the windows to air out the bus. But the smell only became more powerful and no less odious with them open. The Guide laughed and explained that the smell was issuing from, what looked like a God sized spoonful taken out of the chunky monkey ice cream we call the African plain, more technically a crater lake. Disappointed the boys retracted their statement of packing Brian Ogama in a suitcase if he couldn’t control his “gassing”.
Apparently this salt lake is a beacon to animals who are injured or sick, they migrate here, wallow in the mud for some time and come out all better. Isn’t our God amazing, He even takes care of the wildebeest’s booboos and battle wounds! Jehovah Raffa… Our God the Healer. If He takes such good care of them, should we not trust Him to give us what we need, even in our sickness and infirmities? ( Matt 6:25-34)
“Have you ever”… Had your camera die while taking a picture of a herd of elephants? Yes, it should have been more charged. No, I could not have changed the batteries because it is rechargeable and there is only one. No, I did not cry. Yes, I did resist the urge to through it out the window in frustration and tell it to find its own way back to camp (Silly Elphs, always doing their own thing). I did get one good shot of Madame Elephante’ she was massive, but not the biggest of the day. The elephants were quite magnificent. We saw a new born learning how to walk, the entire herd stood guard on every side while this youngster took its first steps. (Notice I say ‘youngster’ not ‘little one’, these guys come out weighing up to around 180 pounds! This is more understandable when you realize they are in the oven for 22 months!)
Now I’m going to pause the game for a minute (give you world travelers a break from trying to find a new seat). The day I left for GSF in preparation for an early departure in the morning for Queen Eliz., was also the last day of the reading club at GSF. For celebration we had a party for the kids and took them to lunch and swimming. Then we came back to GSF and had a soccer (foot ball) game. There was a group of people from Canada visiting that formed the opposing team on the field. I cannot express what an honor it was to have all of the kids say that “Auntie Sadie” was going to play on the Uganda team. We lined up, facing our opponents, and each team sang their national anthem. I had never heard either, It was strange(in a good way) hearing the Canadian one and even stranger when my team sang theirs and I began to place my right hand over my heart, then stopped short. I had no idea of tune or words… I couldn’t even fake it! (And of course there had to be a video camera going). It was a great game we won 3 to 1. Yay! Go Uganda!
After the game I received word that Megan was ill and shivering (mind you it is around 90 degrees outside!). Praise God she is better and back at her amazingness. Though it was a huge burden to be away from my dear friend and housemate, in here time of tumultuous malady. It gives comfort knowing that we may be absent in body but present in spirit though prayer. After a relatively swift recovery on Meg’s part we had to go to Kampala to get our visa paper work turned in. So we went with a Ugandan lady, who works with global outreach, on a taxi. She was amazing with negotiating prices; she worked hard to get the “muzungu skin color” taxes down to a local’s price. We rode in the larger taxi called a Costa for most of the trip, switching to a Matato, smaller van size, taxi for a short distance to the taxi park. Ahh… the taxi park; picture Rubix Cube without the organization, with vendors running in between the ‘boxes’ and people trying to do their own thing. One moment you think you will never get out and then somehow you fit through a spot the size of card board box, at points you feel like you have stepped into Alice in wonderland, Ugandan style.
“Have you ever”… contemplated escape routes and extrication methods while riding in the back of a crowded taxi? As we turned down a side road on our own way to the taxi park in a Matato, the barley wide enough for a two lane road suddenly became a muddled four to five lane road. Taxis squeezed into every space, whether available or not. (This was the closest to claustrophobia I had felt since being trapped in a culvert with walls of snow on both sides when I was a wee lass). At some point, I’m not sure if it was the concocting smells of body odor, exhaust fumes, and the consuming heat inside the cramped taxi, whatever it was sent my mind into a mode telling me to prepare for the worst. With the taxis being so close together if a quick exit were necessary the only route of escape would have been through one side window and into the neighboring taxi’s window and again until a semi open space could be reached. Then extraction of the other stranded passengers would be a tricky endeavor, especially in light of the not so accessible positioning of the vehicle by emergency personnel. But thanks be to God that is not a common occurrence and this little, busy mind, did not have to carry out any such musings. Though at the time it filled the space in my brain that would otherwise have been figuring out how to purchase and distribute deodorant to all of the passengers on board, whilst yet being confined to the very same air as they. Needless to say, planning escape routes was a welcome diversion.
“Have you ever”… witnessed the looting of a petrol truck while it lay precariously on one side after rolling into that position? As we drove by, at first I was glad to see so many out to help in the cleanup of the toxic substance that had spilled out of the tanker, emptying its contents into the surrounding Mavera rainforest. Then later I was told that the people were not so much aiding as pilfering and making off with the valuable substance. We passed it on the way to Kampala, with a crowd surrounding it, and then we passed it several hours later on the way back, the truck still in the same position. No effort had been made to right the truck or block it off and protect anyone or thing from combustion, but the petrol had rapidly been disappearing. I feel for that driver... I certainly hope he was being diligent while he was driving and that the missing petrol didn’t have to come out of his pay.
Any who, I’m sure you’ve gotten a clue as to how the game works now and you are eager to go and show it to all of your friends, or worst enemies depending on how you enjoyed it. So I will not inhibit you any longer from doing so.
Go and make many memories for future “have you ever” moments. In doing so, I pray that you will be struck by the greatness of God’s creation and moved by the power of His love. He is truly, yet beyond, immense… everything that I have seen and experienced this week has been a vivid representation, but only partial, of that, from the lighting storms, to the caring, familial elephants, and the healing crater lakes. His thoughts go so far beyond our thoughts that our solar system could not contain them all.
All my love to you my dear friends, family and blog wanderers,
Weraba! (Good- bye, in Luganda)
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and make you stand blameless in the presence of His glory, the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be the glory, majesty, dominion and authority, from before time and forever!” Jude 24-25
P.S To all of you linguistically and grammatically oriented people I am deeply sorry and am working on my grammar, not enough obviously. If in reading this you have experienced the equivalent of nails on a chalk board, I will not blame you for sending me back an edited version or just ceasing to read my blogs all together. No hard feelings… on my side at least.
P.P.S The ideas and view shared in this blog portray only a portion of all that is being observed and experienced. Please do not make assumptions or draw conclusions about the people or the culture based solely on these, somewhat satirical, account s which I have given. The people and culture of Uganda is a deep and beautiful culture full of tradition and also bursting with new ideas for growth and future expansions. On the same note, there are more thoughts and happenings than can be expressed in one blog, well even many blogs for that matter. Please enjoy this for what it is, a Snip-It, glance into the mind and experiences of yours truly. Thank you for all of you love, support and prayers. They mean more than you know.
Sadie
Monday, yes indeed it is Monday, the second day of the shortest month of 2009, can you believe it?
Well this week I have acquired some good experience to throw out when playing the ever awkward “Have you ever” game. ( for those of you fortunate enough to have missed out on this social embarrassment, it is a game in which you say things that you have done by asking the group “have you ever…” and then everyone who has done this has to stand up and frantically search for an empty chair, somewhat like musical chairs without the music.)
“Have you ever”… eaten dinner with a Hippo? Well, we did, or at least in close-ish proximity with a wild member of the hippopotami family. As we sat at the Café in the Queen Elizabeth National Park across a small open space separated by a gapped tree line we saw, on the bush-style air strip, Mr. Hippo grazing lightly on a salad of wheat grass and sage brush (these names are merely guesses; remnants of Sim Safari which I played many years ago).
“Have you ever”… seen the stars from the equator on a crystal clear night? Now coming from Alaska I have spent a number of nights gazing at them through till the sunrise, I’ve experienced some pretty spectacular moments of cosmic panorama, but this was different. The stars we so numerous that, it nearly made this crystal clear sky appear foggy, while in fact it was the stars themselves, being so many that they were overtaking the black void. The blanket we call night now appeared to be a thin veil allowing an overflow of light to be channeled through every perforation.
The very next night there were three lightning storms happening at the same time right around us, while we were in the middle of them without any such storming. To the east there was pink lightning, to the south it was blue, and to the west I was a crimson red and orange. It was a spectacle to which no fireworks could compare, hand in hand with Norah, a 14 year old from the orphanage we stared into the sky while navigating our way to the cabin and trying to steer clear of our friendly neighborhood warthog family.
“Have you ever”… smelled the sulfur of a salt crater lake in the plains of the eastern rift valley? As we embarked on our day of animal viewing the kids started to accuse one another of eating too many eggs for breakfast as they cracked the windows to air out the bus. But the smell only became more powerful and no less odious with them open. The Guide laughed and explained that the smell was issuing from, what looked like a God sized spoonful taken out of the chunky monkey ice cream we call the African plain, more technically a crater lake. Disappointed the boys retracted their statement of packing Brian Ogama in a suitcase if he couldn’t control his “gassing”.
Apparently this salt lake is a beacon to animals who are injured or sick, they migrate here, wallow in the mud for some time and come out all better. Isn’t our God amazing, He even takes care of the wildebeest’s booboos and battle wounds! Jehovah Raffa… Our God the Healer. If He takes such good care of them, should we not trust Him to give us what we need, even in our sickness and infirmities? ( Matt 6:25-34)
“Have you ever”… Had your camera die while taking a picture of a herd of elephants? Yes, it should have been more charged. No, I could not have changed the batteries because it is rechargeable and there is only one. No, I did not cry. Yes, I did resist the urge to through it out the window in frustration and tell it to find its own way back to camp (Silly Elphs, always doing their own thing). I did get one good shot of Madame Elephante’ she was massive, but not the biggest of the day. The elephants were quite magnificent. We saw a new born learning how to walk, the entire herd stood guard on every side while this youngster took its first steps. (Notice I say ‘youngster’ not ‘little one’, these guys come out weighing up to around 180 pounds! This is more understandable when you realize they are in the oven for 22 months!)
Now I’m going to pause the game for a minute (give you world travelers a break from trying to find a new seat). The day I left for GSF in preparation for an early departure in the morning for Queen Eliz., was also the last day of the reading club at GSF. For celebration we had a party for the kids and took them to lunch and swimming. Then we came back to GSF and had a soccer (foot ball) game. There was a group of people from Canada visiting that formed the opposing team on the field. I cannot express what an honor it was to have all of the kids say that “Auntie Sadie” was going to play on the Uganda team. We lined up, facing our opponents, and each team sang their national anthem. I had never heard either, It was strange(in a good way) hearing the Canadian one and even stranger when my team sang theirs and I began to place my right hand over my heart, then stopped short. I had no idea of tune or words… I couldn’t even fake it! (And of course there had to be a video camera going). It was a great game we won 3 to 1. Yay! Go Uganda!
After the game I received word that Megan was ill and shivering (mind you it is around 90 degrees outside!). Praise God she is better and back at her amazingness. Though it was a huge burden to be away from my dear friend and housemate, in here time of tumultuous malady. It gives comfort knowing that we may be absent in body but present in spirit though prayer. After a relatively swift recovery on Meg’s part we had to go to Kampala to get our visa paper work turned in. So we went with a Ugandan lady, who works with global outreach, on a taxi. She was amazing with negotiating prices; she worked hard to get the “muzungu skin color” taxes down to a local’s price. We rode in the larger taxi called a Costa for most of the trip, switching to a Matato, smaller van size, taxi for a short distance to the taxi park. Ahh… the taxi park; picture Rubix Cube without the organization, with vendors running in between the ‘boxes’ and people trying to do their own thing. One moment you think you will never get out and then somehow you fit through a spot the size of card board box, at points you feel like you have stepped into Alice in wonderland, Ugandan style.
“Have you ever”… contemplated escape routes and extrication methods while riding in the back of a crowded taxi? As we turned down a side road on our own way to the taxi park in a Matato, the barley wide enough for a two lane road suddenly became a muddled four to five lane road. Taxis squeezed into every space, whether available or not. (This was the closest to claustrophobia I had felt since being trapped in a culvert with walls of snow on both sides when I was a wee lass). At some point, I’m not sure if it was the concocting smells of body odor, exhaust fumes, and the consuming heat inside the cramped taxi, whatever it was sent my mind into a mode telling me to prepare for the worst. With the taxis being so close together if a quick exit were necessary the only route of escape would have been through one side window and into the neighboring taxi’s window and again until a semi open space could be reached. Then extraction of the other stranded passengers would be a tricky endeavor, especially in light of the not so accessible positioning of the vehicle by emergency personnel. But thanks be to God that is not a common occurrence and this little, busy mind, did not have to carry out any such musings. Though at the time it filled the space in my brain that would otherwise have been figuring out how to purchase and distribute deodorant to all of the passengers on board, whilst yet being confined to the very same air as they. Needless to say, planning escape routes was a welcome diversion.
“Have you ever”… witnessed the looting of a petrol truck while it lay precariously on one side after rolling into that position? As we drove by, at first I was glad to see so many out to help in the cleanup of the toxic substance that had spilled out of the tanker, emptying its contents into the surrounding Mavera rainforest. Then later I was told that the people were not so much aiding as pilfering and making off with the valuable substance. We passed it on the way to Kampala, with a crowd surrounding it, and then we passed it several hours later on the way back, the truck still in the same position. No effort had been made to right the truck or block it off and protect anyone or thing from combustion, but the petrol had rapidly been disappearing. I feel for that driver... I certainly hope he was being diligent while he was driving and that the missing petrol didn’t have to come out of his pay.
Any who, I’m sure you’ve gotten a clue as to how the game works now and you are eager to go and show it to all of your friends, or worst enemies depending on how you enjoyed it. So I will not inhibit you any longer from doing so.
Go and make many memories for future “have you ever” moments. In doing so, I pray that you will be struck by the greatness of God’s creation and moved by the power of His love. He is truly, yet beyond, immense… everything that I have seen and experienced this week has been a vivid representation, but only partial, of that, from the lighting storms, to the caring, familial elephants, and the healing crater lakes. His thoughts go so far beyond our thoughts that our solar system could not contain them all.
All my love to you my dear friends, family and blog wanderers,
Weraba! (Good- bye, in Luganda)
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and make you stand blameless in the presence of His glory, the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be the glory, majesty, dominion and authority, from before time and forever!” Jude 24-25
P.S To all of you linguistically and grammatically oriented people I am deeply sorry and am working on my grammar, not enough obviously. If in reading this you have experienced the equivalent of nails on a chalk board, I will not blame you for sending me back an edited version or just ceasing to read my blogs all together. No hard feelings… on my side at least.
P.P.S The ideas and view shared in this blog portray only a portion of all that is being observed and experienced. Please do not make assumptions or draw conclusions about the people or the culture based solely on these, somewhat satirical, account s which I have given. The people and culture of Uganda is a deep and beautiful culture full of tradition and also bursting with new ideas for growth and future expansions. On the same note, there are more thoughts and happenings than can be expressed in one blog, well even many blogs for that matter. Please enjoy this for what it is, a Snip-It, glance into the mind and experiences of yours truly. Thank you for all of you love, support and prayers. They mean more than you know.
Sadie
Friday, January 23, 2009
January musings
The time has come, yet again for me to write and update my dear friends, and whomever else might be interested in the adventures and misadventures of a young lady and her friend in Africa.
I preface the following with this: Please excuse grammar, punctuation or completely nonsensical strings of words, if they indeed be found, the elves sometimes get on the computer whilst the downloading is taking place, thus making it all go awry.
2009 is indeed at hand, all around us here in Africa. The immense dust clouds issuing from the tail end of our vehicles tell of the dry season we have been experiencing. The dry/summer months are culminating. As the black thundering skies roll in, bursting their contents onto the parched soil and vegetation, storm spillage converts the roadways into rivers of chocolate milk and cinnamon pudding, leaving behind irregular, Martian-esque, chasms to traverse in their stead. The communities are stirring in preparation for the New Year of school, which begins in just one week. Many parents and relatives send off their students in anticipation of their prosperity and bringing back the skills and new ideas for a bright future.
Change is in the air, no doubt, even for me. My time as the camp orchestrator at the orphanage is coming to a close, as the kids prepare for their transition into a new class and growing in knowledge and understanding. Our time together was precious and the essence of invaluable. Eight hours a day together, with emotions covering the spectrum from joy to tears, one could say we have become close. They call me Auntie Sadie (often pronounced Say-lee or Say-bee) and I have a few nick names for them as well. One morning I slipped, not quite intentionally, into a thick Spanish accent and, to my delight, captured the kid’s attention in such a way as to make them smile, laugh AND attentively carry out whatever I had to say! Since this amazing discovery I have been Senorita Sadie whenever chaos pays us a visit, inciting riotous behavior into the lovely children, and this, coupled closely with prayer, gives chaos the boot! I think of these words: “Every good thing and every perfect gift is from above …” “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose”: God knew that I needed something to get these Kid’s attention and He gave it!
As we all transition, we are also having a blast for the last weeks of camp. We went to the zoo on Wednesday in Entebbe with the 4-10 year olds and 4 of the older teenagers as helpers. We were blessed with safe travel and no rain while we were walking around the zoo. We had a tour guide who gave interesting facts about the animals and saved us from mal-navigation amongst the botanical, animal labyrinth. Having grown up with the San Diego zoo and Wild Animal Park a regular part of family outings, this was a change indeed. The thick, pestering fog of Nile lake flies was one contrast, but the most noted difference was the lack of substantial barriers between animal and persons. Separated by a chain link fence we enjoyed ganders at, a lion, hyenas, Serval cats, and monkeys. With only a concrete half wall and a small hedge of shrubbery between the Rhino, and a moat for the chimpanzees. Excited squeals and hand squeezes together with the beauty of God’s Creation were all worth the trip. We were not five minutes on the road back toward home, when the lighting flashed and the *boda men got a shower.
Speaking of Boda men, (who, by the way, are mo-ped taxis), Megan and I have been having a fun time with this cultural experience of public transportation. Last weekend we took a boda ride several kilometers out of town to spend the day with some missionary friends. Usually Megan and I ride together on one boda in order to save time, but we decided to ride separate this time in order to provide evidence for you all that we did indeed have fun adventures while we were in Africa. Megan took pictures of me and I of her. As I sat on the back I suddenly realized that there lie 18 speed bumps between me and my desired destination. Then I realized that we were going to have to traverse these, in the same manner I had seen countless bodas do so in the past; that is with their lives, no doubt, flashing before their eyes as they sail up into the air whilst their passenger goes for an unintentional rodeo ride while balancing a basket on their head. As we neared the first speed bump I imagined a crowd cheering for me, the amazing ‘Bodeo’ champion, with my imaginary fruit basket delicately balancing on my head as I landed with grace and charisma on the other side of the humps. We hardly even hit the humps in reality, we just skirted in between the curb in the three inches of space provided, my fans would have to wait for another hump. Several klicks(kilometers) down the, now dirt, road we came into the last set of speed bumps. This time I would make my debut! We had met up with our friends on the way, who were also riding bodas, now I had a real live audience. As we hit the bump Ann turned around with the camera, ’look no hands!’ and I put my hands in the air just as the boda man read my mind a popped a ten foot wheelie. We pulled a tandem superman, never before done! We swapped spots in the air, landing me driving with the fruit basket still on my head! Ok, ok, so we didn’t do the wheelie (though it was invigorating pretending to soar through the air) but I did do the no hands part! We made it safely, all of us, and spent a lovely day together. In fact, on that day we had several opportunities to share about our faith with some business people and also meet people from five different missionary groups.
It has been enlightening (in the non new-agey sense of the word) seeing how God is working in so many facets and lives throughout Africa. There are as many different ministry opportunities as there individuals (all over the world). One may think they have come to Africa to help the orphans and end up leading a tour guide to Christ, or helping a missionary through a hard time. We, or at least I, tend to put parameters on what God’s plan is, but He never fits into the plans I have, as it says “His thoughts are higher than my thoughts and His ways higher than my ways”, I think He wants to do this, be He ends up using me for something completely different. Life with Christ is the most amazing adventure anyone could ever have! Wherever He leads He always has something planned, even in the smallest, seemingly insignificant encounter, He is doing something. For that reason I am striving to take full advantage of every relationship that God brings my way while I am here, in order to cultivate and assimilate that attitude into my lifestyle permanently and walk in the ‘good works He has prepared’ for me.
I must conclude this update for fear of carrying on too long, therefore risking the boredom of my dear reader. There is so much going on, of which I cannot completely grasp nor comprehend, nor communicate. I do hope that you have some glimpse of life on this side of the world for me at the time being. I know that there are equally amazing things going on in each individual life that reads or does not read this posting. I pray that God will continue to enlighten your heart with more and more knowledge of His power, understanding of His love and the reality of the hope that is found in Christ (c.f. Eph. 1:18) Until next time… your friend, sister and random rambler, Sadie
I preface the following with this: Please excuse grammar, punctuation or completely nonsensical strings of words, if they indeed be found, the elves sometimes get on the computer whilst the downloading is taking place, thus making it all go awry.
2009 is indeed at hand, all around us here in Africa. The immense dust clouds issuing from the tail end of our vehicles tell of the dry season we have been experiencing. The dry/summer months are culminating. As the black thundering skies roll in, bursting their contents onto the parched soil and vegetation, storm spillage converts the roadways into rivers of chocolate milk and cinnamon pudding, leaving behind irregular, Martian-esque, chasms to traverse in their stead. The communities are stirring in preparation for the New Year of school, which begins in just one week. Many parents and relatives send off their students in anticipation of their prosperity and bringing back the skills and new ideas for a bright future.
Change is in the air, no doubt, even for me. My time as the camp orchestrator at the orphanage is coming to a close, as the kids prepare for their transition into a new class and growing in knowledge and understanding. Our time together was precious and the essence of invaluable. Eight hours a day together, with emotions covering the spectrum from joy to tears, one could say we have become close. They call me Auntie Sadie (often pronounced Say-lee or Say-bee) and I have a few nick names for them as well. One morning I slipped, not quite intentionally, into a thick Spanish accent and, to my delight, captured the kid’s attention in such a way as to make them smile, laugh AND attentively carry out whatever I had to say! Since this amazing discovery I have been Senorita Sadie whenever chaos pays us a visit, inciting riotous behavior into the lovely children, and this, coupled closely with prayer, gives chaos the boot! I think of these words: “Every good thing and every perfect gift is from above …” “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, and are called according to His purpose”: God knew that I needed something to get these Kid’s attention and He gave it!
As we all transition, we are also having a blast for the last weeks of camp. We went to the zoo on Wednesday in Entebbe with the 4-10 year olds and 4 of the older teenagers as helpers. We were blessed with safe travel and no rain while we were walking around the zoo. We had a tour guide who gave interesting facts about the animals and saved us from mal-navigation amongst the botanical, animal labyrinth. Having grown up with the San Diego zoo and Wild Animal Park a regular part of family outings, this was a change indeed. The thick, pestering fog of Nile lake flies was one contrast, but the most noted difference was the lack of substantial barriers between animal and persons. Separated by a chain link fence we enjoyed ganders at, a lion, hyenas, Serval cats, and monkeys. With only a concrete half wall and a small hedge of shrubbery between the Rhino, and a moat for the chimpanzees. Excited squeals and hand squeezes together with the beauty of God’s Creation were all worth the trip. We were not five minutes on the road back toward home, when the lighting flashed and the *boda men got a shower.
Speaking of Boda men, (who, by the way, are mo-ped taxis), Megan and I have been having a fun time with this cultural experience of public transportation. Last weekend we took a boda ride several kilometers out of town to spend the day with some missionary friends. Usually Megan and I ride together on one boda in order to save time, but we decided to ride separate this time in order to provide evidence for you all that we did indeed have fun adventures while we were in Africa. Megan took pictures of me and I of her. As I sat on the back I suddenly realized that there lie 18 speed bumps between me and my desired destination. Then I realized that we were going to have to traverse these, in the same manner I had seen countless bodas do so in the past; that is with their lives, no doubt, flashing before their eyes as they sail up into the air whilst their passenger goes for an unintentional rodeo ride while balancing a basket on their head. As we neared the first speed bump I imagined a crowd cheering for me, the amazing ‘Bodeo’ champion, with my imaginary fruit basket delicately balancing on my head as I landed with grace and charisma on the other side of the humps. We hardly even hit the humps in reality, we just skirted in between the curb in the three inches of space provided, my fans would have to wait for another hump. Several klicks(kilometers) down the, now dirt, road we came into the last set of speed bumps. This time I would make my debut! We had met up with our friends on the way, who were also riding bodas, now I had a real live audience. As we hit the bump Ann turned around with the camera, ’look no hands!’ and I put my hands in the air just as the boda man read my mind a popped a ten foot wheelie. We pulled a tandem superman, never before done! We swapped spots in the air, landing me driving with the fruit basket still on my head! Ok, ok, so we didn’t do the wheelie (though it was invigorating pretending to soar through the air) but I did do the no hands part! We made it safely, all of us, and spent a lovely day together. In fact, on that day we had several opportunities to share about our faith with some business people and also meet people from five different missionary groups.
It has been enlightening (in the non new-agey sense of the word) seeing how God is working in so many facets and lives throughout Africa. There are as many different ministry opportunities as there individuals (all over the world). One may think they have come to Africa to help the orphans and end up leading a tour guide to Christ, or helping a missionary through a hard time. We, or at least I, tend to put parameters on what God’s plan is, but He never fits into the plans I have, as it says “His thoughts are higher than my thoughts and His ways higher than my ways”, I think He wants to do this, be He ends up using me for something completely different. Life with Christ is the most amazing adventure anyone could ever have! Wherever He leads He always has something planned, even in the smallest, seemingly insignificant encounter, He is doing something. For that reason I am striving to take full advantage of every relationship that God brings my way while I am here, in order to cultivate and assimilate that attitude into my lifestyle permanently and walk in the ‘good works He has prepared’ for me.
I must conclude this update for fear of carrying on too long, therefore risking the boredom of my dear reader. There is so much going on, of which I cannot completely grasp nor comprehend, nor communicate. I do hope that you have some glimpse of life on this side of the world for me at the time being. I know that there are equally amazing things going on in each individual life that reads or does not read this posting. I pray that God will continue to enlighten your heart with more and more knowledge of His power, understanding of His love and the reality of the hope that is found in Christ (c.f. Eph. 1:18) Until next time… your friend, sister and random rambler, Sadie
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Pass the potatoes . . . I mean bananas!
Hello, All!
Well, things have been going along pretty smoothly around here for the past week or so. I’m getting into the swing of things with school, and really enjoying re-learning all the things I skimmed over in high school (I’m pretty sure I’m having more fun in class then the boys). Little miss Lynnsi Ray is working up to a full school day too (we’re completely trouncing her math!). The culmination of a school day is when, if there aren’t any appointments that afternoon, we put away all of the school books, write out the homework lists, then move over to the couch and put in some time reading Fellowship of the Ring out loud. For those of you who really know me, you understand what a sacrifice I’m making in reading that book . . . not!
Anyway, enough of that, for now. I wanted to take some time to share my food experiences here in Uganda so far. I expected eating out to be different, so I was prepared for the frothy cup of flavored milk as a milkshake, and the discovery that most salads didn’t include lettuce, but it was the mixture of familiar and unfamiliar things in shopping and cooking at home that kind of caught me off guard.
I think it’s the semi-familiar things that throw me most (a lot more than the completely new foods). I made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch with the kids today, and realized how different it was! The jelly was plum jam (the most available fruit spread, as opposed to American grape jelly) and it came in a little tin instead of a glass jar. This can be disconcerting to a habbit-formed “jelly-from-a-jar” girl like me! It’s true that Sadie and I had an opportunity to buy familiar peanut butter, but the expiration date was almost up on it, and, never having run into an expired jar of peanut butter, I never want to, so we went with the Kenya-manufactured brand. When I opened it, it wasn’t entirely mixed and instead of the usual peanut oil on top, there was a thick, white lard-like layer. I managed to scrape most of it off, leaving the peanut butter somewhat thick and dry, but somewhat less worrisome to consume. Just about all of the bread I’ve encountered in Uganda has been pretty dry, with a very hard crust, so even the bread was different (and that’s not even going into the varying thicknesses of the slices).
Speaking of the bread, there are a lot more “from scratch” foods around here, which Sadie and I are really enjoying. Fresh bread making is next on my agenda (something I enjoy and haven’t done in a while). We’re also forgoing the store-option of long-life box milk and buying fresh milk that we have to boil and separate the cream from.
I’m also slowly learning more in the way of local dishes. I’ve already told you about African tea, but I’ve also been learning about how to make tortillas (soon I’ll try the African Chapati), spicy peanut sauce, and matoke (a banana-looking fruit that tastes like and is cooked like potatoes). Whenever I go out to the orphanage (or any other more Ugandan or rural meal setting), a plate of beans is usually served, with either rice or Posho (cooked maze meal, like thick, dry mashed potatoes). Posho can also be served for breakfast as a liquidy porrage, accompanying a snack of “g-nuts” or peanuts as we know them.
The best part of all of our food adventures so far has been trying new recipes and new ingredients! The fruit and veggies have been amazing (especially after the expensive and less-than-amazing Alaskan fruit), and Sadie has mastered the fruit smoothie craft (yes, it’s a craft, soon to be ‘art’). There are still adjustments I have to make in my head each time (like looking for “minced beef” at the store instead of hamburger, and having to put the flour in the freezer for a couple of days to kill the bugs in it), but “the kitchen” is slowly becoming “my kitchen” as I become more comfortable in it, and learn the ropes. I can’t wait to bring back the new recipes I’m learning!
Well, things have been going along pretty smoothly around here for the past week or so. I’m getting into the swing of things with school, and really enjoying re-learning all the things I skimmed over in high school (I’m pretty sure I’m having more fun in class then the boys). Little miss Lynnsi Ray is working up to a full school day too (we’re completely trouncing her math!). The culmination of a school day is when, if there aren’t any appointments that afternoon, we put away all of the school books, write out the homework lists, then move over to the couch and put in some time reading Fellowship of the Ring out loud. For those of you who really know me, you understand what a sacrifice I’m making in reading that book . . . not!
Anyway, enough of that, for now. I wanted to take some time to share my food experiences here in Uganda so far. I expected eating out to be different, so I was prepared for the frothy cup of flavored milk as a milkshake, and the discovery that most salads didn’t include lettuce, but it was the mixture of familiar and unfamiliar things in shopping and cooking at home that kind of caught me off guard.
I think it’s the semi-familiar things that throw me most (a lot more than the completely new foods). I made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch with the kids today, and realized how different it was! The jelly was plum jam (the most available fruit spread, as opposed to American grape jelly) and it came in a little tin instead of a glass jar. This can be disconcerting to a habbit-formed “jelly-from-a-jar” girl like me! It’s true that Sadie and I had an opportunity to buy familiar peanut butter, but the expiration date was almost up on it, and, never having run into an expired jar of peanut butter, I never want to, so we went with the Kenya-manufactured brand. When I opened it, it wasn’t entirely mixed and instead of the usual peanut oil on top, there was a thick, white lard-like layer. I managed to scrape most of it off, leaving the peanut butter somewhat thick and dry, but somewhat less worrisome to consume. Just about all of the bread I’ve encountered in Uganda has been pretty dry, with a very hard crust, so even the bread was different (and that’s not even going into the varying thicknesses of the slices).
Speaking of the bread, there are a lot more “from scratch” foods around here, which Sadie and I are really enjoying. Fresh bread making is next on my agenda (something I enjoy and haven’t done in a while). We’re also forgoing the store-option of long-life box milk and buying fresh milk that we have to boil and separate the cream from.
I’m also slowly learning more in the way of local dishes. I’ve already told you about African tea, but I’ve also been learning about how to make tortillas (soon I’ll try the African Chapati), spicy peanut sauce, and matoke (a banana-looking fruit that tastes like and is cooked like potatoes). Whenever I go out to the orphanage (or any other more Ugandan or rural meal setting), a plate of beans is usually served, with either rice or Posho (cooked maze meal, like thick, dry mashed potatoes). Posho can also be served for breakfast as a liquidy porrage, accompanying a snack of “g-nuts” or peanuts as we know them.
The best part of all of our food adventures so far has been trying new recipes and new ingredients! The fruit and veggies have been amazing (especially after the expensive and less-than-amazing Alaskan fruit), and Sadie has mastered the fruit smoothie craft (yes, it’s a craft, soon to be ‘art’). There are still adjustments I have to make in my head each time (like looking for “minced beef” at the store instead of hamburger, and having to put the flour in the freezer for a couple of days to kill the bugs in it), but “the kitchen” is slowly becoming “my kitchen” as I become more comfortable in it, and learn the ropes. I can’t wait to bring back the new recipes I’m learning!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Nile, Sunburns and Kids!
Yup, it's been a busy week or so. Right now I'm sitting at the table, sipping a cup of Africa Tea (black tea made in milk and water, with a mix of spices called masala added- like a chai latte), and catching up on my writing. It's fun to think back to Christmas (which already seems long ago) and muse over everything that's happened since.
Let's see, first there was the adventure of white water rafting down the Nile River!!!!!! It was super fun! We'd been told about the trips before we even came, and were pretty sure that we'd have to end up doing it (who could resist saying that they'd rafted down the Nile?), but I'd expected it to be months from now. Well, there were a bunch of missionaries going on this trip, several of whom were leaving shortly after, so it turned out to be the perfect opportunity. It was about 6 hours of a trip, with lunch on an island and 11 rapids (grades 3-5), but one of my favorite parts was the calm stretches, where we just paddled, talked and laughed with our guide, or jumped out to swim/float down the Nile for a while. It was by far the warmest water I'd ever been in outside, and the rapids were great! Yes, we got flipped over, knocked overboard and even stuck on a rock at the top of a 16 ft. waterfall!
The only letdown to the whole trip didn't happen until we got home. SUNBURN!!!!!! Sadie and I didn't leave the house the next day, it hurt so bad and was soooo red! I was wearing capris, but my arms and my face were pretty well roasted. Poor Sadie's legs got fried! It wasn't until this past week that I realized how –completely subconsciously—I had been relying on my appearance to make a good impression with all the new people I was meeting, and then here I was with a swollen, red nose and a scabby face. The only reason I can talk about it now is that it's almost over. *brave sniff*
I've had the opportunity to do some more work out at the orphanage with Sadie! On an orphanage day, the alarm clock goes off at 5:45, in order to have breakfast and gather up everything we'll need for the day, and then walk into the bus stop in town to be picked up by the Good Shepherd's Fold van (which would fit in nicely out East End Road). The ride out into the villages and through the sugar cane fields is so fun, and so different, even from Jinja. You can tell that it's a completely different world in the villages; a much harder one. Once we reach GSF, we get to walk through the house yards greeting the kids and letting them know what activities are happening that day. I'm beginning to be able to put the right name to the right face, and I think I'll have them all straight just about when the other half of the kids come home from Christmas Holiday with relatives. They're all so much fun, and I can't help bursting into a smile whenever I hear a little accented "Aunt Megan!" coming at me. One of the best parts has been finding both kids and adults at the orphanage who remember my Dad's trip last spring! They all have such wonderful things to say about him as a friend, teacher and helper, and I'm so proud and encouraged about wherever it is that God is leading our family (I'm telling you, Dad, you've no idea how much you were used!).
New Years' Day was both fun and relaxing. Sadie and I went to Johnny and Jacob's neighborhood football game, got to cheer them on, and join with the other ladies there in mystified discussions about personal fouls and pass interference (which we were supposed to be watching for and calling). In the middle of the game, I had my first Ugandan thunder storm, which was beautiful, cool, and WET!!! The wind actually knocked a tree down in the back yard of the house we were playing at, and the boys loved getting dirty, wet and hardcore! That night Sadie and I had Stoney ginger soda, ice cream and homemade brownies, and stayed up until midnight to watch the beautiful fireworks display over the Nile (about two blocks away). After that was the perfect time to call the family back home (12 hours behind us) and let them know that I was in another year! Hehehe. I got to talk to my engaged sister Molly for a while, and she said that she was glad I was coming home before our birthday, because that would mean that I'd be turning 23 ten hours before her, instead of her having her annual 2-hour older-sister experience.
And finally, the most recent and very exciting news: I started teaching school today! It was just the two 9th grade boys, so I've still got to start with little 3rd grade Lynnsi, but it went really well (despite my suppressed fears), and I'm excited about becoming more familiar with the schedule and curriculum!!! Now, I'm finally settling in, not only to a new house and new people and . . . oh yeah, a new continent, but to a new job, and being useful! I can't wait to give God and these kids my all (Colossians 3:23+24), trusting Christ that it will be good enough.
Well, my tea is cold, which isn't entirely unpleasant, given the climate, but it's probably a sign that I've gone on long enough. Anyway, to save another thousand words I'll close with a picture of Sadie's and my week.
Thanks for all your prayers, and please continue to lift us up, as we settle in and begin to look around us, ready for what God has next. Happy New Year to you all!!!!!
(hmm, the photo for the blog didn't come over, so I'll have to send it separately)
Let's see, first there was the adventure of white water rafting down the Nile River!!!!!! It was super fun! We'd been told about the trips before we even came, and were pretty sure that we'd have to end up doing it (who could resist saying that they'd rafted down the Nile?), but I'd expected it to be months from now. Well, there were a bunch of missionaries going on this trip, several of whom were leaving shortly after, so it turned out to be the perfect opportunity. It was about 6 hours of a trip, with lunch on an island and 11 rapids (grades 3-5), but one of my favorite parts was the calm stretches, where we just paddled, talked and laughed with our guide, or jumped out to swim/float down the Nile for a while. It was by far the warmest water I'd ever been in outside, and the rapids were great! Yes, we got flipped over, knocked overboard and even stuck on a rock at the top of a 16 ft. waterfall!
The only letdown to the whole trip didn't happen until we got home. SUNBURN!!!!!! Sadie and I didn't leave the house the next day, it hurt so bad and was soooo red! I was wearing capris, but my arms and my face were pretty well roasted. Poor Sadie's legs got fried! It wasn't until this past week that I realized how –completely subconsciously—I had been relying on my appearance to make a good impression with all the new people I was meeting, and then here I was with a swollen, red nose and a scabby face. The only reason I can talk about it now is that it's almost over. *brave sniff*
I've had the opportunity to do some more work out at the orphanage with Sadie! On an orphanage day, the alarm clock goes off at 5:45, in order to have breakfast and gather up everything we'll need for the day, and then walk into the bus stop in town to be picked up by the Good Shepherd's Fold van (which would fit in nicely out East End Road). The ride out into the villages and through the sugar cane fields is so fun, and so different, even from Jinja. You can tell that it's a completely different world in the villages; a much harder one. Once we reach GSF, we get to walk through the house yards greeting the kids and letting them know what activities are happening that day. I'm beginning to be able to put the right name to the right face, and I think I'll have them all straight just about when the other half of the kids come home from Christmas Holiday with relatives. They're all so much fun, and I can't help bursting into a smile whenever I hear a little accented "Aunt Megan!" coming at me. One of the best parts has been finding both kids and adults at the orphanage who remember my Dad's trip last spring! They all have such wonderful things to say about him as a friend, teacher and helper, and I'm so proud and encouraged about wherever it is that God is leading our family (I'm telling you, Dad, you've no idea how much you were used!).
New Years' Day was both fun and relaxing. Sadie and I went to Johnny and Jacob's neighborhood football game, got to cheer them on, and join with the other ladies there in mystified discussions about personal fouls and pass interference (which we were supposed to be watching for and calling). In the middle of the game, I had my first Ugandan thunder storm, which was beautiful, cool, and WET!!! The wind actually knocked a tree down in the back yard of the house we were playing at, and the boys loved getting dirty, wet and hardcore! That night Sadie and I had Stoney ginger soda, ice cream and homemade brownies, and stayed up until midnight to watch the beautiful fireworks display over the Nile (about two blocks away). After that was the perfect time to call the family back home (12 hours behind us) and let them know that I was in another year! Hehehe. I got to talk to my engaged sister Molly for a while, and she said that she was glad I was coming home before our birthday, because that would mean that I'd be turning 23 ten hours before her, instead of her having her annual 2-hour older-sister experience.
And finally, the most recent and very exciting news: I started teaching school today! It was just the two 9th grade boys, so I've still got to start with little 3rd grade Lynnsi, but it went really well (despite my suppressed fears), and I'm excited about becoming more familiar with the schedule and curriculum!!! Now, I'm finally settling in, not only to a new house and new people and . . . oh yeah, a new continent, but to a new job, and being useful! I can't wait to give God and these kids my all (Colossians 3:23+24), trusting Christ that it will be good enough.
Well, my tea is cold, which isn't entirely unpleasant, given the climate, but it's probably a sign that I've gone on long enough. Anyway, to save another thousand words I'll close with a picture of Sadie's and my week.
Thanks for all your prayers, and please continue to lift us up, as we settle in and begin to look around us, ready for what God has next. Happy New Year to you all!!!!!
(hmm, the photo for the blog didn't come over, so I'll have to send it separately)
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