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.





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