So tonight as Rachel and I escorted Kate to the Airport in Entebbe for her flight home, I questioned myself on whether or not I was ready to leave Jinja, Uganda. I knew the three hour trip was for Kate. I knew that I was 12 days away from my own flight, and that tonight was not meant for me. At the same time however, all the emotions and anxieties of my own departure filled my mind. It caught me off guard, it sat awkwardly before me asking, "What did Rebecca Ferrara bring to the table? What change did Rebecca bring to the women of Suubi? To Uganda? Could you be doing more here? Are you really ready to leave? Is that really all you've got? I thought you were going to accomplish something great with your time spent in Uganda? What happened? ect....Every and any fear that could lead me down a road of guilt, succeeded.
When people that I loved and looked up to gave me advice about my trip to Africa, they all shared one common sentence, " You will learn more from them, then they will learn from you."
At first I did not want to believe. Not because I thought that I had a hand full of wonderful miracles to offer others, but because I wanted to know that my coming to Africa would bring about some change, and not just within myself. I wanted my trip to mean something, for the women to remember me, to have reached a special place in their hearts. I wanted and still want to know that they are able to get something out of my being here. I am not satisfied with myself being the only person that benefits. I do not want to only take wisdom and kindness that the women gave freely home with me, but I yearn for them to have gained something great from me, from Suubi.
So after feeling horrible for about 6 minutes altogether, I decided that meditating in a more positive light was necessary. First, I did not come here to represent myself. When I filled out the volunteer application, I was applying to spend time working with Light Gives Heat (Suubi). I came down here to help out in whatever way possible. Not for myself, not by myself. If anything were to remain with these women of Jinja it is Suubi, and will always be Suubi. So what if my name, my person is forgotten. Suubi is still apart of their lives. There is a friendly face buying a necklace from them every Saturday that cares about them. There have been many faces that have given up time, friends, family, and comfort to represent this CBO. I have accomplished a goal. I cared. I came. I learned. I love/loved these women.
Yes, there are many parts of my heart that want recognition. I would be lying and acting modest if I said that I did not care about appreciation. That is something that I need to defeat though. I have learned to give without giving. It's not about me and how special I am. It's not about my life story, it's not about me. I wrote that twice, I am still convincing myself you see.
My motives are being challenged and my heart corrected every week. It is a struggle that I am so grateful for. Something that I know I will always remember. It may seem easy to not need gratification. But when you travel halfway across the world to "make a change", human expectations lead you to anticipate results from your sacrifice. No? Yes.
Yes, I believe that I have learned many amazing things that I will remember forever. I would never take these three months back. I would not change these beautiful women for one second. I would not make things easier. I would not want to make things harder either ;)
I want exactly what happened and nothing more. If these women love me, then they love me. If they forget my name a week after I leave, yep that sucks, but I hope they remember at least a white girl that brought some of God's light to their eyes who volunteered for Suubi. I hope they noticed some joy always, some sorrow when times were trying, some gratefulness while being welcomed so openly. I hope they noticed Suubi, love, and God during my time spent with them. It would be great if my name stuck in their heads but from now on I am not going to expect that. Its just focusing on the wrong things. And that's not the feeling I want to leave with. I don't want to label my trip as "failure" if they can't remember me. I am so happy for this opportunity. I am so thankful for the support that I have received from everyone at home and here. I am completely okay with the idea of my learning more than them now that the weeks have passed. I am happy that I can have memories to indulge myself in while I am home and reflect on lessons learned. All I want is for them to feel loved, and important. And to me, they all are.
Thursday, December 3
Sunday, November 29
He gives. He takes.
Last week one of the ladies that I have been visiting with Kate lost her baby boy. She was carrying the baby for 10 months. She was in so much pain being pregnate that she has missed the last four Suubi meetings because she was unable to walk to Danida. last Tuesday, while four of us girls were in Kampala helping with a shipment, Lillian went into labor. Kate was really excited because she has been filming four women who were pregnate and she was unsure if she would be-able to have closure for Lillian's story, since the other three women have delivered already. I was glad Kate was able to be there, yesterday I was at least. She raced to the clinic and got there right after Lillian delivered. It was a quick delivery, which is good because she has been in so much pain with this baby. She was holding her baby boy with one arm and the other arm was outstretched and praising God. She was so joyful, though also exhausted. She had finally had her child. She was unsure of the sex, so now that she knew it was a boy, she named him David after the founder of Suubi. Wednesday morning Kate and Rachel woke up early in order to take the van to the clinic and pick up Lillian with her water basins, blankets, soap, tea, and new baby. It's a long walk from the clinic to Walukuba East, which is where she lives, so that is why we have been escorting them by the van. Emily and I walked into town in order to get some arrands done. We were both meeting up with Kate and Rachel after so we called them to see when they would be able to pick us up. We waited. About 10 minutes later we recieved a phone call from Rachel saying that we would have to wait longer and that they were soon on their way. 20 minutes later they drove up and told us that Lillian's baby boy david died. Kate told us, and as the first words left her mouth to start speaking the bad news, tears were rolling down her face. I was shocked. I was not able to cry, but I knew that Lillian was not okay and that she was so sad by everything that was taking place. Instead of going on with our plans for the rest of the day like planned we all took a detour and drove to Lillian's to drop off some stuff that we were helping them transport. As we pulled up I sugested we pray since we all did not know how to act or what to do. We prayed and once we were done the families car was pulling up to the home. This was everyones first time back home since being at the hospital so i felt like i was intruding standing there holding pots of food and carrying blankets and stuff. I felt like we should just bring it all by another time and let them have alone time to be together as a family. We were ushered in however. Betty, a friend of Lillian's, was sitting on the couch to our right when we came inside the home. In her arms was baby David's body wrapped up in a blanket. She started to cry. She was so sad. My heart instantly broke for her's. Simon, the husband, was calm and softspoken. He offered us seats and told us to make ourselves at home. I sat by Betty and gave her a hug. She was still crying and so i just kept holding her as she held the baby. Once we were in the house for a while Lillian entered. She took two steps then reached her hands to the ground and collapsed. Her head hanging and body slouched over, Lillian started to cry. She started to pray in Acholi. Started to pray in tounges. She would raise her hands in the air asking why and then transitioned her spirit back into praising God. She recognized only her pain as she cried out, her loss was great, and not once did she try to censer her sorrow as she lay on the ground. I had not seen any person open themselves up to being so vulnerable in front of people like that before. We all prayed in a circle as she layed there continuing on in her prayers to God. Everyone was hoping for a wave of comfort to flow into the room and suround Lillian and her family. It was hard to pray when i knew so much had been lost. But it's the only thing that helps in a time like that so we all did. We each said our own goodbyes at different times. Left Lillian and her family and sat in the van. The rest of the day was lost in the shadow of Lillian and her family. Everything else did not really matter. She was in my thoughts during other visits. Throughout the day. Please pray for her family. They need God's Love So So Much.
Thanks
Thanks
Sunday, November 22
catch up
Short but Long...What I Did... What I Thought.
29th,
Did -A bunch of volunteers and I modeled new flavors for Light Gives Heat in the heart of Jinja Town.
Thought - Being a model in a third world country is the strangest feeling ever. Seems to be the last thing anyone would ever think to do, that is to make yourself all done up and pose in front of cool colored business walls wearing awesome beaded necklaces when most people walking around you don't have more than fifty dollars in their name. Also there were random children wanting to be in the pictures. Trying to scare the photographer, trying to stand ridiculously close to me while posing.
30th,
Did- Kate and I Boded to Danida so we could visit Carol and borrow a "Gomas", which is an African women's traditional dress for important events. Kate wanted to try it on for size for Halloween. So that was fun.
Thoughts- Our boda driver got upset, refused to take our money, asked for a larger amount, flipped us off, we made the amount larger, still refused, we offered him the money and he dropped it on purpose and refused, we thanked him for the ride and continued to walk away, he grabbed me forcefully and furiously, I spun my arm out of his grasp and pointed at him with all the strength that one finger could muster and said "no" as if speaking to a Dog. Sorry that we were not compliant to your ridiculous request but that does not mean that you can grab me. I did not say that, but its what I was thinking. Instead I told him that he was not aloud to grab me and then I walked away. Shortly after I just started crying as I walked off. Kate then spoke pretty darn strictly to the man she told him that he had lost our business and that we would "never take from" him again. Ha!
31st,
Did- Suubi meeting on Halloween!!!! All the volunteers in the house, actually all the girls, decided to dress up for the buying of necklaces, our annual Suubi meeting every Saturday.
Thoughts- The women loved it....mainly they loved Kate because she was wearing a Gomas and it was hilarious. The women did not know what to do with their surprise. Most women looked at me and Rachel as if we were normal. Which I thought was funny because we clearly were not dressed normal. Rachel was wearing a cowgirl outfit, freckles on her face, hair in braids, cow girl hat, bandanna. And I was a hippie wearing a purple tie-dye shirt 14 Suubi necklace, a flower scarf around my hips, bell bottoms, no shoes (which was not that different from normal), headband around my forehead, and a peace sign marked on my face. Yep, not really the style back in America. :) I thought is was funny.
1st,
Did- I got to go to the gym!!!!
Thoughts- I am a very happy volunteer. Not only because I was able to go work out and get some good stretching in and lifting but also because it was my anniversary with Scott. Yes.
2nd,
Did- Rachel and I woke up early and made Epoh workers lunch. We sorted through beans. Cut and sauteed garlic, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions to add to the boiled beans. Beans and Rice...yum.
Thoughts- They loved it. We sat there and were able to visit them at the new building and give them some creative homemade cards that we made for them one day. We brought the craft and basin around for them to wash their hands. Passed out bowls and silverware, food (the key ingredient), and of course LOVE. :) Boy, was that cheesy enough, maybe, but so so much fun.
3rd,
Did- SICK AGAIN.
Thoughts- Not fun.
4th,
Did- I felt much better so I decided to go visit a woman with Kate. We walked to the villages and ran into some friendly faces, one of them being a Suubi woman named Daisy. Real quick lesson. In Uganda you don't refer to a woman by her first name but by the name of her first child. So Daisy has a daughter named Rachel, meaning that everyone calls her Mamma Rachel. Okay lesson aggerned. We decided to walk along side Mamma Rachel on the way to visit Yasinta. Visited Mamma Otim (Yasinta) then walked to the Suubi building to see if women were waiting there to ask question about the new flavor.
Thoughts- I was walking next to Kate and Mamma Rachel and quite honestly getting really bored. Some school kids were walking with us, holding my hands and giggling. They just love being around white people. Everyone here thinks that white people are tight with Obama, have power to command the military, have several spouses each, and also are celebrities. Its a small misconception really. So I was becoming bored of them walking with us and just holding my hands. There was no interaction, plus it happens to me almost everyday, and I am so used to it, and it's no longer cute like I thought it was when I first got here. So I decided to run. That was a move they weren't expecting. There I was running away from the children as a joke and they began to follow. My evil plan was working. We were playing. After the children all caught up with me I stopped, walked a few steps, started to count to three out loud, then once I hit three I started to run again. This time the kids anticipated my running and ran also at three. Mamma Rachel was still behind with Kate at this time, and I was told, Laughing extremely hard. Once the kids parted to their homes I asked Mamma Rachel if she would like to race. She got really embarrassed and said that she would not race. We reached an area that she approved of finally because she pointed at the school's front and back yard and said "We race here." I got all excited that she actually wanted to run with me. I quickly gave Kate my stuff to hold and Kate pulled out her camera waiting for the "Kodak moment."
We established the track, Kate counted to three, and on three we were off. At first I was not sure if I was supposed to run full out or if I should wait a bit and see how serious she was about racing. As fast as she started was as fast as I learned to run full out. She was so small, so kind, so quiet, but she had her game face on. She knew her strategy. She beat me to the inside advantage. She gr abed the supporting poll of the building to fling her body in the direction of the finish line and her legs moved so so fast. I was completely beat. And I have a picture to prove it. :)
note- Start working on cardio at gym. I was too out of breath for how short that race was.
After we showed her the picture of her beating miss whitey we said goodbye and were off to Yasinta's home. Yasinta's was fun as always. We helped her sort through rice. Watched her as she gave her newborn baby boy Patrick a bath. We talked, I gave her a necklace that I had made (the women rolled the beads though). Ate with her and just hung out. I loved it. This was my fourth visit to Yasinta's so it's less formal than most visits and very much like friends hanging out.
5th,
Did- Sick
Thoughts- Again?
6th,
Did- Sick/Randy's Birthday Celebration/Mexican Theme Night/ MJ movie night
Thoughts- I love food. I love chocolate birthday cake. I love Randy. I like Micheal Jackson's songs!!!!
7th,
Did- Worried about not being able to buy necklaces from the woman because of cash flow problems. God Provided!!!!! Suubi Meeting (the meetings take about 3 hours)
There are 91 women. Eight people helping with the buying process.
varnish checkers
length checkers
style checkers
clasp checkers
money checkers
and
signature checkers
Thoughts- I wish I had time to meet every single woman. I wish that when they came to the front to hand us their necklaces that I could speak perfectly to them and be able to just talk. But I love seeing the woman that I do know. I love getting to laugh with a woman that does not speak English very well, it's a bonding moment, and I can't get enough of it. I love seeing Joyce's smile. I love seeing Florence with her crazy bright neon green necklace. I love how every time I see Immaculate's face I wonder if she remembers me. I love watching Emily cut in line, Catherine and how she is always mothering me and making space for me when I first enter the room. I love watching Prisca, she is so humble. I love seeing the women bring their babies to Suubi. They are all so cute (but they smother them in clothes. It's hot out and they have beanies and sweaters on, as well as being wrapped up in a blanket. I just don't understand.) I love looking at how beautiful the women all are. How each one of their faces are different, even though sometimes it's hard to tell them apart. I think Obama is funny when she comes into the room and gets really animated about whats going on. She raises her hand in the air and lets out an Acholi "iyeeyiyeyiii". I love getting to tell the women that they look smart, or when a necklace is beautiful getting to say that it is. I love goofy Margaret, gorgeous Betty, Christine, and Joyce. I love seeing Mariam with her bracelets, awesome earrings, her smart outfits, and smile(she's just cute with her fashion.), Agnus and her laugh.....man I just love these little things about each woman. I could go on, but it would be too long. :)
8th,
Did- Kate, Alex, and I went to go visit Translator Betty (yes, translator is apart of her name).
Thoughts- I got to get an up close and personal look at Ugandan toes (picture)
I was taught how to peal a mango the proper way (picture)
I was fed an amazing lunch (picture)
I made a huge ordeal about casava (a type of root that is gardened in Uganda)... Betty even gave me a bunch of casava for take away. (picture)
I learned how to prepare casava (picture)
I watched an Akon music video (picture)
I had a great conversation with one of the only modern thinkers I have run into in Jinja.
I was given mangos.
I got to hold a precious baby.
I laughed.
I learned.
okay it was a great time.
9th,
Did- Went to the first Suubi official dance lesson. Visited Emily and Stanly with Emily and Alex.
Thoughts- I need to work on my Acholi dancing. Joyce 1 and Joyce 2 love to dance. I love watching these woman dance. I am mystified as to how they get their bodies to move like that.
Emily and Stanly are too cute. (Stanly is a white man from Ireland, 70 years old, he has huge bulging eyes, very polite, likes to sing out loud, loves Abba and country, I think he has the hots for Ugandan women because Emily is his second Ugandan wife. Also he loves Africa wine, wants to start a business importing mushrooms into Jinja and is in the process of building a new home for him and his wife. Last and most important Stanly is a very socially awkward and goofy person.) yep.....interesting. :)
10th,
Did- Visited a women named Christine.
Thoughts- She forgot I was coming so that was a little uncomfortable at first because I felt like I was intruding. She thinks that rats running around the house are normal. She is really sweet and I am going to visit her again this Friday (being the 20th).
11th,
Did- EMERGENCY PURCHASES!!!!! Rachel informed me that we were tripling our order from the women this week last minute. So my task was to go into three different villages before English and pass out 8 stoppers to each woman on top of the four that we had given them the previous Suubi meeting. That's a lot of money, Praise the Lord!!!!
Thoughts- I walked around the villages all day with Christine who I visited the day before. She helped me find the women's homes, because there is no way I could remember where 91 women live, even if I brought the address book (cause that's way too confusing too).
I felt blessed, so so blessed, to be able to go up to each woman and tell them that we are able to buy more. Each woman was so excited. My favorite reaction was when I went to Babu. Christine and I approached nine of the ladies. They were are gathered on the steps listening to Ugandan music talking and preparing lunch together. They turned as we neared and jumped up in excitement just to see me. I got to tell them and then we did a little victory dance. :) Joyce even gave me a sweetie (candy). Yum!
12th,
Did- Alex and I went to Masese to feed 1,000 children.
Thoughts- Kinda a bummer day actually. It was just me and Alex and things just were not working out for us. Oranges were not on time. So then we told all the kids to start forming lines. But then the oranges got there finally. We told the kids to go back and sit while Alex and I counted out 900 oranges before we started. Yep. Then as we were serving, Alex serving rice and with me serving beans, we discovered that food was running low. Give more, or give less. It's just never fun giving children less when you see that they are in need of more. In the end it all worked out. But the fear of dissapointing the kids is a horible fear indeed; So I am very glad that it all worked out.
thats all for now. sorry I got so behind on my blog. hope you are enjoying these and thank you all for the support. It means the world to me. You really have no idea.
29th,
Did -A bunch of volunteers and I modeled new flavors for Light Gives Heat in the heart of Jinja Town.
Thought - Being a model in a third world country is the strangest feeling ever. Seems to be the last thing anyone would ever think to do, that is to make yourself all done up and pose in front of cool colored business walls wearing awesome beaded necklaces when most people walking around you don't have more than fifty dollars in their name. Also there were random children wanting to be in the pictures. Trying to scare the photographer, trying to stand ridiculously close to me while posing.
30th,
Did- Kate and I Boded to Danida so we could visit Carol and borrow a "Gomas", which is an African women's traditional dress for important events. Kate wanted to try it on for size for Halloween. So that was fun.
Thoughts- Our boda driver got upset, refused to take our money, asked for a larger amount, flipped us off, we made the amount larger, still refused, we offered him the money and he dropped it on purpose and refused, we thanked him for the ride and continued to walk away, he grabbed me forcefully and furiously, I spun my arm out of his grasp and pointed at him with all the strength that one finger could muster and said "no" as if speaking to a Dog. Sorry that we were not compliant to your ridiculous request but that does not mean that you can grab me. I did not say that, but its what I was thinking. Instead I told him that he was not aloud to grab me and then I walked away. Shortly after I just started crying as I walked off. Kate then spoke pretty darn strictly to the man she told him that he had lost our business and that we would "never take from" him again. Ha!
31st,
Did- Suubi meeting on Halloween!!!! All the volunteers in the house, actually all the girls, decided to dress up for the buying of necklaces, our annual Suubi meeting every Saturday.
Thoughts- The women loved it....mainly they loved Kate because she was wearing a Gomas and it was hilarious. The women did not know what to do with their surprise. Most women looked at me and Rachel as if we were normal. Which I thought was funny because we clearly were not dressed normal. Rachel was wearing a cowgirl outfit, freckles on her face, hair in braids, cow girl hat, bandanna. And I was a hippie wearing a purple tie-dye shirt 14 Suubi necklace, a flower scarf around my hips, bell bottoms, no shoes (which was not that different from normal), headband around my forehead, and a peace sign marked on my face. Yep, not really the style back in America. :) I thought is was funny.
1st,
Did- I got to go to the gym!!!!
Thoughts- I am a very happy volunteer. Not only because I was able to go work out and get some good stretching in and lifting but also because it was my anniversary with Scott. Yes.
2nd,
Did- Rachel and I woke up early and made Epoh workers lunch. We sorted through beans. Cut and sauteed garlic, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions to add to the boiled beans. Beans and Rice...yum.
Thoughts- They loved it. We sat there and were able to visit them at the new building and give them some creative homemade cards that we made for them one day. We brought the craft and basin around for them to wash their hands. Passed out bowls and silverware, food (the key ingredient), and of course LOVE. :) Boy, was that cheesy enough, maybe, but so so much fun.
3rd,
Did- SICK AGAIN.
Thoughts- Not fun.
4th,
Did- I felt much better so I decided to go visit a woman with Kate. We walked to the villages and ran into some friendly faces, one of them being a Suubi woman named Daisy. Real quick lesson. In Uganda you don't refer to a woman by her first name but by the name of her first child. So Daisy has a daughter named Rachel, meaning that everyone calls her Mamma Rachel. Okay lesson aggerned. We decided to walk along side Mamma Rachel on the way to visit Yasinta. Visited Mamma Otim (Yasinta) then walked to the Suubi building to see if women were waiting there to ask question about the new flavor.
Thoughts- I was walking next to Kate and Mamma Rachel and quite honestly getting really bored. Some school kids were walking with us, holding my hands and giggling. They just love being around white people. Everyone here thinks that white people are tight with Obama, have power to command the military, have several spouses each, and also are celebrities. Its a small misconception really. So I was becoming bored of them walking with us and just holding my hands. There was no interaction, plus it happens to me almost everyday, and I am so used to it, and it's no longer cute like I thought it was when I first got here. So I decided to run. That was a move they weren't expecting. There I was running away from the children as a joke and they began to follow. My evil plan was working. We were playing. After the children all caught up with me I stopped, walked a few steps, started to count to three out loud, then once I hit three I started to run again. This time the kids anticipated my running and ran also at three. Mamma Rachel was still behind with Kate at this time, and I was told, Laughing extremely hard. Once the kids parted to their homes I asked Mamma Rachel if she would like to race. She got really embarrassed and said that she would not race. We reached an area that she approved of finally because she pointed at the school's front and back yard and said "We race here." I got all excited that she actually wanted to run with me. I quickly gave Kate my stuff to hold and Kate pulled out her camera waiting for the "Kodak moment."
We established the track, Kate counted to three, and on three we were off. At first I was not sure if I was supposed to run full out or if I should wait a bit and see how serious she was about racing. As fast as she started was as fast as I learned to run full out. She was so small, so kind, so quiet, but she had her game face on. She knew her strategy. She beat me to the inside advantage. She gr abed the supporting poll of the building to fling her body in the direction of the finish line and her legs moved so so fast. I was completely beat. And I have a picture to prove it. :)
note- Start working on cardio at gym. I was too out of breath for how short that race was.
After we showed her the picture of her beating miss whitey we said goodbye and were off to Yasinta's home. Yasinta's was fun as always. We helped her sort through rice. Watched her as she gave her newborn baby boy Patrick a bath. We talked, I gave her a necklace that I had made (the women rolled the beads though). Ate with her and just hung out. I loved it. This was my fourth visit to Yasinta's so it's less formal than most visits and very much like friends hanging out.
5th,
Did- Sick
Thoughts- Again?
6th,
Did- Sick/Randy's Birthday Celebration/Mexican Theme Night/ MJ movie night
Thoughts- I love food. I love chocolate birthday cake. I love Randy. I like Micheal Jackson's songs!!!!
7th,
Did- Worried about not being able to buy necklaces from the woman because of cash flow problems. God Provided!!!!! Suubi Meeting (the meetings take about 3 hours)
There are 91 women. Eight people helping with the buying process.
varnish checkers
length checkers
style checkers
clasp checkers
money checkers
and
signature checkers
Thoughts- I wish I had time to meet every single woman. I wish that when they came to the front to hand us their necklaces that I could speak perfectly to them and be able to just talk. But I love seeing the woman that I do know. I love getting to laugh with a woman that does not speak English very well, it's a bonding moment, and I can't get enough of it. I love seeing Joyce's smile. I love seeing Florence with her crazy bright neon green necklace. I love how every time I see Immaculate's face I wonder if she remembers me. I love watching Emily cut in line, Catherine and how she is always mothering me and making space for me when I first enter the room. I love watching Prisca, she is so humble. I love seeing the women bring their babies to Suubi. They are all so cute (but they smother them in clothes. It's hot out and they have beanies and sweaters on, as well as being wrapped up in a blanket. I just don't understand.) I love looking at how beautiful the women all are. How each one of their faces are different, even though sometimes it's hard to tell them apart. I think Obama is funny when she comes into the room and gets really animated about whats going on. She raises her hand in the air and lets out an Acholi "iyeeyiyeyiii". I love getting to tell the women that they look smart, or when a necklace is beautiful getting to say that it is. I love goofy Margaret, gorgeous Betty, Christine, and Joyce. I love seeing Mariam with her bracelets, awesome earrings, her smart outfits, and smile(she's just cute with her fashion.), Agnus and her laugh.....man I just love these little things about each woman. I could go on, but it would be too long. :)
8th,
Did- Kate, Alex, and I went to go visit Translator Betty (yes, translator is apart of her name).
Thoughts- I got to get an up close and personal look at Ugandan toes (picture)
I was taught how to peal a mango the proper way (picture)
I was fed an amazing lunch (picture)
I made a huge ordeal about casava (a type of root that is gardened in Uganda)... Betty even gave me a bunch of casava for take away. (picture)
I learned how to prepare casava (picture)
I watched an Akon music video (picture)
I had a great conversation with one of the only modern thinkers I have run into in Jinja.
I was given mangos.
I got to hold a precious baby.
I laughed.
I learned.
okay it was a great time.
9th,
Did- Went to the first Suubi official dance lesson. Visited Emily and Stanly with Emily and Alex.
Thoughts- I need to work on my Acholi dancing. Joyce 1 and Joyce 2 love to dance. I love watching these woman dance. I am mystified as to how they get their bodies to move like that.
Emily and Stanly are too cute. (Stanly is a white man from Ireland, 70 years old, he has huge bulging eyes, very polite, likes to sing out loud, loves Abba and country, I think he has the hots for Ugandan women because Emily is his second Ugandan wife. Also he loves Africa wine, wants to start a business importing mushrooms into Jinja and is in the process of building a new home for him and his wife. Last and most important Stanly is a very socially awkward and goofy person.) yep.....interesting. :)
10th,
Did- Visited a women named Christine.
Thoughts- She forgot I was coming so that was a little uncomfortable at first because I felt like I was intruding. She thinks that rats running around the house are normal. She is really sweet and I am going to visit her again this Friday (being the 20th).
11th,
Did- EMERGENCY PURCHASES!!!!! Rachel informed me that we were tripling our order from the women this week last minute. So my task was to go into three different villages before English and pass out 8 stoppers to each woman on top of the four that we had given them the previous Suubi meeting. That's a lot of money, Praise the Lord!!!!
Thoughts- I walked around the villages all day with Christine who I visited the day before. She helped me find the women's homes, because there is no way I could remember where 91 women live, even if I brought the address book (cause that's way too confusing too).
I felt blessed, so so blessed, to be able to go up to each woman and tell them that we are able to buy more. Each woman was so excited. My favorite reaction was when I went to Babu. Christine and I approached nine of the ladies. They were are gathered on the steps listening to Ugandan music talking and preparing lunch together. They turned as we neared and jumped up in excitement just to see me. I got to tell them and then we did a little victory dance. :) Joyce even gave me a sweetie (candy). Yum!
12th,
Did- Alex and I went to Masese to feed 1,000 children.
Thoughts- Kinda a bummer day actually. It was just me and Alex and things just were not working out for us. Oranges were not on time. So then we told all the kids to start forming lines. But then the oranges got there finally. We told the kids to go back and sit while Alex and I counted out 900 oranges before we started. Yep. Then as we were serving, Alex serving rice and with me serving beans, we discovered that food was running low. Give more, or give less. It's just never fun giving children less when you see that they are in need of more. In the end it all worked out. But the fear of dissapointing the kids is a horible fear indeed; So I am very glad that it all worked out.
thats all for now. sorry I got so behind on my blog. hope you are enjoying these and thank you all for the support. It means the world to me. You really have no idea.
Monday, November 2
thank you
Hey Guys!!!
Sorry it has been too long since I have posted anything. Some of you may have been thinking the worst, but let me please let you all know, that I am safe, I am over my 13 day illness (we still do not have a name for it.)Still don't know what my body was thinking. All I know is that I am feeling much better now and for that I am so thankful. Thank You Jesus! :)
Symtoms encluded :
cough
fever
chills
nausea
diareaha (awful experiences are now associated with this word)
stomache pains
loss of appititte (loss of weight)
vomit (my personal favorite)
weakness (trembles)
lack of energy (being tired just after waking up...really annoying.)
To be completely truthful, I wanted to book a flight home maybe 4 times during my quarinteen. I was getting a little discouraged after the fifth day, feeling like I was not pulling my weight as a volunteer, not getting the satisfaction of rest because I was unable to sip on a warm cup of campbells. Everyone in the house was out and about being productive and Miss Rebecca was a joyious moopy mess. Pleasure indeed.
Today, sun is up, along with myself.
Ate a nice hearty breakfast (yes! food looks good again!)
Got some good talks in with Jesus.
Excited to get back in the game.
Excited to go into town.
Excited to go buy beans. (hey i've not been to the market in 2 weeks, its silly, but worth getting excited about.)
My agenda for the day, being a rather light load since I don't want to get carried away while still on the road to recovery, includes going to town and buying beans so that I can bring EPOH lunch on Monday with the others. (Kate, Emily, and Rachel)
Post this blog.
Finish my blog about Funeral.
Come home and work on English class for 3 o'clock.
English
Home
Go to Flavours with Kate and see Agatha for her Birthday
and Sleep.
Oh and praise the Lord for this last week. I may have been sick, and two mornings ago was definately not the best memory to look back on, but despite the circumstances that follow with being sick, God really blessed me. Somebody came up to me and gave me a huge gift. Somebody that I did not know very well, somebody that I had not expressed a need that i had to. They told me that God was leading them to give to me, and so they gave. I was blown away, and overwhelmed with disbelief. It was a beautiful gift. And it has taken the bitter taste of being ill out of my system.
more to come. thank you for all of your prayers!
I miss you guys!!!!
Sorry it has been too long since I have posted anything. Some of you may have been thinking the worst, but let me please let you all know, that I am safe, I am over my 13 day illness (we still do not have a name for it.)Still don't know what my body was thinking. All I know is that I am feeling much better now and for that I am so thankful. Thank You Jesus! :)
Symtoms encluded :
cough
fever
chills
nausea
diareaha (awful experiences are now associated with this word)
stomache pains
loss of appititte (loss of weight)
vomit (my personal favorite)
weakness (trembles)
lack of energy (being tired just after waking up...really annoying.)
To be completely truthful, I wanted to book a flight home maybe 4 times during my quarinteen. I was getting a little discouraged after the fifth day, feeling like I was not pulling my weight as a volunteer, not getting the satisfaction of rest because I was unable to sip on a warm cup of campbells. Everyone in the house was out and about being productive and Miss Rebecca was a joyious moopy mess. Pleasure indeed.
Today, sun is up, along with myself.
Ate a nice hearty breakfast (yes! food looks good again!)
Got some good talks in with Jesus.
Excited to get back in the game.
Excited to go into town.
Excited to go buy beans. (hey i've not been to the market in 2 weeks, its silly, but worth getting excited about.)
My agenda for the day, being a rather light load since I don't want to get carried away while still on the road to recovery, includes going to town and buying beans so that I can bring EPOH lunch on Monday with the others. (Kate, Emily, and Rachel)
Post this blog.
Finish my blog about Funeral.
Come home and work on English class for 3 o'clock.
English
Home
Go to Flavours with Kate and see Agatha for her Birthday
and Sleep.
Oh and praise the Lord for this last week. I may have been sick, and two mornings ago was definately not the best memory to look back on, but despite the circumstances that follow with being sick, God really blessed me. Somebody came up to me and gave me a huge gift. Somebody that I did not know very well, somebody that I had not expressed a need that i had to. They told me that God was leading them to give to me, and so they gave. I was blown away, and overwhelmed with disbelief. It was a beautiful gift. And it has taken the bitter taste of being ill out of my system.
more to come. thank you for all of your prayers!
I miss you guys!!!!
Friday, October 16
Funeral on Tuesday
Andrew's grandmother died while we were in Sipi. The next day I woke up to find that the funeral was Tuesday, which happened to be that morning. It made me really sad to hear that his Jaja (grandmother) had died. She raised him, so I know that it was as if his mother died. Both his real parents had died already, and his 13 year old sister died last year of aids. Andrew has his uncle now, which from the sounds of it, he does not seem that involved with his life. As much as the day was about Andrew I could not help but to think only about my life. My dad. My brother. Last September. Scott. Scott's dad. My mind was in so many places that morning. Rachel told me the service was at ten and that if I wanted to go I could. I was decided on not attending, but then realized that I am not here for myself, I am not here for my comfort, and to sit at home and be gloomy about my life was going to bring Andrew no support, even if I did not know if all that well.
So we all set off to the village. If Uganda you do not wear black for a funeral. Or shall I say, it is not a requirement. If you wear your best, and care, that is all that matters.
We got to Andrew's. He had lost his voice kinda, and was very sad. His cousins and second cousins were all around and there were some friends of Jaja's in her house sitting inside and sleeping. Randy, Rachel, Kate, and I took a seat outside under the shade and talked with Andrew about how he was. We told him we were sorry. We were intruduced to some friends and family. We were told about how the day would play out, and also were told about the cost of the funeral. As all of this was going on, I was dazed. I kept thinking about how Andrew's behavior was so similar to mine last year. He was getting things organized, staying busy, being polite to whomever, keeping his compossure. I shed a couple tears here and there. I knew how to be there for him but at the same time knew that the only way to be there for someone like that is just to literally be there, to sit, to listen, to ask only a couple questions, to be silent, and to pray.
He asked us to follow him into the house. So not knowing anything but to follow, i took off my shoes, stepped inside, and right there in front of me was Jaja's coffin. It was sitting on the foor about 3 feet from the entrance. It was a beautiful coffin and there was glass right where her face was and also glass on the bottom along the sides. Wow I dared not look where the face was. I was really shocked. Ah! Not the best day of my life. Not at all.
I will tell you more about the service later. The internet cafe is closing. sorry.
"a good friend holds the hand of the weak man."
"you are good friends. you are here even when there is pain."
"many people are friends when there is joy, it is a real friend to be there when there is sorrow."
So we all set off to the village. If Uganda you do not wear black for a funeral. Or shall I say, it is not a requirement. If you wear your best, and care, that is all that matters.
We got to Andrew's. He had lost his voice kinda, and was very sad. His cousins and second cousins were all around and there were some friends of Jaja's in her house sitting inside and sleeping. Randy, Rachel, Kate, and I took a seat outside under the shade and talked with Andrew about how he was. We told him we were sorry. We were intruduced to some friends and family. We were told about how the day would play out, and also were told about the cost of the funeral. As all of this was going on, I was dazed. I kept thinking about how Andrew's behavior was so similar to mine last year. He was getting things organized, staying busy, being polite to whomever, keeping his compossure. I shed a couple tears here and there. I knew how to be there for him but at the same time knew that the only way to be there for someone like that is just to literally be there, to sit, to listen, to ask only a couple questions, to be silent, and to pray.
He asked us to follow him into the house. So not knowing anything but to follow, i took off my shoes, stepped inside, and right there in front of me was Jaja's coffin. It was sitting on the foor about 3 feet from the entrance. It was a beautiful coffin and there was glass right where her face was and also glass on the bottom along the sides. Wow I dared not look where the face was. I was really shocked. Ah! Not the best day of my life. Not at all.
I will tell you more about the service later. The internet cafe is closing. sorry.
"a good friend holds the hand of the weak man."
"you are good friends. you are here even when there is pain."
"many people are friends when there is joy, it is a real friend to be there when there is sorrow."
Sipi Falls
October 13th, 2009
So over the weekend Kate, Alex and I traveled to Sipi Falls. We actually were only gone for a day and a half, but still the vacation away from Jinja for a little bit was a great idea. We woke up early on Sunday morning, sat in a matatue for about 2 hours, left in matatue by 9:30 , arrived in Mbale about 4 hours later, hired a driver to take us up to Sipi, and finally came to our destination in the afternoon. We quickly unloaded our stuff at a beautiful camp-lodge area called Crow's Nest. Took a few deep long breaths, admired the beautiful view of each waterfall (because there are four), then we're changed and ready for our 2 hr. hike.
Our guide's name was Patrick. He has lived in Sipi his whole life. Is now 24 years old. Has been seriously dating a girl named Solivia for the last one and a half years. He is not wanting to be married yet, at least not till he has more money saved up. He currently is a self-employed Sipi Falls Trail Guide and has been doing so for the last 6 years. The top of his head came to about my chin. Kate saw six toes on his left foot and I noticed that his calf’s were the size of oranges. He was good looking in a small boyish way and his smile was pearly white and pretty perfect. So now that you have a mental picture of who Patrick is, I will continue on.
Sipi is gorgeous. By far, one of the most luxurious places that I have been on this earth. It was more tropical then I was anticipating. Every plant and every flower I saw was new. Green was the theme and I loved it. It rained six minutes into our hike, Alex's mind made up, we continued. The trail was narrow, path muddy, steep steps that went down at a 35 degree angle, with rickety steps and railings. It was no doubt made by village hands. The path was extremely slippery that we all made a bet that whoever falls flat on their face or butt has to pay 1,000 Ugs (meaning fifty cents). Luckily nobody fell that day. The waterfall (Sipi number one) was beautiful, the hike was well worth the matatue ride, and the exercise was exceptional. YES! I LOVED IT!
It was great getting to be around nature. So refreshing. It was good to have peace. To not hear children screaming (the fun kind of screaming), to not hear cars, or the Muslim prayer, it was great to have a little bit of peace and a little bit of quiet.
TO SUM IT UP
We had four hours of hiking the next day, traveled back to Mbale. A man I did not know on the ride there kept playing footsie with me. That made me uncomfy for sure. Oh well, if you just move your foot and glare at the person they normally stop. He did.
We changed vehicles in Mbale, from van to matatue. Got home finally and was able to talk to my mom which was really nice and good to hear her voice, awww ;). Very true though. Then I slept.
LOVED IT!
So over the weekend Kate, Alex and I traveled to Sipi Falls. We actually were only gone for a day and a half, but still the vacation away from Jinja for a little bit was a great idea. We woke up early on Sunday morning, sat in a matatue for about 2 hours, left in matatue by 9:30 , arrived in Mbale about 4 hours later, hired a driver to take us up to Sipi, and finally came to our destination in the afternoon. We quickly unloaded our stuff at a beautiful camp-lodge area called Crow's Nest. Took a few deep long breaths, admired the beautiful view of each waterfall (because there are four), then we're changed and ready for our 2 hr. hike.
Our guide's name was Patrick. He has lived in Sipi his whole life. Is now 24 years old. Has been seriously dating a girl named Solivia for the last one and a half years. He is not wanting to be married yet, at least not till he has more money saved up. He currently is a self-employed Sipi Falls Trail Guide and has been doing so for the last 6 years. The top of his head came to about my chin. Kate saw six toes on his left foot and I noticed that his calf’s were the size of oranges. He was good looking in a small boyish way and his smile was pearly white and pretty perfect. So now that you have a mental picture of who Patrick is, I will continue on.
Sipi is gorgeous. By far, one of the most luxurious places that I have been on this earth. It was more tropical then I was anticipating. Every plant and every flower I saw was new. Green was the theme and I loved it. It rained six minutes into our hike, Alex's mind made up, we continued. The trail was narrow, path muddy, steep steps that went down at a 35 degree angle, with rickety steps and railings. It was no doubt made by village hands. The path was extremely slippery that we all made a bet that whoever falls flat on their face or butt has to pay 1,000 Ugs (meaning fifty cents). Luckily nobody fell that day. The waterfall (Sipi number one) was beautiful, the hike was well worth the matatue ride, and the exercise was exceptional. YES! I LOVED IT!
It was great getting to be around nature. So refreshing. It was good to have peace. To not hear children screaming (the fun kind of screaming), to not hear cars, or the Muslim prayer, it was great to have a little bit of peace and a little bit of quiet.
TO SUM IT UP
We had four hours of hiking the next day, traveled back to Mbale. A man I did not know on the ride there kept playing footsie with me. That made me uncomfy for sure. Oh well, if you just move your foot and glare at the person they normally stop. He did.
We changed vehicles in Mbale, from van to matatue. Got home finally and was able to talk to my mom which was really nice and good to hear her voice, awww ;). Very true though. Then I slept.
LOVED IT!
Saturday, October 10
Trees
God is Good.
God Hears.
God Speaks.
God Leads Us.
God Walks Close and Protects.
He is a Good Father.
He Knows.
He Yearns for Our Love.
Today God pushed me to do things on my own.
I had not gone to the ATM. I carried nothing with me but 200 shillings (basically 20 cents).
Everyone had left the volunteer house. I sat at home. Wanting to delay my day from taking off and then being done too early. It was noon and I made myself something for lunch. Went into my room and made a button yarn craft with a verse on it (inspired by my friend lindsay's gift to me).
I wrote "Romans 12:12" on it and on the button below I wrote "God Hears".
I did this because it has been hard with my visits to except so much from these women who do not even know me. They send their children out to buy soda. To buy Mendazies. They make us Posho and Greens. I am overwhelmed at how much they give, at how great a visit from me (a stranger) is an honor. So I figured it was my turn to give.
I ended up leaving the house later then everyone else. In fact nobody was home at all.
As I began to walk to the villages, with each step I took, my thoughts wandered to my skin condition. I had noticed a mysterious rash on my skin the last couple days and with no idea as to what it was, the only conclusion was the sun, or my medicine for malaria. I started to worry that it was the sun, and then was regretting my walk to the villages starting so late in the day. Later in the day means the sun is high in the sky and beating down pretty hard. So I began to pray. I was kinda kidding, but at the same time thought it would be a cool idea if God sent me somebody to give me a ride. I kept walking and walking and then before I knew, only 50 feet from the house, a man on a motorbike behind me appeared and asked " would you like a ride". Typical question for them to ask me, because most boda drivers think that white people are completely incapable of walking further then a couple yards. I told the man that I had no money and that I was sorry, but no thank you. He then looked at me with a smile on his face and said "I will take you for free".
WHAT?!?!? I laughed in my head. This is pretty rare. I thanked God for the happy intrusion from the man and said Sure!
Apparently my face was a little too excited about the free ride because the driver asked me why I was so happy. I told him that he was an answered prayer because I asked God for a free ride. From there we just talked. I came to find that my prayer dudes name was Moses, that he graduated from college, and that he loved his job. He asked me a lot about myself. Why I was in Jinja and for how long. What it's like in America, and so forth.
We finally got to my destination and as a dismounted from the bike he told me to put his phone number in my cell and to give him a call when I needed a ride back that way I could get home safely. I told him it would not be for another 3 hours, and he was completely fine with that. So a happy camper I now was. I told him thank you, said goodbye, and began walked towards the Suubi building. However something was not right. There was no Suubi building. Anywhere in sight in fact.
"I think I'm lost" i thought to myself. Oh well. So I began to walk around houses, smiling at people, feeling pretty free about the situation I now found myself in. I met a lady named Dorthy, who sat on a mat outside her front step. She was rolling beads but she was not a member of Suubi. She actually was not with any N.G.O. But she was very sweet and we talked for a bit after she asked me what the heck I was doing over by her house. I told her I was lost, but that I was fine, not worried that much about it, and that I really enjoyed visiting with her. I then asked her if she wouldn't mind assisting me with a project I had in mind, after all she was rather talented (her beads were amazingly well done), and she willingly agreed. After we talked for a bit more, she asked me where I was trying to go. After I told her, she slipped on her shoes, but her things inside, and began walking away from her house waving at me to follow her. Ugandans are always insistent like this when it comes to helping or giving. I followed and right around the corner was a lady named Immaculate. Immaculate was a member of Suubi and apparently a neighbor of Dorthy's. She greeted me, asked me to take a seat in the shade of her yard, so I obeyed. Dorthy said goodbye, and I sat. After a while I realized that I was passed off like a hot potato and I had really no idea what was going on, but I felt honored that Immaculate was okay with me sitting and watching her clean her families clothes. So I just sat and talked every once in a while. He family was in and out of the yard. I met her husband and children, and maybe 10 more minutes passed and Immaculate looked at me and said "we go". At this point in the visit I was like a newly trained puppy. I was extatic to obey any command. Every time I did, the story kept getting cooler and I found that I was really happy about having a day that was completely unplanned. After all, the only reason why I wanted to go to the Suubi building in the first place was so that I could wander around, trying to meet some women, whoever really. As I jumped from my chair and followed Immaculate, She was multitasking with her baby boy, trying to get him fastened around her back with a piece of long fabric while asking me about myself. We footed for about 15 minutes then came around a corner and WHA LA!
the Suubi building. She introduced me to a lady named Jennifer, Joyce, Florence (who I already knew, but what the heck). I met them all and then again Immaculate left me and I was left at Joyce's house. This time watching her clean clothes. We talked. Laughed, walked around trying to find people that were interesting in dancing, trying to find people that were interesting and free to teach 91 women how to dance (now that's intense)...and finally said goodbye to each other after 3 hours.
To sum what happened in those three hours up....because i am in the mood to write a book apparently.
I met six awesome people.
met a guy (white) named Ryan, 26, speaks three languages, and holds a bible study in the village every Tuesday at 3.
Got to share my bible with a lady as we read through John 15.
Got to be served by women all day, none of them were expecting me.
Never called Moses cause my phone was out of minutes, but another man came up and offered me a free ride (i could get used to this). It was really nice cause it was dark at this time, and it is dangerous to walk home at night alone.
wow.....what a cool day.
Thanks God!
God Hears.
God Speaks.
God Leads Us.
God Walks Close and Protects.
He is a Good Father.
He Knows.
He Yearns for Our Love.
Today God pushed me to do things on my own.
I had not gone to the ATM. I carried nothing with me but 200 shillings (basically 20 cents).
Everyone had left the volunteer house. I sat at home. Wanting to delay my day from taking off and then being done too early. It was noon and I made myself something for lunch. Went into my room and made a button yarn craft with a verse on it (inspired by my friend lindsay's gift to me).
I wrote "Romans 12:12" on it and on the button below I wrote "God Hears".
I did this because it has been hard with my visits to except so much from these women who do not even know me. They send their children out to buy soda. To buy Mendazies. They make us Posho and Greens. I am overwhelmed at how much they give, at how great a visit from me (a stranger) is an honor. So I figured it was my turn to give.
I ended up leaving the house later then everyone else. In fact nobody was home at all.
As I began to walk to the villages, with each step I took, my thoughts wandered to my skin condition. I had noticed a mysterious rash on my skin the last couple days and with no idea as to what it was, the only conclusion was the sun, or my medicine for malaria. I started to worry that it was the sun, and then was regretting my walk to the villages starting so late in the day. Later in the day means the sun is high in the sky and beating down pretty hard. So I began to pray. I was kinda kidding, but at the same time thought it would be a cool idea if God sent me somebody to give me a ride. I kept walking and walking and then before I knew, only 50 feet from the house, a man on a motorbike behind me appeared and asked " would you like a ride". Typical question for them to ask me, because most boda drivers think that white people are completely incapable of walking further then a couple yards. I told the man that I had no money and that I was sorry, but no thank you. He then looked at me with a smile on his face and said "I will take you for free".
WHAT?!?!? I laughed in my head. This is pretty rare. I thanked God for the happy intrusion from the man and said Sure!
Apparently my face was a little too excited about the free ride because the driver asked me why I was so happy. I told him that he was an answered prayer because I asked God for a free ride. From there we just talked. I came to find that my prayer dudes name was Moses, that he graduated from college, and that he loved his job. He asked me a lot about myself. Why I was in Jinja and for how long. What it's like in America, and so forth.
We finally got to my destination and as a dismounted from the bike he told me to put his phone number in my cell and to give him a call when I needed a ride back that way I could get home safely. I told him it would not be for another 3 hours, and he was completely fine with that. So a happy camper I now was. I told him thank you, said goodbye, and began walked towards the Suubi building. However something was not right. There was no Suubi building. Anywhere in sight in fact.
"I think I'm lost" i thought to myself. Oh well. So I began to walk around houses, smiling at people, feeling pretty free about the situation I now found myself in. I met a lady named Dorthy, who sat on a mat outside her front step. She was rolling beads but she was not a member of Suubi. She actually was not with any N.G.O. But she was very sweet and we talked for a bit after she asked me what the heck I was doing over by her house. I told her I was lost, but that I was fine, not worried that much about it, and that I really enjoyed visiting with her. I then asked her if she wouldn't mind assisting me with a project I had in mind, after all she was rather talented (her beads were amazingly well done), and she willingly agreed. After we talked for a bit more, she asked me where I was trying to go. After I told her, she slipped on her shoes, but her things inside, and began walking away from her house waving at me to follow her. Ugandans are always insistent like this when it comes to helping or giving. I followed and right around the corner was a lady named Immaculate. Immaculate was a member of Suubi and apparently a neighbor of Dorthy's. She greeted me, asked me to take a seat in the shade of her yard, so I obeyed. Dorthy said goodbye, and I sat. After a while I realized that I was passed off like a hot potato and I had really no idea what was going on, but I felt honored that Immaculate was okay with me sitting and watching her clean her families clothes. So I just sat and talked every once in a while. He family was in and out of the yard. I met her husband and children, and maybe 10 more minutes passed and Immaculate looked at me and said "we go". At this point in the visit I was like a newly trained puppy. I was extatic to obey any command. Every time I did, the story kept getting cooler and I found that I was really happy about having a day that was completely unplanned. After all, the only reason why I wanted to go to the Suubi building in the first place was so that I could wander around, trying to meet some women, whoever really. As I jumped from my chair and followed Immaculate, She was multitasking with her baby boy, trying to get him fastened around her back with a piece of long fabric while asking me about myself. We footed for about 15 minutes then came around a corner and WHA LA!
the Suubi building. She introduced me to a lady named Jennifer, Joyce, Florence (who I already knew, but what the heck). I met them all and then again Immaculate left me and I was left at Joyce's house. This time watching her clean clothes. We talked. Laughed, walked around trying to find people that were interesting in dancing, trying to find people that were interesting and free to teach 91 women how to dance (now that's intense)...and finally said goodbye to each other after 3 hours.
To sum what happened in those three hours up....because i am in the mood to write a book apparently.
I met six awesome people.
met a guy (white) named Ryan, 26, speaks three languages, and holds a bible study in the village every Tuesday at 3.
Got to share my bible with a lady as we read through John 15.
Got to be served by women all day, none of them were expecting me.
Never called Moses cause my phone was out of minutes, but another man came up and offered me a free ride (i could get used to this). It was really nice cause it was dark at this time, and it is dangerous to walk home at night alone.
wow.....what a cool day.
Thanks God!
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