Last day... or so I thought!

On my last supposed day in Uganda we decided to do some furniture window shopping.  Obviously not buying anything but seeing what is offered and for what price.  Xing Xing is the Ikea of Uganda.  Liked some of their stuff for when I move down full time.

Went to Oasis and Garden City... had bacon/pineapple New York style pizza at Ilovenyc. Then went to see Oz- The great and powerful before heading back to the hotel to rest before going to the airport.  Enjoyed watching Hannington watch OZ... he sat on the edge of the chair mesmorized by the movie... The things we take for granted are such a new experience for some!  Left Kampala at 7:45pm... because of Easter traffic it took 2 hours to get to Entebbe.  Went through a couple of security checkpoints then to a kiosk to check in before waving bye to Hannington and John.  Got up the desk to have my documents checked when it is announced that the flight is cancelled due to mechanical issues.  All the brakes needed to be replaced and they didn't have the parts in Entebbe.  After waiting in the airport for 3+ hours trying to see if there were other connecting flights out, me and a new friend, Kate, decided to take KLM up on the hotel offer.  We got on the bus and met another friend, Pam, who had her laptop so we chatted and then spent an hours or so trying to reach friends and family and figuring out what to do about flights.  Went to bed about 2:30am but the room was nice with a comfortable bed, AC, and hot water!

Good byes :(

After not going to bed until around 5am this morning due to overdoing it on the caffine, my head is a little foggy when I got up at 8am.  Had devotions with Stella (my roommate and the MCO of the clinic) that led into a great discussion on putting Christ first and not letting things pull you away (Matthew 18).  We also had a sweet time of prayer before breakfast.  Had to hand wash some clothes and pack everything that I am taking with me versus what I am leaving until September.  I figured out that I could get by on not checking any luggage back!  :)  Besides what I need for the next 4 days and souvenirs, everything else is left behind and locked up until I get back.  I said my goodbyes with some emotion from Stella and threats of kidnapping from her and Hannington.  Went and said bye to Mama Vencencia who was out planting onions and played a quick game of peek a boo with the neighbor's children.  Also got to see the cat!

As we were driving out we saw a squirrel and meerkats.  Kind of sad I didn't see other animals but I was told I would need to go to a game park where they are protected.  We got stopped for a routine police check right out of Busunju... they actually made us show our passports before we were allowed on.  When your not in a democratic society this is common practice.  TIA!

I can do this!

Just about the time that I am getting used to the baths in a plastic washtub with warm water from a tea kettle... squatty potties... very bumpy roads... and mosquitoes... it is time to head west.  This is bitter-sweet as I know I will be back in 5 months.  I also know I have things left undone in Hawaii.  There are still a lot of unknowns but God has proven that where He guides He will provide.  Hannington was joking (maybe???) that he was going to kidnap me and make me stay.

At dinner tonight as I made a tomato based speghetti sauce from scratch, I realized I can do this.  I may not have the commodities of America... but I can do this!  I have learned to make meals with local products... no refrigeration... no box meals... no oven needed.  I have learned how to survive with out becoming mosquito food and contracting malaria... yellow fever... or typhoid.  I have learned enough Lugandan words to get by (or at least be comical).  I have made friends with several Ugandans that will assist me in growing my own food, driving, and helping to run a school.

Squatty Potties

For those of you not familiar with what these are… I will spare you the picture and give just a brief description….  Think hole in the middle of a cement or rock slab with a curtain or wood wall around it for privacy.  Today while traveling from Kampala to Nabisooto we stopped at a brand new petrol (gas) station to fill up the Land Rover with diesel.  We assumed that since it was a “new” station the toilets would be decent so we passed up the toilets at the grocery store that were charging 200 UGShillings.  Boy was I surprised when I got out of the car and started walking to the “restroom” when one of the attendants came running past me saying “Wait!  Wait!”.  My guess is she went ahead of me to “clean it up”.  Imagine really having to go… walking into a small room with no light except for the bit coming under the door… there is a tank to flush and a hole in the ground… a modern squatty potty!  It is moments like this that I envy the boys!  So sparing details… this is what I have learned while using squatty potties….

1. Men be thankful!
2. Women… it is helpful to wear a skirt…  trousers are a pain in this situation
3. DON’T EVER touch the walls.
4. BYOTP… Bring your own toilet paper!  Even in shopping malls there is one roll locked up for all the stalls when you enter!
5. When you find an actual toilet… be thankful!!

Feelings... nothing more than feelings...

I have been on the verge of a major breakdown over the past couple of days.  Between the newness of everything… the anxiety of what I am leaving behind… and emotions of facing the unknown by myself, I feel like I am walking a fine line.  I am realizing the importance of having close girl friends that understand… up until today I have been with just the guys.  It was really a breath of fresh air to meet up with a friend of a friend (who is now a friend) for lunch.  Sarah has been serving here in Kampala for four years and was great wealth of knowledge of what to do and not do.  She will also be someone I can stay with when I do my supply runs in Kampala once a month or so.  God is already answering prayer of bringing people into my life.

After lunch we came back to the hotel where I have spent most of the afternoon by myself… reading, knitting, and listening to my audiobible.  I think this has brought up some “what if” feeling of once I am down here full time by myself.  These feelings have ultimately caused some anxiety which I know needs to be cast at Jesus’ feet.

Lord, I am trusting that you will take care of the details.  Where you guide you will provide!  Right now I not only need your provisions financially but also physically and emotionally!

 

Bless the LORD oh my soul!

We are one under Christ.  Words cannot express the emotions that arise when God’s children worship Him with their whole hearts.  The church of Uganda truly has a heart to serve and worship Him.  This morning’s worship service was very contemporary and packed.  Watoto Church Central has three services with about 8,000 people in attendance.  The service was in English but very few muzungus. 

African Village

Went to African Village this morning to do souvenir shopping.  I am realizing that this culture is all about relationships and listening to the stories of others.   It is NOT ok to just walk in, ask the price, and walk away.  Maybe means yes in this culture.  Oh do I have so much to learn!  After some time getting souvenirs, we went to Java’s before heading to meet Edward and Caitlyn Olara for lunch at their house.  Had quite the Mexican spread of food finished off with apple pie! J  The Olara’s were introduced to me by Bob and Donna Miles... a couple at MBC that visits from Oregon for a couple of months every year.  Caitlyn grew up in Oregon… came to Uganda on a couple of mission trips… married Edward and are now living here full time.

After spending some time asking questions and getting to know them we went back to Java’s to meet with the doctor from Kissito.  Got some things taken care of for the clinic and headed back to the hotel to rest and talk story.