How to Keep Your Electricity Bill Low

Power was off in our part of town for 20 days... a record for Nkokonjeru.
According to some missionaries who've served in Mbarara for the past 10 years, the longest they ever went without power was 6 days.

I'm slightly honored to be a part of this record-breaking power outage.

Here's how it all unfolded...
On Sunday, the 11th, the power went out. I called the power company office in Kampala 3 times (because often when power goes out at an unscheduled time, if you call and complain, it might come back on. Those who ask shall receive...), and each time they reassured me that it would be turned back on by the end of the day. It wasn't.

On Tuesday, we were told to "be patient."

On Wednesday, we found out it might be off for a month because someone stole a piece of the transformer (To sell for money, perhaps?).

On Thursday, we threw away all of our moldy food, salvaged what we could and sent it to the Skinner's for safe keeping, and cleaned our fridge with bleach and water so that it wouldn't mold.

On Friday, we learned that pieces of the transformer weren't actually stolen, but some children threw rocks at it and broke it. We also went to spend the weekend with the Skinner's to enjoy their company, electricity, and hot water.

On Saturday, we heard a rumor that perhaps the transformer was taken to be used at a trade fair that was in town for the past week. As upset as we were that someone could actually do this, we were hopeful because the fair was ending the next day, and that meant we might get our power back soon.

Where the transformer used to be

On Sunday, the 18th, a head representative from the power company came to a local church to talk about the issue. Apparently, the people of Nkokonjeru had some choice words to share with this representative.

On Monday, the mayor went to a local school and promised that it would be back on that day. We also replenished our supply of kerosene for our lanterns.

On Tuesday, evening we visited a teammate's apartment and were amazed at how bright his light bulb was!

On Thursday, a new rumor began to circulate. Apparently the power company wants to "upgrade" the entire power system in Nkokonjeru and put in new poles and everything... which means it might be another two months! Now there are two things you should understand with this information. 1. "Upgrade" is very relative. Power will not be any more stable or reliable after said upgrade. 2. If you haven't figured it out yet, two months doesn't actually mean two months. It could be longer!

On Friday we found ourselves back at the Skinner's for the weekend. What a blessing they are!

On Wednesday, the 29th, we had our first real sign of hope! My teammate, Zillah, spotted about twenty men from the power company working on our transformer!! Our hopes soared...

On Thursday, we kept hoping...

On Friday, the 30th, Kelsea and I were finishing eating dinner in our very dim kitchen when we saw the most beautiful sight ever...!

Kelsea and I both love coffee, and I thought it was lovely that the first light we saw in our house was the small orange glow coming from the coffee maker power switch! Much enthusiastic celebrating ensued, as you can imagine! We called friends, ran to turn the water heater on, and hugged our neighbor when she came running over to our house to share in the joy and excitement! We finally settled down to finish our dinner and noticed that we had to let our eyes adjust to the brightness of the light bulbs in our kitchen...

Now, I know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord. What did I learn and gain from this experience? A much, much greater and more personal appreciation for electricity, that's for sure! God also knew that our budget is a little tight, so maybe this was his sovereign way of helping us save some money this month. I also was able to spend more time than normal with the Skinners in their home, which was truly a blessing to me. I was able to get into a routine of going to bed early (as in 8:30 or 9pm... Did you know 9pm is the missionary midnight?), and I developed a deeper appreciation for the way that God makes each of us differently. A gratitude for the way that He calls individuals based on their giftings and abilities.

Even though we were without power for the better part of a month, we always had running water. We still had a beautiful home. We still had food to eat (though I'm ashamed to admit just how many times I ate pasta or had popcorn for a meal). Many times each week I found myself so grateful that God has not called me to serve in the African bush somewhere. I just don't think I could do it, and God knows that too. I have such thankfulness and respect for those who are happy to live and serve in those places where electricity is never an option and where you have to carry your own water, but I'm just as happy to live and serve here in Mbarara where the needs are just as great. It's simply wonderful that God makes us differently so that all roles can be fulfilled and His name can be made known to the ends of the earth!

In the meantime, Kelsea and I are continuing the celebration this evening by eating freshly baked chocolate chip cookies in the living room with all the lights on, playing to music on our sound system, and enjoying the luxury of having charged computers at our home! Tonight I will happily turn on my fan, drown out the noise of bats squeaking outside my window and dogs barking, and fall asleep to the sound of white.
Thank you, Lord, for the little things...that are actually huge things!

The Little Things

Now that I've been in Mbarara for a little over a month and a week, it's fun and encouraging to realize how much I've learned and become comfortable with in such a short time. Every day is full of conversations and experiences that lead to learning and a better understanding of the culture. Adapting to the culture and daily life here is something that takes a long time, but I'm rejoicing in the small victories.

• We always remember to turn on the water heater  now (when we have power).
• Kelsea and I have been embracing and fully enjoying the challenge of cooking everything from scratch. We've cooked some delicious meals, including pizza, enchiladas with guacamole and salsa, and stir fry. 
• We're becoming more competent at buying produce and negotiating prices at the market. Often we can communicate in Runyankole, as well! "Noobaasa kumpa nyaanya za rukumi." (Please get tomatoes for 1,000)
• I can confidently hire a boda driver and turn down "mzungu prices."
• I can navigate town and get to all the important places, like the post office, central market, the coffee shop, and the stores to buy more Internet and airtime for my phone.
• We don't think twice when power goes off as we're out shopping or cooking at home. Life continues as normal. (Unless power is off for over two weeks... then things change a little)
• I have a better understanding of why African time is the way it is. Phones here don't have satellite time, so you can set your phone to whatever time you'd like. Often people's phones are different by up to 15 minutes. Did you know that it's completely acceptable to cancel any plans you might have due to rain? Rain affects so many things here. If you're cooking over charcoal, and it gets wet, dinner might be two hours late because it takes so long to get the charcoal going again. If you order something at a restaurant, they might not have the ingredients on hand, so they'll go to the market to buy them. If you plan on traveling somewhere by boda and it begins to rain, you'll have to wait it out because boda drivers don't drive in the rain. And who wants to ride one in the rain anyway?
• Dogs don't bark much during the day here, but they howl and bark viciously at all hours of the night.
• My favorite Ugandan-English word (because they truly have developed their own version of the language) is "somehow." It basically negates anything you say. "Did you sleep well?" "Somehow." That translates to "No, not really." I find myself using it all the time, and it works for so many things. Things can be "somehow similar" (kind of but not really), and it tends to be a nice way to agree and disagree with someone at the same time. "I love all the rainy days we have." "Yes, somehow."

There are also some things that I've grown accustomed to that were very surprising when we first arrived. Things that are part of daily life here would never happen in the States.

• Mothers hold newborn babies as they ride motorcycles.
• Garbage often gets thrown on the ground or put on the floor.
• Most people don't have cars here, so most people don't know about car seats. I saw a baby in a car seat once since being here, and I was so happily surprised! Then it registered in my mind that the child was sitting in his car seat the front seat... facing forward.
• Teachers frequently answer their cell phones in class.
• Sticking a key, fork, or other small metal object into the top hole of the electrical socket in order to open the bottom two holes to plug something in
• The best feature on my phone is the "torch"

Sprinkled among all the surprising and different aspects of learning about this new culture are many, many sweet moments that I cherish.

• Teachers who get it. They laugh with their students, engage them in active lessons, have relationships with them, and smile often.
• My teammates and leaders who are genuinely encouraging and helpful
• Seeing children quietly practice the motions to "Itsy Bitsy Spider"  as they sit at their desks waiting
• Seeing the children come alive and laugh as they dance and sing in class
• The genuine roadside conversations with no ulterior motives that happen as I walk to and from school, and the surprise on people's faces as I converse with them in broken Runyankole
• Being dubbed "auntie" to some sweet, twin, baby girls at my favorite coffee shop
• Teaching Dade twice a week and seeing him get excited about learning and reading
• Baby King at school, who is really too young to be at school, who is content to just sit on my lap and hold my hand, and the opportunity it is to show other children what love can look like 
• The delight in the children's eyes and smiles as they count my fingers and toes and realize I have the same amount they do! The curiosity and wonder they display as they rub my skin and look at their own hand to see if my whiteness will come off (perhaps I'm covered in chalk?)
• Hugging children, giving them a smile and wink in class, and having the freedom to tell them "Ninkukunda na Ruhanga nakukunda." (I love you and God loves you.)

Nkyirimu ninyega mpora, mpora (I'm still learning slowly, slowly), but it's encouraging to look back at how much has been accomplished in just a few short weeks. I have wonderful people, strangers and close friends, supporting and helping me along the way, and I'm grateful for their patience, encouragement, and willingness to laugh with me at my mistakes and rejoice with me in the accomplishments!


Crested Crane: Uganda's national bird.
Yellow, black, and red, the crane's colors,
are also the national colors.



Strong Enough

You must think I’m strong
To give me what I’m going through
Well forgive me, forgive me if I’m wrong
But this looks like more than I can do
On my own

I know I’m not strong enough to be
Everything that I’m supposed to be
I give up, I’m not strong enough
Hands of mercy won’t You cover me?
Lord, right now I’m asking You to be
Strong enough, strong enough
For the both of us

Well maybe, maybe that’s the point
To reach the point of giving up
‘Cause when I’m finally, finally at rock bottom
Well that’s when I start looking up
And reaching out

‘Cause I’m broken
Down to nothing
But I’m still holding on to the one thing
You are God
And You are strong when I am weak
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength
And I don’t have to be strong enough
-Matthew West

Shedding a Little Light On the Situation...

Tomorrow we will have officially been without power in Nkokonjero for two weeks, and it's not looking hopeful for any changes in the near future.

I have been so blessed by the Skinners, and I appreciate their sympathy for us in this situation! They graciously host us for meals, let us take hot showers, and most importantly they let us charge our computers, phones, and flashlights at their house. In fact, this is the second weekend that we've decided to stay at their home rather than tough it out at ours.

Although we love and appreciate spending extra time with Joel and Jill and the kids, we also really enjoy our own house, space, and community. Please join with us in prayer that power would be restored very soon! In the mean time, I praise God for the generosity and care of our teammates!

This Is The Way I Walk To School

This is the start of my third week at Ruharo Infant School. Something I have enjoyed greatly each day is my walk to and from school. It's a solid twenty minute walk from our house, but it's one that I've enjoyed from the first day! I've learned that Nkokonjeru road, as quiet as it typically is, is a busy one first thing in the morning. All kinds of people travel it going all sorts of places.

Children and teachers going to school.

Mothers on their way to get milk from the milk men with large tin cans strapped to the back of their bicycles.

Men and women carrying hoes and pangas to do work in the gardens and fields.

Young men moving their cattle to graze.

Boda drivers dodging potholes and puddles with skill.

Sometimes I even have an acquaintance of mine waiting for me at the top of my road or running to catch up with me, baby and jerry can for milk in tow, so we can walk together for a few minutes before we part ways.

As I walk, I usually pray for the day ahead of me and that God with continually fill me with joy and wisdom in all my interactions, especially those at Ruharo.

I have found that this is also a wonderful time to practice my Runyankole. Even after just two weeks, I've seen people's responses toward me change. As I walked and greeted people my first week ("Orire ota?".. How did you sleep?, "Agandi, ssebo?"... How are you, sir?), I was always the one to greet people first. If I didn't greet them, they would typically pass me by without a word or eyebrow raise (another form of greeting and recognition). Sometimes I would catch people by surprise and they would laugh or simply ask, "Nomanya omu Runyankole??!" (Do you know Runyankole?), and I would happily reply "Nkirimu ninyega, empora empora" (I'm still learning, slowly slowly). On the rare occasion that someone did greet me first, it was always in English.

Last week, on Thursday to be exact, I noticed a change in these interactions. I pass many of the same people each day, and I always greet them in Runyankole with smile. That day people began greeting me first, "Agandi, nyabo. Oriregye?" Some even called to me from a short distance or stopped a conversation they were in to say hello. And not in English, but in Runyankole. In my mind, this was a turning point. People are going out of their way to include me in cultural norms and know me well enough to know that they can greet me in Runyankole and I can respond in Runyankole, much to their delight.

Eventually I see the sign in front of the roadside duka (small shop) advertising a "Gym/Elobics," and I know that I'm nearly at school.

I have mostly been meeting the teachers and students and observing in the different classes, babies through P4. I've purposely been trying not to teach anything yet so that I can first develop relationships, learn about Ugandan schools, and evaluate where I can be most helpful and where God wants me to spend my time. Even though I've turned down teaching lessons on the spot many times, I have sung the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" more times than I care to mention. Teachers and students alike love it and want to learn every word! Even the 3rd graders think it's pretty cool to move your thumb and pointer fingers in such a way :)

Although I have already faced many challenges at Ruharo, I'm actively trying to remain positive and not make premature judgements about teaching practices and systems here. I've noticed that even within this small, rural school, there are amazing differences between the classrooms and teachers. Everything from the atmosphere to the discipline and planning techniques vary greatly from teacher to teacher, and it, of course, makes all the difference for the students.

Each morning the students meet in front of the school to have "parade," a time for singing songs and repeating poems and rhymes. Before the children go to class they sing the national anthem, the school anthem, say a prayer, and sing a song. Often the song is "Nothing but the Blood."

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can make me whole again? Nothing by the blood of Jesus.

Oh, precious is the flow that makes me white a snow.

No other fount I know. Nothing but the the blood of Jesus.

I pray that they, the children and students, learn the deep significance and truth contained in these words.

I pray that the teachers would see the children as the gifts from God that they are and would realize what a great honor it is to teach and care for these young ones.

And I pray that I would be writing a letter of love and grace on the hearts of the children and teachers at Ruharo.

You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2 Corinthians 2: 2-3

Amagara: Life

In the months before coming to Uganda I was praying that God would provide me with one or two young women who I could pour into and develop real friendships with. God has already answered that prayer in the form of a beautiful young lady named Sophie!

Kelsea and I met Sophie on our first Sunday in Mbarara. She came up to us with a big smile and hugs, and right away I knew that she was different, and I was drawn to her charisma. A week later it was time to find someone to be our language helper so that we could continue studying Runyankole. Joel suggested we call Sophie, and right away we loved the idea. Fortunately, she did too, and we made plans for her to come over three times a week to teach us.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons have quickly become something I look forward to the most during my week. Not only is Sophie a natural and talented teacher, she has also become a dear friend to me. She has a wonderful sense of humor, and we laugh often during the hours we spend together. Frequent laughter is another answer to prayer! I love to laugh and thrive on the energy that it gives. Sophie has been a life-giver to me.

Our time with Sophie is not only spent learning Runyankole. Much to my delight, our language lessons often turn into entire cultural lessons! One day she taught us how to soak, boil, and prepare beans in addition to teaching us how to say God loves you ("Ruhanga nakukunda.") and how to reject pushy boda-boda drivers ("Tinkukunda.").

Yesterday's lesson was the most memorable and the most full of laughter so far! Somehow we digressed from learning question words and numbers to talk about music. We have to "end tables" in our living room that happen to be beautiful drums. Little did we know that Sophie is not only a wonderful teacher and cook but also a talented drummer! Before we knew it we were all pounding away on the drum learning a traditional drum beat for the Banyankole people.

TA tee tee TA tee tee TA tee

TA tee tee TA tee tee TA tee

Eventually, Justus made his way over to our front porch, and we demonstrated our new skill for him! The four of us continued to have a wonderful time together laughing, dancing, and being entertained by one another.

Next lesson: We'll teaching Sophie how to country line dance, and she'll teach us the traditional dance to this drum beat.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful... Proverbs 15:13a

I'm feeling the need for a joyful heart, good friends, and entertaining moments more that ever now. We've been without power in our part of Nkokonjeru since Sunday, and were informed yesterday by someone who heard it from someone who has a friend that works at the power company that part of the transformer was stolen. Therefore, it's possible that we will be without power for a month! And I thought five days was getting to be ridiculous... I know that Beth declared us real, African women in Kamwenge, but Lord, give me strength...!



Wish List

I have posted my Ugandan mailing address as well as more specific shipping instructions on the righthand side of my blog. Although I don't expect anything, here is a list of some items that would be useful and appreciated if you wanted to send things throughout the year. Please don't send cash, checks, or anything of value through the mail.

Again, these are items that would be appreciated, but not expected by any means! They are purely things that would be fun to receive and helpful in daily living. Please feel free to stray from this list, though! And please remember that it can take anywhere from 1 to 6 months for a package to arrive no mater what the post office says.

• Baking mixes
• Drink mixes
• Sauce mixes (enchilada sauce, pasta sauces, etc.)
• Instant oatmeal packs
• Instant pudding mixes
• Starbucks instant coffee
• Cappuccino/latte/mocha mixes
• Facial wipes and baby wipes (it's very dusty here!)
• Floss (because the dentist says so!...especially the Crest Glide kind)
• Tide to Go pen
• Kleenex packs
• Small bottles of shampoo and conditioner
• Lotion
• Fun things (earrings, card games, etc.) :-)
• Treats (gum, twizzlers, skittles, PB M&Ms, gummies, etc.)
• Granola bars, trail mix
• Chocolate chips
• Craisins
• Band aids, neosporin
• Stationary/note cards
• Colored cardstock or scrapbook-type paper for crafts

For the Love of Books

“Good literature should always make life larger.”

- Gladys Hunt

Beth told us while we were on home stay, “If you want to hide something from an African, put it in a book.”

While this statement initially made us burst out with laughter and surprise, there are some deeper, more consequential implications to this claim.

Beth explained to us that the typical African family doesn’t own very many books. If they own any at all, they probably have one Bible and maybe one book of prayers. These are values possessions. When a child is young, he will discover that book at some point and will want to touch it, as young children do. The parents, however, will say, “No! Don’t touch that!” because they don’t want the child to soil and ruin their only book. From that moment on, though, the child is developing a schema that books are bad. Books are not meant to be touched.

How tragic.

While Africans have traditionally relied on oral story-telling, there is still something to be said for the value of a book. Personally, I adore books and reading, and children’s literature is quite possibly my favorite!

A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children

is not a good children's story in the slightest.
- C.S. Lewis

The best book I’ve ever read on the importance of good literature in the lives of children is called Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt. In this book, Hunt so eloquently explains why it’s essential to read with and to children of all ages on a regular and frequent basis. It starts with words.

Words are a gift from our Creator, and words and experiences go hand in hand. Helping children learn to put their experiences into words will help them to see the many possibilities of words. Not only do books allow children to have new experiences, it is in books that they meet dragons and unicorns and are supplied with feelings of courage, joy, wonder, and loyalty.  Books matter to children, and children matter to God.

A young child, a fresh, uncluttered mind, a world before him

 -- to what treasures will you lead him? 

- Gladys Hunt

 As we are training children up in the way they should go, “to what treasures will we lead them?”

Good books can be good teachers, especially when paired with the lasting truths of the Bible.

What is good literature? A good story is enjoyed by all readers. Children enjoy the words and the characters, and adults can enjoy the deeper meanings. These are often books that tend to grow right along with their readers which make them so pleasant to read over and over again. These books answer questions about what the world is really like, how we are supposed to live in it, and how we can be ourselves.

No book is really worth reading at the age of 10

which is not equally worth reading at the age of 50.

-Gladys Hunt 

Hunt also address the differences between milk and honey. Milk is the physical care and the meeting of basic needs. Honey is the sweetness in life that makes life worth living. Children need both, but not all parents provide their children with honey. Parents are the child’s first and most important teacher, and they are the ones who will teach a child what is valuable in life. The things that parents make time for and spend the most time doing are the things that children are going to learn are the most important.

With so many things vying for our time it has become harder but even more important to choose what is best for oneself and for one’s family or classroom . Sometimes this even comes down to choosing between good, better, and best. Regardless, a choice must be made. Children are observing our actions all the time, and they are learning and developing their morals and values based on ours.

It is my desire as a teacher and as a future parent to show the children in my life what I believe to be true and important by letting them see it modeled in both my actions and my words.

I love books and believe in the importance of literature in the lives of children. I have yet to see a story read in an early childhood classroom here in Uganda. While reading a book "just for fun" is a common practice in classrooms throughout the States (although it's becoming a losing battle in many schools now), I've learned not to take such simple pleasures for granted.

 I want my students to develop a love for book and reading. Not because books in and of themselves are valuable, but because the lessons learned and emotions felt through reading and personally experiencing a good story are empowering and impact us in a uniquely positive and lasting way. 

“The more you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

- Dr. Seuss 

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,

To added affliction He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials, his multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men,

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,

He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

By Annie Flint

I recently finished reading Evidence not Seen by Darlene Diebler Rose, an incredible book about a native Iowan who served as a missionary in New Guinea with an unreached people group and survived four years in a notorious Japanese prison camp during WWII. I would highly recommend this book!

Nestled into the pages of this inspirational and challenging story were the beautiful words quoted above. The deep truths contained in this hymn resounded deep with me and have been a source of encouragement and strength for me over the past few days. I'm hoping to find time to commit it to memory so I can always carry it with me!

I pray these words ring true in your life, as well, and serve as a reminder of God's boundless grace and deep, loving provision.

Life in the Village

“You are real African women now. You are women of substance.”

These are the words Beth, our gracious hostess, spoke to us as we prepared to head back to Mbarara.

I didn’t really know what to expect heading into our 3-night home stay in Kamwenge village, but I can now say with confidence that I wouldn’t have wanted to spend it anywhere else! I returned home feeling blessed, inspired, appreciative, and refreshed.

Beth is the head nursery school teacher at Kamwenge Secondary Vocational Institute (KSVI), a school started by an incredible man of God whose life is a reflection of missional-living and obedience to God. Reverend John saw a great need in Kamwenge for quality, Christ-centered education. Kamwenge is an area that is occupied by Ugandans who immigrated to Tanzania during the rule of Amin. Eventually Tanzania forced them to leave, and when these people came back to Uganda they had no land or homes to return to, so the government gave them a piece of land, Kamwenge, where they now live.

Reverend John noticed that the people of Kamwenge were not valuing the importance of education as many children simply did not go to school and girls were dropping out to get married at the age of 14 or 15. He wanted to provide a place for the youth to receive an education in an environment that glorifies the Lord. “There are some places where it’s hard to go and hard to live, Places where people don’t want to go… and that’s where I go.” And that is how KSVI started some years ago.

Two years ago, Reverend John recruited Beth to move from Mbarara, where she was established as a teacher and active member of her church, to start a nursery school for the little ones of Kamwenge at KSVI. Reverend told us that it’s really God who does the recruiting. He simply invites the teachers to join in God’s work. Teachers who chose to serve at KSVI are not there for the money or for the location. They are there because they love the Lord, are passionate about teaching, and want to inspire students to learn and reach their highest potential. Are you starting to get a feel for the weightiness of the work and ministry this school is doing?

I was told that Beth might be the best primary school teacher in all of Uganda (though she would never say that!), and after spending the past few days with her and watching her interact with both children and adults, I find it hard to fight that bold statement. Not only is her classroom amazing, her teaching practices are developmentally appropriate, and she has a heart of gold. Her love for the Lord is evident and permeates all that she does. She is a teacher through and through and strives to humbly serve the Lord with her talents and skills. There were many times when I just wanted to give her a big hug as she shared her thoughts about the importance of early childhood education, how the first years of life are foundational for shaping the rest of one’s life, the importance of play, how “disability does not mean inability,” how children learn, and how she wants children “to develop a love for books.”  Ah… those words are like honey for my heart! We truly speak the same language.

There are so, so many things I could say about the past 3 and a half days! We were able to experience what it’s like to live in the village (yes, that means no electricity or running water and cooking outside with a couple charcoal stoves) and see what typical days are like for African women. Hard work, that’s what they’re like! But when the work is shared with good company and much laughter is involved, the days fly by! Here is a general run-down of how we spent our time in Kamwenge:

Wake up around 7 or 7:30

Light the charcoal stove pots every morning

Boil water for tea

Wash dishes from the night before each morning and various times throughout the day

Sweep the house

Spend about 2 hours preparing lunch and another 2 preparing for dinner

Walk about 3 miles from the trading center back to KSVI carrying ingredients for cooking chipati

Sit around talking after dinner, listening to music, or “giving speeches”

Shell, pound, and cook g-nuts to make sauce

Weed the garden

Walk to see some homes of Beth’s students and visit an orchard

Taught each other games

Make chipati (This was our final exam for becoming “real African women”… we passed!)

Go to bed around 9 or 9:30

Some highlights of my time there are:

• Seeing the majestic Rwenzori Mountains as the sun was setting

• Giving speeches within an assigned scenario after dinner on Monday night. Africans love giving speeches! Long, long speeches. Ours were very short but very funny, memorable, and created a great bonding experience.
• Learning to make some traditional Ugandan foods, including matooke, g-nut sauce, and chipati!

• Spending time with some of Beth’s students in her classroom and seeing how much they love her. We played games with them, and they sang fantastic songs and recited Mother Goose rhymes for us. It made me so excited to meet my own students soon!
• Soaking up words of wisdom and inspiration from Reverend John and Beth about life, education, Uganda, and missions
• Enjoying Beth’s many quotable quotes…
• When talking about how she takes her tea: “I’m a milk warrior. When it’s there, I cannot miss it.”
• “You know, I think that when people were singing Kumbaya they were actually trying to say ‘Come back here,’ and they severely mispronounced it.”
• When it was her turn to give a speech, and she tried to leave the room: “I’m going to give a fly speech. You know, a fly goes here and then here and then just flies away.”
• Singing Christmas carols as we prepared dinner over charcoal stoves in the dark
• Practicing my Runyankole and learning new words and phrases. I loved greeting the groups elderly women we passed as we walked and hearing them laugh with surprise and talk amongst themselves wondering how I knew to say that! I have wonderful teachers.

Needless to say, our home stay couldn’t have been more educational, fun, or inspiring! A home stay could have easily been many other things, but God saw fit to place us with this dear family, and for that I’m incredibly thankful. Not only did we get a chance to practice Runyankole and learn more about the Ugandan schools and teaching here, we also come back to Mbarara carrying new and dear friends in our hearts who we intend to see again soon! God has been so very good and gracious to me, and I’m thankful for this opportunity to meet Ugandans who are whole-heartedly and genuinely seeking and serving Him to the ends of the earth.

Before eating dinner one evening, we sang “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” My favorite line of that hymn simply says, “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,” and as we sung it together I thought how perfectly it describes the life of these women serving, teaching, and living at KSVI. There are many struggles each day. Life is not easy there. But God gives them strength each day to do His work, and they certainly have big dreams and hopes for the future of the youth in Kamwenge village! I thank the Lord for their work (“webele kukora”… thanks for your work) and for allowing us a glimpse into their lives and hearts this week!