Comfortable (UB#5)

I struggle with is patience. I am constantly waiting for the next step in my life. Whether that is a semester abroad, a trip to Europe, graduation from Uni, or some other life event. The very fact that I am looking forward to these things is not bad in itself, however, the fact that this waiting comes out of a lack joy in the present. "Impatience is experiencing the moment as empty, useless, meaningless. It is wanting to escape from the here and now as soon as possible.” When I am constantly thinking about the future it reflects a lack of ability to appreciate the present.

This is the part of my ‘Uganda experience’ where my daily life is becoming routine.

I woke up this morning and thought to myself, 'wow, this feels normal.'

The roosters crowing outside my window. The soft noise of 70 girls in one hall waking up and preparing for the day. The cold shower that takes my breath away every morning. The fact that I walked into class just barely on time.

I've been here over seven weeks and this was probably the first day that I woke up just feeling comfortable. Since arriving here there has been marked progression towards feeling at home. I almost don’t want to be comfortable here because I don’t want to start focusing on the future. No matter where I am, I want to be patient in the way I view my time.

Below are a few photos that probably wont make it to fb... sorry for the poor quality. My camera battery died so my nikon is out of order right now :(

Salad Sunday (aka. What we do when we feel like we need veggies or we might die)

This is Johanna, my practicum supervisor's beautiful baby girl who I get to see every Tuesday and Thursday!

This is what happens when you try to use technology in a village that doesn't even have electricity. Part of my practicum involves engaging in community workshops on various topics including child sacrifice and health.

Sometimes we go to schools and while my supervisor has meetings about starting anti-child sacrifice clubs I 'teach' the kids... still not sure exactly what I'm supposed to be teaching. But whatevs... its fun :)

This is what community workshops usually look like... there were supposed to be 60+ people here. But it rained so... you know.

This is Rose. She helps with pretty much everything at EACO (Empower and Care Organization... the organization I'm interning with). She is super great.

Student led trip to Kampala... this is pretty much the only photo I took... but we went to an international festival, ate Indian food, and went to the American grocery store. It was a pretty great day.

This is Emmy (my practicum supervisor) and Johanna. I'll have spent over 100 hours with these beautiful ladies by the end of the semester.

Motivation (UB#4)

Motivation.

Living well in a different place requires sacrifice. Nothing necessarily monumental, but it means being the one who takes the first step. That doesn’t come naturally to me… it doesn’t come naturally to most people. Where does the motivation to do this come from? Where should it come from? Since being here I’ve found it difficult to step into friendships with Ugandans. I didn’t want to make the sacrifice that is required for ‘cross-cultural’ friendship because my only motivation was my own satisfaction. I wanted to leave here knowing I had friends here… but I didn’t want much more. I think that motivation is changing. A few of the on-campus American students have decided to read through Thessalonians over the course of our time here and yesterday as we were reading the first chapter this verse stuck out to me:

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

work produced by faith

labor prompted by love

endurance inspired by hope

I must put my own desires on the shelf and seek faith, love, and hope, that out of these things friendships are made and bridges built. My selfishness will not get me where I want to go… and it isn’t helping anybody else out either.

I Am From

I am from dookies

From clothe napkins and oatmeal cookies

I am from green shag carpet

Fresh homemade food

I am from blackberry bushes

Manure that smells fresh

I am from dance parties and Christmas morning stocking

From Kiki and Hambone

I’m from Christmas with family from far, far away

I’m from Jesus as Saviour and family comes second

And walking and leaping and singing for joy

I’m from long family dinners

I’m from still trying to figure out home and being a dual

Frito pie and lots of spaghetti

From global family and family of blood

I’m from family that grows every time I move

Family that means saying goodbye

Family that means see you again one day.

I'm from see you again someday.

(inspired by SYNCHROBLOG: I Am From)

Falling in Love (UB#3)

When I said I was going to write a blog post on love I got a few strange looks. So just to clarify, I’m not about to write about a Ugandan guy (or a North American guy J). This is about the concept of falling love with a culture, a place, a group of people. Before coming here I was told I would fall in love with Africa. And, being naïve, I kinda thought that meant I would walk out of the airport into Uganda, and then I would never want to leave. Turns out it just isn’t that easy. I don’t feel ‘in love’ with this place. Yes, the rolling hills have on occasion captured my attention, up to this point, there have been moments of true appreciation, but nothing I would call love. Maybe this love is something that has to grow out of that appreciation. People say that when you fall in love, the character of the man slowly begins to overshadow his physical appearance. I do not yet know the true character of Uganda. I don’t know the heart of this country, the passion of the people, their sense of humour, or even the things that drive daily life here. I hope I fall in love, but even if I don't, I am thankful for this opportunity to grow in my appreciation for another way of life. I am grateful for this opportunity to find out where home is. I’m grateful that this is forcing me to learn about my own heart. 

Atmosphere (UB#2)

I realized earlier today that I needed to get out, to leave the confines of my small dorm room and spend some time alone, and so I resignedly leave my dorm room, knowing it is what I need to do, but somewhat unprepared to face the outside world. Within a minute of leaving my room I realize I have snuck up on the two girls walking in front of me. The pace of life here is slower; a walk across campus is something to be enjoyed. I slow my pace a bit late as the girls look back, probably wondering why I’m so close to them, but I’m thankful for the reminder to relax. As I walk I carefully avoid puddles filled from the afternoon rain shower that forced earlier chapelgoers to pack tightly together under a small overhang in order to avoid the fury of the rain. I eventually find a staircase overlooking campus and take a seat. The stress falls away as I sit under a beam of sunlight so strong it is forcing me to fall in love with the shade. The gentle breeze carries the smells of the city up from Lake Victoria and mingles those scents with the smoke pouring from the dining hall where enough rice is being cooked to feed thousands of students. I sit there for some time just taking in the sites and smells.

Andrew commented yesterday that my time here will shape who I am. And this is so true. It already has. I have learned to have patience. Cross-cultural relationships should not be rushed any more than I would rush into relationships with my peers at trinity. I have learned that I must have patience with myself as I remember to get enough sleep and to embrace the precious little alone time I get here. Uganda is a beautiful country, but it is also very different from anything I have ever known and for this reason I must embrace the emotions I have felt since being here and accept that this is not easy. There will be times when I must allow the tears welling up inside to pour out, but for now I must daily let it be my prayer that through this I might learn, I might grow, and I might be changed for the better, rather than for the worse. To God be the glory. 

(The entrance to campus... known as the main gate)