More from Uganda...

Yesterday was altogether chaotic! Beginning with teaching America’s favorite pastime to primary students in a country that doesn’t play baseball, then smoothly transitioning to puzzle induced pandemonium at the orphanage, moving right to our public transportation providers getting lost, and finally my less than graceful attempt at flying…I was relieved to see the end of day. It was definitely very full and very eventful, like most days here. It’s been a while since my last post because there really hasn’t been time to update. I have my ladder accident yesterday to thank for this break, I guess. I look like I got in a fight, but thankfully nothing was broken (except my paintbrush). I’m praising for the protection and this is a great chance to just sit and recall and share with you what all has been happening since my first few days here. Friday is my three week mark…unbelievable!

My fourth day in Uganda my uncle and another field missionary took me and the team that was visiting to Buvuma, an island on Lake Victoria. We went to do a two day VBS program for the children that attend Kikongo Primary School, a school built and established by the Africa Gospel Church. (AGC churches are planted by pastors trained and encouraged by WGM missionaries like Uncle Kenneth.) We sang songs, acted out Bible stories and played games with the kids…all with the help of one of the teachers, of course. The team had been doing VBS programs further north the past two weeks, and did an awesome job. After we finished and were just playing, I sat down with my Luganda-English phrase book and the girls gathered all around me and laughed at me as I attempted to speak their language. Laughter and smiles need no translation.

After the children went home after the first day, one of the men from Kikongo took us on a walk through the village. Everywhere we go, the children announce our arrival with “MZUNGU! MZUNGU!,” which means white person, on Buvuma they were especially intrigued by us and followed us the entire walk. We were quite a parade. The village was all one-room mud huts with thatched roofs. We were honored to meet the village shaman outside of one. I’ve spent a lot of time learning about and praying over the poverty of the world, but I was still shocked at the difference between the way that we live in the US and the life that the people of Kikongo know. It was an entirely different world from even Kampala, let alone America. Even with all the social stratification classes that I’ve taken, I cannot make sense of the disparity. What was hardest to understand was the way that every Ugandan we met on the trip to Buvuma honored us and served us. I was overwhelmed by the generosity and hospitality shown to us. They were so appreciative that we would come to visit them and they gave us their very best. The food we were served was delicious – matoke, posho, rice, fresh fruit, cabbage, corn, beef, chicken - even the mystery food that we ate in the dark that evening. There was no electricity or plumbing on the island - it was quite an adventure for me. The simplicity was good, and living with less is a principle I’m adopting.

The night on Buvuma was a tough one. We went to bed at 8:30 because it was dark and there was not much else we could do. Settled in my sleeping bag under my mosquito net, I laid awake for a long time. There were so many noises that I was just not used to – the lake was nearby and the frogs were so loud, the bats in the rafters were loud and creepy (I hate bats, even if they do eat mosquitoes), and there was a distant rhythm being drummed somewhere not too far away. I finally fell asleep, but at about one in the morning we were awakened by the strangest noise that I’ve ever heard. I had no idea what it was, but it sounded like it was right on the other side of the concrete wall. The noises and uncertainty were scary and I couldn’t fall asleep again. As I lay there I thought, Why am I here, Lord? I do not have to be here, I could be home safe and sound in my own bed. And God answered me with Sure, that would be the easy thing to do. Then, what would you learn about me? It is through this that I want you to know me more. Let me show you who I am. I began to think about the truths of God’s character that I have learned and finally fell asleep. The next evening I had the chance to share the story with the Africa Gospel church in Masese, back on the mainland, where we stayed the second night of our trip. It was a sweet experience and God definitely showed his goodness to me through all of it! The trip was altogether wonderful, although difficult. The most difficult part was probably returning to Kampala, where we took the missionary kids on an outing to a beautiful pool at a resort that was built for Queen Elizabeth when she visited Uganda. In such a short time we went from the nation’s poorest places to its wealthiest.

Hanging out with the missionary kids has been so much fun. They are all great kids. There will be a lot more time to spend with them ahead. Next week and in July, the other VIA and I will be leading the children’s programs at the annual missionary retreat for the field. 3rd culture kids are pretty creative, and we have a lot of fun – fig ball, sidewalk chalk, puppet shows, bedtime stories, and movies. Kaleb has grown up so much…almost as tall as his dad! He’s also showing a lot of leadership, helping with sports camps and even leading the small Sunday night fellowship that the missionaries have. Austin is still a sweetheart and is such a good older brother. He’s learning to play the guitar and loves music. Emilee is quite the little actress, and always making us laugh. She’s growing up a lot too - I got to be here for her birthday, which was a ton of fun. Aunt Dee made an awesome butterfly birthday cake. Living with the Hopson’s is wonderful. Besides feeling more at home, I’m learning so much about life in a different culture and the adjustments and sacrifices that must be made for ministry. Uncle Kenneth is passionate about his call and cultural sensitivity. I’m also getting the chance to see what it’s like to live in community with other missionaries. I’m asking lots of questions about my own future and what place I might have in a similar situation – a foreigner trying to build relationships in a culture very different from the one I’ve learned and is natural to me.

I’ve gotten to attend and worship at a couple more churches since the last post as well. We joined the students at Kampala International University. It was great! Campus ministry is so special both in the United States and internationally. Besides being a room full of college students, because it’s an international university, it was in English and we sang some familiar songs. It was sweet to be able to really join in with the praise. African voices are beautiful. This past Sunday we went to the Banda Africa Gospel Church. It was this tiny tin building with only two windows, but it was beautifully decorated with colorful banners. One woman came in carrying her daughter on her back, the girl was shaking as if she was having a seizure. During worship the pastor and few others took the woman and the child out and spent some time praying for her and she came back in completely normal in a while. Someone testified that the girl was being attacked by evil because her parents had just accepted Jesus. Before the service was over, she started shaking again and they took her out. We spent a lot of time praying over her and her family. I’m not sure whether or not this was demon possession or a health matter, but it is true that the spiritual warfare is heavy here among the churches. The people here are fighting very real battles between good and evil. It was a difficult visit because of the turmoil, but it was also so beautiful to see the people of Banda claiming victory in Christ!

My time with the other VIA has been pretty sweet as well. There are four of us now, Hannah, Emily, and Nick. I’ve really appreciated their company, each of them are both challenging me and blessing me as we work together at sports camp and painting, and other things. One VIA left last week, after spending 5 months in Uganda…Lacy was an amazing example of servant hearted attitude and such an encouragement to me. I was sorry to see her go, but she made such an impact on Uganda and everyone she was with while here. She sort of blazed the trail for us VIA and shared her knowledge with us. She introduced us to Good Shepherd and public transportation in Kampala…bodas. These small motorcycles are all over the place, weaving in and out of traffic around giant potholes. Grabbing a boda is an exhilarating experience. I love riding around the city behind a Ugandan and among the Ugandans – it’s completely different than seeing it separated by a tinted car window. And it’s only a little bit dangerous. :]

My days are somewhat routine for June…sports camp in the morning and ESL tutoring in the afternoon, followed by painting and then spending the evening doing whatever I need to to prepare for the next day and hanging out with the families. Sports camp has been fun. Last week was soccer, this one is baseball, and next week we’ll play basketball. ESL teaching is great. I absolutely love it! I have seven awesome students, all Korean, ranging from age 5 to 12. We’ve been reading Max Lucado’s Your Are Special & & You Are Mine and talking about how God feels about us. We are also just learning about each other. ESL is so perfect for building relationships. I’m excited to see where God takes these relationships. Painting has been a lot of fun – mostly just a great time to think and sing along to the Passion CD, enjoying the VIA. Until yesterday, anyway. :] Hopefully I’ll be back up on the ladder in the next day or two. We’ve got some more rooms to do before we’re finished.

Other random highlights…
- A Uganda v. Angola World Cup Qualifier game. My first professional soccer game was so much fun. I think maybe third world soccer is the wildest sporting event you could attend. Uganda won 3-1 so it was crazy! And so.much.fun.
- Shopping at a market…I don’t like shopping in Africa an better than I do in the states.
- I’ve been so surprised by all the different foods that I’ve eaten here. I’ve been to a Japanese restaurant, a Kenyan restaurant, a Indian restaurant, had traditional Ugandan food, been to a steak house, a pizza place, had Italian/African ice cream, Chinese food at the food court at the mall…so much…and so good. Kampala is a pretty international place.
- The weather is gorgeous. Not too hot, I’ve actually been cold quite a bit because it rains a lot.
- We’ve been back to the orphanage a couple more times and we plan on continuing to go regularly, at least once a week. It’s an experience that is really stretching me. Spending time with these children and elderly, the ones that no one wants, God is showing me how dear they are to Him. I want to give them things so badly, but how much more does God want to give to them?
- The people here always ask me to send their greetings to my family and friends in America for them. So…In the name of Jesus our Savior, Greetings from the churches of Uganda!

If you made it this far, I have to say wow! This was sooo long, and probably not terribly intriguing, but it’s a record of my time here. I don’t want to forget a thing!

I’m missing home and the people I love. It’s so good to hear from those of you that have shot me an email or comment! I’m so thankful for your prayers and love! Thanks for checking in on me!

- Heather Mae