Monday, July 13, 2009
Africa - few funnies
Okay - I will just tell you! Jane Semengoma, headmistress of Namirembe School, just casually said, "Trudy, you have gotten fat since you have been in Uganda!." I walked down to the library where Sarah Baziwe, former headteacher of Bat Valley Primary sat. I asked, "Sarah, have I become fat since I've been here?" She laughed and said,"Yes, you have put on some fat. You needed to. Ugandan people love people who are bigger."
Now, for those who don't know me, I walk/jog every night at home, lift weights, and do about 50 sit-ups. I must admit - I did just meet Wilber today at a place called Nandos and ate a pizza and had ice cream! It was great!! And - yes, I did take my team there the last two days since we were in downtown Kampala. The ice cream lady even recognized me! Sad! Now you know - - the rest of the story. :)
When I have a team here and they stay in hotels, it seems every day - twice a day - they serve potatoes, rice, etc., all starches. This year, I have had two teams - so I have had hardly anything but starches for one month. Now I will move back into Ugandan homes, so perhaps the next two weeks will be considered a diet. NO - I will not send pictures!
The Illinois ladies left this morning. I will miss them. They are true servants - of God and people. I will miss their company. Jennifer is still here, staying this week at Besania orphanage in Mukono. I'm sure they are thrilled to have her with her educational background. She will finish setting up the library and have some classes borrow books. I appreciate her help.
Funnies:
I went to the laundry room at Namirembe Guest House to find the wash man in knee-high wading boots, doing a 'boogy-woogy' dance in a round washtub filled with clothes. He was stomping them good! It was really a hilarious sight. He says he only stomps the jeans to get them clean, but next to that tub was a tub of other clothes. Really, they came out great - perfectly clean! Maybe you should try it and save electricity!
I accidently walked in the wrong room at the hotel. There were two ladies, in separate twin beds. Each had a pop-up tent on top of the bed. They were inside their individual tents taking a nap. Now that is weird! The beds all have mosquito netting - so why a pop-up tent - unless they were worried about touching the sheets or bed. What an odd sight. I tried hard not to laugh as I backed out and went to my room.
Today I met with an attorney about filing as a non-profit with the government of Uganda. We need to do it to set up a bank account here and to make it easier bringing in items through customs. It will be lots of paperwork - but possible. Wilberforce needed to go to that attorneys office about something else, so he accompanied me.
But, let's back up a minute. Wilber picked me at Namirembe School in a van from an orphanage on which he is on the Board. We drove to the orphanage on the outskirts of Kampala. When we had finished visiting the orphanage, we walked down the road to catch what I thought would be a matatu to the attorney's office. Instead Wilber got us both a boda (motorcycle taxi). The attorney's office is in downtown Kampala! I have ridden many bodas around the outskirts of Kampala and in Mbale - but never through the downtown streets of Kampala! Only crazy people do that.
My driver was a speed demon. Wilber's could hardly keep up. We passed every boda on the roads! When there were two lanes of traffic almost touching, we were whizzing between cars/vans with me holding my knees in tight so I wouln't hit the vehicles on each side. If he couldn't buzz down the middle, he would almost scrape against the curb on the right - or left - and shove the cycle back in the middle of the traffic asap - but never stopping, always at break-neck speed. One bus, I was sure we had. I took my hand and shoved against the bus trying to lean us away from it! Unbelievable! Remind me to buy a helmet next time! Since I am still alive - I must say, I'm glad we did it! Wow!
Jane and I made a timetable for the next few days, so that I can return to our six Kampala libraries, plus those that are possibilities for next year (five). I will be on the move! Lots of works to do! Madame Marshall has been tossed out the window, and the teacher is now in place. :)
Hope all is well with you! A special hello to my teams! I can't wait to have more time to talk to you when I get back to share our adventures/memories once more!
Love,
Trudy
I think perhaps you'd better keep praying. :)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Hippo Happening - Africa
July 9th - 10th
I have been busy showing the team some new sights! We went to
The following might not be really worth mentioning, but we did see hippos and goats making babies today- I know, it doesn’t take much to amuse us. J
Jennifer is off to
The road we took back this time from Mburo wound through many, many villages. It is unbelievable how difficult life is here … always / everywhere mud hut homes. It seems everyone you see is getting water at a well, women are walking with huge loads on their heads or working with hoes in the fields; kids taking baths in front of the houses in small wash tubs; endless men pushing huge, huge loads up hills on bicycles as they struggle to walk. I saw one young boy, probably 11 or 12 years old, pushing a bike with five gallon water jugs tied to it. He had a small boy, perhaps two years old, on the seat of the bike. The little boy had his arm wrapped tightly around his big brother’s neck, while the brother tried to balance the bike, water jugs, and his little brother - while walking barefoot up a hill. I read yesterday in the paper that 1 out of 3 Ugandans don’t have enough food to eat on a daily basis. As we travel it truly is, like I have described many times, being sucked into a National Geographic video, as we see the difficult, daily lives of people here.
When we returned to
We also returned to
Have a good day. We are relaxing a bit after many days of work. The team leaves in three days, so I will probably wait to write again until after that. Have a good weekend and thanks for following our adventures. I will miss playing the organ at
Remind me to bring more clothes next time! I have on some filthy white capris, a stretched out gray t-shirt, and a blouse I wear to church (to stay warm). I look like a street person! I lost my jacket in the
Continue to keep us in your prayers!
Love,
Trudy
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Bribery works - God forgive
Hello from Uganda,
Right to the point: We got stopped by the police again.
He came sauntering up to my window. I stuck my hand out to greet him and ask how his day had been. Then I commented that his police helmet must really be hot. He said it was, but that he was a boda-motorcycle cop so he had to wear it. Then he continued 'whining' and told me his uniform was also hot, that other police get to wear white uniforms. I sympathized all I could. Eventually, after I felt we were close to becoming friends (ha) - he asked my driver for his license. Unfortunately, Emmanuel only had a copy of his license. Actually, he lied to the police and said the original was in his office. Later, he told me someone stole it - so who knows. The police asked who he worked for and he said Namirembe Guest House. Since it is run by Anglicans, the policeman asked him who the bishop was at Namirembe Cathedral. Emmanuel, who is not an Anglican, didn't know. Next, the policeman asked him to show him some religious material. Emmanuel didn't have any. I grabbed my new Bible to show him I had something religious. Then I asked him if he was a Christian. He assured me he was. So I asked him a couple more times if he was really sure. Definitely, he said! He then started admiring my Bible. I had to decide - another ticket or the Bible ... not that I would really use a Bible for bribery. Just call it 'sharing' the word of God. It worked. He was happy with the Bible, referring to it as our weapon of spiritual warfare. We were on our way - after the policeman assured me he would spend much time reading. At this rate, we will get stopped again, so I need to work on something else to donate to the Ugandan police department. :)
********************
Moses, the principal of Wambwa School was discussing the age children were to start school. He said it was supposed to be six, but all the parents of five-year-olds show up telling him their kids are smart, already knowing everything, and should be able to attend school. He said there are then two ways to identify those that are ready for school:
First, the child must be able to reach across his head with his hand and grab his other ear.
Second, he must already be losing his 'milk' teeth.
** I thought I would pass that on to Jan, my principal, in case she wants to follow those guidelines for our new kindergartners.
********************
On the 6th and 7th, the team returned to check the libraries in Mbale at Wambwa, Namakwakwa, North Roads, and Namatala Primaries, plus Mbale Secondary and Mbale High School. We were busy people. The librarians at the two new elementaries are amazing! Hajera from Wambwa was busy teaching all types of lessons on the arrangements of books, the different types of books, etc. She had this written all over the chalkboard. They had had a library ten days - and classes had already come to the library twice. Wow! The Namakwakwa librarian, Betty, is going to be just as good. Of course, they don't have 3,000 to 4,000 students like Namatala and North Roads. Those librarians I have sympathy for! It was funny at Mbale HS, the librarian thought people were to use shelf markers to mark the spot for the books they took - and the shelf marker would remain on the shelf until the book was returned in two weeks! She had markers everywhere. Deborah is from the village and doesn't speak or understand English real well. I did arrange for Hajera to go to the high school and train Deborah, plus the staff and students. I have to always remember that they have never had a library. It is like learning a foreign language for them.
In the evening on the 7th, we split up in pairs and attended home Bible study groups with Wilber's church members. Connie and my group was large (perhaps 15 or more people). They arrived and visited a bit, sounding just like Americans. Many said their days were too busy. One lady started talking about receiving a computer scam email telling her that one of her co-workers was stranded in another country and needed money. She blamed the email on Nigerians. We had hot tea and groundnuts - which are somewhat like peanuts. It was a good evening as we studied about seeking the kingdom of God.
Wilber has been sick the last few days with malaria. He gets it because he stays on the front porch late at night praying and then gets up early (and sometimes in the night) to pray some more. Since he doesn't use deet - the mosquitoes attack. I arrived home to find him on the couch with an IV hooked up, the bag of liquid hung over a lightbulb above the couch. He had declined going to the hospital, so a nurse from his church had come over and hooked up the mixture of glucose and malaria fighting liquid. She had to prick him twice to get the needle in his vein. She said it was because he had too much blood. After the needle was in, she removed it and left a small piece of plastic in his hand, which the fluid flowed through. Brave Sarah changed it out in the night! Cheers for her. I told Wilber he now owed her his life. :) He was much better today.
Wilberforce does a 30-minute radio broadcast evey day from 1:00 - 1:30. On the 6th, he had the whole team in the studio and asked them questions, such as, "What part did God play in your coming to Uganda?" On the 7th, he was too sick to do the broadcast - so I did it ... after much prayer and study. I spoke on 1 Peter 4:10 & 11, and Eph. 2:10, which speaks of using the gifts God has given us to serve others, throwing in that the 1st Commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart. Serving others follows that - not to be reversed. So there you have it: Madame Marshall, the radio preacher ... I'm sure my daughters are laughing! Wilber and Sarah were quite proud and suggested that now I would be speaking at Pearl Haven. I think my librarian duties keep me quite busy enough. I'll leave the preaching to Pastor Okumu, who blesses my heart every time with his sermons!
Today, the 8th, the team left Mbale for Kampala. The ladies were totally in tears after saying goodbye to Wilber and Sarah. Most have now been to Uganda two or three times, so have formed a close relationships with them. Also, John Mary, one of the young Ugandan men our volunteers have paid fees for at the university, came to say goodbye, as well. The volunteers for the last two years have come to love and respect John. He has finished his law degree, but still has three 3-month terms to go. He now must attach himself to the Legal Counselors office in Kampala - spending time in courtrooms and learning to write briefs. We are all proud of his determination. His mother (a widow) has ten children in her care, many of them orphans from the extended family. John has always helped with the kids, so it is difficult for him to move to Kampala to finish his bar requirements.
I hope all is well in America. We are having a good time with lots of fun, great evening devotions, and lots accomplished.
We will be traveling the next couple days, as we go on safari. Please keep us in your prayers once more!
Trudy
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Africa Saga, July 2-5
Debbie and Jeannie’s sponsored children are orphans, as well, one living with a grandmother that has had a stroke; the other with an aunt. Debbie’s little boy sleeps on a short sofa that doesn’t have cushions. One house seemed somewhat nicer, with two tiny rooms - but the dirt/mud was crumbling off the walls leaving the limbs showing. None of the homes have water or electricity. The kids go to the local well to get water before they leave for school. What more can I say other than thank God for our many volunteers who have continued to good works after their trip(s). Through Libraries of Love volunteers, hundreds of students have had their school fees paid; others have received school lunches; our volunteers who have been to Uganda have/are paying college fees for two young men; they have provided a fence for a school; donated shoes to an orphanage, and continued to support Libraries of Love through funding and volunteer work. Truly impressive people!
In the afternoon, we ‘launched’ the opening of Uplands High School Laurel Library. I know, I keep saying these libraries are awesome, beautiful, amazing, etc. - but they truly are. Add in the new maps and globes in the libraries and they are quite impressive. The people here are even more amazed and their gratitude is overwhelming. The opening was perfect with singers, dancers, dignitaries, plus the team trying to stay awake during another one of Madame Marshall‘s speeches. J After 13 libraries, we are experts and can put them together quickly. However, as I tell my volunteers – the schools consider every library a miracle. Thousands of children would never have books to read, if we didn’t bring them and make it possible for the students not only to read in class, but to share the books in their homes.
The evening found us at the home of Noah and Jane Semugoma. Noah is the headmaster of Uplands H.S.; Jane is the headmistress of Namirembe Infants. They invited several of our friends and administrators for a delicious dinner. When I am alone in Kampala, my ‘home away from home’ is with Noah and Jane. They always have my bedroom available and make me feel at home. They have been good friends for the past five years.
July 3rd - My kind of day!
Marsha and I got up early to go to the airport and collect the ladies ‘five day late’ luggage. The luggage was in her name, so they would only let her enter. She did an excellent job and was soon back with nine pieces of luggage, most containing things to give to children and adults here.
As we left the airport and was on the road into Entebbe Town, the police stopped our van at a traffic check.
I listened and watched as the police was pointing out three problems; our driver was licensed only to drive a lorry (truck) or a car (not true); part of the van’s registration on the windshield was covered (true) and, it was a passenger van - so the luggage should have been on top, with passengers in the seats instead of luggage (crazy). Our driver was getting nowhere, so I got out to visit with the police. He pointed on his paper to the violations with which we had been charged. I decided to try the friendly approach and soon talked him out of the luggage charge. The other two charges came to 85,000 schillings ($42.50). He wanted me to just give him the money and said I would receive a receipt later. I declined. Therefore, our driver had to take a boda (motorcycle taxi) to a local bank, where he would pay, and receive a receipt.
I saw local stores near so decided to walk to one to buy airtime for my phone. At the store, I found two really cute caps for my two grandsons. I had been looking for presents for them everywhere, so was totally thrilled to find these. We headed back to where the van and been; the van was missing, but the policeman was still there. He said the van driver had driven off looking for us. I excitedly pulled out the caps to show him, yakking on and on about my grandsons and how they were going to love the hats, plus my granddaughters. He found it hilarious that the missing van and the tickets didn’t bother me at all; I was just excited about the hats and my grandchildren!
We went back and picked up the rest of the team and headed for Mukono to create a library in the Martin Nkoyoyo Integrated School, which is home to sighted and blind children. It was founded by our good friend, Ret. Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo. It was a small library (only 300 students), so took hardly any time. An amazing girl scout troop from Round Rock First Methodist Church had collected books, and the stuffed animals that correlated with them, from Kohl's department store over a year’s period. The plan is for the blind children to feel the animals as their teacher, or a sighted child, reads the books to them. However, the girl scouts recorded the books on cassettes tapes, also, so they could listen. The teachers and students were ecstatic! The library was extra special with all the stuffed animals sitting by their books!
Finally, we were off to Mbale Town, which is a 3 ½ drive from Mukono. When we arrived at the long bridge at Jinja, the traffic was lined up for miles, as they were working on the bridge. Ugandan traffic stretching for endless miles is different than ours. It is every type of vehicle vying for every inch of space. The two lanes become five and there is barely a few inches between the vehicles in the front, back and sides. Actually it is not really lanes - it is just crammed vehicles scooting in any possible slot. After awhile, I was bored! So, I collected the only candy we had in the van - starburst - and gingerly opened my door and stepped out, squeezing between cars, matatu vans crammed with people, and trucks with lots of people standing in the back. I slowly walked between these handing out the candy. It was hilarious! Everyone was laughing and reaching for candy; people were even getting out of cars to come and get some. When I ran out, I went back to see what else I could donate to liven up the wait! Aha - we had friendship bracelets that we give to the students at the schools, in a variety of colors. I started back down the tiny area between vehicles. I now have all sorts of new friends that will remember the crazy muzungu handing out things! Everyone was having a good time, but when I reached the truck with the people in back, I heard engines started and had to make a dash for our van to avoid being squashed.
Soon after, there was this crazy truck that looked like it was driving sideways down the road. Unbelievable! The driver signaled our driver to pass. When we did we were looking at headlights of a semi! Being the brave soul that I am, I was riding in the front seat. So, of course, I yelled (laughing) "God, I’m coming home!" I must say, after many summers here, I had faith that somehow my driver would save the day. The ladies in back were a bit in shock, but then laughter filled the van. For their husbands reading this - no worry. Really they are quite safe. God is on our side.J
There you have it - a day of arriving luggage, missing van, police tickets, traffic jam turned into fun, beautiful library, and a close miss! That is what I call a perfect day in Uganda! LOVE IT!
We arrived in Mbale and the team checked in at our regular hotel, where we have become friends with the management and staff the past few years. I left the team and went home to Pastor Wilberforce and Sarah Okumu’s home. After spending six summers in their home, it is truly no different than stepping into my home in Pflugerville. It is where I belong and I am always thrilled to return to share all our news and many laughs!
July 4th
The next morning several of us walked to Namakwekwe Primary, which has now had a library for 10 days. It was Saturday, but many students still have classes that day. We couldn’t get in the library, but had time to visit several students. Their classes had already been to the library twice to borrow books and they excitedly told us books they had read. I then looked in the library window to see an enormous amount of cards in the file, meaning they had busy checking out books. Plus on the board was a lesson teaching the students how the spine label/fiction books are organized. I just wanted to dance! On the way ‘home’ later I was in the van and saw an older boy walking, holding a book. I had the driver stop and asked the young man to let me see the book. It had our spine label with the pocket inside. He said he was from Mbale Secondary and loves to read.
We celebrated the fourth at Sisiyi Falls … a bit of paradise.
I now have my boda (motorcycle taxi) driver’s number programmed in my phone. I do love to ride on bodas; it’s a crazy thing to do, but certainly livens up one’s life as you navigate through the traffic – definitely covering your eyes every once in awhile, while throwing up a quick prayer. J
Sunday – July 5th:
We just had a service at Pearl Haven, our home church, pastored by Wilberforce and Sarah. Somehow God uses the services at Pearl Haven to totally ‘work-over’ my heart and life each year. The praise that raises the rafters just melts down through my soul. I had tears in my eyes almost the entire service and could hardly speak at the end of it to introduce the team. I can hear the second service now as I am typing; I wish I could send it to you through email. The presence of God in the service makes me want to bow down on the dirt floor and thank God profusely that He chose me to serve in this county.
Thank you for your prayers. Again, sorry for the long email – but it isn’t often this trip that I have time to get on a computer.
Trudy
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Moving on - in Africa
Monday, June 29, 2009
New team arrives; luggage doesn't
The team from Illinois is, from left, Marsha Mayner, Connie Lovelace, Debbie Rhoades, Jeanne Bell and Shannon Wingler.
Friends and Family,
The first team left this morning for the States, and the second team arrived. None of the luggage for the second group arrived with the airplane. However, we always tell our volunteers to pack a change of clothes, etc. - just in case. There was a large group of young people on the same flight. Everything they brought was in the bags they checked, so they arrived with nothing. Another airplane arrives on Wednesday, so hopefully the luggage will arrive at that time.
The first team was absolutely great ... amazing, hard workers and fantastic company. They accomplished many things, including creating the three libraries. Important as well, were the many games (netball, soccer, basketball) they played - and lost. :) They have made friendships that will last over time with many people. The kids love the volunteers and, after the first day, it was especially fun to watch our young people just automatically reach down and scoop up kids, or grab their hands and start playing with them.
This weekend the group visited the Watoto Orphanage Homes. The Watoto Choir tours the US during the year to raise funding for the homes/villages. They will be at my school in January, so it was nice to see where they live and visit one of the houses. Each home has eight children and one 'mother.' It is a huge operation with the homes located in two places. Churches around the world bring teams in to construct a home, so that more children can be added. On Sunday we attended the Watoto Church, which has about 10,000 members. They had a huge choir. It was a bit like being at the Erwin Center for an African concert, featuring praise and worship in English and native languages. The special speaker was an Australian from America. Great service!
Then, of course, it was the end of the trip, so time for the muzungus to go shopping. :) There are some really great craft shops in Kampala. I must admit, after six years of looking at the crafts, they all run together. I have a hard time remembering what I have taken home for gifts previously, but we had 16 people here for the first time, so they loved shopping.
For the families of our first team: thank you so much for allowing them to travel to the other side of the world to share the blessing of their friendship and God's love with those here. They definitely have my highest respect and love for all they accomplished.
Please keep us in your prayers as the second team tackles the creation of two more libraries, restocking of our first library, plus helping as we train the Ugandan librarians and students how to organize their libraries, plus how to borrow and return books. I am grateful they are willing to help with the training, as I have done it alone the last four years and it is a huge job. We are also happy to still have the company of Jennifer Martin, who was with the first team, but is remaining for three weeks.
Yesterday I left the group and wandered off by foot through a poor area where I spent a lot of time during my first trip in Uganda. I was in tears as I stepped through the rutted dirt paths, through yards - and moved around. The first summer when I traveled alone, staying in Ugandan homes, was a time that was so unusual that it is hard to describe. Coming from America and immediately being totally immersed in a different culture really changes one's life. It makes that culture simply seep into your bones and remain there as a part of your life forever. I feel so fortunate that I am totally comfortable here, and because of God's calling, realize that I am where I am supposed to be to - serve His purpose.
From across the world, I send my love and good wishes.
Trudy
Friday, June 26, 2009
Another bonus post from Melissa
Mitch (Wilbur's 15 year old daughter) got to come see us for a little bit today with a man from her school. They were picking up some maps and globes that we are donating to them. Then Trudy convinced her teacher to let her spend the weekend with us. She goes to a strict boarding school, where they are not normally allowed out except for once per term. She is so excited and our teenage girls are excited about spending time with her and sharing their clothes. It's funny how teenagers act the same around the world!
Tomorrow we'll go visit the Watoto village and then go shopping, so it should be a pretty easy day. Then tomorrow night we'll have dinner at Herb and Ellen's house (Trudy's missionary friends that we stayed with 2 years ago). It will be a great night.
Our mini-safari was fun. We saw a ton of zebras and monkeys and lots of other animals too. During our boat ride across the river, our boat stalled for about 15 minutes and then started taking on water. Our group was in two separate boats, and we were grateful those on ours were not afraid of water. I sat and watched a big group of monkeys playing near my hut that night. It was really fun, and I was wishing you all were there to see it too. During our game drives we got to get out and walk around, because they only have a few lions and they don't come out around people. It was fun to get to see the tracks and things close up and for our guide to show us how they track them. Where we stayed was pretty rustic....that's a good word to descirbe it. The other ladies were too scared to take a shower, but I decided I really needed one, so I would give it a shot. It was a little hut/building in the middle of the camp. The hot water was heated with a fire. It was the best shower I've ever had in Uganda. No one believes me, but it was. It was the perfect temp. and great water pressure!!
As I sit here right now typing I can look at over the city of Kampala. I hear the Muslim Call to Prayer and my heart breaks for the people of this city. So many lost and hurting people.
Pray for us as our time here winds down. Pray for more opportunities to minister and for safety in our travels home.
Thanks again! I'm off to eat a BBQ buffet.. it should be interesting, not sure what it entails, but I'm pretty sure there's BBQ sauce involved.
~Melissa
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Uganda - Trudy
| A few funnies from Uganda along with news: A man in the back of the church Sunday morning yelled, "You're preaching GOOD!" Wilber yelled back, " I know I'm preaching GOOD. God gave me this sermon!" Laurie Thelen was riding in the front of the van. She commented that it was like being at the movies - only it was real! Scott was a the camp this morning and washed his face. He then went outside and saw a baboon drinking out of the water source. He was hoping it was the toilet water source and not what he just used to wash his face. I love it that the team has had many 'opportunities' to use 'squat pots' that are tiny retangular holes in the ground. When they are lucky - they are long drops instead of short drops. Now figure that one out:) We left Mbale for Kampala on Tuesday stopping by Besnia Orphanage, which was founded by our friend, Retired Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo. It is an orphanage for blind children as well as sighted. They have build a new school on the grounds, in honor of his son, Martin, who died of cancer a couple years ago while attending a university in Colorado. We will be providing a library for the school next week. It was so good to see him and our friends at the orphanage. The kids are precious. The blind children sang for us. It was touching. One little girl about two had great English and sang and danced up a storm. I would have liked to take her home for my grandchildren, so they could play with her. They would love that. We are staying at a guesthouse ran by the Anglican Church. It has a beautiful view of the the city - which is built on seven hills. Our first library / school is within walking distance down the hill. It is our baby - after a wonderful relationship with the teachers, headmistress, and librarian over the past five years time. Tuesday - the 24th, we headed for Lake Mburo, for some relaxation. It is a long five hour drive over roads that I think someone described once as swiss cheese roads because of all the holes. For those new, it is unbelievable. It is a game of bumper cars/vans/buses/motorcycles/and bicycles racing and crowding - making lanes where there are none. The roads are either dirt - with a sea of potholes, or some tarmack - also with a sea of potholes - or, they are working on them and you have miles of fresh gravel that blows up dust so you can see to drive. Personally, I think it is a great adventure - but I have a sick sense of humor. :) At Lake Mburo we took a boat ride and walked through the bush to see animals, as well as riding in the van. We saw Ugandan cobb, waterbucks, bushbuck, topi, African cape buffalos, hippos, crocks, baboons, monkeys, zebra, and wart hogs galore. Our boats were interesting, with half in each boat. Our's spluttered along...barely chugging. The other one stalled out, plus took on a bit of water - - but it was just a bit, so thats okay. :) Dave laughed and said that the time they were stalled - about 15 minutes - was the most restful time they had had in three days! While we were at the open air cafe at the edge of the lake, a group of students arrived. There were 34 in a van the size of one of our mini-vans at home. Now the group believes me since I had told them I had rode in one of the matatus with 24 other people. All things are possible in Uganda! There were ten of us in bandas (little lodges with 3 - 4 beds) and the rest in some tents down the road. We were feeling sorry for them until today we found out the tents are great and sit up on platforms, with comfortable cots. Plus, they had a big campfire and visited late into the evening. We complained and said they should have invited us instead of just yelling Marco across the bush, so that we would yell Polo back. I forgot to mention Sarah Okumu accompanied us to Lake Mburo. It has been nice to have her company a little longer, so the group can have time with her. We left Randy Sisk and Kaitlin in a town called Masindi. They will go visit a child they sponsored through World Vision and join us tomorrow evening. It is difficult for me, even after six summers in Uganda to see the poverty ... so many kids that should be in school can be seen along the road carrying large water jugs, endless mud homes with many children playing outside, women and men carry water jugs, as well - sometimes with many heavy jugs attached to a bike that they are desperately trying to push up a hill. I have stayed in homes here before that didn't have water, so though it is common here, it still bothers me. It is hard to put yourself in their place. We are so fortunate. This is getting long, so I will sign off and write more next time. Everything is going well. Thanks for your prayers and support. |
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Finally, email from Trudy
From email sent to supporters
Note: This is too long, so please forgive. We have been busy from morning to evening. Plus, the lack of electricity has been a problem in using the Internet. I will try to send shorter segments after this … the key word is “try.”
There aren’t words to describe our first six days - so many sights, so many happenings, and so many wonderful old and new friends to visit.
The three new libraries - Wambwa Primary, Namakwekwe Primary, and
The team worked long hours, along with our many Ugandan friends who joined in the “fun.” Our group did find time to play games/ sports, visit classrooms, sing, share, and give presents to each student.
The schools planned smaller “grand openings” at Namkwekwe and Mbale H.S, saving the large one for Wambwa Primary. Our driver informed us he heard about it on the 8 a.m. news on his way to pick us (as they say). He told me over and over how huge the gift of the libraries truly is to the receiving schools.
The headmasters and deputies were in attendance from all six schools that have received libraries in Mbale. It was a grand event with a head table for the dignitaries and Libraries of Love team, tent, cakes and drinks, special songs and dancing by the children welcoming us, plus a song by three girls sharing the importance of the their library. The main speaker at each event was a Commissioner, whose “boss” is the President of Uganda. I understand he would be like a senator in the
One speaker said this: Through you friends, we would like to send our best regard to HIS Excellency OBAMA, our son. (We are now trying to decide which team member can carry out this request.J)
Thursday evening we were invited to the home of the former headmaster of North Roads Primary, who is now a district official of over 101 schools (and proud of itJ) They had a small covering (tent) set up in the back yard with chairs inside. Philip, and his wife Jennifer, had prepared a feast. It was delicious. Several Ugandan people I knew were in attendance, as well. We enjoyed the dinner; then Philip led us in some rousing, Christian choruses. We were clapping and moving. What a fun night!
Friday afternoon after the grand openings, we played soccer against Mbale Secondary. We were hoping we could repay them for the stomping we received last year. We even have five high school students and one college student with us this time. Unfortunately, it was a repeat. Our team played hard, with some doing crazy things on the field for laughs (D J DeHart), but alas - they couldn‘t pull it off. At the end our team and the Mable SS team were great friends, with hand shakes, hugging, and a great photo shoot with the two teams together.
Later that evening, after cleaning up, Libraries of Love sponsored our own “grand event.” We invited ten representatives to come from each of our six schools for snacks and sodas. We hosted them at the study center of Mbale SS. Seating was arranged in groups of six so that our team and those from the schools could visit in smaller groups. Our headmasters and librarians were in attendance, which was nice. Scott Porter and I explained the process of preparing the books in
Saturday we did home visits to students from Wambwa Primary.
After the home visits, we traveled with Dr. Patrick and Helen Mutono to see their clinic. In the children’s ward, three children shared each skinny bed, with hardly any room between the beds. Mothers were sitting on the floor. I saw one young boy (probably two years old) with an IV in his hand. His mother had to hold the needle in with him on her lap, as there were no “poles” for holding the bag of fluids. Dr. Patrick had everyone take off their shoes, walk down the hall and watch through a door as doctors were performing a hysterectomy. That is not what we expected to see in
We then went to
The majority of the team climbed to the top of
Today will be church at Pearl Haven (the Okumu’s) at 8:00am. The Okumus and I have been friends for nine years, so it is great fun to razz Wilberforce. I told him the team had paid a lot of money to come to
As you can see, we are fitting everything in we can during this team’s two weeks! I must add that we have met every evening to share and talk about the day. I don’t even know how to describe this team, other than to say I feel fortunate to be a part of the group. While watching them interact with the kids, I have had to walk away to hide tears. It is overwhelming to see their love for these children, as they have laughed, held hands, scratched backs, and given hugs. There are many stories to tell about individual team members, but with nineteen, I will let them share their stories when they return.
I will close to the sights of Uganda - which I love ever so much: clogged dirt roads holding bicycle taxis, motorcycle taxis, crammed public transport vans, streams of people, cows, chickens, and goats. Endless children walking to school in their various colored school uniforms, many which we recognize. Ladies and children sweeping their dirt yards, carrying huge holders of water on their heads, and babies on their backs.
Everyone on the streets at all hours of the day and night, our many friend‘s faces. …
Thanks for listening! Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts!
Trudy
Friday, June 19, 2009
Bonus Post from Melissa Busby
Here is a brief recap. Our trip here wsa pretty uneventful. We had a rushed, but fun tour of London. The plane rides were long and we were completely exhausted, so we were very glad to arrive in Uganda.
Monday, we spent getting through the airport, exchanging money, and then driving for 5 hours to Mbale town. We ate dinner, took showers, and went straight to bed that night.
Tuesday, we went to work early in the morning on the library for Wambwa Primary School. It took a little bit for everyone to get the hang of the building and sorting, but after that we really got in a good system and we knocked out the library fast. So a lot of the afternoon we got to spend playing games with the children, singing songs, and passing out the gifts (pens/pencils, bracelets, a paperbook, and a gospel tract). Many of the students at this school are very poor and their English is not great, so the teachers helped to translate for us and explained that we came to Uganda to share the love of Jesus with them.
Wednesday, a few people (most of the KS ladies, minus me) went back to Wambwa to finish up the last details, while the rest of us started on the library at Mbale High School. It's a nice big room for the library and the men really were able to work very quickly on the shelves. The great thing about this team is everyone's willingness to help and pitch in wherever needed, so we've been able to complete our work quickly. The students at Mbale High were very happy to see us. We felt like rock stars as they led us around with their friends and had us take pictures with every one of them. They loved us taking their pictures and then they wanted to see them right away on the camera. We got to meet with all of the student body after lunch, outside. It was getting ready to rain, so I kept praying that God will hold off the rain long enough for us to be able to share with the students. I led the kids in a few songs, they introduced the whole team, and then Dave gave a great gospel presentation. A few of us were able to get together beforehand and pray, and I really think that helped to give him just the words to share. The students were attentive and seemed to enjoy it. They loved the giant "Cross Talk" display of the gospel. I pray that some part of the message really touched a few of the students. There were many muslim students at this school, and I just pray that a few of them will look at christianity in a new light. We then split into groups with some passing out gifts in classes and the rest of us went into classes to just meet and answer questions. The class I went into asked many interesting questions. They wanted to know about our engagement process, polygamy, circumcision, elections, crops, construction, music, politics, and that was just a few. I even got asked about why don't I convert to Islam.
Thursday, we worked at Namakwekwe Primary School. This school is very close to our hotel so it was interesting to walk there and take a look at the nieghborhoods, homes, and people. The toddlers wandering around are just adorable. I spend that day out with another lady from our team shopping for the flooring for the three libraries. It was quite an advnture. We went to exchange money, to about 6 different stores, and then bought the wrong size and had to go back and then go deliver all of the carpets. I think we wore out our poor bus driver. That afternoon we passed out gifts and it was fun to share with each class. They kids also sang many songs for us. We also played "net-ball" it's sort of like basketball. I was the "defender" and I almost knocked over the goal. Geez, I'm such an athlete. But it gave the students a good laugh. Then Thursday night we were invited to dinner at the home of a headmaster from the school we worked at last year. He is now a district supervisor. It was very nice. He had a tent set up outside and a big meal. It was a nice time to visit with everyone.
Friday (today) We had our grand opening. It was supposed to start at 10 and it started at 1. You've got to love Ugandan time. It was a very nice ceremony. Then we had a soccer match against the High School we were at last year. I was able to get out of playing, ha! I'm sure I'll be playing later in the trip. This evening, we had a meeting with teachers from all of the Libraries of Love Schools in Mbale. It was a great time to share with them and get to know them. They asked a lot of questions about how our school system works. Then Trudy, and Pastor Wilbur shared, and I even got to speak!
Tomorrow, we will visit Sisisyi Falls. I can't wait. We also will visit where a lady from Austin, TX is having more than 500 wheelchairs put together for people here and we'll also visit a medical clinic.
A few interesting things that have happened... we've eaten lots of "matoke" (national dish of steamed bananas), ox liver, jack fruit (tastes like cantaloupe with a bad aftertaste), goat stew, milk tea, and lots of beans and rice. We feel like we are carbo-loading. We crammed 20 people into a 10 passenger van (that's Ugandan style). My favorite seat is the "perch" in between the driver and passenger seats sitting backwards. Don't tell my girls, no seatbelts are used. :) Outside our windows we see goats, cats, roosters, motorcycles, huge trucks, people cooking over charcoal, laundry lines, and people walking everywhere! I don't even know how to describe the sights and smells.
What an adventure! The rest of the Kansas team sends their love. Everyone is doing well, and they all will hope to email or call you soon (so don't worry moms!, :))
Thanks for your prayers and keep them coming. We're planning for the children's services for Sunday!
Love,
Melissa
