Arachnophobia in Africa

Hello hello! Stolochi! That means “What’s up?” in Luganda. I am enjoying our low key day today. We have been going non-stop so the Darla and everyone decided we should rest in the morning and go to town just for the afternoon. It has been nice.

Yesterday was quite the adventure I must say. Mondays are like Saturday for the church leaders here. A day off. But for us interns it was a day trip into town for craft shopping and then to Entebbe for the Zoo. Fred, one of the church staff members is awesome. He makes friends with everyone everywhere and when we saw how expensive the zoo was for us all, Fred began to work his magic. Thirty minutes later, we all enter the zoo for basically the price of 1 ½ people…instead of 8. It was at that moment I taught Fred the slang term, “You da man!” Because he was and I wanted him to know that. 

We were hungry and Peter decided to walk us to the hostel that was actually inside the zoo property. It was interesting. He talked with the women in the kitchen and asked if they would cook us lunch. So they did but we went and toured half the zoo before coming back for rice, matoke, yams (I didn’t eat them), soup and g-nut sauce. The path to and from this hostel had a couple huge spider webs and that meant huge spiders. I was a little nervous the first time walking by, a little more the second time. But I made it. I am not a fan of spiders, especially when you are in the brush of Africa. 

After lunch Fred decided to take us the back way to back into the zoo. He asked us if we wanted to go through the forest trail. I love hiking and told him as long as there wasn’t anymore spiders I was down for that. So we were walking on this sketch small, small path in the middle of this African forest. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The trail was like Spider Town and it was ridiculous. Everywhere I looked I saw another huge web and then of course would spot the huge spider on it. I began to get tense. These webs might I add were not far off in the distance, or behind glass on display. Most zoo visitors probably never knew these paths existed to even walk these particular trails. It is not part of the zoo tour. This was crazy Fred’s jungle adventure. These spiders were just chilling in their webs probably waiting for their next prey to get in their web. We were having to watch our step and head not to bump into some  of them. The farther into the woods we went, the more spiders I saw. The more I looked up, the more I saw. Ya’ll I began to revert back to the mentality of a six year old. My breath was getting short, my heart was pounding, my eyes were watering. I couldn’t help but think the worst. You know, "These spiders were deadly poisonous, they were going to attack me, I was going to die…" you know the irrationally thinking the female mind goes through occasionally. And I was. It finally became too much. I was hyperventilating and began sort of, just a little bit crying. It ‘s not like me but I’m telling you, it was insane. I felt like I was on a Fear Factor TV show or something. So my Uganda friends, Aurora and Natasha walked me through the rest of the way. When it would get to an area more populated with spiders they would tell me to just keep looking down and guided me quickly through. I finally made it through and other than Heidi, in front of me and not scared at all might I add, the rest of the group didn’t have to experience this breakdown I had in the back of the line.

We began to see the rest of the zoo animals. It was great. The chimpanzees and zebras and huge snakes and rhino were all so much fun to see. On one path, monkeys were just all chilling in the middle of the road!! Not behind the fences or walls. Just in nature! Hannah and I were flipping out in excitement. We got up close and within arms reach of them. But we weren’t supposed to touch them since we didn’t know what kind of disease they potentially could be carrying. But I got great pictures with them! There was a mamma with her baby! It was adorable. Then the father joined for a family portrait and I really appreciated that! Fred took us off-roading again for one last adventure through deep brush to see the beach of lake Victoria. The grass was taller than me and the flying bugs at the zoo are in such dense clouds you have to squint and close your mouth unless you are ready for a snack. It was crazy. So we tried to run fast to keep up with survivor man Fred and I was laughing nervously hoping no snake was going to jump out. By the time I made it out I was laughing hard. I looked up and was ready to sigh in relief but instead found myself startled at the sight of this huge black feathered, pink necked ostrich that was looking right at me and was about five feet away. I screamed and threw myself against a fence where I almost fell to the ground. Fred didn’t warn us about the monster that was to greet us on the other side of the grass. Of course there was a very high fence between the creature and I but upon first coming onto it, the only thing I saw was Big Bird staring right at me. 

It was such an eventful day. We finally made it home after enjoying another night on the Boda bodas. Jamie made us all Thai food and it was great.  

 

Well, to make the long story short. The zoo was great, I didn’t get bit by a spider or attacked by an ostrich.  Just have the great scary memories to remember. For all of you that are emailing or FB messaging me, I am receiving them. I love you all and miss you. Feel free to keep writing. I would love to hear from you. Thanks!

Luganda prayers + Bugandan hearts = humbled mandy

Saturday is actually the busiest day of the week for the missionaries. We went into town to the BLRC (Better Life Resource Center/church building) for our 2nd language lesson, then a Ladies Community Life Care Group which is simply a bible study. It was very neat to hear songs in Luganda and the exchange of ideas and thoughts from the scriptures we read as well as hearing a prayer in Luganda. It’s a beautiful language. I loved being a part of that bible study. Next was the Leadership Team meeting. It was really another bible study. The church leaders discussed Ephesians 1-2 and went over discussion questions which next week each leader will ask their particular life care group. I was able to sit in and listen and participate. Incredible. The wisdom and knowledge and spirituality of the Ugandan leaders was very humbling. I really gained so much respect for them in the 2 hour bible study we had together. The interns and some of the youth went for a stroll around town and enjoyed ourselves. Once back home to Darla’s, what started as a small talk conversation around 10 pm turned into a 3 hour deep and heart felt share time between Darla and I. We called it a night after 1 am. Darla and I click really well and we shared a lot and I was able to hear more of her story and how she got to be on the mission field and different struggles we have had or have right now. It was just what I needed and God knew that.

Today was our first Sunday and I was pumped to experience worship. It was outside but under a covering next to the building in order to hold all the members. Once the children were dismissed to bible class, Heidi, Hannah, and I went with them to help out. The kids in my room didn’t all speak the same language. Some English, some Luganda, and the refugee kids from Congo spoke both French and Swahili. It was interesting. But they were all so sweet. Tonight we came back up to the church for the Singles ministry bible study. We sang in Luganda and English. I passed out chai lattes and bread, which I must add that a Ugandan named Steve leaned over to Heidi and said, "Tell mandy when you get home that one day she will make a good wife." When Heidi told me this I laughed out loud. You all probably are as well. I finally get a witness for doing a "homemaker" thing and get a compliment to go along. I'm not going to lie that probably was the first I've heard it be said in reference to my homemaker skills. Ha- thanks Steve! Back to the bible study, we shared what important things we had on our hearts regarding the scripture we read or thoughts we have. It also lasted over 2 hours. They people here are not in on a set rigid schedule. There is not a time limit to any event. You stay till you have accomplished all you wanted to accomplish. It is amazing to see how important God and faith are to the Uganda people.

Today was the first day I walked around town and to and from the taxi park without being nervous or like a deer in the headlights. I am starting to adjust to certain aspects that were hard the first few days. There are people I am meeting here that I already know will be hard to part with. I just want to take Sheeba, Seth, Peter, Francis, and a few others back to the States with me. Too bad I didn't bring my usual huge suitcases cuz I am sure they all would fit inside. They have already impacted me with their walks of faith and gentle spirits from the few shorts days I have been here.

Final story to end with. I meant to mention it last time but the other day when I was out with Darla and Fred we stopped to eat at this little shed..really.. for chicken and chips. The chips are actually Irish potatoes and very good. I tried to tell the lady "The chicken was very good." Instead what came out was, "The chicken is alive and well." Haha! She laughed hard and knew I didn't mean it. She appreciated me trying though and took no offense. It was the thought that counts right?

Anyway, it is getting late now and I must call it a day.

Love you all,

me

Grasshoppers, Bodas, and Reflection

Oli otya!! That means how are you? in Luganda, the language of Bugandans who live in Uganda. Easy right?It has been a while and I think that is just how it will be. Some days it is easier to write than others. The last few days have been wonderful. I have yet to sleep solid through the night but it has been alright. The weather here is very humid and in the 70’s which of course makes it seem like about 80 degrees. But it really hasn’t been too bad. The breeze in the shade is always appreciated.

The roads are extremely bumpy all with potholes and a lot of them are dirt, except in the city. We joked today about how there should be a rule like the eat and swim rule. Do not drive/ride in a car within 30 minutes of eating. Ha. It’s probably not the best combo. The streets of Kampala, which is the capital, are full of so much traffic. I know how everyone talks of Atlanta traffic but its worse here. The traffic jams are a usual thing, there are no rules, and people are walking, riding their bikes, riding motorcycles right through the stopped traffic. It is a dangerous place.

The kids we have met are so cute. I just want to hug them all and not let go. They yell “bazoonga zooga” (not sure on spelling) which means white person. They smile, wave, and like to get that back in return. Everyone is so friendly. But not affectionate. It’s been a struggle for me not to talk to someone and grab hold of their arm or their shoulder to make sure they are listening (mom you know what I’m talking about). A long handshake is acceptable and means so much more than it does in the States. But I have to keep my Mandy hugs out of sight. :)

We had a language lesson yesterday and one again tomorrow morning. It’s been difficult to learn Luganda but most people speak English so you aren’t really fully submerged and forced to learn Luganda anyway.

Yesterday I went with Darla, the single missionary I am living with, and a Ugandan named Fred to visit a few highschools and speak with the “headmaster” or principle about World Bible School correspondence courses for the students. It was interesting. I also ate a yellow grasshopper. My friend Tommy bought a bag of grasshoppers for us to snack on and try. It was salty, flavorful, and too crunchy for me. The aftertaste was awful. But hey- I tried it and I now can say I ate one!

Today was a tourist day where we visited the Kasubi tombs where the last four Ugandan Kings were buried as well as the Uganda Musuem. We spent a lot of time at the Better Life Resource Center which is the facility sponsored by Churches of Christ in the States since it also is used for the church building. Many people come here for different things. There is a library, “café”, sitting areas, and tables for studying. Oh and tonight I had chai tea..real African chai tea. It was so wonderful. I loved it.

The most exciting thing that happened tonight was two Ugandan friends showing us back from the city to our house on the outskirts of town. We walked the busy busy streets of Uganda trying not to get hit by the various things coming our way, whether car, bus, motorcycle (called a Boda Boda), or bicycle coming the opposite direction that we Americans are used to (driving on the left side of the road). You just follow the Ugandans who stop traffic for you and help get you on public transportation and then to your stop. We are allowed to ride Bodas from the main road on the dirt roads back to our house. So tonight we finally did. Each Boda has one driver and one rider. So there were 8 total Bodas going down this road. Heidi, Hannah and I all sat sideways on the back while the guys straddled the seat. I have seen them be ridden both ways. Most girls ride to the side. The Boda drivers are crazy thus why we are only able to ride on the safe low traffic road back to the house. But it was so much fun and I laughed the whole time of course just cuz I enjoy it so much.

I am trying to just soak everything in. I am watching the missionaries very closely and asking so many questions. Jamie and Mark met over here in Uganda 3 years ago and have been married for two. Jamie is only 27 years old and Darla, single, is like 38 years old. I get to see both sides and figure out what is hard and what is rewarding and why they are here. It is neat to learn about them and try to see if this is something I will want to do in the future. But the bottom line is I know that God already has my plans laid out before me. I know that in due time, God will bless me accordingly and He will let me know what path I am supposed to take. But it has been nice to learn from both sides of the mission field, the married and the single. Whether or not foreign missions is what God wants for me or not, I am learning so much from this experience.

Well, I love you all.

Until next time,

Mandy

African breeze

Hello hello! I am safe and sound in Kampala with my luggage :) and friends. The 3 flights over here were long but I always enjoy flying. I actually didn't sleep the whole time which I am sure is a surprise to you all.

I met a friend on the last flight into Uganda from Amsterdam. Her name is Helen. She works with a few different projects to help the sick. She was coming back from Memphis, TN actually with a sweet beautiful little girl named Natasha who was 3 years old and cute as could be. Natasha just had open heart surgery in a hospital in Memphis and was just grinning ear to ear. Helen told us of the Watonga (sp?) Babies Home that is located in Kampala and is pretty well known. She works there and we now have a direct contact to take a few short cuts and get to spend more quality time with the babies. I am too excited. She said we will just love it. She was excited to get to worship in Uganda again since she had been gone for a month. "It's just not the same in America."

Darla, Mark, and Jamie were at the airport to greet us tonight. It wasn't hard to pick them out since they were the only white people waiting on anyone. The hour drive from the Entebbe airport to Kampala was interesting. It was at like 9:15 pm when we started the drive. Darla drove the girls and Mark and Jamie the guys. We finally were able to ask questions and hear about what all we will be doing these next few weeks. The markets off the streets were full of people just hanging out, shopping, and playing pool! Dad I thought of you. Every so often I would just see a canopy type hut with a pool table underneath and a light so they could play although it was way after dark. There are no street lights. Just store small lights and the lights of passing cars. I was afraid we surely were going to hit civilians as they casually walked across the streets or right next to them.

We finally pulled up to the "compound" or duplex which is where the Kampala mission team lives. I think you will all like to know that it is a gated property, with a guard and a HUGE german shepherd that counts for another guard! The house is really beautiful and sits up overlooking rolling hills that I can just barely see house lights across the way. I look forward to the view that awaits me tomorrow. It is so much nicer that I expected. Hannah, Heidi and I share a room but we each have our own bed. I love it and I have only been here a few hours.

Well, it's getting close to midnight and I am sure jetlag will settle in soon. But I made it and am excited about this first week. Hope you are doing well!

Love,

mandy

Departure coming soon!

Ok, so I am still trying to figure out how this works. It is a lot more complicated than I originally thought. 

Just so you know, I am leaving the U.S. June 1st for Uganda with my other team members. It is only days a way and I need to start packing probably. 

Well, there goes my first post. (check) I feel accomplished for the moment.