Mwattu osobola okunnyamba? ("could you help me please?")

On a typical Saturday in the States and in Uganda I might sweep the house....but the broom looks a little different.

On a typical Saturday in the States and in Uganda I might do the laundry...but the washer and dryer look a little different. 

On a typical Saturday in the States and in Uganda I might wash the dishes...but the sink looks a little different.

On a typical Saturday in the States and in Uganda and I might do a little cooking...but the stove looks a little different.

There are a lot of things for me to re-learn in Uganda. 

My family is patient with my continual, "Mwattu osobola okunnyamba?"

My Family

                                                

                                                              My Mama in traditional dress

Bath Time!!

My sister Sylvia....and one of my dearest Uganda friends

My brothers (Joseph left) and Dennis (right)

sporting their Greenville College Volleyball t-shirts...thanks Coach Tom!!

My sister Eva

My sister Florence

More family members will show up soon, but these are the people that I spend most every day with.

...perhaps you didn't know

Generally speaking, in Uganda...

* it is perfectly appropriate for men to hold hands and is in no way considered homosexual- the other day I saw two grown men interlocking fingers and it was no big deal
* Ugandans often say yes by either raising their eyebrows or by responding with hmm (almost as if they are deeply satisfied)
*Ugandans sometimes point with their lips
*it is looked down upon to eat and walk at the same time
*fruit and other snacks are referred to as 'something to eat' but not as food- only the items that will be consumed during a meal are referred to as 'food'.  Also sometimes they pray, "Give us this day our daily food."
*It is considered rude to smell the food that is given to you- this shows distrust to the one cooking
*modesty in the U.S. is emphasized from the waist up, but modesty in Uganda is emphasized from the waist down
*to say "you look smart" means "you look nice" or "you look well dressed"
*to say "let me come" means "let me go" or "I'll be right back"
*it is seen as comical and no big deal to say to another 'akokoba' which means "I will beat you" - the other day my two-year-old niece said that to her mom and everyone laughed :)
         [Silas, I don't advise trying that one out on Daddy] :)

I was really impressed with this woman... don't miss out on the baby on her back :)

My sisters....Eliana (age 3 on the right) and Shilloh (prounounced with a short i...age 2) (Some of my fondest memories are rocking her to sleep)  And yes, my hair is completely braided thanks to my sister Avery. :)  And one final thanks to Jannie McBride for the skirt that I am wearing :)

Here is a better look at their faces :)

Everyday an Adventure...

Hey Everyone!
       All is well.  I can't tell you enough how thankful I am for your prayers, letters and support- each day I am encouraged when I think of all of you.  Eventually I hope to write stories and thoughts, but for now I think I will just take you through a typical day.  I wrote 'Everyday an Adventure' as the title for this post not to present a false utopia of glorious excitement every waking second, but rather to share the mindset that many of my classmates and I have tried (not always successfully) to adopt- that being, that all things are to be looked at as adventure- including inconveinences.

The roosters begin crowing around 6 and my alarm goes off 45 minutes later. After tea and a piece of sweet bread I begin my 35 minute walk to school.  The morning is cool and great for walking.  I pass lots of small shops sellling food and clothing and try to avoid boda bodas (the town motorcycle 'taxis') while crossing the streets. I spend everyday at school from about 8 in the morning until 6:30 at night so that I only have to make the walk two times a day.  I am really excited about my classes- 2 taught by Ugandan professors and 3 taught by Americans.  I have chapel every Tuesday and Thursday, tea time at ten every morning and lunch at one. After lunch, more classes and homework- some journaling and hopefully the occasional blog post :).  I begin my walk home between 6 and 6:30 occasionally stopping to buy a snack  from one of the street vendors.  At home I am greeted by two smiling girls (ages 2 and 3) who love to laugh and find enjoyment in the smallest things. They are continually teaching me.  A cup of chai and a cup of porridge is consumed sometime in the first hour of arriving home.  There are always household chores to be done, dishes to wash, children to look after, meals to cook, etc.  The evening consists of homework, journaling and a bath- my Uganda mom is very insistent that I bathe :)  Supper is eaten sometime between 10 and 11.  I actually had already gone to bed the first night because I wasn't aware of the late meal and so they came and woke me up for dinner :) After dinner, its prayer time and then straight to bed- falling asleep under my misquito net.

Of course, each day is unique, but this is a good picture of my average day in Mukono.

20 hours of flying :)

St. Louis --> North Carolina --> Washington DC --> Amsterdam --> Uganda  :)

Its almost time...

In three days I will be in Africa... I can't believe it.