Riots & Washing & Blessings & babies

The Town

I went into Kampala (the capital) with Uncle Willy and Auntie Milly one day to get some more food and such things I needed. I definitely got to experience a little bit of the “unpredictable” nature of Africa. First off, we had to sit and wait for 2 hours to get all the supplies for the clinic.

Well good thing we got out of there when we did, because literally not long after we left downtown, a riot broke out. Apparently somebody had prevented the Buganda King (one of the tribal leaders) from going into a certain region for a tour/visit or something and many people were upset about it and wanted an explanation. So they rioted in the streets. Breaking into places and such. The police actually killed some of them too. Well we were some miles away from this so we were safe—do not worry. But when it was time to go home, there was a HUGE traffic jam because of the riot. What should have taken us 20 minutes, took us 3 and half hours! (luckily I had brought a book & bought a Uganda Newspaper) I was wondering how I was being so patient, because as most of you, I am not usually described as a patient person. But I think it was simply because I did not really have anything else to be doing—and hey, its Africa!


We had to go a different way home, so Uncle Willy just followed the cars in front of him. Traffic ended up going through a “slum.” I must say, I was overwhelmed with the amount of stimuli I was taking it. The “road” we were on, was not really a road but a tiny, extremely bumpy pathway for cars(?) to pass. People were walking all around us. I wished so much I could have videoed this because words simply can not explain it—but it was dark. . .and I don’t think that would have been a good idea anyway. =)


Smashed in wall to wall were little shack-like-things. I would say they were all between 5-8 ft wide and 8-12 ft deep. There were fruit stands, “grocery stores,” barber shops, churches, video stores, internet café’s (with like 6 desktop computers in there which was one of the strangest sight to see out there), homes I think—you name it and there was probably a tiny version of it there. Music blaring. People just sitting everywhere and watching. Children running everywhere. So many different smells. Some had some sort of electricity but most did not. Although I think uncle willy was a little nervous because he had never been there before, I was enjoying the opportunity to observe. I felt safe because I was with 2 Ugandans I know, in a locked car.


But maybe “enjoying” it isn’t the right word. It was definitely interesting. My mind was overflowing with thoughts. I have seen similar things to this before and my life is pretty much all about learning about these kinds of things, but wow—I was left stupefied by the question of, “what am I supposed to be thinking about this right now? What do I do with this?????” I hope to elaborate on this one day. . .


Hand-washing
I got to wash my laundry today! Something which I hope I do not have to do many more times! Three tubs of water, a bar of soap, my crouching body, and my little ‘ol hands. . . If you have never depended on washing clothes by hand before, please take some time, the next time you use your washing machine to praise God for your blessings. =) I do not even know how well I washed some pieces because I just wanted to be done. Again—another reason why they may live a more dirtier life—its too much work!


Blessings

Irene wanted to wash “the muzungu’s” clothes but of course Mama Jane does not let the kids wash any of dishes or clothes because they “won’t do it good enough.” And of course, according to her, I deserve the best. =/ She came in while I was washing and said, “I see you struggling all the time and I pray for Jesus to bless you! You really do have a love for Africa. You could have so many things, like a washing machine, and you came to Africa! You are so good!” And the night before, she said, “we are so thankful for your love. You have done like Jesus says and given up everything to come here with us. . . I can tell You have a special love for us. Thank you so much.”



Well of course I tried to tell her that it is not me, but God who has given me this love and I can’t explain it. And they are the ones that are actually blessing ME so much. And I really am hardly doing anything. And I just want to live life like them because that is the heart God gave me, that is why I’m doing all of this. God told me to come be with them so I really want to BE with them.

She was telling me this as an encouragement, which it was, but it also kind of made me feel bad. Like seriously lady do not sit here and praise me. You are taking care of 12 kids that are not your own. You have so much less than me. You work so much harder than me. You are so very smart (she really is). You have so many burdens. You gave up much to come live here. I am just doing this for a few months, come on.


Baby Home

Spent Sunday night with a young Western couple in a nice apartment. It was very refreshing. Physically and emotionally. They live next door to another young American couple so that was nice too. Made me not feel so alone! They assured me that their first week (well, first month) was absolutely overwhelming also and that it takes like a month or so to figure out what your purpose is around these parts. Awesome. . . haha. Well I may have found it!? I got to go to the baby home where there are only 4 babies for now—until they get their permit. Turns out they need lots of help! And as it turns out, the true desire of my heart is simply to take care of babies/children. . .funny how that works. Also, Amy, the 27 yr old Canadian is the director of this whole thing that just started a month ago and she needs lots of help on all fronts. So we’ll see when I’ll be going there!