boiling mad

ok, if you’ve followed anything about anything here in uganda on your own or via me, you have heard of the 20 year rebel war in northern uganda.  the leader is joseph kony, and it’s roots are demonic – no exaggeration.  there are documented reports of witchcraft and strange behaviors by various sources.  over the past few years, there have been attempts at peace process by the ugandan government, even though kony and others are officially wanted by the international criminal court (icc).  kony fled to sudan, congo, and car.  there, his forces have also wreaked havoc.  anyway, i’m trusting you know a little bit about all this, and if not go to the ugandan war page here on the left or look at old posts where i’ve written before.

the issue now is that there is confirmation of the lra abducting dozens of children in the congo and car, some more deaths and mutilations, and some incursions with the sudanese army.  read about it by clicking the link below.  what blows my mind is the passive approach of the ugandan government and others to be under some illusion that they are helping and that some kind of peace is possible.  this present injustice is a sad reality.

as if i don’t have enough anger issues with the spiritual climate of the area.  at least this is something to be active about.  how?  i don’t know.  but this whole tragedy and the effects of it have been center to my heart.  do i fear going north now?  not at all.  i am ready to go as soon as possible.  what difference would i make?  i have no idea.  but there is something….something…  anyway, read the article.

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/650811

they know my name

mzungu:  lugandan for white person.  i am called this a lot.  i hear it all the time.  when in kampala, i hear it in some ways i’d rather not.  in the village, i hear it because that’s all they’ve known to say when they greet me as i walk past.  i am dropped on the side of the road after 3 hours in a crazy ”taxi” and walk around 2 miles back into the village, busu, where i’ve been spending time.  i purposely do this walk (as opposed to hiring a boda-boda to drive me back or ride in the real africa van the times i’ve gone with them) so that i can greet people – so they see me regularly and maybe realize i am not just any mzungo coming round. 

 this is the nurse, grace, preparing food for lunch.  the banana leaves are wrapped around the “sweet”potatos.  she prepares out on the charcoal. yes, with the chickens.

i say jambo: swahili for good to say hello to you, and can even do some of a lusogan greeting (lusoga is the languae in busu, a simple lugandan).  the adults smile and wave.  the kids scream and giggle:  mzungo, mzungo, how are you, i’m fine.

but yesterday and last week, i noticed something different.  within about a half mile of where i spend most of the time, i was caught of guard when i heard, JEN-sobyotya (how are you), jendi (i’m fine), kali (good/ok), eeee (what they do to greet).  this was coming from places where i hadn’t seen the people to greet as i was walking. or, i’d greet and they’d respond with my name.  and now, as i reach the area where i stay, i get the kids shouting my name.  (i was laughing with a guy who plays music – from the uk last month when he said we should have t-shirts that say, “i’m popular in africa.”)

so, it’s a start.  and i thank god for it – in more ways than might seem obvious.  i guess all the walking around and riding my bike (i got an old bike i use in the village) is paying off in more ways than just the pounds i keep losing.  haha

here are the kids retreiving water from the well.  and yes, i will be helping to dig/construct some wells in other villages in the coming months (and beyond, i hope)

i had some unexpected encouragement yesterday, too.  i’ve had the fortune of connecting/networking with various ppl and having oppotunities for things i wouldn’t easily be able to do on my own.  my friend remmy (who works with real africa) is hosting a guy from the uk who has been doing various charitable things in uganda for many years.  he comes every year and has his hands on a number of things.  remmy was telling him about me and how we should connect.  (remmy – my great connector!!)    anyway, we all spent some time yesterday.  i was sharing some things, and he just really affirmed some things – about taking time and starting small – about building relationships and seeing what opens – about learning and being involved – about making connections yet being cautious and observing.  he’s been around and seen a lot (he’s 70) and has been burned by organizations and culture and government and what not.  and, he was just excited to hear about stuff.  and, i don’t know, it was just good for me to hear.     sometimes in the all the quiet and things, it’s a constant thing to stay focused on what god’s shown and is doing and how he’s shown you to go about things.

and with him, i will be going to southwestern uganda – to the mountains on the rwandan border – next month.  i am so excited – not only to see new things and learn more, but to get to the MOUNTAINS.  man, am i missing this time of year out west – aspens and perfect weather and crisp, clear skies.  then, he’s planning to go to gulu – in the north - where i’ve been wanting to go but am waiting for finances and opportunity.  so, this will be a great chance.  anyway, it’s good.

i thank god that he knows my name and that he is familiar and with me and giving to me at all times in all things – no matter what.

Isaiah 43:1-7

 1-4 But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
   the One who got you started, Israel:
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
   I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
   When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
   it won’t be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
   The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
   all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me!
   That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
   trade the creation just for you.

 5-7“So don’t be afraid: I’m with you.
   I’ll round up all your scattered children,
   pull them in from east and west.
I’ll send orders north and south:
   ’Send them back.
Return my sons from distant lands,
   my daughters from faraway places.
I want them back, every last one who bears my name,
   every man, woman, and child
Whom I created for my glory,
   yes, personally formed and made each one.’”

village clip, water project

i have again posted a video.  it only took 2 1/2 hours to upload and process this 31 second clip.  i hope the clarity is better than how i watch it.  on my camera and computer file, the quality is swell.  anyway, it’s just a typical moment in the village.  i am out front of the clinic we built 2 years ago.  the kids swarm and scream and laugh and dance.  yes, i am doing not “my” favorite song, every move you make, but it’s easy for the kids, and they can actually do the nananas.  they are looking over b/c the adults were dancing.  i wish i put that clip on, but i didn’t know which i was uploading, and there’s no way i’m doing it again.  watch the kids.  they are too cut.  see how they put there hands on their hips and shake their bums.  that’s how they dance here.  it’s funny.    anyway, you see some pics below, also.  i was in the village – busu – this day with the real africa staff.  we were in the area to set up some water projects.  we are set to build three wells.  you can see why it’s needed as you look at the pics.   i’ll try to “write” something for next week.  i realize the past 2 posts have been mostly pictures.  love to all!

the clinic is to the left.  the “nurses quarters are in the center.  the door you see goes into the little room where i stay when i’m here.  on the right is the nurse, grace, in green.

 

 

 

 

more cuteness.  but, it’s all dampened a bit by the heaviness on their faces that is there even under their laughter and joy.  but, god can change that. 

 

 

 

 

here’s one location for a “well”.  there are actually springs under ground that seep out.  so, you dig and access it better, then build a “box” of concrete, put rocks in it to “filter” the water some more, have pipes coming out, then ppl put their can to get water that is clean.  they won’t need to boil or chance it.  some don’t boil b/c they don’t have a way to make a fire.

 

 

 

you can see this need…

 

 

 

 

 

wouldn’t it be fun to do this a few times every day at this age?  sure, i guess this was the situation years and years ago everywhere.  but you know what?  it’s 2008.  ridiculous that anyone in our world should have these issues and dangers.  you know what i mean is?

 

 

 

pics around town

hey, thought i’d show some pics from around the city, just to give a glimpse into things here.  i will post more pics from the village gradually.  i don’t like to be there and just have my camera out all the time.  don’t want to seem like a tourist or even a visitor.  i’m trying to fit in and gain respect as a friend – and be a friend.  anyway, here are some pics.  and, i have finally added more to the FAQ page.  i’ve had a few funny questions of late that i wanted to be sure to add.

oh, and a shout out to sam winder (husband to good friend rhoda from out west, for those who don’t know).  he is an elector for nm at the republican convention this week.  good to know of swell ppl like sam being part of the political landscape of our country.  and anyway, if it wasn’t for emails from rhoda, i might not know anything about the election.  haha   except for all the ppl here who think they know about it.  of course, lots of obama supporters here – just b/c he’s afro-am.  it’s humorous, actually.

 when i say i take a “taxi” for public transport, this is it.  16 ppl – at least, squeezed in.

 

 here’s a very mild traffic jam – you see the driving “off” the road and the boda-boda motorcycle weaving between cars.  that’s me many days

 

 you take a boda-boda when you are in a hurry.  but, it does cost more and is more dangerous in many ways.  i take them sometimes.

 here is a typical place to buy some food.  ppl are just at their “shops” all day, every day.  all day means from like 7:30am-10:00pm.  quite monotonous.  so, you can see this one cooking on the charcoal if you look closely.  and, this is right by the road.  i took all these pics out the window of the real africa van.

 this pic shows a good range of things: the yellow stand being where you can buy airtime for your mobile phone, the bike with boxes on the back, a guy with his muslim cap, a small coke cooler with the glass bottles.

 here is a someone cleaning the street.  you see this a lot in the mornings.  this is how they do it.  they wipe up the dust.  i guess it helps, though it just gets dirty again within no time.  you have to have a strong back.  lots of things like that here.