One Month


February 17 marked exactly one month here in Uganda. The time has flown so fast! I often ask my friends to pinch me because being here still feels like a dream. The adjustment has been with ease and I wake up *most mornings excited for the day and ready to see what God has in store.

*Most- meaning there have been moments I want to run straight to my home in Lakewood where it's familiar and safe.
 
Last week, I traveled back to the capitol Kampala to finalize the registration process at the national nursing council. I traveled with my friend, Allyson, who has been living in Kabale for 5 months working as a volunteer through World Renew. I learned that there was another mzungu volunteering in Kabale just a couple week before arriving and was so excited! She has been an answer to prayer and I thank God for her and for her friendship and support. Her friend, Sarah, also journeyed with us and we had such a lovely “girls trip” to the city. We took walks to Lake Victoria, braved street food, explored farms, slept late, shopped and even found a pool to cool off in.

After Kampala, I moved from the Bishop’s home in town to my new home in the village, Kinyu. Not many people know of this village, but I love it! I love seeing the stars at night, waking up to roosters crowing, seeing goats and cows walk right outside my window, hearing children laugh… the list can go on. However, what I love most are the people I am with. I met Pastor Dickson and Agnes 6 years ago the first time I came Uganda. I remember teaching guitar to Dickson and Agnes taught me how to make chapatis. Now, these two have been married for a couple of years and they have a 14-month-old baby named Emmanuel (or JJ). JJ was first hesitant to trust the mzungu, but now he comes to me freely (and will soon be calling me auntie). Dickson’s brother, Ably, also lives there along with Rachel, who is a secondary student (higschool). Living there is so sweet and I am so thankful to be welcomed into this family.

I am still in the “honey-moon” phase here in Uganda and am soaking everything in. I don’t mind waking up at 6AM to try to light the charcoal stove so I can have hot water for my instant coffee. I’m happy when I only cut my fingers a couple of times while preparing dinner. I enjoy getting caught in the rain or when random kids run up to me for hugs. I know this phase won't last, so I will enjoy it while I can:) 

PRAISES: 
-I am officially registered to volunteer as an RN and hope to start work in the hospital on Monday! The process was long and tedious, but I believe it will be well worth the wait.
-Bethany CRC team is coming early June and dates are finally set! 
-My sister (nyangoma) has purchased her ticket and will be visiting at the end of June! 
-I am healed (from maybe worms?)- Not really sure what took me down, but I wasn't well for a good 24 hours. So many people placed hands on me and prayed for healing and many friends stopped by to bring fruit and check on me. 

PRAY:
-Continued guidance for ideas and ways to bridge the two churches 
-A lot of my friends here are in need of financial miracles
-Bethany CRC as they are preparing to send a team this summer and for all the logistics involved

Webare (thank you) for your continued prayers and support from around the world! Words cannot express how grateful I am for my home "team." 
If you'd like to keep in touch more on a regular basis, feel free to download WhatsApp and find me there:)

Meet Allyson! My mzungu friend who brings me closer to Jesus every day.
Chapati: a flat coarse of unleavened bread resembling a pancake. AKA a taste of heaven. It's a good day when you have it for breakfast. Or lunch. Or dinner. Or for a snack. :p
D-Reign: A famous Ugandan singer who came to Kabale.

Pastor Dickson (camera shy... not praying) is in the background and Ably is in the white shirt. We are in the kitchen located in the backyard just about the eat the first meal I prepared!
Katogo: A traditional dish in Uganda that is composed of a mixture of different ingredients. I added irish potatoes, G-nuts (Ground nuts), tomatoes, green pepper and some greens.
At the market with Dickson and Agnes. I can't go alone yet because the prices are tripled when they see a Mzungu. I am often the cause of laughter as I mispronounce a word, trip on my skirt or assume the wrong thing. For example, I wanted to buy some fresh green veggies and saw a stack next to me. However, they pointed out (while giggling) that those were definitely not vegetables, but charcoal wrapped in greens. Welp. How would I have known? :D



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dating, Give-away Ceremonies, Weddings

Image
Ugandan Traditions During the past 10 months, I've enjoyed learning what dating and marriage looks like in Uganda. Although there are many similarities between the countries, there are definitely more differences. I've had the privilege of attending such gatherings and now want to share what I learned. In America, we date, get engaged and then marry. Here in Uganda, people rarely date, then they have Introductions, Give-away ceremonies and finally the big day. Dating Dating defined: where two people who are attracted to each other spend time together to see if they also can stand to be around each other most of the time (urban dictionary). Dating in Uganda is more like courting. People don't date much, but instead will find one person that he/she is attracted to and will get to know in a group setting. Public display of affection (PDA) is not acceptable and you will never see couples holding hands while walking, and they most definitely will no
Read more

Kobuzire- You've been lost

Image
"Kobuzire.” “ You’ve been lost.”  This is a common phrase in Uganda, meaning “Hey, I haven’t seen you lately.” At first I wouldn’t know how to respond. I would think to myself, “I’ve been here. If you wanted to see me we’d meet up.” However, I’ve come to learn that it just means “Where have you been? I’ve been missing you.” Well, I haven’t blogged in months so it does feel like I’ve been lost… but I've been around!  First time in the water for Pastor Dickson and he went down a class 5 rapid  In May, my sweet college friend, Sydney, came to visit for a week! We had a fun road trip to Jinja and spent the 10 hours laughing, singing, braiding hair and staring up at the sky through our sunroof. We also enjoyed white water rafting in the Nile and other social gatherings with fellow youth in the community. Sydney encouraged me and spurred me on! Her timing was perfect and I am forever grateful she took a week from work and saved up for a trip to Uganda. In June, we welco
Read more

How I've Changed

Image
How I’ve changed I’ve lived in Kabale about 8 months already. Time sure has flown! I am still Lianna, but I am definitely not the same person as before. Seasons bring growth and change, which is a good thing! It is my prayer that the Lord continues to shape me and mold me so that I can look more like Him every day. I'm thankful the rainy season is back because the dust was too much!  The Community Development Department (CDD) office where I work has staff devotions a  couple times every week, which are my favorite. It is amazing to see the difference in the days you spend time in prayer and meditating on the Word compared to the days that are rushed to check things off the to-do list. Last week, we talked about Mark 3 when Jesus commanded His disciples to go out into the world to preach the good news. One member reminded the group how important it is to first have a personal relationship with Jesus, and then to go out and preach the gospel. Without that close relatio
Read more