Almost finished

This past, and last week in Uganda has provided for very good meetings with friends that I wanted to spend time with before I left. I was able to see my friend Lazerous race at the big “Mandella” stadium, (he got second place in the 200) and afterward, we enjoyed a meal with one another in a tiny restaurant by the side of the road. My friend Immanuel has been so nice, walking me half way home (this is called “giving me a push”). We also could spend tea time with one another the other day, playing Hawaiian checkers (which I’d brought)
Our housegirl has gone, and she took her son (Chafik). My understanding is that she’s to be married. Our mama knew about this for a short while, so she found another girl, whose name is Sarah. Something really neat has happened this semester at home, with my little brother Ronnie. He’s about 11 months old, and he’s learned to walk since I’ve been at home. I feel blessed to have witnessed this. (not to mention his smiling face at the littlest things.) The other day, Ronnie amazed me by eating a winged ant off the ground. He grimaced at first, but seemed to enjoy what went down after that. It’s been so fun to play with him and spend time just living with him.
We had a great opportunity recently, to play in “Olympic game” here at UCU. It happened to be American students vrs. Many of the friends which the on campus students have made. There were foot races, basketball, soccer, Frisbee, volleyball, and some post competition dancing too. This provided for weeks of perpetual fun as I would train in the neighborhood, letting our neighbors giggle at the sight of a white man running- I admit, I’m not as elegant in my form as a Ugandan usually is.
Something quite culturally tragic occurred as I walked through the dining hall a few days ago. I found myself delighted by the smell of matoke and gnut sauce, so I smelled my plate- only to see a few people around me laughing. Come to find out from a friend, it is extremely rude to do so. If only I’d learned this in one of my classes at Biola☺ All this to say, we’ve been very well nourished at meals, and tea times.
Tonight is our “Farewell Dinner”, in which we say thank you, and goodbye to the wonderful families which have hosted us throughout the semester. We will also be sharing a few stories from the semester, and hearing from our director. I have the privilege of representing the IMME program students by giving a "thank you" speech, so I’m both nervous and excited.
Thursday morning, we leave for a short study trip in Rwanda. We are departing from our home stays, and finishing papers. I do thank each of you for simply caring what this time in my life is like. Please feel welcomed to request further info about any part of this semester- including papers, thoughts from my journal, deeper experiences with friends, etc. God bless you so much!
Love, Geoff

We're closing out our last few class sessions this week and the next. We've had virturally a "reading week" to prepare for finals, so around the campus students can be seen enjoying the beauty of UCU land, which used to entirely be a forest/jungle on the side of monkey hill. (Regarding final assignments, we're going to be presenting to our program instructors a slide show of sorts as to what community engagement we've had this semester. Also, I have a final reflection paper due in Missions class, and a paper for ATR (African Traditional Religions class) addressing a common theme throughout Islam, ATR, and Christianity. For African Literature, I get to write an essay about the use of Scripture in two of our books from this semester ("A Grain of Wheat", and "Cry, the Beloved Country").
Our time of sharing in Community Worship went well- thank you for your prayers. Throughout the preparation, I think I learned more about taking initiative, listening to God's direction even amidst my own desires, and I was made to realise through dissagreements and confusions that God cares most about relationships (which of course, can be very hard to keep healthy). The passage the message team spoke on was Ephesians 1:17-24. The speaking went well- a fellow sister from Biola did that part, while I prayed:), and then after worship in music for a few songs accompanied by keyboard, guitar, and drums, we had a cardboard testimony time which was really neat- students from our program wrote notes of their life before Christ, and on the flipside they wrote of how Jesus has given them new life and hope. (Some of the notes are as follows: "I carried baggage from broken relationships-(flipside)-God taught me to forgive"; "I did not know that I am valued- God has shown me my worth"; "Pressured by Alcohol and Friends- I was redeemed through Jesus' Grace; "I struggled with lying to people I love- God is leading me in ways of Truth".
In the very beginning of the program, I should note, we had a play to the tune of a Lincoln Park song, in which we illustrated the importance of letting go of sin and "running to" Jesus. I was especially encouraged at that point, when I (being the sinner illustrated in turning from my old ways to Christ) fell into the arms of our brother who was playing Jesus- and almost everyone gathered for community worship that day, began to cheer for the decision:)
Easter was a day of celebration for a lot of people. I went for a short walk to Church and spent a time there enjoying service and fellowship, then I jaunted off to school for a special Easter meal (soda, matoke- which is steamed unripe banana, rice, posho- which is like rice mush, and gnut sauce- which is like purple, nonsticky, natural, unsweetened peanut butter). After this I went home for a tiny while to enjoy another soda with my little host brother Ronnie, then I travelled by foot with a brother in the Lord to his little Church about 45 minutes from the University. I had been introduced to him one day on campus as he rode his bycicle into the grounds and maintenance crew area, where he works. On Sunday, I got to meet his family, and walk through some georgeous land. (Funny thing is, they blessed me with a couple of hard boiled eggs and a mountain dew to enjoy as I visited with them- I was able to eat eggs afterall:), and I don't think I've had so much soda in one day!) The sunset was heavenly, and I had a lot of fun waving to children who were surprised to see a mzungu. I think I'm beginning to realize, as I reflect on missions class and Easter too I guess, that it's really good for me to be hearing or reminding myself of the Gospel everyday- even of the parts that I think I already know.
Recently, we traveled into Kampala to visit the Kabaka's (king's) palace (which he was not inhabiting at the time). It looks nice on the outside from what we could see, and just a little ways away is a small lake which was intended to originally become connected to Lake Victoria. We also were privaleged to visit the parlement and to learn a little more about the capital city (Kampala), and the governmental structure of Uganda. The other night, something really neat happened with a group of friends here from the school. We gathered at one of our host homes, and invited many of our Ugandan friends and classmates for spagetti and dancing. I dangerously helped with the cooking, while the others were swingdancing. After dinner, we grabbed the small drum and were privaleged to learn beautiful pieces of dance moves from different regions of Uganda. We have some very good friends:)
Lastly, we had a gigantic, but short-lived rain and wind storm here on saturday. I had to laugh, for a few reasons. One, I've never seen such fierce wind in my entire life, and the rain created little rivers within a matter of 10 minutes. Two, I'd given my keys to a friend so I was happily able to enjoy the wind and rain from the outside of the building. I had my small Bible and another book, so I enjoyed such literature at the back of the building where it formed a small corner for a short while. Amidst the storm, I heard a large crash, which spurred me to pray that people on campus would be protected. Little did I know, about 7 very large trees were uprooted and broken throughout the storm, and the one I'd heard happened to land about 10 feet away from me on the other side of our building breaking part of the roof. I know little else what to say, but: God's grace surely is sufficient for me.
May He continue to have the freedom to do as He pleases with each of our hearts and lives. Love,
Geoff

Hello again! It's been quite a while- thank you friends, for your continued support from such a far away place.
Two nights ago, I came home under a beautifully starry sky, and was greeted by my two younger "brothers" (Chafik and Ronnie) they came over to me- each wearing one shoe, and they hugged each of my legs. I had to giggle when I saw each of their other shoes lying at the edge of the veranda, by the door. I partly understood their hesitation to wear both shoes, because they've always just played to their heart's delight without shoes of any kind. They are very fun, and good at being the Lord's instrument for teaching me patience and kindness.
Just last week, our University held elections for the student body. Outside the school's main gate, there were a lot of energetic people trying to gain support for different candidates. After buying a small snack, called a rolex (a tortilla like thing called a chipote, which wraps itself around a fried egg- it's wonderfully tasty), we walked back into the University and I had the great opportunity of climbing a guava tree for the first time. I must say that I was encouraged to do so by the few female students already doing so- and they were certainly surprised to see that I was actually doing it with them.
It has been so fun to meet students in different activities such as this. I've been blessed by a brother from Arua- a northern part of Uganda. He (Pastor Stephen) shares time and prayers with me every once in a while. We first met as he asked me to pray for him (what courage he showed me!), and since then, he's told me stories and testimonies from work he's had in the North among children and families, and now he's teaching me how to play the Adungu (a small harp/drum-like instrument that will surely be played in heaven:)
Next Tuesday, the 31st, our program's students have been given the opportunity to lead the community worship service- including music, message, prayers, etc. The University's theme this term has been Christian maturity, and we are working in different groups to finish planning. I'm on the message committe, prayerfully considering the Lord's calling to me in the way of speaking/ opening His Holy Word before others- we would love your prayers for our unity, and for wisdom as well. I'll report as to how these things work out.
We've been learning primarily about AIDS/HIV as of recently, so our trip last weekend was to Luweero. Our purpose was to visit a Bishop, and a priest from the Luweero Diocese, and to spend time at a family's home. We learned of how these brothers in the Church of Luweero are serving the Lord, and we were priveleged also to attend a Catholic church service (I smile to remember how it was about a 15 minute drive down a red dirt side road to arrive at the gathering). The family we visited were Christians who have chosen to take in 3 other families fighting with AIDS, and often they will invite children from the neighborhood to join them for worship, games, fellowship, visiting- for the sake of growing in Christ and destroying stigma created by AIDS rumors. The Lord's mercy is seen through the actions of this family, and their faith in Him- it was very encouraging, especially after wondering what the right response to the disease would be for Christians.
Being a Christian is something we've been critically analyzing this semester- visiting muslim sites of worship, learning of African traditional religions, colonialism, and discipleship. We just finished the book, "Compassion", and are now zooming toward the book, "Mere Discipleship". My faith is being tested and shaped and purified in the living Lord, Jesus.
Last story for now, encouraging me in my faith: We'd just arrived in Luweero at the Anglican guest house, and I went over to a huge mango tree, to gaze at the almmost ripe fruit when a man on a bicycle named Joseph came over to talk with me. I began to talk with him about the mangoes, and I put my hands out, asking if they just wait for them to fall or something. Before I'd finished the sentence, my eye barely caught sight of the small green mango that fell about 14 feet- straight into my hand! Joseph and I were the only physical witnesses of whatever you want to call what happened. All I know is that it blessed me. May God bless each of you in many ways.
His,
Geoff

Rural Kapchorwa

When we went to rural homestays this past week, I thought I would climb a lot of trees. I didn’t climb too many of those, but living in the mountainous town of Kapchorwa allowed plenty of opportunity to climb and scurry about the hilly land. I learned from my friend Lazerous (the runner I met in the dining hall), that Kapchorwa is known by runners for a college named Sebei that allows them room and board- this for the sake of the world class training opportunities which surround the college in the mountains. 

One of the main purposes for our stay in Kapchorwa, was to gain exposure to more than a couple small cities of Uganda- it would be easy to return home and say, "Uganda is this... or that, but now our statements and understanding upon return won't be so nearsighted at least:) I do say, it felt like moving from a place like Sacramento, to maybe Lodi (both CA cities)
 

The course of the week was pretty relaxing. We weren't allowed to bring much homework, so our job as students was to be a part of the family. My family's name was, Sabila (from the Kapquecha tribe). John was my dad, and Claudette was my mom. This couple had 2 sons (about 4th grade), and one daughter (about 20 years old) still at home.

There were many beautiful views near to our house, and it was especially neat to go on hikes to the river, through banana fields, along the road. One hike my dad took me on, came eventually to a very big cave that he'd apparently hid cattle in with fellow neighbors when a neighboring people raided them for livestock many years ago. On the way, we passed many smiling (and almost scared) children. We also passed goat, and cattle herders, and oxen plowing fields. It is about rainy season there now, so we saw many people preparing their fields. Another hike my neighbor friend (Andrew) took me on, went straight through people's property, and right alongside the river. We hiked for a couple miles on mildly hilly landscape, and there we also saw children- one group was fishing with cool hook poles, and my friend told me a phrase in the vernacular language to yell, so I did and I wish I could describe the surprised/funny look the children gave this mzungu (white man) who should not know their language. At the end of that hike, we watched the sunset over the long and wide valley at the end of the Kapchorwa foothills. The land we could see is where the city of Seroti is, and where the Karamajong people tend to live.
Other activities during the week included: watching the many wondering chickens and two mellow cows each morning, as our mom seriously milked them for our morning tea, and dad grabbed motoke stems for them to eat. Also, I visited the elementary school next to our home, and played frisbee and futbol with many of the students. I met a couple amazing guys who shared with me of their love for Jesus- one is a musician there in his town, and another is a farming Christian (I guess you could say a farmer man, fisher of men). It was neat, he told me, "I help people learn how to farm, and tell them they won't have true and full (harvest) until they commit life unto their Creator and Lord- Jesus Christ. Besides these two guys, I met a muslim man after watching a goat slaughtering. The scene was harsh- I'd never seen an animal have it's life intentionally taken in that way. Anyway, we began talking afterward and I learned that he had been a 'christian' , but then became a muslim, because many of the people he was with were muslim. Amazingly, my dad told me that his family had all converted in the same way, but he remained a Christian, and to this day he and his own children still seek the Lord.

I really enjoyed a hike that our entire group went on together on the last day, after we had reunited. Beginning at the entrance to Mt. Elgon national park, we hike down the mt.- stopping at 3 beautiful, and very large waterfalls. We also shared reflection about the different lifestyle in rural areas with one another- as a group, and we talked about gender roles, and fun questions we were asked about America, and our lifestyles at home. On Sunday, before we departed, we worshipped the Lord on top of a hill above our "lodges". We'd brought the guitar, and then looked at Psalm 121. It's amazing to think about God's hand upon beauty in so many places and people. This passage from Psalm 121 was especially neat, being in a mountainous area, and learning that in the days it was written- the hills were places typically used for idol shrines, and the Israelites would look up to the hills and say- "I lift up my eyes to the hills- from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth...."

On campus again

We’ve returned from our home stays in a rural part of Uganda. Kapchorwa was the name of the town that our IMME group stayed in. I’m writing a small bit about the 10 days we spent there, and I shall post that very soon.
Half way through the week, my old roommate David went back to America for the semester, while I will remain at the home I’ve been staying at in Mukono.
I realize I’ve not been good at integrating into my community, and that I need to be intentional about serving around my home. At the same time, so much grace has been given to me- even in the way our heavenly Father is leading me into meeting people on campus.
Just last night I got to watch a soccer game here at our University for the first time. As I sat watching, a brother came and introduced himself, and sat next to me. His name is Michael Ommara (his second name awesomely means, "I am loved"). It was so neat to sit at this soccer game with Michael learning some cool stuff about bird hunting methods he uses, and to learn more about the intricate cooking methods required for things such as sweet potato paste, and white ant balls.
This last thing with the ants is especially cool- the white ants will come out of the ground a couple times throughout the year, and when they do, they are captured using small grass tents over the ant mounts, and also by setting flame in pits so as to attract the ants to a place from which they can't get out. Yesterday was a day for the ants to come out, and there were a lot of them around our campus.

Growing and learning

I thought it would be good to recognize that I've been graciously touched by the Lord's hand to grow in boldness. I think I've seen this most in conversations with others and discussions in class- I still find myself very timid though, in corporate worship settings. Something amazing happened in African Traditional Religions class today. Our professor wanted to illustrate how an African man or woman views themself, so he set for me an example in boldness by stepping out of the classroom and simply grabbing about three different passing students. It was wonderful to see these students share so kindly and peacefully who they were. Our professor's question to them was, "Who are you?". The lesson was proven, as they answered by giving us their clan name, their father's name, and where they are from. Largely, I'm beginning to see that perhaps the people in this country have a deeper understanding of what Scripture means by listing geneologies, or clan names and locations, etc. Exploring culture causes me to wonder about the Body of Christ. She is magnificent- mysterious, mind boggling.

Thanks for your prayers.

This is a picture of Mukono, from "Monkey Hill". Our home is located on the mid- left of the picture, and to get to this hill is about a 10 minute jaunt from campus (campus, by the way is loccated behind the spot that this photo was taken).
I feel like a student. Discussion style lectures have been fun, yet they are beginning to challenge me in more than just a fun sort of way. We've been reading through, "Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger", and asking questions about how essential the Church is, both for the world, and for members of the Kingdom of Heaven.
My roomate David has been struggling with guilt, and a few other feelings regarding our family and their availability to food. I have found that each member of our family is well fed, but we've struggled through discussing how much of our pre-Uganda view of starvation is true for our family. He has decided with the staff, and his parents back home to move onto campus and continue through the semester if possible.
I had the opportunity today to lead discussion today in, "Reading the New Testament in Africa". It is a small sized class which centers around discussing articles written by African scholars on the New Testament. We were able to talk about the role of colonialism in translation for a people who spoke a language called, "Setswana". Also due in that class today was the evaluation of a New Testament presentation given by an African preacher.
Mostly though, I want to express thanks for your prayers. I find it hard- really hard, to fathom the work of prayer. I did want to say that I see evidence of loving intercession on my behalf in the way that I'm interacting with, and meeting people. I've met some wonderful people here at the school, and near my home. Also, in the way I've been kept healthy and safe- I've only been sick only once, I've avoided near pain in the case of almost being hit by cars, bikes, motorcycles; my knee has been strong amidst short jogs and climbing up monkey hill, etc. Even in our small community in the IMME program, I know that God has been shaping me, giving me opportunities to encourage, pray for, and grow as a servant of the Lord's beside the other students. Thank you so much- more than words can describe, I'm being changed just in the realization that your prayers for me are being shown in powerful ways. God bless you each.
Love, Geoff

Trip to Rakai

Hello again! We have returned from a short weekend journey to a town on the border of Tanzania called, Rakai. Our time was spent learning about and spending time with the believers at "The Kiballi Community Center". It's really neat that it runs in partnership with a church and a school located in Vancouver, BC- called Pacific Academy, and Glad Tidings Church. It was quite a journey to get there by bus, and very fun to be driving through a really rural area of Uganda. At the center, they have a Christian school for students from what would be our k-12th grades, as well as education for special needs students, and these three vocational schools for tayloring, baking, and carpentry. A health center is also part of the center, and the school has some really neat "agricultural projects" going on to provide financial self sustainance (including a pine tree project, bee hives, 900+ chickens, and dairy cows). The center has another social outreach in offering loans to people of the community, and there are a couple of local churches- one of which we were very blessed to worship with. On the walk back from Church, I asked the director how he saw the Gospel being preached (from his insider's view) and he said, "You know, sometimes I wonder that myself. I do think we are more social than spiritual sometimes...." and then he shared that there are many testimonies of Jesus Christ's name becoming known through some really neat things that happen both on the center and in the community.
The director's name is also Jeff, and one story he shared was of a woman who came to the health center for her baby early one morning. The baby lost its life, and Jeff hiked with the mother to her home, carrying the dead child. Jeff said that he selfishly considered that he had to carry the child, while having to be reminded that this wasn't even one of his own children. Only a couple weeks after this incident, as a result of continual interaction with a pastor at the center, the father of the child who died, committed his life to follow Jesus!
I am glad to be learning about the Lord Jesus' work in this country, and discussions among my fellow students from the US remind me also of His awesome work in our home country of America. May we each continue to set our hearts and minds on Jesus, awaiting His return and praying for His presence to be mighty among us.

I've changed the settings on the blog to allow for any comments from readers- sorry that's not been available!
I've thought before to share more about the hygenic wonders of our home environment, so I'll do that. (I quite enjoy these:) Regarding our bathing times, we partly fill a bucket with water from the tank in our courtyard that collects when it rains. Our family is privaleged to have a couple of stall areas where we can put soap and water on our body, finally rinsing with water and dressing. I especially enjoy this area- it is made of 3 cement walls, and a small wood door, being openly exposed to the sky. On mornings it rains, I find myself impressed by my sister "Maijia" who perseveres through the rain to wash herself once again.
Next to the showering area, we have a couple of restrooms in the style of an outhouse, and I specifically have found it entertaining to watch and observe these cool white lizards that will go for flies on the cement walls of these areas. (there aren't many of either flies or lizards, but when I see them I do observe).
Yesterday, I purchased a futbol. I've seen games both on and off campus between individuals of many different ages, so I decided that it would be a good thing to get and it was very affordable. A program requirement is community involvement, so I may try to incorporate futbol in some form or fashion.
Just last night, my "mama Ida" shared about how she used to have about 100 chickens before we came to live with her, but they have eaten them now and only five chickens remain. It's funny seeing stray chickens eating beside the roadside, but my brother Denes told me that they will go home each evening. Now that the primary schools in Uganda have begun, David and I should have more time to spend during the evenings with our mama.
This weekend we travel to Rakkai on another IMME group trip to learn about other ministries working on ground in Uganda. Thank you each for your continued support, and for the memories that we have with one another. These have sweetly been coming to mind as of recently, causing either a bit of homesickness, or perhaps more accurately, a deepening of my love for the wonderful people in my life. May the Lord of all creation bless you all,
Love Geoff

It has rained again this morning. I especially enjoyed writing a paper in our dining hall as I watched small birds fly in and out of the open eating area. I think that perhaps one of my favorite things here on campus has been the activity of "Tea Time". Our Ugandan classmates have been so friendly and warm in sharing their lives with us and getting to know us.
I think that we are beginning to understand the rythms of Mukono now. Walking through a bit of the town each day has been great. Local primary schools have begun again, so we are able to walk sometimes beside grade school children in uniform headed to school along the red dirt roads that lace our way to school.
This weekend, I traveled into the neighboring town of Kampala with a couple others from the IMME program, and some of our Ugandan friends. We watched the finale of a television show called, "hot steps"- kind of like the American show, "So you think you can dance". We enjoyed "American food" in the city, and the show was impressive in some ways- especially the break dance routines. (I don't think I've seen a performance similar to this one in which they combined multiple backflips and very fluid transitions between dancers who performed multiple times in rotation).
One of the papers due today is topically aimed at addressing our home stay experience so far. After being able to visit a few of the other student's homes, I have a better realization of how blessed we are to be staying with these folks. I greatly enjoyed seeing how each of the homes we are staying in are children-filled Christian homes, many also with animals and great views of the surrounding community.
Just a few minutes away walking is our where our church meets for fellowship, and from here we can see a marvelous view of the sun setting over the town. I shall try to be better about showing such beautiful sights to each of you through pictures upon this blog. God bless each of you; I will write again soon.
Geoff

Adventure on the way home

I wanted to share an answer to prayer. Last night on my way home, I said hello to a few children as I walked along the side of the road. I was almost to my mama's shop, and the children seemed to find this intriguing. I sat just outside the shop, and after only a few minutes I was blessedly surrounded by about 7, then 9, then 12 or so children! I had prayed that the walk home would not be disregarded as something that God would not want to use, and I soon found myself with the opportunity to read the Bible and sing songs for these kids. We (I:) sang "Jesus loves the little children", "You are holy..", "The Lord is my Shephard", and we just sat admiring one another for a few moments. I don't know that each of the pieces of Scripture read in English were understood, but I do trust that God's Word does not go void, and I know this was a blessing from Him.

Personal learning

This semester has been a great time of being exposed to education in a different way. I thought it would be good to share a few things I think I'm learning. Firstly, I'm finding greater joy in learning to listen. I think that class discussions, and conversations outside of class have been teaching me to minister to others by listening. I also am finding that the paper topics that we need to write about are causing me to understand more of what I'm passionate about. I'm really enjoying learning about and critically analyzing past communication of the Gospel to other cultures, as well as thinking about my own passion for connecting people, and I've found the past few weeks a time to realize more about the love for aviation that God has given me. We have a lot of writing to do this semester, and so far I am also enjoying this- perhaps I will grow in writing skills or something through the course of many papers. I will also try to write often and meaningfully as I blog. May God's peace be with you each,
Geoff

Walking home

A couple of days ago, while walking home in the late afternoon, I met a wonderful man named Robert. He is a Ugandan man who quickly shared with me about Uganda's economy. We covered a good distance as we talked, and I don't even think that he was originally headed in the direction that I was. I'm grateful to have met him, for the first question I'd asked was if he knew Jesus, and he told me that he knew Jesus well, and he eventually shared that many Ugandans know Jesus and that just in our little town of Mukono, there are a number of churches (Anglican, Catholic, and others). On another note, we also saw Jehovah's witnesses here a few days back.
A very kind Kenyan student named Lazerous has been deepening a friendship with me here at the school. He and I hope to continue to fellowship during meal times, but to also play sports activities. He will be competing in a nation wide sports competition next month that I also hope to attend.
Further friendships are being built as we venture into different places on campus. There is a wonderful woman named Lydia who seems to enjoy each day that a few of us students will by smoothies from her. They are called, "Canadian Ice", and she makes them very well.

Trip to Jinja

This weekend we had an amazing opportunity to visit the neighboring town of Jinja. The drive was so beautiful! Through amazing green hills of Tea plantations, and trees, we saw along the way a few small collections of living areas. We had the opportunity to hop in a small boat on Lake Victoria, to visit "the source of the Nile"! The main reason for our trip was to hear from a few missionaries working in different areas, and this was amazing as well.
One couple was from Calvary Chapel in New Mexico, their names were Bev, and Jesse. They work entirely in the prisons around Jinja, and have done so for about ten years with great testimony of the Lord's work through times of not really knowing what to do, through times of "normality", and through times of elation. Many good things they shared with us about being a couple, about hearing God's call, and about going serving in His name even when the people around them have such little hope of returning to lives of abundance here on earth.
There are 16 of us in the IMME group that will take these trips, and on Friday we were all able to spend some time worshipping together for a little bit. After a few of us went to bed, a brother whom we did not know (his name was Ian) decided to join us. We really enjoyed meeting him and learning that he was part of a team that was serving God through something called "The Amazing Race". Ian prayed with us and shared some good things that he'd seen and been learning as their team traveled for missions purposes with the Amazing Race. (They'll be going to a number of countries over the next 11 months).
I think this trip to Jinja helped me to interact with Ugandans outside of the school setting, and it also was good to take what we've been discussing in classes regarding the Gospel, and ask questions about it to servants of the Lord who are living it out here in this Ugandan culture.
Please feel free to email any questions or suggestions as to what I'm sharing!
Love,
Geoff

Thoughts about "War Dance"

We had the opportunity this afternoon to watch a movie called, “War Dance”. Interestingly, this is about some children from the northern part of Uganda seeking to compete in Kampala at a dance competition. Kampala is the capital of Uganda, and we are about 1 hour driving from it here at Uganda Christian University. We’ve not had much direct discussion or exposure to the topic of conflict in the northern part of Uganda, although it shapes a large part of how Uganda is viewed by others.

One night, as I was visiting the neighbors of my home stay family, I found out about the government’s reaction to the warring, etc in northern Uganda (the people group, so to speak, is called the “Acholi”). The brother I was talking to had been a journalist, and I couldn’t help but get the feeling that prayer in our Savior’s name is needed most of all. I am just beginning to feel like praying isn’t that small of a thing- considering that the journalist said he was seeing all kinds of physical and verbal efforts being made in the name of justice, yet corruption found it’s power to thwart the efforts and further discouragement.

Food was soo tasteful today, after not eating much while being ill. We will usually have rice and beans, covered with a bit of bean-like soup. The Dining Hall staff also graciously serves us pineapple many days, and in the mornings we are able to eat plain deep fried donuts, and sweet tea. These oods are wonderful and I like them very much. I admit that it is a bit hard to sit with Ugandan students that I do not know, and I do only know a few. I have enjoyed a couple mornings of running at the track and getting to meet people that way- one brother, named Ishmael said that he's aiming to run in the 2012 Olympics (I didn't do anything but sit beside him on the side of the track:).
This weekend, the IMME track of our program will leave the University and travel to Jinja (about 50Km) away and spend time with a missionary couple, a church, and others in the town I think. I will report more about this. I do desire to be engaging with Ugandans, and to not be hiding from the fact that I am here. I truly need ambition, and courage, and discipline to adventure into not only the country and opportunities around me, but also into the lives of the people that surround me both through the program, and through those I should meet.
Thank you each, dear friends in the country and home from which I've come. I miss you and am glad to be sharing this valuable experience with you all.

I've been sick with a virus of sorts for the past two days. It has put me in a reflective state, and I've been able to stay here on campus. Just today I finally ate a couple of banannas, and a citrus drink- these were soothing. Many of my classmates were praying (my temp. was 103.9!) and I don't think it's malaria, so this is great news.
Coming out of the dorm area, I was able to participate in quite a fun adventure of freeing one of the school's vans from the mud which was created from the rain. About 5 other African brothers and myself pushed the van first from the front, then the back, the side, and then we finally hopped into the van and gave it enough weight on the spinning wheel from bouncing that it gave way to freedom again:) There was much rejoicing and thanking, and I hope to share a variety of other stories throughout the semester.
Writing again soon,
Geoff

Thank you each for caring to hear about this time in my life. It is a gift for me to be here; I've desired to live in East Africa and be with these people for a short while. I know the Lord's blessing is with me- from the grace He's given me in adapting to the lack of conveniences in bathing, using the restroom:), even in all of the necessary reading and writing assignments in the program.
It has only been a week- a full one at that, of new things. We walk on beautiful red dirt roads everyday; taking about 30 minutes from campus to home, and walking through the town of Mukono. Our campus is full of graduates, undergrads, and seminary students- similar to Biola, also in the way of times for the whole campus to gather for worship. The dining hall is wonderful- it sits on the base of what's called, "Monkey Hill" (for obvious reasons- red tailed ones:), and the entire thing is open to view what is around you as you eat.
The other day it rained so hard for about 20 minutes that I think I may have gotten knocked over if I tried to stand in it. The weather has been spectacularly sunny and cool each day since the rain, and even as I write this I can hear about 4 different birds around me chirping away atop the trees here at the University.
I've not really met people who are friendly and warm in the way the Ugandans that I've met are. Even this morning as I walked to school under the bright stars, a man driving what's called a "boda-boda" stopped and asked if he could offer me his motorcycle services, yet when I said no thank you, he stayed to share his name and an extremely warm and seemingly sincere smile. It seems as if many of the families and other folk I've seen really live with the intentionallity of being with one another- I don't think anyone has taught the Ugandan people the word, "awkward".
Bathing is an adventure done out of a bucket of water, by cupped hand and bar of soap. We also get to use the out house each day, at our homes, and cooking is done with coals over a small steal coal holder. So far, we have enjoyed many good meals consisting of rice, beans, matoke (bananas), mango, and even avacado.
A very neat part of the schooling is how much discussion and interaction in the classroom we have. Monday I lead a discussion on the reading we were assigned for "Reading the New Testament in Africa", so I must prepare for this now. Peace to you each! I will plan to write again.

Arrival

Our group has arrived here in East Africa! Classes began this week, and seem to be very academically intensive. Bugs have been appearing around me in many places, and I think that I would have been very discouraged by this, had we not sang at community worship this afternoon "Let all that is within me praise the Lord...":) Our campus is placed on 80 acres, net to the town of Mukono (meaning "Hand" in Luganda), and each day is an adventure on our walk home as we move through Mukono by dirt roads, and many joyful children. I room with David, one other USP student from Illinois, and we've had fun playing cards, visiting neighbors and distantly related relatives of our family. 

Many other things have been happening- I suppose that this could be described as coming into contact with the flesh and bone of Uganda, and I think the Lord will be showing us many  hard realities about certain living conditions in the coming weeks. 

A poem of wonderings

With little true realistic comprehension,
Yet mightily God does guide-
Wherever, how deep, beyond,
beneath- He is our Allaby
Culture has so many aspects,
and a student of culture I am.
This can't exist as simply
something silly, wierd, or different
betweeen you and, he, and me.

Important Addresses

'Geoffrey Hughes,' Uganda Studies Programme
Uganda Christian University
P.O. Box 4
Mukono, UGANDA





http://www.ugandastudies.com/ this is the program website



http://www.ucu.ac.ug/ this is the university website

Leaving the US

Thank you for visiting the blogsite I've created for this semester in Uganda! While studying abroad, I'll be part of a group of 30 students from Christian Universities around the United States. "IMME" is the name of what I specifically have the privalege to be a part of, and it stands for Intercultural Ministry & Missions Emphasis. We'll have the incredible opportunity to live the entire semester in the homes of local Ugandan families, while also visiting local ministries, and
The program website says that by choosing to be a part of IMME, "you are making an intentional commitment to live outside your comfort zone", so I shall need much prayer, and you may find my blog entries to be a bit of comic relief when you need it. As mentioned in the email, please let me know if there are particular things that would be good for me to keep track of, or take note of as I'm there. Grateful to be a part of the Body of the Lord,
Geoff