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