Jinja Visit

at the edge of Lake Victoria

This past weekend, all the USP students who are in the Inter-cultural Ministry and Missions Emphasis (IMME) went to Jinja. Yes, you should take a minute to look up its location online.

On Saturday afternoon, one of the missionaries we met with gave us an unique tour of the town. At each place we were asked to think about a question. (I didn't write them down at the time, so I will give the questions I pondered which came from what he asked us.)
1. We saw the source of the Nile River, were it comes out of Lake Victoria. because of the dam just a few kilometers down river, this once distinct site is now just a small rapid on the surface. The monument where John Hanning Speke first saw it was just across from us. Where did I come from? Where am I going?
2. Visited a very poor fishermen's village next to a high society sailboat club right on the Lake. Who did Jesus associate with? Who are we to serve?
3. The area around Bell Ave was once called "the Hollywood of Africa" back when the many wealthy Indian people lived there. We stood beside a Hindu temple and looked at all the run-down, large mansions that once housed one family and now hold 15 to 20 families paying rent to Indians who live out of the country and have bank accounts in the UK. Am I living for a title or for a testimony? Do I want to be the wealthy or the lasting witness?
4. Next, we stopped at what the missionaries call "ting-ting." This is one factory where sheet metal is shaped into anything useful you can think of and the hammers on the metal constantly cause the ting-tink-ting sound. Bobby, the missionary, talked to several of the men briefly and a few even spoke a little English. How can we relate? How can we reach them?
5. Jinja Hospital was our last stop. We split up into small groups and went to different wards. We went in not just to see, but also to pray with some of the people there. Although this hospital is ranked 2nd or 3rd in the nation, it is very under staffed and supplied. What hope can I give? Why am I not one destined to such a place?

This is a very short summary of the trip. So much I learned and now have to think about. Please, if you want to know more, write yourself a note to ask about it when I see you next. Or if you want to know something specific, feel free to email me.

University in Uganda

I'm here! I am quite safe, excluding the crazy buda-buda drivers who pass me between school and home. :) They are a type of motorcycle for transportation hire. Pedestrians are on the bottom of the traffic hierarchy.
I'm very thrilled to be alive!! Africa is wonderful! Classes are fascinating! Other students are fun! I enjoy eating mutoko and popope everyday! Fruit here is spectacular! My Mom loves Jesus very much! My brothers patiently teach me Luganda! My sister and I sat for nearly an hour last night taking turns reading chapters out of the Bible to each other! Squatting beside a basin to bathe is much quicker than showering in the States, not to mention saves much water. (one learns to preserve when you can anyhow.....the well is about 2 km away at the bottom of a steep hill) I don't really understand why everyone likes to drink boiling hot tea three times a day when the air is already making you sweat.....

Beginning an Adventure

I'm beginning the travel to Uganda today. I'm so very excited!! and rather nervous too. Please, pray all the connections go smoothly, flying proceeds safely, and everyone in the group arrives there healthily. Out of Dallas tonight, we are to arrive in Entebbe International about 10:30pm their time (which would be 1:30EST) on Friday.
Being in the hurry-up-and-wait mode already, I'm having difficulty coming up with something worth saying.....as I sit here waiting on the last load of laundry done in the States for 6 months and not in a bucket. I've been back around LeTU since Sunday night repacking and bidding all (of those I have successfully found) my friends and good acquaintances here farewell. Due to the limited and slow and unreliable internet access where I shall be, I hope to continue blogging and updating as usual, but please, don't be alarmed if I am unable to do so.

All your prayers are greatly appreciated. God bless you all!!