Seeing life atop of Atoo

Friday, November 20, 2009

Is it really November 20th? It is like 80 some degrees out, my tan is getting darker and I am sitting in front of a fan. Really? Sorry folks back home.

I am happy to report that my steripen makes the house water pure and taste decent. I tried cooled down boiled water from the house and almost started buying bottled water jugs; I gave the steripen a try. Perfect! I am excited. As little money I can spend, super. Speaking of which I still need to buy at least three shelves, 6 chairs, a dining table and coffee table. Now, if I could find free time before 6pm that would be great.

The five of us, Sarah, Melissa, Simon, Pato and I adventured out to Tegot Atoo – otherwise known as “Death Under a Hill” (Atoo Te Got). This hill was used as a hiding base for Idi Amin and then later on for Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army during the high tides of attacks (it is now an army base). Tegot Village itself was attacked numerous times as a village and as a camp. The LRA would hide there in the daytime and then at night go out and do their atrocious deeds. People knew once you went up to the hill you would never come back. It is the highest point around Tegot Village so it is a daily reminder of their past. Anyways, we hiked it.
Parked up the hill a bit where it was good to park and hide the car from the road.

Started hiking up a little path. Some easy parts and some rough terrain…overall, a really good workout. Half way up we stopped. The view was spectacular, I actually felt I was in Africa. It was like the scene from the “Lion King”…but no lions. The trees, the grasses….amazing. When the grass would sway with the wind it looked like strands of sandy silk rhythmically moving along with the wind. It was gorgeous. At the top of the hill we realized that the army base was not the only thing sitting atop the hill – a little village! They have the BEST view in the world – seriously. Absolutely amazing scenery!!! We could see Tegot to our left and then thousands of acres of uninhibited land scarcely grazed with little ots. No true western civilization was apparent. It was God’s country to the fullest. And people can witness this daily. Wow.

A man passed us with a jerry can and Sarah asked where he gets the water from. He had to go to the bottom of the hill and then walk some to the water pump…which is miles of a hike up and down a BIG hill (they call it a mountain) EVERYTIME they need water. Sarah’s response? “Thank God Africans live in Africa and not Americans!” How funny. We can’t imagine doing that once, but daily in order to survive? God definitely equipped the Africans with much strength and drive. I love the way He makes us all different yet the same.

We sat and talked for awhile. Some students came up because they were off from examinations. One of our girls, Ayir Sarah was with them. I called her over to sit and join us…even when her friends left she remained with us. She was working on this crocheting thing. The kids take nylon rope and pull the strands apart so it resembles string. They then take a safety pin, bend the tip and use it as a crochet needle. Out of this comes a real nice wash cloth! We shared some food, talked about culture and enjoyed each others’ presence.
Before we left we shared some scripture with one another and prayed. Melissa quoted from Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” I tried looking for the verse in Isaiah that talks about “how lovely are the mountains…” but instead the LORD led me to Isaiah 35.

As I continue to be drawn to the book of Isaiah I am seeing such parallels between God’s people in that book and God’s people in Tegot. So much darkness and despair has draped over this land. Hope is finally here and ready to be embraced! Remnants of the past are still evident in poverty, physical deformities and memories…but God is the great redeemer and healer. We can’t forget all the pain that has been inflicted in our lives, but we can move forward in it, leave it in the past and trust God for our present and hope for the future. As I was hearing stories of the past yesterday I did feel the negligence of not knowing about this situation earlier so I could have been there at that time, but then I realized that God orchestrated it perfectly for me to be here right at this moment. In the Hope stage. Phase I. Praise Him. No other time would I be able to be used by Him for His glory if it were any other time but now. How cool is that? That God can only use you exactly when He wants to. PG

Praying over the land and for the light of Christ to flow over was such an honor. To see for thousands of miles ahead, behind, side and all around God’s land was amazing. We prayed that we may be used as instruments for His glory. That He gives us strength, wisdom, discernment and guidance to best serve the people of Tegot. That disciples will run freely in this land. For restoration. Oh AMEN!

We took Anena to the clinic again today after the hike. The wound is getting better and needs to be seriously kept under watch and cleansed ALL the time. She barely squirmed and cried today – well compared to what it was like earlier this week. We could stop going to the clinic and make sure she keeps it clean…but I am so concerned that it won’t. I have to seriously consider and pray if we should continue taking her. Her mother trusts us to best help her daughter. I imagine that if the wound still causes her to squirm and cry even a little bit it still needs attention. It is big and very raw. Pray for discernment for me on this.

I am happy to report that Opio Patrick Bicentina, Ogen Emmanuel and Piloya Mercy are doing great with their wounds!! Iodine is really my friend. Pray for the ministry of First Aid.

After our Tegot business the girls and I went to town to do some errands. Went to the Post Office (no mail yet – boo! If you do send me a package use US mail and email me the tracking number) and waited for the girls. While waiting talked to my grandmother for a bit – it was nice. I need to call her more often. She is really supportive and kinda fun to talk to on the phone. Farther into town, we did encounter three boys who tried to befriend us. I noticed them first just watching us and checking us out when we were in a store. As we were walking I noticed they were following us even when we back tracked. They finally came up and introduced themselves to us by telling us they wanted to be our friends. One of the boys I was able to talk to…something seemed fishy so I used my knowledge from the human trafficking and slavery training. I asked where did they live, who did they live with, where did they go to school, how old they were, where the originally were from, etc. I do have to say something wasn’t right about it. They even followed us around town for a bit as we were walking. We finally drove off in our car but I couldn’t help but think that these children were trying to either scam us or beg. They were friendly enough but still fishy. Pray if I should go back to that area and look for them. You should have seen the one kid’s face when I was asking him questions – he was clearly lying to me. It wasn’t right and I am not sure what to do…
Part of our adventure in town was walking and looking around the fabric district. So many beautiful fabrics and plenty of people to sew it up for you!! Seamstresses seemed to just be around every corner. I was just looking around – I am looking to buy fabric for drapes but not sure exactly yet what I want to decorate the house like. Some very cool patterns I must say. I found one I especially like – it is pink with brown patterns. Hehe.

After those adventures, we went to Café Larem. Got A LOT done! And able to talk to a lot of people – PG! Well not talk, talk, because I forgot my earphones again, but at least IM. It was nice. I was surprisingly encouraged to talk to some of my old students – BMG, Maia and Seraiah. MY GIRLS!! Boy do I miss them….and it sounds like they miss me, too. Which was nice to hear. I can’t wait to see them in May. Thanks Coz for making that happen!! Keep it up!

I am excited that a lot of my friends and even family, who I didn’t know would take to heart the ministry I am doing, are really supportive and encouraging. Even people I expected to be are – it just blesses me to know so many people love, support and pray for me. Thank you. You are all amazing people!! It truly humbles me to know that you are all behind me. I don’t feel lonely at all because you do such a great job in letting me know you are there for me. It makes the work so much easier!! YOU ALL ROCK!!

Just so you know, I treated myself to chocolate ice cream. I normally don’t like chocolate ice cream, but that was all they had…so I tried it. Oh my goodness was it delicious! It reminded me of a Frosty!! YUM!! After that treat I knew I couldn’t just have anything for dinner…so I made grilled cheese with the cheese we still have leftover from Lorella (thank you again!). I laughed at myself; the bread was very moldy on one side and reaching the other side quickly. I just cut off the pieces and used the small part leftover. Made three and half yummy petite grilled cheeses for Sarah and me. You use everything when you are a missionary I guess. ;)

I have to say I enjoy sitting in the living room typing instead of my bed. Listening to some good music as well – go Mr. Pabon’s band! Anyways, there is still a lot I need to purchase for the house, but I really am excited to be living in a house. However, the ants and bugs are a more than out of control. It is raining now so they are all rushing in. Gross. Just thought about Odie…I hope he is sleeping on the porch. I bet he is. I need to give him a flea bath so I can cuddle with him. He is such a sweet dog. He reminds me a lot of Dorsey when she was a puppy. He is gaining weight too, so he is looking good!!

Time for laundry…cuz you know that is the right thing to do at midnight.