T.I.A.

Monday, November 23, 2009

T.I.A – That is Africa….that’s what you say apparently when things don’t go the way you want them to. Ha.

Really? November is over after this week. This month has FLOWN by. I have six more months left before I head home for a bit. I am a quarter done…I have 22 more months left for my two years. This is going fast…
Pray for my health. I am not sick, sick, but I am just exhausted and had a bad headache today. I think I just needed a good nap. I might also just needed some more alone time to regroup. I kinda feel bad though because it is Melissa and Sarah’s last week – but they have a lot to do so it just works out ok, somehow.

I am noticing I speak differently both in my “accent” and the words I use. It makes me laugh. No one will know what I am talking about when I get back.
Finished the pineapple…let me say, it is amazing here. Wow. Don’t mind eating a pineapple two days in a row for all meals! And the passion fruit…wow. Thank you God for making good fruit. It is like I will eat a fresh tree ripened fruit everyday; I almost wish I had my hand blender or a blender of some sort to make smoothies! Oh, and I found cheese…it is made in Kenya…so not Wisconsin standards but still – the two things I thought I would have to go without here, cheese and ice cream, I have found and have been pleased with. Paka Yesu!! (PG = PY!)

I think Odie and I are becoming friends. He did get in another fight (how many times do we need to tell him to stay in the compound!!???) and has a big scratch under his eye. But he stayed put when I walked over to him and he let me pet him. What a sweetie.

There are a few children who have found a ladder to prop against the compound wall to sneak a look at us. I see these foreheads and little eyes and hear “munu!”I am trying to teach them NOT to do that and if they want to see me to knock on the gate and wave in the little hole so I can see who it is. I will then open the gate to greet them. After telling them no, I ignore them until they come to the gate. One little boy, Daniel, actually listened and waited for me, but I think I scared the mess out of him. I thought he was going to cry! I tried my best to be nice…apparently that doesn’t work all that well. He probably didn’t expect me to follow through and meet him.

Today’s team meeting was decent enough. We got through some stuff. I realized how much I really need Simon. This library and resettlement project just won’t happen without him. No wonder the guy is stressed and exhausted…I really do rely on him a lot. He is just so honest and reliable that it helps me so much. He is an amazing man of God and blesses the ministry so much. Pray for his health. Anyways, we got some girl time and brainstormed, talked and prayed. Good stuff.

I know I am Mary’s “boss” for the time being, but I really like her as a friend and hope she feels the same way, too. She is the closest person I have here. Her and I were in the office by ourselves for a bit and had a little adventure with what we call now “Mary’ friend”. A little mouse crawled into a bag of sugar (I actually noticed him when his little tush was stuck and he tried wriggling in). Mary was brave enough to get him out but the little guy kept on trying the whole morning! We tried locking him in the storage closet, tried locking him out of the storage closet, chasing him out and just watching him. Mary’s friend is cute, but not invited to the office. Especially things we need to give our children! Anyways, Mary brought Jack Fruit to share – it is VERY sweet and yummy but you just can’t eat a bunch. It takes some major effort and time to harvest this fruit. It is in a THICK shell and then the insides are super gluey (you have to oil yourself and the area so it doesn’t stick to you). Then you harvest the pods. The pods are delicious! Yum!
Anyways, I really want some friends here, and genuine friends for that matter. I don’t want to be looked at as the munu…just Christine, thankyouvermuch.
Speaking of munu…I am going to be here for at least two years and I am already sick of hearing that word. I AM NOT A VISITOR!!! I LIVE HERE!!!!

Pray for my work permit. Have not heard if it went through or not yet….might have to go into Kampala next week to renew my visa. Grr..not happy about that!

So the kids in the neighborhood…forgot to mention a little stinker came in and stole some eggs from the kitchen! (I was not home…Melissa and Sarah were).The door is right there and the side gate was opened…stinker! I am now VERY aware of closing all doors and even windows. I also opened my mouth and said I did not see many mosquitoes and tonight, I see them. Which is too bad because the Ugandan night breeze is amazing. It also looks like it might rain so they might be heading in…but then the ants aren’t around. Hmm…Para Yesu, Sara bought a fan and I can sit right in front of it.

I do have to say, I was very encouraged reading a fellow missionary’s blog (she is serving in a tribe in Sudan – so just north of me a bit!) and seeing that she too has major ant problems. What didn’t encourage me was that she said she uses ant killer and it works…for a bit. They come back. Grr…might as well make them pets, too, right? Ha.

Odie is barking like mad. Not sure what is going on…. I think he just needed some attention.

I am hoping to be in the house every night before it gets dark which is about 6:30 or 7:00. Definitely in by foot by 5:00 by car I think I can do 8:00 the latest. The night guard here, Cosmas, is an amazing man who will do anything for us because he is so kind. I am just amazed at how much he does and the little pay he gets by US standards. He is so kind. I appreciate him. He comes at 7:00…so I should see him soon. I hope and pray that he will continue the kindness once Melissa and Sarah leave. I think so.

Today, no Tegot. Maybe that is why I felt so lethargic. Hehe. There is much work to be done. I am going to get things finalized for funding soon. I just need to touch base with the Headmaster and Simon to make sure we are ready to go! Pray for things to go smoothly!

I walked to and from work today. It is a nice walk! I like it a lot. The mornings are a totally different crowd than afternoons/evenings. Everyone says good morning and are ready for work/school. In the afternoon you get just about anybody and they aren’t always excited to be around. I did see two men walking and signing. I was right by the Gulu Disabled Persons Headquarters. I think they also just opened up a coffee shop run by people they train. Need to check that out. Anyways, Jen V, you need to be here. For real.

I have been talking to two friends who are seriously considering coming to visit me for a long term basis (like a few months) to help with the ministry. That would be amazing. I would love for two of my dearest sisters to come and work with me here…I totally see them here too! Please keep them in prayer – it is a huge financial and personal commitment. Pray they seek God’s will and trust that if He wants them here, He will provide and not to be anxious about anything. They hear Africa calling them….you can’t ignore Africa…it just isn’t possible. If it calls you just a little it will just grow so big that you have no other choice but finally “cave” in and come. Seriously.

And the bat is causing a raucous. Know how you fix that when your landlord won’t? You turn the lights on. But at least he will take care of any mice or rats if we ever get them. I think I will name him Robin. Maybe Robin needs to come to work with me sometime. Somehow.

So now I have three pets: Odie, Mary’s friend, and Robin…My new Stryder, Kefa and Tavi. I miss them. I think I will have to cuddle with them for 24 hours a day for about a week when I get back.

I know I have changed IMMENSELY in just these two months. I wonder what will be different, what will change when I get back. I mean, will I have the same friendships? Same relationships? Will I like being back? I had major culture shock just going to Kampala a few weeks ago…so imagine what I will be like going back to the States after 8 months…after two years. Wow. And I will be driving on smooth roads…what does that feel like? Haha.

I have to say, I am really God worked on my trust issues prior to leaving. Just today, I could feel myself doubting people’s honesty and intentions like I used…and I just trusted in the character of the people around me and who they are in Christ. It all worked out and I am grateful I did not act upon any of the old habits.

I am content in the LORD today…nothing profound or exciting. Just pleased to be His child. Paka Yesus!!!