Akulu

There are only a few things that can get me out of a grumpy mood….especially if the car put me in the grumpy mood.

Let me name two of them:

1.) Akello Sunday time
2.) Adong Nighty

Oh, and a third one:

3.) Two Christmas boxes for me and one for a child

Yea, that is it.

Akulu. I have been anointed by Saban, our mechanic, as Akulu. One who learns (the language) quickly. I like it. I hope that is what it means. Ha.

So first, grumpiness was due to, guess it…what for it….Lalayo. Overheating. I just want that thing gone and a new vehicle HERE. Simon is going to sell it this week…or he can’t see Brooke. Ha. No for real. Kidding. Well….

But through my grumpiness I had some neat things occur and revelations smacking me in the head.

The revelation – no matter what, life can always be enjoyed….regardless. Thank you my Ugandan brothers and sisters for ALWAYS teaching me that. And forgiving my attitude.

What great people.

Cuddling with Akello Sunday….dang that girl is awesome. She just sat next to me, let me hug her and then we practiced our alphabet. She just let me hold her. She now expects me to hug her every time I see her. LOVE IT!

Adong Nighty NEVER smiles…her mother even agreed with us. She always looks ticked off or depressed. So I naturally try my best to win her over…today it worked. I, as normal, gave her a side hug and said “Amari” (I love you). She then wrapped her arms around me and replied with a smile “Amari, Christine! I love you, too!” I was shocked. Had no clue how to react….just held her tighter and smiled. Praise God. I teared up a little as she walked home…I know, sucker. Sometimes, these things just make every little thing worth it…

See, in my grumpiness, I just wanted to go home. Forget this life, the hardships, the breakdowns, the poor lifestyle….just run home where there are cars that work, parts that are available, power, grocery stores the size of Gulu, family….but then Sunday and Nighty made it worth it. As a friend recently said, I have a family here now – granted NO where near my real family, but nonetheless, a family has been created here. Kinda neat to think about.

In my packages today I received three SUPER cool things: 1.) chocolate (of course!) 2.) spices from Penzey’s 3.) Esther study with audio cd’s from Beth Moore. All three things I can share with women here in Ug. See, women’s ministry has been really heavy on my heart since before I arrived in Gulu. And I am seeing how God is using it for His glory – from counseling to neighbors to relationships to roommates to working….ministering to the women seems to be the primary “job”. I love it. Not afraid of it at all….have finally fully embraced it. I am delighted I can share these things with women here – so they can experience Christ in a new, fresh way.

And two Ugandans now agree that it is the start of the rainy season…better be, otherwise the power out right now makes no sense.