African Muzungu

Today I could have done a fun post about the different kinds of things I eat on a regular basis, or some of the fun things I've been learning in language, or some of the interesting cultural situations I've been exposed to, but instead I'm just here asking for your prayers. These past couple of weeks have been a bit of a roller coaster. I knew when I came that the spiritual warfare here would be intense, and it has definitely proved to be so. There have been a multitude of situations, problems, thoughts, and confusions that have kept me busy praying, thinking, and praying some more, and I am definitely in need of your prayers more than ever. While there have been many discouraging days (including yesterday!), I have been constantly reminded that my Lord is right here with me. When I'm sad and hopeless, He whispers to me, "Trust in me at all times. pour out your heart before Me, for I am your refuge." Ps 62:8 And when I feel completely alone and helpless He so

Lime. No, really. It's a lime. Nope, not that one.... that's an orange. (yes, really) or that one.... that's a tangerine. That one. The one in the middle. Lime. Can you see why I spent an hour in the market trying to find limes? Not to mention the fact that there seems to be some debate on what they're actually called in Luganda. Obulimawa? or Kalimawo? I finally found them by asking about 10 people where the obulimawa...the very very small ones were. Oh, and you'll never guess what color the lemons are. Yup. Green. Cracks me up that the only citrus fruit that should be green is actually yellow. This is so descriptive of my life right now. In this very different life and culture, many things just look different than I think they will (and sometime should!) For example, American culture tends to be very direct, and Uganda culture in general is indirect. Someone might say to you, "You are most welcome to my home for lunch today" without any thought of you ac

Today I bring you a two in one! Many have been asking me how we really wash clothes over here, so I thought I'd give you a taste.....plus give you a bonus track of some of the language I've learned and practiced with my language helper!! Bwenti bwenjoza engoye zange: This is how I wash my clothes Njua amaazi mubafu: I fill a basin with water Nteka engoye zange mu maazi: I put my clothes in the water Nsiiga saboni ku lugoye: I put soap on the clothes Wemala nga nkunya engoye: I then scrub the clothes Nteka amaazi amayonjo nenyanika engoye zange: I use fresh water to rinse, then spread my clothes to dry Bwentio bwenjoza engoye zange! That is how I wash my clothes! While it is me speaking, the pictures are quite obviously NOT me washing ;) For some reason, I found washing and photographing simultaneously to be hazardous to the health of my camera!