Nze Nalubega.

Nze Nalubega. (My name is Nalubega - pronounced like na-ru-bay-ga)

Megan and I have officially been initiated into the family. We are no longer visitors, we are part of the Magembe clan. Megan's name is Niyiga (pronounced niye-ga). And I for certain am feeling more and more a part of this family as the days go by. I am so thankful to say I am finally feeling comfortable enough to feel like I am truly being myself. Not sure what was preventing me from this before - but its a welcome change. Much more laughter and just feeling more engaged and interactive with all the people and culture around me.

So here is another gathering of various thoughts from the week or two since I last blogged...

Obama's inauguration. SUCH a big deal here! It kindof blows my mind. Well first of all that we were watching the inauguration ceremony on our fuzzy TV here in Africa - what a different perspective I had watching it. I have never before appreciated the peacefulness of our transitions of power. 44 times the president has peacefully shaken hands with the president-elect and passed on the torch. Uganda has NEVER once had a peaceful transition of power. Never. And the current president, Museveni, has continued to stay in power mostly because "he's not kicking people out and killing people like Amin did". Crazy. Never realized how blessed I was in this way to live in the US.

So last weekend we went on our first trip with IMME (the group of Americans from our program that are staying with families (versus on campus) and learning about missions). We traveled an hour and half or so to Jinja - the source of the Nile. Friday night we met two missionaries from the area - Jesse and Beverly. They work mostly in prison ministry. It was awesome to hear about the ways God has been faithful and working in their ministry - they have been here for 11 years. But a big moment for me was when Jesse said that there is at least one day a week that he says "Ok that's it - I'm going home. I've had enough." Yet God continues to provide strength for each day and he's still excited to be here. I can't imagine working in prison ministry - where soon after you make friends with these people they are either released or killed and you never see them again. They were so trusting and completely dependent on the Word of God. It was beautiful.

We then had some free time to just hang out with the 16 of us – we grabbed the guitar and sang worship for a while out by the pool. It was really nice. Then a few random guys came up and asked if they could join us. As we got to know them we found out they were missionaries as well – with AIM – on the “World Race”. They basically go to 11 countries in 11 months. Intense. They had a lot of good advice for us – and mentioned how so much of the trip was learning about themselves and how they deal with different situations. They reminded us to make sure to have some fun and be crazy with each other amidst everything we are learning and being challenged with. Seems like silly advice – but I think we are really going to have to be intentional about doing that – just cause its so easy to get caught up in the hard stuff here and only talk about that all the time. We need to loosen up, too. Also he said that “God didn’t call us here and forget about January.” Just encouraging to remember that God is at work even when we aren’t feeling it or feeling good about it. So that conversation was a huge blessing.

The next day we met up with some other missionaries and heard their scoop. They talked a lot about the differences they have seen between Ugandan and American cultures – a lot of which we have seen, but a lot of which we have yet to see. Interesting to hear about how business is not about competition but solidarity. For example a street of drum sellers will all have the same price for their drums – so no one is one top or on bottom. If someone were to lower their prices, their monetary success would not outweigh the loss they would experience from the drum-making community. These missionaries have a cool ministry – they have started a coffee shop/souvenir/restaurant/library/internet café/meeting place called the Source. It’s run by mostly Ugandans with these guys overseeing it. All the profits go back to the Source and to paying the people that work there. We got to go there and have lunch and look around – sweet spot. They also have felt led to start a water-well building ministry and a reforestation ministry. God is definitely at work there.

Next one of the guys, Bobby, took us on a devotional tour through Jinja. We would drive to a spot, get out, he would talk for a bit, read some Scripture and let us meditate on it for a bit and on we went. It was intense. Some of the more impactful sights…we went to a fishing village which was right next to a sailing club. Standing at the crux between rich and poor was really interesting. Also just thinking about where Jesus spent his time – with fisherman. To think he walked up to a place like that and called out for those men to come and follow him is beautiful. Also thinking that it’s not about walking up to these people and giving them money – that’s not going to fix anything. We are called to follow what Jesus did – walk up to them and be with them. Love them and show them how accepted they are in Christ. We then went to a place he called “Ting Ting” which was the workplace of all kinds of metal workers. The conditions they work in are intense but we walked through and got to see him interacting with these men he knew as friends – they were so kind and smiling and laughing. They work there because their fathers did. No choice in the matter. We are both blessed and cursed to have so much choice in the States. The take home point for me here was that these are still just people – doing what people do. They work and some enjoy it some don’t, they go home to their families and have dinner, they do chores. Yes its different – but really we are so much the same. Lastly we went to a government hospital – which was really hard just seeing the lack of care there. Ashley, they really need you nurses! No one has attendants so your family has to come and bring food to you and care for you while you wait weeks and weeks to see the doctor when he comes around. We walked around and prayed with some patients – which was powerful. Bobby talked about how in the US when we are suffering we ask “Why me? Why did this happen to me?” Yet here in Uganda you never hear that. Suffering is a part of life. When you are healthy, that’s the surprise. What a change in perspective. It was also good to hear that they cling to their faith so tightly (those who have it) because they know it’s the one thing that cannot be stripped from them.

Later back at the resort we took a boat ride to the source of the Nile – so cool to touch the water that carried Moses and turned red and is just full of so much history.

Wow so I have so much more to say but have to run to class - I will blog again soon hopefully. And if you think of it please be praying for my host family here...the kids start school this week - which will be a big adjustment for us because our two sisters are going to boarding school so they won't be living at home anymore. So sad! But also they are having trouble coming up with the money to pay the school fees - so just prayer that God will provide...as we know and trust He will. Thanks so much. Love you all!