a week in the village

So I just got back from a week in rural Uganda - specifically in Kaptchorwa (which means friend, btw). We stayed with families and just hung out with them living life in the village. It was nice to have a week off from school - but certainly nothing like your usual Spring Break vaca. It's so hard to try to describe what it was like so I will try to give you a brief idea, post some pics when the internet cooperates, and hope to talk to you more in person eventually.

First of all Kaptchorwa is BEAUTIFUL! It is in the mountains, with fields everywhere and hills and waterfalls and amazing hikes. Hikes were probably my favorite part of the week. We got there Friday night...Saturday my host father (a very kind primary school teacher, and translator at the church and for a radio station) took me on what he called a "short walk". This ended up including hiking a mountain...in a long skirt and sandals. Gotta love it. It was really nice though - we had a great view of town and home and on the way down greeted every family we passed (I had to learn to greet in the language quickly). The families were always friends and often relatives in some way. Sunday was church - about a 45 minute walk away. It was a typical Ugandan Anglican service...which are interesting and need a whole blog of their own... After church we were invited to lunch my a couple in the church. They hosted both my family and another family who was hosting a student (cooincidentally Megan - the girl I live with in Mukono - so it was really fun to see her and have lunch). Monday also included a hike with my cousin Cherub. It was incredible. We went up to the falls and frolicked through the tall trees - I seriously felt like Pochantas! It was nice to spend one-on-one time with her and talk while we hiked. She is 19 and SO nice - it was interesting to hear the questions her and my family had about the US...lots of stereotypes that aren't true AT ALL!

One frustrating thing through the week was my family not believing me about alot of things. Not a big deal really - but after a while it was a bit annoying. Things like the fact that it was colder at home than it was there (it was cool at night which was a welcome relief from Mukono but still barely sweatshirt worthy), the fact that we had mountains and that I wasn't afriad to climb them, and lots of polictics. It was fun to sit and chat with my dad about these things though, and just interesting the view they had of the US.

Tuesday and Wednesday were the hardest days for me. I literally did not leave the compound of our house and just sat around with my sister, Charity (9). She is really nice, but couldn't move around much because she is in a full leg cast. It was fun to play games with her and talk about stuff, but after 14 hours a day I was a little stir crazy. It also didn't help that my mom and Cherub were working around the compound all day...but refused my help anytime I offered it. I thought about home WAY more than I have being in Uganda...and then was frustrated with myself in that. But God totally worked through it and proved ways He was faithful in that. For example Tuesday night my parents both mentioned something about how grateful they were that I could be there with Cherub since she had just gotten out of the hospital a week ago (after 3 months) and had been pretty depressed till this week. Just little ways God showed His continued goodness.

Thursday was really fun. I fetched water from the river with Cherub and carried it back up the hill on my head! She's much better than I am...and was somehow able to balance the huge jerry can without her hands!!! Oh man. Hardcore for sure. Then I had the pleasure of watching my mom slaughter the beautiful rooster that had been chillin at the house all week...then helped her pluck the feathers off and begin to prepare it for cooking. We then ate it a few hours later. So sad. For lunch my dad came home and brought a visitor who was very eager to interact with a Muzungu. (Typical) He was very nice, with lots of questions, and it was refreshing to be eating lunch with people rather than by myself. After lunch my dad took me on an EPIC hike up to the highest point of Kaptchorwa. This (again in an ankle-length skirt) involved legit rock climbing up the side of the mountain. Even more hardcore were the people climbing with huge bags of flour or cabbage or milk on their heads! Woah man. Beautiful view again, and after we got to visit Megan at her house and take some tea. Then we went to the Bishops house for dinner - who is my dad's brother. Took tea again, and had more lively discussions involving many questions about the US.

Friday I was reluctant to leave, but also ready to be back with white people.

We spent the weekend at Sipi Falls - reunited with both the IMME and USE group - as well as some Ugandan Honors College students from UCU. SO FUN! It was so nice to swap stories and relax and laugh and make jokes people could understand, and just be at ease with friends. We also went on some intense and sweet hike up to waterfalls - and even got to jump in and swim for a bit! We even played a game of rocks (spoons the card game but African style) which was crazy funny. The weekend was seriously such a blessing - and made me even more grateful for the friends I have made here - and am continuing to make.

Oh and let's not forget the bed bugs I brought with me from Kaptchorwa! Too funny. I have a ridiculous number of bites...but think I have successfully rid myself of them - Praise the Lord.

And this is random but nonetheless important - I had the immense pleasure of helping my neighbour/brother (back in Mukono) Samuel with his chemistry homework two nights ago! What a treasure. I've been thinking about just what it is I want to do with my life and this was a strange affirmation of my passion for chemistry and possibly for teaching. Just another cool God thing.

I have been so encouraged by the ways God has been working in this group. Thanks so much for all of your prayers! I love and miss you all!! Take care. Be blessed.