Senior Trip: Bulago Island, Lake Victoria

When it came time for the senior class trip, the guys opted out altogether, while all the girls wanted to go. So off we drove then boated to Bulago Island, about 1 ½ hours into Lake Victoria, to our own semi-private colonial house. For 3 days we relaxed together, had some funny times, some devotional times, some TV/video time, played games, slept, took lots of photos (the girls are ALL into photo shoots!), and generally made some nice memories.

Above: On the way out to the island.

Below: Waves on the way out made it a rough ride for some of the group... 

The house had some really unique items inside and out. For instance, they had the largest abacus I’ve ever seen, as well as a life-size carving of a man on a bicycle. Not sure why someone would make them (both are heavy wood) and then bring them to the island, but they’re certainly conversation pieces. There were other wonderful and interesting carvings, an antique tub and bath setting, wooden floors, rustic and attractive bedrooms and décor throughout. We enjoyed the geese, the beach & pool, and overall had a great time. 

We were all amazed by the sunsets on both nights! 

Senior's Mission Day at Katale

Heritage had a missions day in May, where various classes helped a variety of places such as schools, churches and even a police barracks. I was asked to take the seniors to one of our WGM related churches: Africa Gospel Church, Katale. Pastor Wilson was glad to receive us, and we helped paint a classroom for grade 7 in the church's school there. 

Above: the seniors, Pastor Wilson and 2 of the grade 7 boys, all hamming it up. I think my favorite part of this photo is that they happened to pose in front of the little sign, "avoid bad groups"; funny! There were similar signs posted all over the campus, all written to challenge and encourage young students. Most said things like, "be on time" or "be responsible". 

Above: first we had to peel the glued on posters off the walls. Sanding and scraping came next, then trim and painting. 

Below: Playing games with the seniors & some of the school kids during our lunch break.

A church neighbor had gotten his car stuck the night before. So glad we had several "strapping young men" to help push it out of the mud!

Some of the school students, who actually were on their spring break, came to school to watch, visit, play, etc. It was a great time for fellowship and encouragement of our AGC church and the community. 

Below: school students admire their new class color.

Below: Pastor Wilson working on a second coat.

Because the seniors from HIS asked for it, I’ve posted a number of photos from the day. 

WGM Retreat; a time of wonderful R & R

Easter break from Heritage became the best time for all of us to have out annual WGM Uganda field retreat. Inviting Dr. Al and Beth Coppedge as our speakers, along with Sheryl L. from WGM HQ Member Care, Pastor Rick & Janie B. as our youth leaders, and some HIS preschool workers to help with little ones, all the missionaries and this crew headed off to Fort Portal, Uganda, about 5 hours west of Kampala. The town is in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, and it is a beautiful and relaxing location. 

The whole gang! (Well, except for me. I took this and didn't mind not being in the picture). 

The time we spent in Bible study and fellowship (at right) was truly refreshing for our bodies and souls. I’m so thankful for how the Lord used this time in each of our lives!

The hotel where we stayed (www.mountainsofthemoon.co.ug) has some really pretty grounds and nice rooms and amenities. They also offered delicious food and a peaceful atmosphere for us all. 

Having fun/being silly in the pool... 

The Coppedges are parents to Billy, one of our missionaries in Arua. It was so good to witness their family, including new twin girls, interacting and having precious times together. 

A typical plate of food here is Talapia and chips (fries). Yes, often it comes as a whole fish. Be careful of those bones. And,well, the eyes and teeth too... 

The hotel where we stayed (www.mountainsofthemoon.co.ug) has some really pretty grounds and nice rooms and amenities. They also offered delicious food (yes, beyond the whole fish pictured above) and a peaceful atmosphere for us all. 

Cross-Cultural Banking Issues/ AKA another day moving around Kampala

On Sunday Morning I wanted to get some cash out of my account, using my USA Debit card. It is the way we get money here and it has been wonderful to have it in recent years. It USED to be you had to drive into downtown Kampala with your checkbook and a few ID's to see Amin, the forex (foreign exchange) guy with the best rates. I thought some folks might be interested in how this all works- or at least how this story ends up- since there are several "typical" cultural points here...


If the local ATM "captures" your card (my machine on Sunday was acting weird), you can try to call the helpline numbers you find online, but oh yeah- why would they work?! There are (for real) about 15 listed, and not one worked. Cultural observations: when you need technology to work here, it often doesn't and it is usually related to electricity problems. They're trying, but alas, there are many failures. Also, when a phone number is given, don't be surprised if it is out of service or off. The cellphone companies seem to often struggle with consistency or proper information here. 


I was not only concerned for my card and fraud, but also that I'd not get my cash which my online USA account said was indeed paid out... 


After some tries, I got 2 numbers. The first lady told me they would destroy my card (!) and that my bank in the USA was responsible to pay me back my "lost" money. I thought she was crazy, and asked what location I might go to on Monday to speak with someone. She told me Crested Towers, twin tower-buildings downtown which house most of Stanbic's offices. 


But the second person I got hold of, a man, told me to see him at another place across town and he would take care of it all. So I went to see him. He is our school and mission bank connection, so I figured he knows what he is talking about. Well, he DOES know what he is talking about- if he LISTENS to what your problem is. He was very nice, very much wanting to help me. But once he realized I had not lost my card at his ATM branch, he started calling around. I asked him about the money taken from my account. He was surprised money was gone. On the phone when I had first talked to him, he somehow didn't hear me say the branch name and that money was gone... he only knew I was connected to HIS and WGM. Now, he did apologize for not listening well, but the visit to him was a waste of time. Oh, and he wanted me to reopen a personal account with him so whenever I had trouble again, he could help me. I don't like using additional banks because of fees so I gave up on my former Stanbic account about 4 months after opening it 7 years ago. So I was not interested in a sales pitch just then. Cultural observation: Ugandans are incredibly kind and welcoming, and most try to be pretty polite and really want to help you. This is a wonderful blessing since I know some places around the world where the people are FAR from kind and welcoming. 


Now, Helpful Man told me to go to Crested Towers (I asked him at least 3 times) to a certain man. Then he told me to add KOPC to my notes on who I was looking for. Crested Towers, in traffic in this horrible-traffic-city, SHOULD be a 10 min. drive away if there were no traffic, but because of lights, crowding, etc, I arrived 40 min. later. Cultural observation: never ever, ever expect traffic to work with you in Kampala. I saw 2 near -accidents which looked for sure like someone(s) was going to die.. a typical day in Kampala traffic. 


I drove up to the gate and the guard, who didn't want me at that gate because it is only to be used for MTN (cell phone/internet company here). So he directed me to the immediate next gate opening around the corner. Those guards also didn't want me. They said I was to go to Gate 7 where "regular" customers go. After reaching the 4th and last gate (I'd skipped the 3rd one entirely), I finally could park. Cultural observation: Note that I went to gates 1, 2, skipped 3, and went to 7 (although in order of numbers it ought to have been 4-- what is up with that?! There are only 4 gates at the place but the last one is number 7. Odd). Anyway, when people don't know how to give directions here, they won't say that; they'll instead just direct you wrongly and will have thought they succeeded because they didn't turn you away without an answer.


After running around the Towers with another man who (very helpfully) stopped what he was doing to be sure I went to all the right places to check, we confirmed that indeed I was NOT to be at Crested Towers, but at the CHAM building. When Helpful Man told me to add KOPC that somehow actually indicated the CHAM building, not Crested Towers, but he had specifically told me to go to Crested Towers. I'm not sure what CHAM means, but I picture PacMan running rampant in that place. Cultural Observation: remember I said Ugandans are very helpful. I am always impressed with the kindness people show by going that extra mile, stopping what may be pressing matters, to be sure you are where you hope to be... Thanks to Ugandan Mommas who make their kids grow up mostly polite and kind!! 


Leaving Crested Towers, once again I hopped into my car- well, I didn't hop. Cultural observation: VERY typical here is the "crooked parker". Many people here carry this disease of parking so crooked that sometimes you have to crawl in from the passenger's side. This time I was able to squeeze into my side, but not without knocking my neighbor's door a few times (lightly- I really tried to not touch his car). He sat there the whole time talking to his friends, watching me struggle, and didn't bother with me at all. Sigh. 


There is someone very dear to me who shall remain nameless, but her name rhymes with CrAbby and her last name has most of the letters in Fisher.. who often has to stand on a map in order to give you directions. It is a completely endearing quality and I got to see the African equivalent today when I asked the information counter lady to tell me where to find the CHAM building downtown. She had to face the way you would when going downtown, and then was able to point LEFT and tell me the building was on the RIGHT. Funny! At least she MOSTLY got the directions correct. 


Kampala Rd., meaning Main Street in the city, is awful. There are tons of businesses and interesting things to see, but most people I know try to avoid it- for years literally- because the traffic is the worst. And I had to go there. The worst stretch is about 1.5 miles (maybe) long and there never is any parking. I found where I was supposed to be, but it took about 40 more minutes up and down the main road, limited by space and certain street directions, no turn lanes, etc., in order to find a parking spot, which ended up (Praise the Lord!) being RIGHT at the corner outside the building! And for the first time ever in the city, I didn't have to pay for parking. Cultural observation: the city sells tickets for parking, and mark out proper parking areas in the streets with painted squares. Most people don't stay in just one square, but at least the markings help when you're driving to know if the space along the curb is a parking spot or not. the reason I didn't have to pay for my prime space was because I had business in that exact building. And YES, I put Sammy the Snake to work protecting my car while I was inside. I noted several concerned looks as I moved him around in the car. Grin!


Cultural Observation (Yes this whole paragraph)... The reason I decided to put this as a blog post is this: when I got into the CHAM building and went into the bank, I asked the security guard/information lady where to find the man I was to meet. She told me to go into the exit (of course! why didn't I think of that?!) and up to the (USA) second floor (here it is the first floor) and he'd be there. Following her instructions, I went into another section of the bank into the EXIT- which was clearly marked with huge bold letters- upstairs to see Solution Man. After signing in at the next security station (my friend Christy often put her name as Wilma Flintstone in these not-really security stations, and I was tempted to), I was directed to a place no visitors are allowed to go. But because I look foreign, apparently rules were being bent. Mr. Solution took all of 5 minutes to discuss my business and was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. In other words, had I known to go to him at first I would not have had my adventures through Kampala, and you'd not be reading this post..  Anyway, when I left the CHAM building, I tried to go OUT the EXIT but was corrected and told I wasn't allowed to go out the exit, but instead I had to follow the stairs further down. They sent me out the 'shady looking" parking garage, where oh yeah, nobody is allowed to park. Yep. 


So today when I Skype-called my (now open- they're closed on Mondays and I say "grr" to that) Credit Union, I confirmed that indeed the "lost" money had been redeposited, including the "cross border fee" of nearly $3 (we're charged this per ATM withdrawal here). I was able to order a new card which, Lord willing, will be BROUGHT out to Uganda since I'm not confident the postal system here would actually deliver it to me. The old card will probably be destroyed but now it doesn't matter. Mr. Solution says he will still call me to confirm when/if it is destroyed. And I am breathing a sigh of relief, because this is a solve-able problem. 


I know this took a long time to type/read, but if you're looking for interesting cultural-isms, you can find them every day here, but some days are just more "cultural" than others. :)

A potential solution to the thief problem...

This is my newly adopted dog, Dori. Last week I took one of our missionary kids (MK's) to help me pick her up at the pound. There were a lot of dogs there, but I had to find one which would maybe look scary, but be good with children and groups (with other MKs and visitors coming, this is a must). So I'm now in the midst of training her. Clearly she is clever enough to choose me as "her person" and slowly she is trusting me.

She was given to the pound as a pup and we are guessing she is around 10 months old. A Rottweiler/mutt mix, she will become a good and useful dog/pet. After 10 months in the kennel she just isn't used to being petted all day, etc. But she loves the large area she has to play and run in, food to herself, etc. The MK (Emilee) chose Dori's name, thinking it went well with Fish (Nemo- Dori-Fish type train of thought). 

And my landlord hired some guys to install razor wire on the walls. It isn't the prettiest thing, but hey, if it keeps thieves out, I'm for it. I was thankful my landlord was this kind/generous because he really didn't HAVE to install it (it is expensive), but I'm so thankful something further than a "lick you to death" dog will be on the property. And for now, since the thieves have stayed in the neighborhood at night (robbing another neighbor, attempting 3 times to get my neighbor 2 doors down, plus returning to my place last weekend), WGM has kindly supplied a second watchman at night to extra-patrol my house/property. Praise the Lord! 

Annual International Dinner at HIS

I have to say that I'm still so proud of the fact that I had a hand in the first year's International dinner 6-7 years ago. the evening fellowship at HIS has become the year's highlight with familes coming to host tables, offer their national foods, wearing costumes or colors from their homelands. This year, with 27 countries represented at HIS, we had probably about 500 people attend- the most ever! 

Below you'll find numerous tables, costumes, and food items from the night. Wish you were here to celebrate with us! 

 Above: USA. Below: Uganda

 Above: Uganda, Britain, USA and Australia all represented in these 4 ladies! 

Below: Ugandan woman's outfit called a "gomezi", shown by one of our 10th grade students who also does exercise walking with me. :)

 Austria's table and food yumminess above. Below; me being silly with 2 of our youth. 

 Above: Kenya's table and foods. Below: Korea's group performed some wonderful entertainment, including some Tae Kwon Do demonstrations. 

 Korean cutie (above). The annual Philippine pig roast offered at the dinner. Always a big hit! 

The night also included some African dances by our 6th grade, a choir song (including Scottish music), the Philippines teen girls dancing with lighted candles, singing, humor and a presentation by those cheeky Canadians, an Albanian slide presentation, and a song by our Congolese contingent. Really wonderful and memorable stuff! Come visit us next March for the next celebration! 

The Mango Harvest

I have been blessed with a mango tree which gives sweet and delicious fruit each year. However, we've had to learn a lot of lessons on how to properly harvest them, avoiding birds and insects, etc. This year it seems we have the best harvest ever. So far, about half way done, we have had around 80-90 mangoes and they've been amazing! 

One thing we now do is have one person climb the tree and pick mangoes, while 1-2 stand below to catch them. They're heavier and harder than soft balls, and if you don't catch them just right it really hurts.

(Susan & Peter helping catch the 22 we picked that day). 

We also pick them before they're ripe, to avoid further bugs. Some bugs get into the fruit when it is in pollination stage, but we've been able to beat many to that with spray our exterminator man supplies. When they are picked semi-green, they take anywhere from 2 days to a week to ripen, in a dark but breezy place. I've been sharing a number of them with my fellow missionaries and friends, including my guards plus Susan my house helper. With prices for 3 mangoes at a high cost, we've all not only saved money, but we've really enjoyed the benefits! i'm in freezing stage now for some, and will later use them in various recipes. Any recipe that calls for apples can take mangoes instead. Yum!  

Peter wanted to demonstrate how you might carry them, but typically people here would normally not be using their hands- only their heads- when carrying bananas, mangoes, other loads. 

Bosco, our neighbor's guard, helped Peter pick mangoes one day. He is enjoying one which fell and cracked open- and wanted his photo in this pose. Funny! Many Ugandans eat the mangoes while green (bitter/sour!) to get them before the birds and insects, so although the above mango he was eating was not quite ripe, he thought it was delicious!  ... and here he is in the below photo, up in the tree having fun picking! 

The Theft

I'm not a very good sleeper. I wake often for simple noises and when the weather changes (I suppose it is because you often have to rush around closing windows if a storm blows in here). Last night I'd gone to bed late- 12:30 or so. My body has a habit of sleeping 10-20 min. and then waking, then sleeping for real. It is a little frustrating sometimes, but generally I'm used to it. So last night, when I woke after barely sleeping, I BELIEVE it was maybe 1, when I heard a noise outback of my house, which was "different" than other night noises. No big deal. It crossed my mind and I started to doze again. Then I heard a noise and also the neighbor's dog bark. So it crossed my mind there may be thieves outside. Train of thought- "there may be thieves. It is okay, the night watchman is there. Unless there are several, then he could be in danger.. well Lord please keep us both safe if it is thieves"... and I slumbered off. Around 3 I woke because for sure the weather had changed and a lovely cool breeze was bringing rain. So I got up with eyes half-open and went around closing the "in danger of flooding" windows in my bedroom and dining room. Back to bed... sleep till 5:30 when the Swahili and barely-English speaking guard called my name by my closed bedroom window. He said the car had a problem. Then he said the side mirrors had been stolen. I asked where he had been- he admitted having slept in the guard's area (a small open room by the gate). I told him when it got later we could call his immediate boss and my mission colleague- Kenneth. I waited till nearly 8 to call him, since I wasn't sure on a Sunday if he'd be up and I didn't want to disturb him/his family too early. It was "only" side mirrors, versus "serious theft" so to me it wasn't an emergency. 


Later, as I was getting ready inside, I heard Kenneth outside speaking with my day guard, Peter, and slamming my car doors. I couldn't understand how the car was unlocked- had I given him a spare car key? So when I went outside and found the thieves had actually broken into the car and stolen: power window components, a/c unit and vents, stereo, side mirrors and even "front corner" mirror for backing up, plus whatever I had in the glove box, etc.... well, I was surprised. 


The thieves had come over the wall at two places- in one way and out the other. We all agree it had to be at least 3 people, and the bad part that my guard was sleeping may have saved his life. A quarry up the hill had a break-in in January and when that guard found them, they killed him. So although this was a lot of money (potentially) in theft, I am insured and we are SAFE. Praise the LORD for His hedge of protection!


A "comic relief" moment was when we found my mop handle in the car. The men thought I'd put it there. No. And neither had they. But my huge rubber cobra was found in the neighbor's compound (they'd, by then, thrown it back over the wall)... so we pictured the thieves gaining access to the inside of my car only to find Sammy the Snake (my daytime security system which has caused a lot of laughter and frights). So they went back behind the house to the covered porch area, where the mop was. They took of the fluffy end and used the stick to "kill" Sammy and toss him out. I'm sure in the dark he was scary because in the light he has even made me pause from time to time. But those thieves were determined, so they killed my rubber snake and dispensed of him. 

         

Here is Sammy on the hood, and the broom handle against the car. Note no side mirrors... 

How the car looked on the inside when we opened it up... 

When the police came, they dusted for prints (found a few, but rain had washed a lot away). This was, thankfully, the first time I've EVER seen in person a policeman dusting for fingerprints. Oh, and this photo is of the front little mirror area which is on a Prado- so the driver can see that bumper and corners. 

Because of other delays elsewhere, the policeman who takes people's statements couldn't come today. So he'll come sometime tomorrow to take our statements. Since Uganda has no fingerprint database yet, the only hope of catching the thieves is if they are arrested and the fingerprints match. But for insurance we did have to follow all these steps. So in the next few weeks I'll be getting a new stereo and better locking system, plus of course replacing all the missing car-parts... Pray they can be easily found and that the paint matches. And I'd really like the mirrors to be the same type as before- where I can move them electronically from inside. That has been a helpful feature at times here when I'm driving alone and can't have someone help me adjust them.

Leap Day!!!

So when you're a teacher and Leap Day approaches, what do you do to mark the day? Well, if you were with us this 2012 Leap Day, you would not only celebrate the day, but you'll now remember it for years! :)

A few weeks before the "big day", I asked my grade 7 students if they wanted to do anything special (yes I had my own ideas but I wanted theirs). Of course they asked for a party. Since they'd been the "best behaved class of the secondary" last quarter, they got a pizza party from the principal, and all they had to do was choose the day. They chose Leap Day. Well, I told them they could have a fun time, but they'd also need to reach out to others on that day- so it wasn't all about themselves. They asked if they could serve lunch to the elementary. SURE! So the following are a summary in photos of our memorable Leaps!

 I never thought a simple game of "standing long jump" with chalked names/marks on the floor could be SO popular. Several teachers and school support staff even participated. The furthest jumps were by kids who went 2.8 meters (I'm estimating). So above, the photo on the left is one of the sophomores leaping (and the game, of course, was called, "How far can you leap?!"). The one on the right shows some of our names in chalk lines and distances we jumped. YES, I participated but was one of the "also jumped" categories- meaning I didn't get very far. Fun times!

Service time for Leap Day included serving and cleaning up, having some fun, eating some pizza and other goodies. (above). 

Below: one of my favorite parts was when our art teacher (Jessie) asked for "service" by way of a song. And there was a partial stage set up so she asked the girls to perform from there. How funny to hear the girls sing, "Happy leap day to you..." to the elementary kids. Again- a good memory maker and for sure in 4 years they'll look back and remember the fun they had. 

Now I also had all my students fill out the questions- where were you 4 years ago, and where do you want to be/think you'll be, in 4 years. Some had some funny comments. One wrote the "telling" comment that she'd have more compassion in 4 years for those who have "jiggers" (an itchy bug bite). I think it was my favorite "future 4 years" comment. 

And finally, I also made a TON of no-bake cookies for those who participated. I even shared some with Susan and Peter, my house worker and guard. :) All day long we'd been joking (my students and I) to "not think of poo" when you ate those cookies, since they -well-resemble it in looks. So Peter is reacting here when I restated that part of the day to him as he was eating. Funny!