Rule #1: Be Flexible.

    Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't blogged in a few days... I have been prioritizing my free time with some more important things... like fighting the Capitol alongside Katniss Everdeen in Catching Fire and of course, sleeping.
    This Tuesday morning just as KK and I were about to leave for school we were reminded once again that we aren't in Kansas anymore... I mean, that we aren't in Alabama anymore. The weather here in Uganda is always changing. One moment the sky is perfectly clear and the next it's filled with dark, heavy rain clouds. Well, that's exactly what we experienced this morning. Mrs. Darlene said that once it starts raining even an umbrella won't help you keep dry. With that in mind, KK and I decided to wait out the storm.
    We arrived at school an hour late, but thankfully so. Our day with the children can be summed up in a nutshell, "Change in weather makes children and cattle crazy". I just kept thinking, How do teachers do it? The children were crying, hitting, crying, pulling hair... did I mention they were crying? I think I heard "Teacher, he's beating me" a hundred times. If there's anything I left the school with today, it's a much greater understanding and appreciation for teachers. So to all you teachers out there, I thank you kindly.
    Whatever trouble the children posed, we made it through the school day knowing the afternoon would be much better. Oh, how wrong we were.
    The plan was to go into Kampala with our African guide, Jean-Pierre, for lunch and some shopping. KK and I were so excited to get a taste of the bustling city and culture! Things were beginning to look up when we boarded the "orange bus" and comfortably road into town. Kampala is a world apart from Zana. Horns raging, people pushing and shoving, voices on loud speakers, whistles directing traffic... My head was spinning. We rounded the corner, and then another corner, walked a little farther, and farther... Finally, KK, feeling quite tired and hungry asked, "J.P. are we going anywhere specific? Or are you just showing us around?" "Oh no, no. We're going to the mall, Garden City." He responded. We knew very well where we were supposed to be going. But after thirty minutes of what seemed to be aimless walking, it made us wander if he knew.
     Our doubts were confirmed when he stopped to ask for directions, not once, but three times. Forty-five minutes later, we arrived at Garden City. Ah, a shopping mall has never looked so beautiful in my entire life. We took lunch in the "mizungu hot-spot", CafeJava. KK had a teriyaki chicken wrap and I had a beef burger and fries. We inhaled the food and unfortunately, it was soon time to walk again. We went into Garden City and then to another mall just a ways down the road.
    Leaving the mall was when all the fun really began. J.P. informed us that he wanted to see his cousin in town before we headed back home and promised it'd only be five minutes out of the way. Five o'clock traffic flooded the streets and the sidewalks. The pushing and shoving had increased by 100%. It took everything in me to focus on simply keeping up with J.P. and KK. My concentration was broken by a rough tapping on my shoulder. "Zip up your bag!" I heard a woman yell. "Your bag is open. Carry it in front of you. They're trying to..." I looked at my backpack to find it hanging wide open. KK was looking with the same disbelief at her own bag. In a crowd full of dark, we, pasty Americans, stick out like a sore thumb. Of course, we were walking targets. Fortunately, the thief was too short on time, we supposed, and left everything untouched.
    We walked with our arms tightly wrapped around the bags, frantically watching everyone pass expecting a second attempt at steeling our things. Already feeling unsafe, we turned a corner into a very sketchy alley and entered the textile warehouse. Presently consumed with the Hunger Games, I couldn't help but feel I was in the Hub and that Peacekeepers would be there to arrest us at any minute. To my relief they never showed up. Instead, our initial waiting time of five minutes was extended to twenty.
    J.P.'s cousin escorted us to the place where we were to find a taxi. And trust me, there were plenty to choose from. The sea of taxis swarmed with people trying to sell us anything and everything. I remember thinking how stupid KK and I were to think we could face Kampala on our own.
    The ride home was more or less a blur seeing how all I wanted to do was rehydrate and shower all the exhaust and dust from town off of my sweaty body. We finally made it home, greeted by Mrs. Darlene and Mr. Dave who we practically ran to for comfort.
    Today puts a whole, new meaning behind Rule #1: Be flexible.




                                                                                                - Mary Grace

Sunday Mornings In Uganda...There's Nothing Better

Today we awoke to Sunday, the Lord's Day, and what a wonderful day it was! We all got dressed into our "Sunday Best", which if I'm being honest, here in Africa its the same thing I wear every other day:) Long skirts and shirts are never out of style here in Uganda. What a blessing too, as it makes picking out an outfit every morning a cinch! Nine of us then proceeded to load up into the Eby's vehicle, the list consisting of: Mr. Dave, Mrs. Darlene, myself, Mary, Sarah Ellen and John Carson (missionaries here also from the US), and then Timothy, JP, and Claire who are all from different places in Africa. The road was long and bumpy, but it was a wonderful and intriguing ride as we rode through villages and got to feel right back in the heart of "real" village-like Uganda. Mary and I are already planning on trying to go back to that area and just walk around and spend time with the people and the children sometime soon. We got to the church (a high tin roof with wooden benches under it) and proceeded with Sunday School as Mrs. Darlene taught the children and Mr. Dave the adults. We have a large group of children who were all smiles and eagerly listened to the lesson on Jesus's being tempted by Satan, and afterwards ended with joyful singing.
Church then began, with a call to worship and singing of two hymns from a classic American red hymn book. But THEN was the best part of an African service to me. True African worship music with drums and all and singing in Lugandan. Although I can't understand a word that is being said, I can read the smiles on peoples faces, the raising of hands, the joy and heartfelt worship that these people display when it comes to praising the Creator of the Universe. They are not lacking in zeal, and so often I find myself wishing for a version of this in American churches. It is pure worship, as they sing and dance loudly and unashamedly because of their love for Christ. I honestly believe that this is the way we will worship our Father when we are in Heaven. For me, it is a little taste of what the angels must be doing all day long. It is my favorite thing to be a part of for sure! The preacher then (whose name I have somehow forgotten right now) preached on Philippians 4: 4-9 and challenged the congregation on worry and how to overcome it. He told how worry is a sin and tells God that we don't think He can take care of us or that we don't trust all His promises for us. To overcome worry we must earnestly pray with supplication and thanksgiving, and from this God promises peace. Christ is sufficient, He is more than enough. What a wonderful reminder!
Overall, church was incredible, and definitely my favorite part of this 7 week stay so far. I already can't wait to go back next week, and Mary and I are preparing children's songs so we can lead the sunday school singing next week. Oh, something funny I forgot to tell was that right before the service, the pastor had the two of us and then Sarah Ellen and John come up front and introduce ourselves and speak. Mary and I had no idea we would be doing this, and therefore were caught a little off guard. Let's just say that we didn't quite give them the information they were looking for as we just said our names and thanked them for letting us worship with them and then awkwardly giggled on stage as they waited for more. Whereas, John and Sarah Ellen told ALL about their ministry in Uganda and their home in America and their family back home. Haha it is just so different from America, where if you get up to introduce yourself, most people want the shortest version possible. Here in Uganda, they want to know everything you can tell them and are 100% engaged and interested. After this realization, Mary and I have now thought out what is actually important to know about us, practiced it, and are ready to go anytime we are asked to introduce ourselves now!:)
After church, the 9 of us came back and Mrs. Darlene prepared cole slaw and American salad with chicken on top for us! It was absolutely WONDERFUL! Most laid down for naps after, and from there on we have spent the afternoon and night reading, fellowshipping, talking, and even trying to make cookies with just peanut butter, sugar, salt and vanilla....they weren't bad either! As everyone now winds down for bed, we are so excited and looking forward to this week ahead that is busy with school, more people coming and moving in, moving others out, and constant surprises as Ugandan time really doesn't work on a set schedule.
We laugh because Mary Grace's posts are always so clever and organized and well thought out, while mine are all over the place and probably have little flow, which I do apologize. Yet, if you know me in the least bit this wouldn't be a surprise to you at all:) But, I thought I would share something that has been on my heart and I have been so challenged about. I was reading a Piper sermon on boldness the other night, and he was saying how in our life if we can be bold, then our life will have not been in vain. Boldness leads people to Christ and that is the most significant thing in a person's life. Unfortunately though, we fall prey to the love of human acceptance and praise and the love of comforts and securities that money buys. I have been praying for boldness in the way that I live my life as I seek to imitate Christ. I have been praying for boldness in the way I share the Gospel. I have been praying for boldness even in the way I love people. Today in church, it was a Ugandan woman's first time ever being there, and yet she got up and shared her testimony, challenged others even though she had just lost her husband and son, and then proceeded to start singing praises to God as she led the congregation. Where in America do you see this kind of boldness for Christ and proclaiming of what He is doing? I have been so challenged to take this back to America and to live a life that will not be in vain, one that seeks to boast about Jesus and what He has done everyday.
Please keep us in your prayers as we begin a whole new week tomorrow, and our first FULL week of teaching. We were just talking, and although we do selfishly in our flesh miss our friends and families at times, we would not trade being here for these weeks for anything in the world. I asked God to not let me return to the US without having been changed, and He is remaining faithful to that request as we grow more and more everyday!

Love to all.

KK

Settling in, one day at a time...

    "It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday!"... If you're reading this, I hope this song gets stuck in your head. It's been stuck in mine all day! 

    So yes, it is Friday and what a fantastic Friday it is! We leave Plot 2 around 8:30 this morning for our 30 minute trek down the dirt roads, muddy from last nights rain. On our way we pass a group of men waiting to give bota-bota (motorcycle) rides, women selling sugar cane in the raw, a boy trimming hedges, shepherds herding their goats across the grass fields, children laughing and playing before school, mothers bathing their children in green and blue plastic basins... It's such a different world. Such a lively and beautiful world. All the faces are so joyful and the smiles... oh the smiles, bright enough to keep you warm on the coldest Alabama night. 

   We arrive at Zana and report to our classes. KK goes to her top class and I go to my baby class. The faces and schedule are becoming more and more familiar as the days go on. I'm starting to feel useful instead of a hindrance to the teachers with whom I am working. 

    We begin each day the same: The teacher tells the children to stand and they chant, "I am standing, I am standing." Then she says, "Let us pray" and again they being their chanting, "Let us pray, let us pray." Clap, clap, clap. They repeat Psalms 119: 73-75 after the teacher, "May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight. Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen" They end their prayer by clapping for Jesus. Three claps, three claps, one. Let the day begin! 

    My kids, the babies, range from 3 to 6 years old. There are three tables in our classroom. In the front are the two that seat the more advanced students. (And when I say advanced I mean: they're able to speak some English, draw a few simple objects, and count to ten.) Today's early morning objective was to learn the senses. Keeping these children interested in the lesson requires constant interaction. The teacher says, "I have five senses", pause, "I have what?" The children respond, "five senses" and so on. 

    Fridays are chapel days. So at 9:30, when the early morning teaching is over, we join in the adjacent room with the top class. We start our chapel by singing some English and some Lugandan worship songs. Naturally, KK and I struggle with the Lugandan, but we smile, clap, and dance to the music; no doubt thoroughly entertaining the teachers and children. After the singing the children settle and Teacher Jennifer (the head teacher for the baby class) begins the lesson. "Who made you?" The children echo with their response, "God." "What else did God make?" Jennifer continues. I looked at KK perplexed. They teach catechisms over here? Then I realize, I had the preconceived idea that the children weren't being taught any truth. How ignorant of myself to think such a thing. I'm reminded once again that the kingdom of God is not subject to Montgomery, Alabama. God's kingdom stretches across the ocean even to Zana Community Christian School in Uganda. I love such realizations; puts me in place before my Great, High King.

    Before I know it, an hour has passed and it's time for break. My job is to help guide the children outside to their mat for their "eats" (their snacks). I can't help but feel like the goat herders we saw earlier today. We wash hands and again chant another tune, "Wash your hands. Everyday. Wash the germs away". KK and I have the privilege to "take tea" with the other teachers at break. We find it quite uncomfortable drinking tea under the hot, African sun but do so anyways. 

Zana Community Christian School

    The last portion of the day, from 11:00 to 1:00 is focused on social studies. Teacher Jennifer informs me that I will be teaching this subject for the next two months. I'm rather excited after looking over the teaching plan. Let's see what's on the agenda: running, walking, stopping, touching, etc. I practically get to take them outside and play Simon Says! What could be more fun? 

    The children are picked up and we begin to head home when we are interrupted by our new friend, Brenda, the schools secretary. She's motioning for us to come. When we get nearer we notice she is eating something...but we can't quite make it out. Are those? Yes! Grasshoppers! Yuck! She stands in front of us eating them by the handful! Smiling, grasshopper parts easily visible in the crevices of her white teeth. But KK and I aren't about to reject this cultural experience. I bravely pick one up and throw it in my mouth before I can convince myself otherwise. Chew. Chew. Don't think about it. I do well until the grasshopper is masticated and ready to be swallowed. And then I can't think of anything but the fact that I am trying to down a grasshopper...legs and all. But finally, with a wince of dissatisfaction, I succeed. Now it's KK's turn. Hesitantly, she picks up her victim.  "It's better than you'd think", I encourage. "American chicken!", someone says. She puts it in her mouth, chews thoughtfully considering the taste, and says, "They taste like sunflower seeds, that is, once you get past the texture." 

    Welcome to Africa! 

                                                                                                                         -Mary Grace

    

Today Mary and I started our first real day as teachers! It was such an incredible start! Mary is teaching the 3 and 4 year olds, so what is considered pre-school in America. Then I am teaching what is called "top class" here and is the equivalent to 1st grade in America. We so enjoyed talking and laughing and loving on all the children and can't wait to go back tomorrow morning. I gained such an appreciation for all that is made available to us in America though when it comes to our education. The children only have little notebooks with paper on them, where I then had to draw their lines our for them, make charts for them to fill in, and they copy down their own assignments. There are no books, no computers (obviously) haha, nothing except a pencil and paper. I am so grateful for the tools I am given when it comes to my schooling, and have decided complaining about homework assignments when I return really won't be an option:) I also had a little girl come up to me today and ask me to sharpen her pencil for her. I said "of course" and asked where the pencil sharpener was, assuming that they had a handheld one. She then handed me a large razor blade instead! I was dumbfounded that this little six year old was given this to sharpen pencils with, and told her she would probably be teaching ME how to sharpen pencils today! I have already fallen in love with my class though, and have to restrain myself from just wanting to hug and kiss them all the time. God is giving us such opportunities to love and serve and we couldn't be more excited! Here are a few pictures from the village we walk through on our 30 minute hike to the school, and then one at the school itself:)

-KK

PS sorry the layout is absolutely TERRIBLE, but I literally have no idea how to work technology:)

A taste of what's to come...

    Wednesday morning, 7:30 a.m. (12:30 a.m. back home), we wake to the thunderous rumbles of the car engine outside our double bedroom. The thin walls do a poor job at keeping out unwanted noises. Besides the rude awakening, it does serve as somewhat of an unconventional alarm clock, which works to our advantage. We get out of bed, dress, wash our faces and head to breakfast. We are slowly growing accustomed to the Eby's home. However, because we can't find the regular bowls this morning for our cereal and yogurt, we use the special, Christmas China on accident.

    During breakfast, we sit with Mrs. Darlene and listen as she tells us more about the L'Abri-like atmosphere her home will have in the upcoming weeks. I look forward to those days with anticipation, eager to hear the words of wisdom of those to come. 

    Around 9 a.m., KK and I, along with Mrs. Darlene, leave the house and drive about 7 minutes down the road to Zana School, where we will be serving for the remainder of our time. We meet with Patrick, the schools director, and are then taken around the school introduced as "the new teachers, KK and Grace, from America" to the students. KK and I learn that we will be helping teach the baby and top class (the equivalent of our pre-school and kindergarten). We couldn't be more thrilled! 

    We end the day early and head back to the house for one final afternoon of rest. Jet lag is no friend of mine as I struggle to become adjusted to this new timezone. 

                                                                                                                           -Mary Grace

One Day, Many Lessons

We made it!! After a good 24 hours of traveling, we made it half way across the world! Dad and Uncle Charlie, Mary and I were laughing saying that all those years of crossing 8 lane highways was really just preparation for the bigger task of getting to Africa alone:) There were no complications getting here, although we were EXTREMELY ready to get off planes, and stay off for a while! We spent the first two hours on the ground in the Entebbe airport as we had to file for two lost bags, thankfully they believe they know where the mix up happened and are doing their best to fix it. Apparently Mary and I were a little more sleepy then we thought, because after arriving late last night and no sleep for 30 hours we did not awaken until noon today and that was with Mrs. Darlene’s prodding. We spent the day resting up, enjoying omlets for lunch, reading, Mary playing the guitar with us singing, and then the Eby’s took 7 of us here at the house out to dinner to get pizza. It was a Ugandan style pizza place if there is such, but it was GREAT! Although, the events are few, the ways God is already teaching me and growing me are numerous. It’s amazing when you actually have this much free time with no American distractions just the amount of time you pour into Gods word and prayer. I have been so challenged lately as we flew here on just how inadequate I am to do this, and yet, with the help of the Holy Spirit, God gives us His love and power. I realize I literally do not have an ounce of humility, compassion, love, or kindness without God having demonstrated that to me first. I have felt so humbled that He would even call upon me to be His hands and feet here in Uganda, but it is one of the greatest blessings of my life so far! It is funny to me how God answers prayers, sometimes maybe not in the way we thought, but He knows so much better:) I had been praying my last few months in Auburn that I would learn what it means to be "still". Someone helped me see this year that I tend to make being busy or going going going an idol, and I had begun praying that God would help me learn to just be still and quiet in Him. I had thought that that prayer would apply to me for next semester as Auburn, but I've quickly realized that the Lord is teaching me right here in Uganda. It is all slower paced, much of the time it is sitting and just listening to people or enjoying the quietness of the Eby's home. Although at home, I would usually feel the need to be doing something, it has made me really draw near to the Lord and learn to just be content:) I love Uganda though. The joy and gratitude that the people show, the compassion and warm smiles that they flash, and their willingness to serve are all things that make them so endearing. It has been one full day here and God is already revealing more to me about this country and myself then I could ever imagine. I can't wait to see all that He has done in our lives after 7 weeks! All I have been praying fervently is that He never lets me return the same.

KK

P.S. I wrote this Tuesday night but of course Ugandan internet is not always reliable to it is posted a day late:)

Update on the Fundraising

For me, personally, fundraising is one of the major "faith builders" of a missions trip! God has already shown his faithfulness to me in just the past week and I am so very encouraged! Support is steadily coming in day by day. Please continue to pray for the rest to come in before the end of April! We surely serve an awesome God! - Mary Grace