Late yesterday afternoon I was headed back to my apartment and saw Rebekah's sliding glass door open. I was about to just go upstairs to my place but something made me go and say hi. As I approached the door I saw a man sitting on her sofa. I quickly apologized and said I'm sorry to intrude. They both immediately invited me in. So in I went, sending up arrow prayers as I sat down.
For the next hour I got to know Rebekah's "husband." I listened intently as I sipped some sort of hot drink. It was not coffee or tea, just can't really describe it, but very sweet. Of course it didn't help that I put 1/2 tsp sugar in before I even tasted it. ( Kerrie, what were you thinking? )
I will call him Mr. X. It turns out he is in his 40s and has a high position at his country's consulate here. He became a Christian as a child through a priest in the Catholic church in Khartoum. This same church was one started by the Camboni's back in the 1600s. If you look back at my blog from June you will see I visited a hospital in Mapourdit. This hospital is also affiliated with the Camboni's. Mr. X started a church there! He speaks, Dinka, Nuer, Arabic, English and Swahili. He had much to tell me about the history if his country, politics, religious beginnings from the land of Cush and much more.
We will visit again in the future as he wants to share with me health teachings he wrote for the radio. He also has a degree in Journalism and International Relations. A busy man for sure.
Was this a chance meeting? Absolutely not. Can't wait to see where it will all lead.
Stay tuned for the next episode coming soon.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Thoughts from a hurting heart
Have you ever had days when your heart just hurts? No, I don't mean like a heart attack, just a sad and heavy heart.
It's still wet season here in Uganda and this morning, just before dawn, I heard the sound of distant thunder rumbling, lightning was flashing through a gap in the curtains and not long after I heard the familiar sound of the rain against the window. The skies have remained threatening all day and the dark clouds have released their loads a couple of times. I would not do well in Seattle, where's the sunshine?
I still managed to find a short time that I could go onto the balcony and enjoy the birds. Between rain showers they sang their morning songs of praise. I liked the idea of praise even when I didn't feel like it, so I put on my new favorite CD by Selah and sang along. Even though my voice would not be considered a crowd pleaser, I believe God was pleased.
There is so much happening in the world that it's enough to make you miserable on any given day. All the news stories from the BBC ran around in my head, the elections, Syria, a 14 yr. old in Pakistan, 10th anniversary of Bali bombing and on and on. I finally turned it off and turned to God with all my worries and burdens. I prayed for each and every member of my family. I prayed for all the things going on with my organization, Every Village. I prayed for friends and world events. I released all these things to God, after all there is not a thing I alone can do about anything.
Later on when the rain seemed to be done for the day I decided to take a walk. Not exactly a smart idea since the dirt roads are now slippery and muddy. Not sure why, but it seems that boda drivers can't resist trying to knock you off your feet. I can't figure out if they are so busy staring at the Mzungu that they misjudge how close they are coming or if they think they are better drivers than they actually are.
While I was walking, I came across a little girl, probably about 4 years old. She was standing in her raggedy clothes, no shoes and sucking her thumb. At her feet was a baby I'm guessing around 12 months old. She was equally poorly dressed as she supported herself to stand, by holding onto the older girl's hand with one of her little hands and then grabbing on to the girls lower leg to steady her own wobbly legs. I looked around for an adult. No one was in sight. My heart ached. I had moved to the other side of the path as I passed them as the baby looked like she was going to cry at the sight of the Mzungu. Unfortunately this is an all too familiar picture around here. Actually, I wanted to take her photo but didn't want to violate her privacy. I want to remember these moments. Children taking care of children. I think of my own grandchildren who aren't allowed in the enclosed back yard without supervision.
My body and my mind move on from this scene. I think about all the unfairness that I see here. I feel the anger rising up. Why don't all children go to school, why is there no access to clean drinking water for everyone, why is there so much sickness and poor medical care, why does filthy garbage litter the streets, why is there corruption in government and terrible road conditions?
The answer to all this and more is?
It all started back in the Garden of Eden. God provided everything and it was good. If Adam and Eve had only obeyed that one little rule. Thankfully, He made a way out in His great mercy and grace. So many people all around me need to know that same God so instead of pitying looks and a hurting heart I must continue pray to the One who can change things.
I wonder why you see around you and what are you doing about it?
It's still wet season here in Uganda and this morning, just before dawn, I heard the sound of distant thunder rumbling, lightning was flashing through a gap in the curtains and not long after I heard the familiar sound of the rain against the window. The skies have remained threatening all day and the dark clouds have released their loads a couple of times. I would not do well in Seattle, where's the sunshine?
I still managed to find a short time that I could go onto the balcony and enjoy the birds. Between rain showers they sang their morning songs of praise. I liked the idea of praise even when I didn't feel like it, so I put on my new favorite CD by Selah and sang along. Even though my voice would not be considered a crowd pleaser, I believe God was pleased.
There is so much happening in the world that it's enough to make you miserable on any given day. All the news stories from the BBC ran around in my head, the elections, Syria, a 14 yr. old in Pakistan, 10th anniversary of Bali bombing and on and on. I finally turned it off and turned to God with all my worries and burdens. I prayed for each and every member of my family. I prayed for all the things going on with my organization, Every Village. I prayed for friends and world events. I released all these things to God, after all there is not a thing I alone can do about anything.
Later on when the rain seemed to be done for the day I decided to take a walk. Not exactly a smart idea since the dirt roads are now slippery and muddy. Not sure why, but it seems that boda drivers can't resist trying to knock you off your feet. I can't figure out if they are so busy staring at the Mzungu that they misjudge how close they are coming or if they think they are better drivers than they actually are.
While I was walking, I came across a little girl, probably about 4 years old. She was standing in her raggedy clothes, no shoes and sucking her thumb. At her feet was a baby I'm guessing around 12 months old. She was equally poorly dressed as she supported herself to stand, by holding onto the older girl's hand with one of her little hands and then grabbing on to the girls lower leg to steady her own wobbly legs. I looked around for an adult. No one was in sight. My heart ached. I had moved to the other side of the path as I passed them as the baby looked like she was going to cry at the sight of the Mzungu. Unfortunately this is an all too familiar picture around here. Actually, I wanted to take her photo but didn't want to violate her privacy. I want to remember these moments. Children taking care of children. I think of my own grandchildren who aren't allowed in the enclosed back yard without supervision.
My body and my mind move on from this scene. I think about all the unfairness that I see here. I feel the anger rising up. Why don't all children go to school, why is there no access to clean drinking water for everyone, why is there so much sickness and poor medical care, why does filthy garbage litter the streets, why is there corruption in government and terrible road conditions?
The answer to all this and more is?
It all started back in the Garden of Eden. God provided everything and it was good. If Adam and Eve had only obeyed that one little rule. Thankfully, He made a way out in His great mercy and grace. So many people all around me need to know that same God so instead of pitying looks and a hurting heart I must continue pray to the One who can change things.
I wonder why you see around you and what are you doing about it?
Monday, October 8, 2012
Bird Watching
As I think I mentioned a few weeks ago I am becoming an avid bird watcher. I love sitting on my balcony, especially around 4-5 pm and watching the birds perched on nearby roof tops, in trees and flying by right in front of me. I get so excited when I am able to spy on them a little closer with my binoculars and then note distinguishing marks so I can look them up in my picture guide to East African Birds. I am placing check marks by the ones I have seen.
Here's what I have so far.
Isn't he beautiful?
This is the Splendid Glossy Starling. I would say he is splendid indeed. There were about 7 or 8 of these guys in a nearby tree. What a brilliant flash of color as they flew off.
Meet the Glossy Ibis.
When I first saw him on a roof top, I kept blinking as I thought the sun was playing tricks on me, but nope, his wings are a glistening green. Such a striking fellow!
So amazing and intricate are his colors and markings.
This is the White-Throated Bee-eater.
I was fortunate enough to see him and a couple of his buddies perched on a tree branch in a small park down by the lake when I went for a walk a few days ago.
I took a few photos but they weren't nearly as clear as this one.
The Black Kite is easily identified by his yellow feet and beak. As a bird of prey he's always on the move overhead. I frequently see him with his feathers outspread and his wedge like tail soaring by.
The last bird on show today is the Pied Crow.
He is very common, but I don't think his appearance can be termed common. What a commanding presence!
He's great at cleaning up litter and likes large insects. I'm all for that.
Well, I hope you have enjoyed getting to know some of these beautiful birds. I just don't know how people think they could have just evolved? Only God could have created such variety with colors and distinct markings.
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