When in Uganda :)

As I write this I am listening to Taylor Swift :) Makes me think of my Maplewood 106 girls- Oh how I miss them!

This past weekend was quite eventful. I FINALLY got to go to Kampala! Friday we spent the day in Kampala shopping and had AMERICAN food. Oh my goodness- it was delicious. And I got a coffee drink for the first time in nearly 3 weeks- I almost forgot how much I LOVE coffee. Then Friday night I spent with my sister, Eve. We made dinner together and just talked all night and I fell in love with the girl :) She has got such an incredible story and I really think she is the strongest person I’ve ever met. She had to drop out of secondary school early because her father died and so she had to stay home to take care of her siblings. This past year her family ran out of money so her mother sent her away to here, Mukono, to work and make money for the family. She works for my mama and papa by weaving, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, basically everything. She wakes up at 6am everyday and never goes to bed before midnight. I don’t know how she does it. She wants to go back to school one day to become a teacher :) She’s so beautiful- inside and out. I love her so much- so if you can remember, say a prayer for Eve. She reminded me that she’s doing this work because God is preparing her for something bigger and better- I nearly cried when she shared that with me. She has so much hope. She deserves so much more from the life she’s been dealt. So keep her in your prayers please. Before we went to bed she wanted to sing a song together so we sang Great is Thy Faithfulness and the line “Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow, great is Thy faithfulness,” really stuck out to me. That’s the strength and hope Eve has :) And we all do- thank God :) He’s so good.

Saturday my papa told me that I needed to experience the real Uganda- so he took me to the slums of Kampala and downtown Kampala. It was terrifying. I can honestly say I hated every moment of it. haha my papa kept laughing at me cuz he said I was “fearing everything.” But I really was; especially downtown. If you get the chance- look up some pictures of downtown Kampala. There’s hardly room to breathe between the cars, boda-bodas, people, shops, just everything. I thought I was either going to get run over or get jumped- haha but I definitely experienced downtown Kampala thanks to my papa.

On Sunday I took Eve to the church service on my university campus. She loved it! She met a bunch of my friends and after church I showed her my dorm room and took her out for ice cream- which she loved :) Then we went home and I finally cooked an entire meal on my own! And I’m not gonna lie- it was delicious! It was an African version of spaghetti :)

Sunday night I got my first marriage proposal. It lasted 20 minutes. His name is Michael and he’s a 27 year old police officer. The entire time he was proposing to me he had this HUGE gun in his hand- it was quite intimidating. After 20 minutes of him telling me all the things he’d do for me and how we’d go back to America together once we got married, I told him no. He didn’t like that very much so he said he’d come back tomorrow in case I changed my mind. My mind isn’t going to change hahaha. He’s a nice guy though. And if I ever really get afraid that I’ll be single forever- I’ll just come back to Uganda and find Michael; after all- he said he’d build me a beach house and cook me my favorite food every single day :) Doesn’t get much better- right? ha

I got made fun of for the first time this weekend for my HUGE calves haha- kind of made me feel like I was home again :) My mama told me that I should give some of my legs to my sister Eve since I have big enough ones for two people. Good thing I’m not self-conscious about it- right? Africans are the most honest people you’ll ever meet. Oh and fyi- my mama also told me that I’m turning into a fine young African woman. Best compliment I’ve ever received :)

Tomorrow is my mama’s birthday! So I’m going into town soon to get her a cake and some party decorations :) She said she’s never celebrated her birthday before so I’m ready to show her what a good ol’ American birthday party is like :) I’m so excited!

Friday we’re headed to Jinja, Uganda, which is where Lake Victoria is. And the source of the Nile River! I’m soooo excited! :)

Okay well- have a great week everyone :) Once again- thank you so much for all the prayers- prayer is sooo powerful :)

<3, Bethany Diane Joy

PS: I’m sharing Lauren’s devotional that she gave me for this week- “Joshua told the people, Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:5. She said that this week may have been hard for you, but don’t worry, tomorrow is a brand new day, a clean slate, a new week, and brand new opportunities. Forget past concerns and focus on the positives of a brand new day. The sun will always rise every morning.

I think that applies to pretty much everyone. I love her! She’s the best. Miss you roomie!! <3 Enjoy your last few days in Belize!

Home Stay & Such..

“Keep Calm and Carry On.”

That’s the “motto” for my cohort group in my Faith & Action class. As much as we all love Uganda, it’s definitely a challenge to adjust to everything here, even though it’s only been 2 weeks- the culture shock along with complete lack of routine here really takes mass amounts of energy.

First of all- CONGRATULATIONS TO MATTHEW AND ASHLEY FOR GETTING ENGAGED LAST WEEKEND!!! WOOOOOHOOOO!! :) :) :) I’m so happy for both of them!!

I started my first home stay on Saturday. For 12 days we’re all living with separate Ugandan families and living as if we were a Ugandan. It’s a great experience but it’s a lot tougher than I thought it would be. My mama and papa here are great, they’re so kind and very generous, but it’s soooo different to live in a Ugandan home. My mama is a tailor and my papa owns a workshop that makes placemats from raffia, which is soo cool. On Sunday he took me to his workshop and I got to see how they’re made and helped him dye the raffia. I loved it! Then my mama taught me how to make fire from charcoal, a stick, and a match. It was kind of terrifying- I hate fire. But I’ve got it down now :) And I now know how to properly cut up vegetables and a fruit, which is major progress for me because I’ve never been much of a cook- AT ALL.

Like I said- I really love being here and the people are all so great- but sometimes I just really miss home. Nothing here is easy by any means. Ugandans work harder than anyone I’ve ever met- I finally understand why everyone thinks Americans are lazy- we really are compared to how much these people do just to have a meal to eat or a bed to sleep in. At my home stay, my mama probably spends about 3 hours trying to prepare a meal. Then an hour to clean up after the meal, and by then she has to start making the next meal. Even getting clean water is hard work. I am sooo weak. I had to go “fetch” water the other day and it was a 20 liter jerry can that I had to fill and I was literally sweating by the time I got back from trying to carry that thing. Two little girls walked past me carrying the same thing acting like it wasn’t even that heavy- I was pretty embarrassed haha. I may just have ripped arms by the time I get home in May :)

The girls I’m interacting with here are so great. Everyone is just honestly so encouraging. We’re all really pushing each other to totally rely on God and let Him have control of our lives. It’s amazing how real God becomes when He’s honestly the only thing you have. So often I go to bed at night just totally exhausted from the day and really discouraged because nothing here is simple and it’s frustrating to have to put soooo much effort into the most simple things, but then I look back on the day and I can’t help but smile because I can just see how much God is working in my life. The hope and grace I’m finding in Him are the strength I find to get through the days here. I am just so at awe by the difference my attitude has been due to my reliance on God. I just have to keep reminding myself that it’s like an “endurance run” not a “sprint.” I need to take it one day at a time, one step at a time, instead of rushing and trying to figure everything out all at once. I’m learning that it’s okay to be uncomfortable- that’s when Go d really helps guide us. And silence is okay- it’s actually a beautiful thing. It’s all about presence. Even if you can’t understand the language being spoken, if you don’t know the people you’re surrounded by, or the meaning of your circumstances, God is right there and taking care of EVERYTHING.

Okay well I’m gonna go enjoy Africa :) Love you all!

PS: Facebook hardly EVER works here so if you think I'm ignoring you on facebook cuz I've been on the internet and haven't gotten back with you- don't think that :) I should be able to get facebook in the next week tho :)

Wednesday Morning in Uganda :)

Things are going so well :)

I finally feel really comfortable leaving campus and going into the city of Mukono. The roads are absolutely insane though. I’m pretty sure there are no restrictions. The boda-bodas (kind of like motorcycles only a million times more dangerous) do NOT stop for people nor swerve for them when they’re about to run a person over. All the traffic is like that. You basically have to be a defensive pedestrian or you’ll get run over. Ask Angela about it- she about got taken out by a matatu (taxi). But going into the city is so much fun besides the fact that pretty much everyone stares and can’t get over the fact that a mzungu is in Uganda. They always ask us how we found Uganda haha. But overall the people are so kind.

Sunday I went to my first church service here. It was sooo good. I love how free spirited the people are. The worship was so incredible, I love just watching the people dance, throw their arms up, and just smile the entire time that they are worshipping God. It’s soooo contagious. I could definitely feel the Holy Spirit :) And the theme for the semester is “Shining for Jesus in a dark world.” The sermon was really good- fairly long and intense- but it was good. The service reminded me that I’m definitely exactly where I need to be :)

Monday I went running for the first time in Africa. Oh my. First of all- we had to go running at the crack of dawn so that it was in the low 70’s. This heat is insane- let alone trying to run in it. I went running with an intern, Molly. We made it about 1 mile and called it quits haha. Then I had my first 2 classes here! My first class was Ugandan Politics and it was a little rough. I could barely understand the lecturer, but he’s really nice so I’m not too worried. Then I had Understanding Ethics and basically it’s all older men studying law in my class. But the lecturer is really intriguing so I really liked the class. Late that night we went “Rolling.” Basically it’s just when a bunch of students leave campus and go get Rolexes. They’re chipati’s with egg like an omelet rapped inside. They are sooo good but so incredibly greasy. And I had chocolate for the first time in a week on Monday. Chocolate has never tasted so good.

Tuesday we went running again and made it a mile and a half :) Making progress. Then I had classes again. Classes here are a lot more lecture structured but the information is really intriguing and I love hearing about politics and history from the perspective of Ugandans. It’s definitely different from any schooling I’ve ever had.  Then some of the girls and I went into the market place to do a little shopping and got ORANGE FANTAS. I love fantas with all my heart, no lie. Then we went out to dinner at one of the canteens on campus- my entire meal was 3,000 shillings which amounts to less than 1.50 American dollars. Hello cheap dinner. It was good though :) Then I got to SKYPE WITH MY BEST FRIENDS!!!!! Oh my goodness it was soo great to see their faces :) I miss them a lot :/ But it’s so encouraging to see them and know that they’re all doing well and that good ol MVNU hasn’t changed a bit. Anyways- I love you girls :) Theeenn my roommate and I decided to do our first trial of washing clothes here. Hand washing clothes with a basin and some really strange detergent. We then left them out to soak for the night.

And now it’s Wednesday morning. By far my favorite morning here so far. I got to skype with my mama, dad, and Rachel. I LOVED SEEING YOU GUYS! :) Everything about it was so refreshing and comforting and it was definitely something I needed. After skyping with them I skyped a little with Kevin. He just kept reminding me of how jealous he is that I’m in Africa :) And I also got to see Peck and Randon for a little! I was supposed to have my Religions class this morning buutt the lecturer never showed up :) So now I’m done with classes for the day and it’s only 10 am. I attempted to finish hand washing my clothes but it’s pretty difficult. Scrubbing the clothes takes forever and the red dirt here has totally stained my white clothes. Needless to say- I’ll never complain about doing laundry back at home again.

I’m jealous of all the snow everyone is getting back in Ohio. I miss the snow more than I thought I would. A lizard just ran past my feet. I’m still not used to all these creatures always being so close to me. This morning while I was skyping my parents this dumb bird just sat beside me and stared for probably ten minutes. Not something I’m used to. A little too close for comfort.

The food overall has been okay. Basically every meal has been rice and beans. And when I say basically- I mean every single meal. Besides breakfast. Usually we just have bread and tea at breakfast but today there was corn on the cob- of course I’d skip breakfast when they serve corn on the cob haha.

Every day is getting easier :) I’m really starting to feel comfortable but I don’t think I’ll ever get over the fact that I AM IN AFRICA. It’s hard to forget though since every morning I attempt to get out of bed before realizing I have a mosquito net surrounding me haha. I haven’t been bitten yet tho :)

This is a super long blog. The rest of the week is just classes and Saturday I have my first home stay. I get to live with a family for two weeks and I am SOOO excited! It’ll definitely be an experience :)

In my devotional today I read this quote; “Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever any ties but the tie that binds me to Thy service and to Thy heart.” -David Livingstone. I really want that prayer to be my own. I know God has had it planned all my life for me to be right here, right now. And I know that He is with me. I feel so many burdens for the people here and all the chaos surrounding us, but I can feel the sustaining power of God holding me up and helping me be strong. He’s helping me in ways I never realized I needed guidance. He’s teaching me that life is meant to be taken one day at a time, one step at a time. It takes so much stress and worries from my heart. And I know Jesus is working on severing ties in my life that need to be severed, but I know He’ll never lead me away from His service and heart :) I’m still at awe in the way God works.

I love you all :) Keep praying for everyone here and all that is in store this semester- I’m praying for everyone back at home as well :)

xoxoxo, Bethany Diane Joy

PS: Joel- I’ll talk more about why exactly I’m here in another post cuz this one is way too long to try to add it in haha but I’ll definitely do my best to explain it another time.

Finally In Africa :)

Well it's official- I'M IN AFRICA! :) It is so incredibly beautiful here. It all seems sooo unreal.
The flight was so long. It took about 7 1/2 hours to get from DC to Amsterdam, then we had an hour layover and took off to Entebbe, which was another 7 1/2 hour plane ride. SOOO MUCH FLYING. I'm definitely thankful I won't be in an airplane for another four months. I hardly slept the entire way to Amsterdam, but I slept pretty much the entire way to Entebbe. Once we reached Entebbe, we met up with USP people and took a bus to campus (UCU) in Mukono. We got assigned our roommates and spent our first night in AFRICA :) My roommate is Brittany Smith and she is an absolute sweetheart :) Our room is pretty little but it's not too bad.
We had a power outage the first night. Quite the experience trying to unpack four months of clothing in the dark with a little flashlight. I took my first shower that night, and when they say the water is cold here- they mean ICE COLD. Oh my gosh! I survived though haha. I'm definitely looking forward to "getting used to" cold showers.
Yesterday was our first full day here on campus and we got a tour and went on a little hike up this hill called "Monkey Hill." It was sooo beautiful. And we saw 2 monkeys. It was awesome! We then went down the hill a different way and walked thru a little village and saw a lot of little kids. They were so cute and all were yelling "Hii Mzungou!!" It was pretty funny.
I think I'm gonna try out the track team here. I'll definitely just be that slow white American girl- but they're all so nice that I don't think they'd care. And a guy named Jake who is here with USP is going to do it also- so it'll be fun and a good experience. Buuutt we'll see :)
Today we got up and MB, Brittany, Lisa and I did devotions outside then had tea with a lot of Ugandan students at 10:30. And then took a little walk around campus and now are just waiting for lunch and going into the actual city of Mukono.
My mama left me a ton of sweet notes in my suitcase and they're really encouraging- so thanks mama :D It means so much to me.
Love you all :)
Hebrews 6:18- "God cant' break His word. And because His word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable." <---- really comforting verse I read this morning :)
xoxoxoxoxo, Bethany Diane Joy