We thought we’d share our Christmas fun and traditions with you this year. We had a different experience than last year because Leland’s parents came to visit for 2 weeks, so we had a lot of fun together as a family.
Stories
Ugandan Women are Strong
Ugandan women are STRONG! I have come to love, respect and build relationships with many Ugandan women, and I have also seen many other women living what is a normal life (to them), but is quite intimidating to me.
Some women will walk miles for water, reasonably priced food and other household needs for their families. Many women who live in the villages work hard all day in the garden/fields, and then return home to their family to do all the cooking, cleaning and caring for their children and husband. Many times
they wake up before the sun has risen to do household chores like ironing, cleaning, and getting things ready for the day, before going to work. Even the many women with professional jobs in town still continue to manage the household in ways that astonish me. Continue reading
Our Life in Uganda
We have been so blessed to share our life and ministry in Uganda with many people who love us and care for us, and who we love and care for. For those who didn’t get the chance to see videos, here are a couple for your viewing pleasure. Our desire is for you to feel like your part of our life in Uganda. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of so many people in the U.S. and around the world. So as we continue this journey together, please continue to pray with us. Continue reading
Tips for Short Term Mission Trips & Travelers
As someone who has led short term mission trips to several different cultures, I have had the pleasure to watch students and adults witness powerful testaments to the nature of God. I’ve been part of some amazing moments and memories that last a lifetime. I’ve also made more than my share of mistakes in coaching trip members on how to connect and communicate with people that we are ministering to during our travel. Continue reading
Boda Fun
Throughout Uganda, there are bodas everywhere. Bodas range from bicycles to motorcycles. It’s a way of transportation for people and stuff. It’s always interesting to see what bodas are carrying. For your viewing pleasure, here are lots of different bodas carrying a variety of items. Continue reading
Happy Birthday Adalyn
Adalyn is 4 years old today and we are celebrating her first birthday in Uganda. We celebrated by going to the Entebbe Zoo, being part of a Halloween party for the expat community, and of course, having cake. We thought it would be fun to ask her some questions, so you could see where she’s at in this point of her life… Continue reading
Nkya iga Oluganda
Nkya iga Oluganda (sounds like Encha yeega Oluganda) means “I am still learning Luganda.” Luckily, we are not learning how to read or write Luganda at this point, so we only write how it sounds to us, which is different for Leland and me.
Immaculate, our language helper, is a primary school teacher who is not currently working, so she is able to help teach us every Wednesday and Friday afternoon for 1 hour. An hour doesn’t seem like much time but by the end of each lesson, our brain is fried and we are drained from trying to process and learn. She is patient with us, she challenges us, she speaks slowly and repeats herself so we can understand. Continue reading
Castaways on Bugaya Island
No we weren’t castaways, but we were in a world completely new to all of us. Bugaya Island is in the middle of Lake Victoria, a 2-hour boat ride from Kiyendi, very nearly on the equator. Lake Victoria is the 2nd largest fresh water lake in the world (behind Lake Superior). When we set off, we could not see our island, but the captain knew the way and set us on course. I couldn’t help but sing in my head the song from Gilligan’s Island the entire trip. Continue reading
Days in Africa (Part 2)
The previous list got too long for one post, so I thought it would be fun to continue the differences we’ve discovered so far. And the interesting thing is that most of these realizations are day-to-day living and not even cultural differences. Those would need many more posts and would still be hard to find the words to express… We hope you enjoy getting a glimpse into our new world. It’s been a fun adventure! Continue reading
Days in Africa (Part 1)
Now that we have been in Uganda for 6 months, many of the things that came as a shock or caught us guard have now become the norm. I kept a list of the many different things we deal with on a daily basis. Here are many unique things we’ve encountered, all for your reading pleasure… Continue reading
Sawyers In Uganda 