While there are several differences between our old lifestyle in the U.S. and our new home in Uganda, there are also so many things that are similar and we are very blessed to be able to embrace both the differences and similarities. Continue reading
Different isn’t wrong…
There are so many things that are different here. Some things are more difficult, take more time or are frustrating because they are different from what we’re use to, but there are also so many things that are beautiful, sweet, interesting and amusing, which makes for a wonderful dynamic. I feel blessed to be able to live amongst this dynamic… 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
Crossing Borders
Last week I, along with 4 other members of our Church Planting & Discipleship team, traveled to Nimule, South Sudan to encourage and teach the leaders from the churches of Christ. There were 22 leaders and pastors from South Sudan and northern Uganda that traveled to the border town for basic theological training and discipleship. To reach Nimule, these pastors traveled from safety into a war zone, from refugee camps to where they had fled, or across rebel controlled areas. 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
Cultural or Christian?
I recently came out of a meeting and saw a large group of men parading down the street. They had completely taken over the road and were blowing whistles, horns and singing all kinds of songs. It was a traditional Bagisu circumcision parade. For the past two months it has been the season of these celebrations, and they mark when a young boy becomes a man in the cultural society. 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
Same Power
This song has been a powerful reminder for me during our journey in Uganda. I can’t help but stop and sing when it comes on my worship playlist. We have been incredibly blessed by so much prayer, encouragement and support along the way, and we have felt God with us throughout everything. Continue reading
Go West Young Man
Over the “summer” months, my primary teammates were traveling and visiting the USA. But now the gang is all together and the three of us – myself, Dennis, and JP – are traveling together. This past weekend we made the long journey to the far western parts of Uganda, in a region called Rakai. The people there are drummers and cow herders. 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
Sawyers In Uganda 