Talking the Talk

Before moving back to Africa we read so much about the many ways African culture differs from Western culture, and one of these is the African emphasis on community. Part of community-building in Africa takes the form of talking. Africans spend a lot of time talking with one another in a chatty sort of way, with lots of tongue-in-cheek sorts of humor. Bartering for purchased goods is, at least in part, a social event, getting to know people and becoming known, making friends and being a friend.

We have found that the Ugandans we have interacted with love to talk, to joke around and make fun and light of things. Even when asking for a job or demanding a bribe, these folks just want to talk and turn it into a fun conversation. It's a game. All the recommendations to Americans who travel in Africa is to play this game. When a neighbor asks for your shirt, don't be rude and just say “no” - say, “when my shirt has a little brother, I'll give it to you”. That sort of thing. There aren't a lot of distractions and entertainment options here, so you make up for it by playing the game of talk.

Well I've been a bit nervous about learning to play this game, as I've never been too confident as a quick, witty, or eloquent speaker. I remember praying about this specific thing during our orientation back in the States. I really feel that God answered that prayer when I got my way out of a traffic fine by having a lengthy, light-hearted and honestly fun conversation with the group of police officers that pulled me over. I was carring some steel pipes on the back of my truck and was crossing the dam when one of the pipes slipped out on the roadway! I furiously pulled over, loaded the pipe, tied it down, and drove off the dam, but evidently wasn't quick enough to avoid being pulled over by the police. One of the officers filled out the citation while we talked, but by the time we had finished our conversation (which mostly involved them making fun of me for 'driving dangerously') they explained that since I was apologetic for my wrong-doing they would let me off with just a warning – but perhaps I would bring them a soda the next time I passed the bridge. :)

Nile-View House

Apologies for failing to keep up with our blog recently!
Well we're settled into our home now, the Nile-View house. It has its quirks (very low water pressure in the bathroom so you can't raise the shower nozzle over your waist, immense and out-of-proportion hallway, and bats in the attic) but it is otherwise beautiful, quiet, peaceful. The garden is grand and has avocado, mango, papaya and jackfruit trees. Our neighbors have been sweet and very welcoming, and the Nile River Explorers launch their kayaks and rafts just down the hill from us, so we got to see them load up and start their adventure.

I've been taking our car to work every day, but Em has braved public transit to get around with the kids. One day she directed a local boda-boda (motorcycle taxi) driver to our house. Now she can call him anytime for a cheap ride anywhere in town. She wears Eva in the baby backpack and Jonathan rides in front of the driver. Not the safest way to travel, exactly, but the price is right.
We've started to know our neighbors and the folks from whom we buy a lot of groceries and other goods. It feels very good to know the fair prices for things now, so the stress of bartering is subsiding.

Our experience with churches has been interesting. We've gone to a new one each week to get a feel for what churches in Uganda are like and where God might be leading us to attend. We'd really like to worship in our own neighborhood, so this limits our selection significantly. This Sunday we're going to try an Anglican church just down the road. In Uganda there is a distinction between being a Catholic Christian, a Protestant Christian (Anglican) and a “born again” Christian (all non-denoms). Interesting, eh? So after having attended a “born again” church last week and confessing to the congregation that we were indeed born again, I'm wondering if we'll be questioned for attending a Protestant church.

It's good to be back out here on the internet again. We hope to be more regular with these posts and pictures.

Happy Birthday, Evelyn!

We celebrated Eva's bday a little early this year. Her bday is May 21^st...which just happened to be our first day in Uganda. So, the day before we left Nairobi, we had a little party with our friends there. She was thrilled to finally be the one to blow out the candles, and for days after could be heard singing, “Happy Birthday to you, ME! Happy Birthday to you, ME!”

On her real bday we had fun opening a package that was waiting here for us from Jon and Kate, chasing bunnies in the garden of the guest house we're staying at, and eating a yummy fish and chips dinner.

Some favorite shots of Eva over the past few months:

Her Birthday Celebration in Nairobi with Faders and Agnes Families (her favorite present was this pink Elmo backpack she spotted on the market when we were out walking one day).

Evelyn's actual birthday and our first day in Uganda...

Birthday bling - compliments of Auntie Kate.

Happy Birtday, Sweetheart! We love you!

Catching Up

We have fallen behind in our blog! A lot has happened since last we wrote...including: finishing up our time in Sudan, a trip to the coast of Kenya, Eva's birthday, and our arrival in Uganda!

We had some fun and special days at the Sun 'n' Sand hotel with the Faders. After working so hard side-by-side in Sudan, it was fun to share some R&R together as well.

Here are some pictures from our time in Mombasa -

Jonathan's Prayer

Almost every night Phil reads to the kids from the “Jesus Storybook Bible”. The kids love it! Now that we're reading through it for the second time, Evelyn has shown how strong her memory is by pointing at pictures and telling us the story. The other day she found the page depicting Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane and said, angrily, “guy cut his ear off!”

On Friday night the story was about Namaan, a man who had leporosy and was healed by God through Elisha. The story went on to tell of the promise that God would later send his son, Jesus, to heal every broken heart. Jonathan asked if everyone's heart was broken and we explained that they are. “Even Evelyn's?” “Yes,” Emily said, “but if you ask Jesus to come and live in your heart, he can fix it. Would you like to ask him?” Jonathan enthusiastically agreed and prayed this prayer: “Jesus, I know that you died on the cross. Please come live in my heart.” We cheered and prayed for him, and Evelyn, caught up in the excitement, leaned over and kissed him!

The next morning at breakfast we asked if he remembered that he asked Jesus to live in his heart, and with a huge smile and light in his eyes he said, “Yes! He is living inside of me, and he's fixing my heart!”

Rejoice with us and pray for our son as he faces the many hardships and temptations this world will bring.

Dear Jesus, please continue to draw Jonathan close to you. Let your Holy Spirit dwell in his heart and stir up within him the joy of companionship with you, of citizenship in Heaven, of the abundant life you have called him to. And enable us as parents to stoke that fire, build a foundation for faith, and model the Christian life in a God-honoring, humble, compelling way.

Thank you God for this glimpse of childhood faith and wonder!

Tan Lines

Shod. Bare.







This hot new foot fashion deserves a good name. Any ideas?

Cables Up!

Praise the Lord! The cables have been finally set! All clamps have been tightened and the deck is beginning to creep along the cables! Behold!

At this point we'd like to thank God, who rightly deserves all of the credit for this bridge, who answers prayers, who has kept everyone safe, in whose grace we live and for whom we exist. It is He who created us, who plans our steps and carries us through. Thank you, God, for this small success and for the fulfillment and satisfaction that comes with it.

Well we're pushing forward but have decided to bring the bridge work to a close this Saturday. Our laborers' contract ends on Saturday, and we leave for Kenya with the Faders the following Thursday, so that will give us a few days in Yabus to relax as a family, maybe make a few adventure trips in the area around Yabus, and work on a few small chores and odd jobs around the missionary compound.

Thank you all so much for your prayers!