Our impressions of Africa
Is this one of the cutest faces you've ever seen?
"Julie (Juuleeee).....you're looking so fat!"
That was my reception upon our return to Africa last time. Shocked, I muttered something about eating at alot of restaurants lately.....After the third time someone said that to me, I finally figured out that there must be something to it. I asked my friends and found out that there, "looking fat" is a great thing and a compliment. It means that you look prosperous, happy, and blessed! (just as a side note, last week I asked our friend Bob Kaira if I was still looking fat...he refused to answer....smart man!)
Think our traffic is bad here? Imagine a traffic jam moving at 15 mph. Now imagine that those white stripes (lanes) don't exist. Cars are bumper to bumper weaving in and out of traffic constantly. Throw in a couple hundred motorcycle taxis (boda-bodas--pictured here) weaving in and out with driver and passengers on the back, including mom's with a baby strapped to their back and a two year old in front. And THEN, add hundreds of pedestrians stepping between the cars. The first night we were there, our driver actually bumped into a person with the car. I screamed and it scared the person outside of the car more than being hit by the car!!
Getting used to lizards on the ceiling in the kitchen was a little weird--but they are good, they eat the insects! The armed guard and attack dogs at the conference center where we stayed were very nice during the day, but would eat you at night (ok, just the dogs.)
I was surprised when I saw a teacher sharpening the pencils....with a knife. I tried to help, but it was dangerous! We bought many pencil sharpeners for them after that!
Lastly, I was struck that the people there work so hard. In construction, they formed the bricks by hand, cut the wood with a long saw. I tried to help the ladies mop and sweep the floor of the church sanctuary with their little branches, but it killed my back. No running water means that you have to carry many "jerry cans" back from the river to do all of your chores. Due to small amounts of unreliable electricity and hardly any modern appliances, everything must be done by hand...washing clothes, washing dishes, cooking, cleaning. They work so hard!!!!
So many things flood my mind that it's difficult to decide what to share (and try to do so accurately.) Next post, I'll share about Damion meeting our sponsored child, Solome. I'm trying to hurry and wrap this up because we have lots of exciting things coming up to share with you!
Here's a few pictures from our trip for you to enjoy.
Some of the students from Tender Mercies
OK. This is the sanctuary I tried to help sweep with branches. See what I mean? But, more importantly, here's Damion with a listening ear
Julie teaching at a local high school!
These next two photos are of kids from surrounding villages. Most of them don't have shoes and don't attend school. Do you see the difference between these and the young lady featured at the top?
That "table" in the middle is called jackfruit. Texture = rubbery jalapeno pepper
Taste = sweet melon
What do you see in these eyes?
"Julie (Juuleeee).....you're looking so fat!"
That was my reception upon our return to Africa last time. Shocked, I muttered something about eating at alot of restaurants lately.....After the third time someone said that to me, I finally figured out that there must be something to it. I asked my friends and found out that there, "looking fat" is a great thing and a compliment. It means that you look prosperous, happy, and blessed! (just as a side note, last week I asked our friend Bob Kaira if I was still looking fat...he refused to answer....smart man!)
Think our traffic is bad here? Imagine a traffic jam moving at 15 mph. Now imagine that those white stripes (lanes) don't exist. Cars are bumper to bumper weaving in and out of traffic constantly. Throw in a couple hundred motorcycle taxis (boda-bodas--pictured here) weaving in and out with driver and passengers on the back, including mom's with a baby strapped to their back and a two year old in front. And THEN, add hundreds of pedestrians stepping between the cars. The first night we were there, our driver actually bumped into a person with the car. I screamed and it scared the person outside of the car more than being hit by the car!!Getting used to lizards on the ceiling in the kitchen was a little weird--but they are good, they eat the insects! The armed guard and attack dogs at the conference center where we stayed were very nice during the day, but would eat you at night (ok, just the dogs.)
I was surprised when I saw a teacher sharpening the pencils....with a knife. I tried to help, but it was dangerous! We bought many pencil sharpeners for them after that!
Lastly, I was struck that the people there work so hard. In construction, they formed the bricks by hand, cut the wood with a long saw. I tried to help the ladies mop and sweep the floor of the church sanctuary with their little branches, but it killed my back. No running water means that you have to carry many "jerry cans" back from the river to do all of your chores. Due to small amounts of unreliable electricity and hardly any modern appliances, everything must be done by hand...washing clothes, washing dishes, cooking, cleaning. They work so hard!!!!So many things flood my mind that it's difficult to decide what to share (and try to do so accurately.) Next post, I'll share about Damion meeting our sponsored child, Solome. I'm trying to hurry and wrap this up because we have lots of exciting things coming up to share with you!
Here's a few pictures from our trip for you to enjoy.
Some of the students from Tender Mercies
OK. This is the sanctuary I tried to help sweep with branches. See what I mean? But, more importantly, here's Damion with a listening ear
Julie teaching at a local high school!
These next two photos are of kids from surrounding villages. Most of them don't have shoes and don't attend school. Do you see the difference between these and the young lady featured at the top? 
That "table" in the middle is called jackfruit. Texture = rubbery jalapeno pepperTaste = sweet melon
What do you see in these eyes?
posted by His Creations Photography at 12:06 PM
9 Comments:
I love the "fat" comments. They would tell my I look like a cow, I'm sure of it.
There is something to be said about you two. Working to provide for your own family, yet you give so much to others so far away. I admire both of you and your girls are so luck to have you as parents.
Shannon, you are always so sweet! and hey..cow's are known as gods in some countries :) There's nothing great about what we do, it's your natural reaction once you see those little ones. You would do the same. Damion was laughing and said to tell you that "yeah, we starve our own kids and then send their food to africa." :) Of course not!
What a difference in life style. Makes you think how very blessed and a bit spoiled we are here in America. I want to go next time you go!
i see hope in those eyes. beautiful people as are you!
This reminds me of a mission trip I went on in 2007 to Jamaica. It is definately a humbling experience. I was able to capture some amazing shots. If you guys go again in the near future I would love to go...Seriously! Please don't forget.
What were you all doing there? Teaching?
Africa? How did I miss all this?
I'm so excited for the two of you! Not only are you a blessing to those in abroad but the experience of the mission field blesses us back with a spritual growth as well.
Yup, hope in those eyes on the last pic...
Thanks for your love guys! We see hope there too! Natarsha and Deb, I will remember that next time we go!!!! Jeanette, you didn't miss anything, this all happened before we met you, but am just reminded of it now and sharing bits of who we are!
fantastic!
Damion and julie, have a way making some one to feel special.
During our visit to US a month ago we felt and saw that gift at work .
We arrived well in Uganda with memories of the friends we met and cheerish in the US.
Michael and Christine kyazze|(UGANDA)
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