This week has been a week of lessons. For myself, but also for the volunteers. These lessons have been learned in some pretty funny ways. But I'll get to that later. First I want to explain something.
Through my blog, emails, and Facetime conversations I've talked with many of you about the type of development work we're trying to do. We're all about empowering people to create a better life for themselves instead of trying to just do it all for them (handout). This means steering clear of any type of project that isn't going to keep functioning after we're gone. For the past few weeks we've been working on a plan to build a maternity ward that will add on to the Zion Community Medical Clinic. It has been an interesting process. Ultimately we've learned a lot about the culture. I wont go into too much detail, but I will say that sometimes it is very hard to differentiate what people can really deliver. People here will agree to anything if they know it involves money, a building project, gifts, clothes, etc. Through it all we have decided not to build the maternity ward. This was a big blow to the community we had been discussing the possibility of building it with. Even mentioning that we would have interest in doing it for them got them very excited/hoping for it. It's heartbreaking because there is such a need for it but we just can't build it unless all of the finances, government qualifications, and help are there.
What it really comes down to is that it is so hard to know if people are just telling you what you want to hear rather than telling you the truth. Everything has to be taken with a grain of salt. I don't ever want to be negative (you all know how positive I am), so being slightly pessimistic within some of these situations has been a real challenge. Once again, it all comes own to finding balance. Balance within who I am as a leader and friend to the volunteers. Balance within what I can promise and what I can deliver. Balance within our schedule, projects, and lives here.
A few funny(yet not funny at the time) examples
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1. On Monday three of our volunteers went out to a community clinic on Boda's. The boda drivers agreed to take them out, but after five minutes of driving stopped and demanded that they pay them but didn't want to continue taking them the rest of the way. They didn't want to lose the business but didn't want to take our volunteers all the way out to the location they promised. So they agreed to it and took advantage of them later on. Which then left them stranded in the middle of nowhere without transportation (don't worry it all worked out, but still).
2. Last night three of my volunteers went to get their hair braided. This was after the previous person that we had scheduled to come do it didn't show up. Anyways, after three hours of braiding they decided to raise the price significantly because they said their hair was harder to do than an Africans hair. Some of the volunteers were super frustrated by this, but since they had forgotten to negotiate a price in the beginning they were able to raise the price and couldn't argue it. They left very frustrated and I had to go back to the salon and negotiate the price down and deal with a VERY angry Ugandan women.
These are just two examples of how we've had to learn and deal within the culture. I think it's important to say now that past all of these challenges, everything here has been wonderful. I love waking up every morning. I love being here. I love the weather and beautiful surroundings. Above all, I love these people. Their hearts are so humble, pure, and good. Leaving is going to be very hard for me!
Last night I put together a Fear Factor game night for our team. Each of them was given 25 minutes and 2,000 shillings (less than $1) to go out and buy some type of weird Ugandan food for the other volunteers to try. I had them line up in front of a table. One by one they had to try each of the foods that the other volunteers had bought. They included: Sardines, mushy cheese, dried little fishies, weird soda, lard, and liver. By the end of it I was super happy that I was not the one that had to be participating. Four of the volunteers were actually able to eat all of it. I was super impressed.
Our last volunteer arrived on Thursday. She is awesome! She is from Roseville, California and is friend with the Mcfadyns! I like her lots and am excited to have a full team now.
Some other cool things that happened yesterday and today:
A) got a pedicure for $3... painted a different color on every nail
B) got a massage for $10... full body and 45 minutes worth. My first massage ever. It was pretty sweet.
C) I am so tan. Everyone stop laughing. THIS IS REAL. The African sun is making a real African out of me. I am going to come home tan when everyone is pasty white and that rocks. sorry not sorry.
I'll close with a more spiritual note (to keep up with the tradition) :)
Today I taught the Plan of Salvation in Relief Society. I was nervous about getting questions on doctrine that I wouldn't be able to adequately explain to them. I was also worried because the way they communicate is much more simplified. Lots of the words I use they don't know.
I decided to focus on teaching about Hope (among the plan) and the atonement (being the center of the plan). I added in some good metaphors/stories that they could relate to and this (I think) made it easier for them to grasp the concepts and what I was teaching. Overall I felt the spirit so strongly as I testified that I know this plan we are a part of is a plan of happiness. Some days are really hard. Some trials seem like they are just too much to endure. Sometimes it's easy to quit trying. But it's all about endurance in the right way. And endurance is all about reaching outward when the natural response is to turn inward. I've felt that so much these past few months. Especially back in September and October. I was so sad because things were not happening as I'd hoped they would or expected. Relying on the plan I know God has for me and all of us and then choosing to reach outward and pray for opportunities to serve... has brought me to Africa! I'm so glad that we all know about this plan. We know why we're here, and where we are going. Pretty cool stuff. All in all, the lesson went really well. The spirit was strong and I just felt so much love for the women, God, Christ, my family, friends, and life in general.
Hope things at home are going well. I am so thankful for all of you! Thanks for the continued support and love. I miss you all!
Love,
Ray
P.S. Check my blog and facebook for pictures and more updates
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