Week 9 Email

Welcome to my week nine email.

If you’re still thoroughly reading these after nine weeks (probably only mom and dad), major props to you! Another eventful week has come and gone:

(A)   On Monday we taught another lesson to the girls at Child of Hope. Right as we were getting ready to leave it started raining hard. I needed to get to the church to teach piano lessons so we didn’t really have another option… we sprinted out into the rain and tried to cover up as much as possible. At one point I stopped caring and let myself get soaked. Something funny about Ugandans is that they hate the rain. The moment it starts raining the streets are empty! People will run for cover and stay inside until it stops. Unfortunately for us this also means that no boda drivers are out/don’t like to drive in it. Luckily we managed to grab a few and made it to the church. I taught piano with Steph and then we played a sweet game of futbol afterwards. All of the men were once again surprised that us Mzungus were pretty good.

(B)   Two of the volunteers went home this week. Our group is now down to six. Four girls and two boys. This means we will be even busier with fewer hands to help with all our projects. Because of this I taught by myself at Mandela and St. Stephens. Teaching here is such a unique experience. The students are VERY attentive and truly soak in everything I say. As the teacher, this makes the experience phenomenal. Imagine if every one of your math students was always listening to you mom? It would make you be super excited to teach every time huh? That’s how it is here.  I know it’s because I’m a visitor/white that they are so enthralled, but I don’t even care. I walk away from every class so happy. I love to teach, and being here is helping me understand and learn how to be an engaging teacher.

(C)   Something that has been super enjoyable about being here? Less distractions. Real conversations. Sincerity. Within the culture, this is something I really appreciate about the slower pace. Enough said.

(D)   On Friday Steph and I went to work on our latrine. It’s nearing completion, but there is still about two days of hard work left. We came and the man we hired to help us asked if we were bringing anyone else. Him and Miriam thought I was pretty funny when we said “it’s just us today, but we think that will be enough.” They have no confidence in our ability to work. Still. Steph and I felt like we had something major to prove, so we worked really hard for about four hours. Hauling rocks, mixing cement, fetching big containers of water, shoveling, etc. By the end of it we sure were a sight… covered in dirt and sweat. Our hands were covered in blisters but we felt really proud of ourselves. Ha ha.

We got home SO ready to take a shower… only to find out that there is a water crisis within Mbale town. As in…no water. So we didn’t get to shower. I assumed that the water would come back eventually, but by Saturday afternoon it was still gone! At this point it had been a few days since I’d showered… wont give the exact number but I will say it was definitely time for one. We went over the Mbale resort and used their showers. It was heaven. I don’t think I’ve ever appreciated a shower more than I did then. Well the water is still not back… so things have been pretty interesting over here in regards to… everything. BECAUSE WATER IS IMPORTANT. Haha.

Anyways: 

(E)    Today was the last Sunday for our senior missionary couple. We have been working with the choir for the past few weeks to have them sing “Be Still My Soul” for them in sacrament meeting. I played the piano and it was a great moment listening to the ward sing such a spiritual song. The last song for the meeting was “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” On the third stanza everyone in the branch stood up. I sat on the piano and held back tears because the spirit was so strong and the moment was so powerful. All around me were people singing, truly, how they felt. The love and strength they have… it’s just astounding.

(F)    These are the moments that have defined my experience here. The moments where I realize that people are trying. They are truly trying to live good lives and be good people.  Because I know they are trying I can see past what can sometimes be perceived as bad intentions and trust that they are just doing what they think will be best for themselves and their families. Knowing that helps me hope that they will understand why we do things differently. Sometimes they don’t understand but that’s okay because we can see the long-term for them.

(G)  Something I really love about what a sister said in church today: “If we strive to serve others with our whole heart and strength, God will be on our side.” I believe that. I believe that if we wake up every morning and tell him we’re going to do our very best, he’ll be there for us in every way that we need.

I’ve got the month of March to work as hard as I can. Still can’t believe it is MARCH. Like WHAT? Anyways, I really  want to leave knowing I’ve put my whole heart and strength into this experience. I think come April I’ll be satisfied that I have. Love you all, hope you have a magical week!

P.S. All week I have been thinking about Tacos. Mom, can we PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE have some tacos or homemade café rio the day I get home? My mouth is salivating now even thinking about it. The food here is good… but TACOS. Ahhh. I can’t wait for that.

Ray