Monday, February 22, 2010

Ten Things I Learned In Africa....

In no particular order of importance:

1. The dirtiest kids are the cutest.

2. You can fit 22 people, 4 chickens, a twin mattress and some luggage all in the same minivan (of course the mattress was on top, or that would have been super uncomfortable).

3. Bald is beautiful. Especially for girls.

4. The absence of traffic laws and stop signs doesn't cause as many accidents as I thought it would.

5. Best method of transporting a live goat: the trunk of your 1986 Toyota sudan

6. It is possible for black babies lips to be so big that they can't actually close their mouth all the way. Proof: Baby Toto from the Bugembe Branch.

7. "You have been looking for me. I am here!" has proven to be a very effective pick-up line among Africans and mzungus in the past.

8. Chickens in the operating room aren't actually a problem

9. Random "crunchies" in your food add excitement to your gustatory experience

10. Africa changes lives. Forever.

I'm sorry we haven't been posting regularly. The power and internet here are not very reliable and we figured that since we don't have pictures our posts are probably super boring. We are still trying to find a way to download our pictures here without causing a power outage in Eastern Uganda, but until we do, this will be a "read only" blog. If you really want to hear more in-depth about our adventures here, you can get a hold of our Mom by sending her a message on her blog at hawaiituellers.blogspot.com. We send home weekly emails and I'm sure she would be willing to share them with you!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Human Sacrifices on the Rise

Don't you worry, that was only the headline of the newspaper this Saturday.

Despite the current increase in human sacrifices we are feeling pretty safe here in Uganda. The people are so kind to us and we feel right at home. We asked our host father, Idi, about the human sacrifices and apparently it is a real issue. In fact, I had noticed previously that it is very rare to see a little girl here who does not have her ears pierced. We learned from Idi that with circumcision or ear piercing, the sacrifice is considered unpure. Parents here go to any length they can to prevent their children from being abducted and used by witch doctors and voodoo priests as sacrifices.

It is just so fascinating to me that we could all live in the same era, on the same world, and yet we live so differently. Here they practice polygamy, the children and wife are the property of the husband, the entire day is spent working with little or no time for rest and recreation. It is so interesting to me to see all the differences that exist between us, but more interesting to me are all the similarities that we share due to the fact that we are all children of our Heavenly Father and human beings having this earthly experience together. Smiles between neighbors, the way a mother lovingly and meticulously cares for her newborn baby, the pride felt by a father when he sees that newborn baby, the way children run to their father as he comes home from work, the unique bond formed between dear childhood friends and teenage sweethearts. It happens here too. Just like in the states. We speak different languages, we look differently, but essentially when you break through culture, language, location, and race we are all the same. Our souls are woven together much deeper and by much more that just common interests, social similarites, and united causes. I think that is fascinating, and that is loudly testifies that there is something and someone much greater than each one of us. We truly are part of a big, united family that is run by a perfect and loving Father who unites us all because we are His.

I love and admire the people of Uganda....even though human sacrifices are on the rise.