5/25/09 – MBALE, UGANDA

So, it’s official. I’m a big fan of electricity, plumbing, those fantastic western accomplishments I’ve become so accustomed to. I suppose things I could do without. When I make of “have to haves”...they’re often forgotten, but after freaking out to make it to the toilet in the dark last night, I can’t help but feel I’m a fan of the light...

In other news, however, yesterday (today, I mean, ha!) was an incredible sort of day...despite the many hours on a stomach churning road. The water spring well, the medical clinic, the fishing ponds, the baby grain porridge, the growing saplings. Sometimes in the United States I think it’s common for us as Americans to feel like we have all of the answers. The world’s best solutions. And here a group of Africans have created a solution far beyond what we could have made for them (or the money we would have thrown at them). I looked at these projects which were actually doing some good in these villages and wanted to say “In your face, America!” Further, what an incredible thing to have a vision and to carry it through. Dr. Patrick shared with us what brought him back to Uganda (Ugandan born – 13 years in the UK and US) and really, it was a vision for something more. A desire to walk to the throne of God and account for the life given and say “Here father. Here is what I did with the life you gave me and the gifts I discovered. Look! I have nothing left! I used all you gave me...” To carry out a vision. Hmm. Africans have visions to.

Completely unrelated, I think it’s beginning to amaze me that I am the spectacle. Our group is on display. People stare at us. Anika is the minority. Woah. That might never happen again. It’s not normal to be in the “small crowd”. We’ve been in Uganda a week and I think that piece is just starting to affect me...