Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Dad (Will) speaking
Julia asked me to let you all know that she is ok. No more bombings for now. They have had internet problems, so she has not been able to post. She and Bryce went to Queen Elizabeth Park over the weekend; relaxed there and saw lions, hippos, zebras, etc.
Friday, July 16, 2010
prayer
Many people minimize spiritual warfare. No one should. Its real and it affects everyone.
Are you a believer in Christ? Then someone hates you. It is his purpose to destroy you and his goal is for you to not want to do anything to the glory of God. He will make war against you till one of these things happens. And then he will celebrate. As whittaker chambers said, “You have enemies? Good. You have stood up for something.” Or something like that.
But for those of you who are Christians, there is good news too. For every war must have at least 2 sides. As much as you have an enemy, so much more do you have someone who will fight for you and protect you. So many people ignore the fight which God wages for us. In doing so, they diminish God and his place in the universe. He is more than your champion, He is more than your savior, He is more than anything He is to you. He is God. He is the Lord of life. His existence isn’t about you or for you. But He fights for you and saves you because He loves you. And that is awesome. It takes all the pressure off your actions and off your persistence. He is going to fight for you whether you think He should be happy with you lately or not. He just loves you.
And I want to apologize to all of you who pray for me and for this team. Especially those who persist to pray every day. im sorry. you pray for us in America, yet we rarely if ever pray as a team for ourselves. Sure, we pray as individuals, but that’s not the same. It is wrong to rely on you to pray for us, yet to not pray for ourselves. Im not usually part of the spearhead of a project, im used to being part of the support system. I am responsible to you all to take care of myself as much as possible so that your prayers can reach that much further in support of us. And we as a group are responsible to take care of ourselves as a group. But we haven’t been. This situation really struck me last week as a group gathered at my parents’ house to pray for us. I became very embarrassed of my lack of action towards our self-preservation in this most crucial of dimensions. The next day we began to pray as a team before each day. so we have entered the fight for us as a team. Not just as individual pray-ers. Sorry it took us so long.
Are you a believer in Christ? Then someone hates you. It is his purpose to destroy you and his goal is for you to not want to do anything to the glory of God. He will make war against you till one of these things happens. And then he will celebrate. As whittaker chambers said, “You have enemies? Good. You have stood up for something.” Or something like that.
But for those of you who are Christians, there is good news too. For every war must have at least 2 sides. As much as you have an enemy, so much more do you have someone who will fight for you and protect you. So many people ignore the fight which God wages for us. In doing so, they diminish God and his place in the universe. He is more than your champion, He is more than your savior, He is more than anything He is to you. He is God. He is the Lord of life. His existence isn’t about you or for you. But He fights for you and saves you because He loves you. And that is awesome. It takes all the pressure off your actions and off your persistence. He is going to fight for you whether you think He should be happy with you lately or not. He just loves you.
And I want to apologize to all of you who pray for me and for this team. Especially those who persist to pray every day. im sorry. you pray for us in America, yet we rarely if ever pray as a team for ourselves. Sure, we pray as individuals, but that’s not the same. It is wrong to rely on you to pray for us, yet to not pray for ourselves. Im not usually part of the spearhead of a project, im used to being part of the support system. I am responsible to you all to take care of myself as much as possible so that your prayers can reach that much further in support of us. And we as a group are responsible to take care of ourselves as a group. But we haven’t been. This situation really struck me last week as a group gathered at my parents’ house to pray for us. I became very embarrassed of my lack of action towards our self-preservation in this most crucial of dimensions. The next day we began to pray as a team before each day. so we have entered the fight for us as a team. Not just as individual pray-ers. Sorry it took us so long.
bombings
For those of you who have heard the news, we are all safe and well. For those of you who haven’t heard the news, kampala has experienced several bombings. The death toll has reached 76, many of them not Ugandans. The night of the final game of the fifa world cup, somalian suicide bombers exploded in the middle of several gatherings of futball fans. We know every place that was bombed. We have been to most of them, but we rarely hang out there.
Oddly, that night, Sunday night, we are usually in kampala hanging out. But that day we left around 6pm because we were bored. I went to watch the game at the local resort down the road. The only reason we knew about the bombings was cuz someone in seattle called at 2am asking where we were. Sleeping, like we always are at 2am. Of course we are safe, why wouldn’t we be. Well, cuz there were bombings in kampala. …oh.
So now few people in kampala are out after dark. All the bars close at dark. President musevani has declared a week of morning. And obama has condemned the attack. Thanks obama, that will really show them. I remember a time when bombings which killed Americans would elicit a fairly blunt and explosive reaction from my country. Americans felt safe going to random countries. Now people who blow up Americans are merely verbally condemned. That’s just sad. Nearing pathetic actually.
Here at the sight, we feel safe. We are the only mzungus on our peninsula. They would have to actually come looking for us in order to find us. We don’t hang out much at major mzungu hang-outs. And we are going to stay out of those areas for a while.
So, we are safe. We are ok. Don’t worry about us.
Oddly, that night, Sunday night, we are usually in kampala hanging out. But that day we left around 6pm because we were bored. I went to watch the game at the local resort down the road. The only reason we knew about the bombings was cuz someone in seattle called at 2am asking where we were. Sleeping, like we always are at 2am. Of course we are safe, why wouldn’t we be. Well, cuz there were bombings in kampala. …oh.
So now few people in kampala are out after dark. All the bars close at dark. President musevani has declared a week of morning. And obama has condemned the attack. Thanks obama, that will really show them. I remember a time when bombings which killed Americans would elicit a fairly blunt and explosive reaction from my country. Americans felt safe going to random countries. Now people who blow up Americans are merely verbally condemned. That’s just sad. Nearing pathetic actually.
Here at the sight, we feel safe. We are the only mzungus on our peninsula. They would have to actually come looking for us in order to find us. We don’t hang out much at major mzungu hang-outs. And we are going to stay out of those areas for a while.
So, we are safe. We are ok. Don’t worry about us.
Friday, July 9, 2010
lifting walls
The question is how to get the pre-fabricated walls on top of the ferry. In the Everett shop, we had cranes to do all this sort of work. The only figuring we had to do was how to strap each piece so it doesn’t break. But here we don’t have cranes of any kind. We work in the open air, working on our tans during sanding and epoxying. So how does one lift a wall on top a 7 foot tall hull?
Well, when lifting, we separate people into three categories; short, medium, and Bryce. Im in the short group. So we gather around the wall next in line to be hoisted up. After a bit of headscratching and bolstering up the courage to move the wall, we sigh. Bryce begins with a short synopsis of the plan to get it up the boat and mentions whether its breakable. Then he gets at one end of the wall and everyone else sorta sidles up around the wall awaiting instructions. Unfortunately, we are never evenly spaced so we have a few minutes of ordering people to places, much like a seating chart. Then we are ready to lift. And one, two, three, lift! Up goes the wall, and much grunting ensues as we walk towards the hull. Perhaps we spin the wall so that Bryce is at the front, but only by instruction. And lift! Bryce, with the meager help of everyone one in the medium category lifts one side to barely above the edge of the hull. Careful not the drop the other side to the ground. Short people lift with lumber to extend their arms, or run around the boat to help from on top the hulls. That route takes us up the eucalyptus ramp, onto the upper hull wall, down the makeshift steps, over the other walls lying on the floors, and over to the edge where we can see a bit of the wall sticking up over the side. Our job is to lift on the top edge while the others lift from the ground and pull the wall onto the floors. As the wall moves more onto the floors, medium people come up to help the short people. But we all must remember to not break or bend the wall. And those on top the boat must watch out for all the foam pieces and to not step on the other walls. Place the wall in the correct place with foam underneath it. Then gather around the next wall and repeat the process. Its really fun with bendy walls. They can look like this ~ sometimes getting them onto the boat. But with the bends spread out a lot more than that symbol.
We are beginning to realize that almost all the phrases we use to describe movement and direction are in fact colloquialisms not found in Ugandan vocabulary. Such as “move down” or “spread out evenly” or “what are you doing there?!”. Ah the joys of English and engrish coming together.
Well, when lifting, we separate people into three categories; short, medium, and Bryce. Im in the short group. So we gather around the wall next in line to be hoisted up. After a bit of headscratching and bolstering up the courage to move the wall, we sigh. Bryce begins with a short synopsis of the plan to get it up the boat and mentions whether its breakable. Then he gets at one end of the wall and everyone else sorta sidles up around the wall awaiting instructions. Unfortunately, we are never evenly spaced so we have a few minutes of ordering people to places, much like a seating chart. Then we are ready to lift. And one, two, three, lift! Up goes the wall, and much grunting ensues as we walk towards the hull. Perhaps we spin the wall so that Bryce is at the front, but only by instruction. And lift! Bryce, with the meager help of everyone one in the medium category lifts one side to barely above the edge of the hull. Careful not the drop the other side to the ground. Short people lift with lumber to extend their arms, or run around the boat to help from on top the hulls. That route takes us up the eucalyptus ramp, onto the upper hull wall, down the makeshift steps, over the other walls lying on the floors, and over to the edge where we can see a bit of the wall sticking up over the side. Our job is to lift on the top edge while the others lift from the ground and pull the wall onto the floors. As the wall moves more onto the floors, medium people come up to help the short people. But we all must remember to not break or bend the wall. And those on top the boat must watch out for all the foam pieces and to not step on the other walls. Place the wall in the correct place with foam underneath it. Then gather around the next wall and repeat the process. Its really fun with bendy walls. They can look like this ~ sometimes getting them onto the boat. But with the bends spread out a lot more than that symbol.
We are beginning to realize that almost all the phrases we use to describe movement and direction are in fact colloquialisms not found in Ugandan vocabulary. Such as “move down” or “spread out evenly” or “what are you doing there?!”. Ah the joys of English and engrish coming together.
homesick
I live in a land not my own. In a place where I don’t belong, but to live and work for a time. In a land where the customs and rituals make no sense. Where the people have different ideals and desires than i. I do not understand these people. I live among them but do not live as they do. I tell them stories of the land I long for, and I see it sometimes sparks longing in their own eyes. My heart abides in another land. i long with indescribable longing for my own land, the one where I belong. I know that I will see it soon, and that knowledge is enough to comfort me. But for now I sojourn in this foreign land.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
party
This Sunday the pastor returned. This time the service started early to make time afterwards for the party. The pastor has been gone for a long time in America so I expected the party to be large and exuberant. I didn’t expect what actually happened. Worship started as usual. Dancing, singing, kids wanting to sit with me. And as we listened to one worship leader expounding on prayer, a growing commotion outside slowly grabbed the attention of the church. Shouting, yelling, celebrating. The parade of Ugandans in brightly colored clothing poured into the courtyard outside. The speaker announced the arrival of the pastor. The parade entered the front of the church to shouts and singing. So many colors on the dresses. The singing people drowned out the loud speakers. The parade circled around the front of the church. Around and around singing “praise God, thankyou jesus.” Or something like that. The woman next to me was kind enough to translate what we were singing. The only reason I figured out which one of the paraders was the pastor was from the way he held himself. Almost as if this welcome was too much for him. I don’t even think the body language was intentional. Right after his parade came the Americans. Somehow I was asked to come up front and sit with the other Americans as one of the special guests. Guess what my question was? I asked if I could take the kids who were sitting with me. So me and the 2 little girls were escorted up the front seats. The girls took turns sitting on my lap. We watched various people or groups singing in honor of their pastor returning. One woman was very good, the pastor and his wife got up and sang with her. The man next to me informed me that this woman was their daughter. So I took a picture of the public reunion of a family. Reverend Dorsey gave an excellent sermon.
I wanted to tell these people that before that morning I didn’t think they could express anymore joy in their singing or dance with more feeling. I was wrong. All I could think about was David leading his people and the ark back into Jerusalem. Imagine the rejoicing. Imagine the love and joy. Do you ever feel so happy you could just get up, shout and dance for joy? These people experienced this, and they gave vent to these feelings. They wouldn’t stop praising God for the safe return of their beloved pastor. Oh that Americans would show a tenth of the joy these people expressed. Quit worrying about how you look and just dance for joy. The day was about the pastor. Even the kids knew that.
The service ended, but most people stayed in waiting for the party to start and the lunch to be served. Us Americans went out to the courtyard among the kids for some air and a little quieter area. There were easily 100 kids in the courtyard, all trying to touch one of the Americans. I started taking pictures of the kids. They all crowded up to the camera. So I would get a group of them and tell them to stay, back up a few feet and try to take a picture before they all surged forward. Then I would show them a picture of them. So much fun to these kids. I got several pics of the other Americans entertaining groups of kids just by their looks. I spent some time coaxing kids away from each of the Americans so they could have a reprieve from the constant touching. And I found that several of the kids are ticklish. Evil grin.
The church service ended at about noon. We finally ate at 4. Until that time, the people were singing and dancing or watching others sing and dance. For 4 hours. Wow these people love celebrating. Finally we came back in to eat. The table with the guests of honor were served first. A woman with a pitcher and basin went around so we could wash our hands. Then the plates of freshly cooked Ugandan food appeared. I could see some of the servers getting worried till one arrived with a small plate of forks for most of the Americans. They hadn’t figured on anyone needing to eat with anything besides their hands, so they had to go find forks somewhere. Seeing the shortage of forks, I opted to eat with my hands. Pastor Wilson was so surprised and kept asking if I was ok eating like that. About 5 o clock rolls around and some Americans have a flight to catch. The rest of us piggy-back on that excuse to leave the festivities early. Church lasted 7 ½ hours for me that Sunday. Don’t get me wrong, I love celebrations. Just not for 7 hours in full view of the congregation.
Welcome home pastor Wilson. Your flock missed you. Cant you tell?
I wanted to tell these people that before that morning I didn’t think they could express anymore joy in their singing or dance with more feeling. I was wrong. All I could think about was David leading his people and the ark back into Jerusalem. Imagine the rejoicing. Imagine the love and joy. Do you ever feel so happy you could just get up, shout and dance for joy? These people experienced this, and they gave vent to these feelings. They wouldn’t stop praising God for the safe return of their beloved pastor. Oh that Americans would show a tenth of the joy these people expressed. Quit worrying about how you look and just dance for joy. The day was about the pastor. Even the kids knew that.
The service ended, but most people stayed in waiting for the party to start and the lunch to be served. Us Americans went out to the courtyard among the kids for some air and a little quieter area. There were easily 100 kids in the courtyard, all trying to touch one of the Americans. I started taking pictures of the kids. They all crowded up to the camera. So I would get a group of them and tell them to stay, back up a few feet and try to take a picture before they all surged forward. Then I would show them a picture of them. So much fun to these kids. I got several pics of the other Americans entertaining groups of kids just by their looks. I spent some time coaxing kids away from each of the Americans so they could have a reprieve from the constant touching. And I found that several of the kids are ticklish. Evil grin.
The church service ended at about noon. We finally ate at 4. Until that time, the people were singing and dancing or watching others sing and dance. For 4 hours. Wow these people love celebrating. Finally we came back in to eat. The table with the guests of honor were served first. A woman with a pitcher and basin went around so we could wash our hands. Then the plates of freshly cooked Ugandan food appeared. I could see some of the servers getting worried till one arrived with a small plate of forks for most of the Americans. They hadn’t figured on anyone needing to eat with anything besides their hands, so they had to go find forks somewhere. Seeing the shortage of forks, I opted to eat with my hands. Pastor Wilson was so surprised and kept asking if I was ok eating like that. About 5 o clock rolls around and some Americans have a flight to catch. The rest of us piggy-back on that excuse to leave the festivities early. Church lasted 7 ½ hours for me that Sunday. Don’t get me wrong, I love celebrations. Just not for 7 hours in full view of the congregation.
Welcome home pastor Wilson. Your flock missed you. Cant you tell?
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