Children of the Nations – Lira, Uganda July 2013

Summer 2013 – Lessons Learned

What I learned from the Summer of 2013 – please accept my overdue assignment

1. While some pray for school vacation and summer to come sooner –  in Uganda there are children praying for tuition to be paid and a uniform to enter the classroom doors.
2. I’m still not sure what world events occurred in July 2013 beyond the birth of a new prince, and my life doesn’t seem any less full.
3. Lions when they put their minds to it can climb trees in the Murchison Falls National Park.
4. Ugandan girls are competitive, fierce, and love opportunities to play football.
5. Despite my bizarre dream of swimming with hippos they are not remotely like dolphins and a swim in The Nile is not advised, their teeth rival sharks.
6. The Churchill War Rooms are a must when visiting London.
7. Headphones at night help drown out the sound of rats.
8. Mosquito nets are wonderful for keeping out rats, lizards, toads, and mosquitoes.
9. Even a 5 year old can learn to wash their clothes by hand.
10. The hand-washing soap OMO is better than anything we have in the USA to get clothing looking bright and clean again.
11. Though cathedrals are beautiful I’m thankful no one is buried in my church.
12. White Ants are tastier than eating intestine (though I’m not sure if I ate goat or cow intestine and prefer to skip both).
13. I would catch White Ants to eat again but leaving the cooking to the 7 year olds as they did a great job.
14. Americans do not literally use their heads enough to carry water and other items (I think we should all start next time we go to Target or even the Mall – ditch the carts)
15. The children who are “blessed” (some say spoiled) in Children’s Villages in Africa don’t need to be concerned where their next meal will come from, what they will wear or who will pay their tuition fees.  It brings perspective.
16. It’s humbling to see men in prison be thankful for a simple bar of soap.
17. It takes 80 pumps at the well to fill a bucket big enough for a “shower”, a few more if you need to shave your legs that day.
18. Dancing in Church, including a “conga line” is Worshipful.
19. Thunder and Lighting Storms while sleeping under a Tin Roof is like God’s Drum Circle.
20. My friend Jimmey can drive like he belongs in a Hollywood movie.  With no re-takes needed we arrived safely for an airport drop-off.
21. Despite how much I stay in the sun I’m still a “muno” (white person) and intriguing to the neighborhood children in Lira (please tell this to the student who could barely stay awake in my class last week).
22. Profound Joy is found in Uganda as people trust in God and hold firm to: With God All things are Possible  (Matthew 19:27)

Finally – I have fabulous and supportive family and friends who I am humbled by as they prayed, encouraged, listened, challenged and gave generously to God’s work in Uganda and my small part in in during July.