Fishing on Lake Victoria

So yesterday morning we took a taxi out to a small fishing village on the coast of lake Victoria. The lake is the largest tropical lake in the world, and the largest lake in Africa. We took a small wooden vessel named "Andrew" across the lake to a tropical island. Andrew had a few leaks but they fortunately provided a bail bucket to keep us a float. The trip took a couple of hours and was absolutely beautiful.

We stopped at a couple of rural fishing villages along the way. The people were drying millions of small fish on the rocks. They look similar to sardines and are called "Silver Fish" I think. The children throw rocks at the birds to keep them from eating all the fish drying in the sun. The fish are actually really tasty. You mix a couple of dozen fish in with beans. Mandy refuses to try them.

We stopped to fish with handmade bamboo poles. Alas we didn't catch a thing, but it was beautiful to sit in "Andrew" as the African sun set on the lake. We then landed, and took off on a hike through the jungle. The rain forest was absolutely amazing. The island was full of incredible birds, monkeys, and crocodiles (Though we didn't see any crocs that day) We hiked for quite awhile in the dark. Our guide was a member of the church in a neighboring city. He was taking us to his parents home for dinner. We arrived in the dark, (The island has no electricity) and had a delicious meal of cold fish heads and rice. Ironically the fish here are by far the most delicious things to eat. The heads are the most desirable part. I was privileged to eat three.

We spent the night in a "hotel" Mandy and I paid $1.50 for the honey-moon suite. We made it through the night, woke up before the sun came up, trucked back through the jungle, and back on our sturdy vessel. We arrived a bit late to church, but had a great time and made some memories we'll never forget.

Speechless

So, Taylor's post pretty much covered the Safari. It's kind-of our last hurrah before we leave. I can't believe this whole two months has slipped away from me so quickly. I don't know if we'll even hit up the internet again to post anything before leaving.

It all feels so strange. I feel so speechless. I feel like I should have some deep insights into life, but I really have come away with so many more questions than answers. Plus love. I like to think that despite the annoyance of misunderstanding another culture, I have been able to emerge with a great love for them. And for people in general.

I also have a much greater resolve to do something good with my life. Even if it's small. There are so many people here doing so much with so little. At least I can do my part to help and lift others. I hope I don't forget that. I know it will be much harder to remember if I don't see it everyday.

Murchison Falls

We just returned from our African safari. It was absolutely amazing. We drove to Murchison Falls national park and stayed at the Red Chili campsite. We slept in a nice tent for the two nights we were there. The tent was a step up from our usual homestead so we really enjoyed sleeping in style.

There were warthogs and hippos outside the tents which was fun. We went on a game drive in a safari van. We just crawled on top of the roof and drove the the African savanna. It was absolutely beautiful. We saw hippos, elephants, gazelles, water buffalo, giraffes, hundreds of birds, and a pack of lions eating a wart hog. We were within 20 feet of all of the animals just chilling on the roof of the car. It was spectacular.

We then took a boat cruise up the Nile. We saw hundreds of hippos, elephants, buffalo and enormous Nile crocodiles. The Nile is absolutely beautiful. The boat dropped us off on an very small island (more like a rock) at the bottom of Murchison Falls. It is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. The entire Nile blasts through a narrow steep gorge (15 feet across). We took plenty of pictures and returned back to camp.

The next day we took a hike to the top of the falls. We'll have to show you the pictures. It's hard to explain, but we were right on top of the waterfall looking down into the froth of water, dead fish, and crocodiles. It was awesome.

We are now in Kampala grabbing a bite to eat. We were hoping to go to the football match tomorrow. It was supposed to be Brazil vs. Uganda for only a couple bucks. We were really hoping to get to go, but alas it was actually today. \for some reason the wrong day came down the Ugandan grapevine. Oh well.

At any rate our trip is sadly coming to a quick close. We have grown to love Uganda and are sad to leave.

Just Missing Good Food

So by now I feel like I've lived in Africa for a really long time. Except for the food. It is still so gross. I can't get over it. I think if I had my own kitchen, it would be better. I know it would be better. But buying nasty powdered milk and cardboard-tasting cereal? It's just not cutting it. At first I could buy street food, but now I can't handle it. I just want something good to eat. At least I like Mary's food for dinner. I basically drink water and gnaw on nasty biscuits until dinner time. It's sad.

Like I was saying, I am really getting used to this though. Pumping water? No problem. Bathing outside? It's kind-of fun. The lizards in the toilet? I hardly flinch. Ok, except for the time I swear it was a snake in the hole. Yuck! That I couldn't handle. But really this is getting normal.

I keep wondering where else I'll end up and how this experience will affect us. Taylor is sure he wants to come back to Uganda. I like it here, but I much prefer Indian food. Or Thai. Maybe Mexican. All conversations return to food here. I am just rambling, so I'll go. We are safe and healthy. We miss you all.

Gulu

These last few weeks have been so busy. I'm not even sure why. We've been running from business classes to teacher trainings, from building stoves to the AIDS Extravaganza. This is definitely not a restful summer, but I'm so grateful to be here. By the way, we meant to write earlier, but the power went out. I don't know if we've mentioned yet that the power goes out at least once or twice a day here. Also, Tay was sick. Of course, the local doctor said he had malaria. The doctor in Kampala, however, said he didn't. Just a bug. No medicine. He's totally fine now. I've never been sick yet. So lucky.

Tay was sick on his birthday, so that was sad. The next day we went to Kampala to "The Surgery" which is just a doctor's office, but maybe they do surgery there. Who knows? Anyway, I already told you about that. But that night we went to the American Recreational Association building where they had a 4th of July party for all U.S. citizens plus other random people who want to pay for a mediocre-tasting barbeque. They did have fireworks, which were fun. Short, but fun.

On Saturday we left Lugazi and headed for Gulu. The trip was supposed to be five hours total, but our bus breaking down plus traffic made it twelve. Amazing, huh? One glaring need in Africa is paved roads with no potholes and with more than one lane going each way. Anyway, we arrived at four in the morning. We slept in the nastiest place ever. The experience was even worse because one of our group members was barfing right outside our room. Multiple times. Woe to him.

We went to church here in Gulu on Sunday. It was amazing. The people here are so good. They have been through so much with the LRA and everything. I don't think anyone is left unaffected. We also had a sporatic fireside with them that night. It was also incredible.

Today we finished adobe stoves that some of our group made a few weeks ago. I don't think it's the most needed project, but I guess we need to finish what we started. The people here really need water and food. Why build a stove if they don't have food to cook? Maybe we can help them get what they really need in the future. Development work is definitely really complicated.

I don't know what else to tell you, but we'll try to post more often in the next two weeks. You all realize we only have that much longer left, right? At least for now. Taylor thinks we are going to move back. Hmmn... I guess we'll see.

Rwanda

On Saturday at 1 am, we boarded a bus in Kampala and headed to Rwanda. Most of the ride was on bumpy dirt roads, and it was miserable. Ten hours later, we arrived in Kilgale, Rwanda.

Rwanda is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. It has green rolling hills with tons of trees and flowers. Still, when we reached the border, I felt so sad. For all of you who haven't seen the movie Hotel Rwanda, you should see it. It talks about the genocide in Rwanda. The genocide really started back in the '30s and eventually led up to 1994, when more than 1,000,000 people were killed in 100 days. We went to a museum, some mass graves, and a church where 5,000 people were murdered. The experience was haunting but important. I can't understand it.

On Sunday, we attended a branch of about 40 members in Rwanda. They meet in the home of an American man who works in peacekeeping. He was very hospitable, and it was a wonderful experience to be there. The people are incredible. It is amazing to see Christianity (especially Evangelical Christianity) spread through Africa. I believe that learning about Christ has been one of the biggest factors in helping Rwanda heal. The city is the cleanest I've ever seen. The government is functioning well. They have come so far.

The only bad part of the trip was when we went to the branch president's house to watch the football (soccer) game on Sunday night. All 17 of us left our shoes outside. Unfortunately, his dog destroyed 5 shoes in the hour we were there. That's the last time I buy Chacos. Oh well.

We were happy to get back to Lugazi. Taylor is mostly busy with business classes. I taught a teacher training yesterday. We are also working with the schools to try to create a sexual education program using school clubs. Here, no one talks with the youth, and the pregnancy and rape rates are very high. We want to educate students on local myths, STDs, assertiveness, etc. The goal is to create school clubs of a few exceptional students who can do one-hour presentations in their school's health classes to educate their peers on these issues. We hope this project will be able to continue for a long time, even when we are gone.

We're Going to RWANDA!

On Wednesday morning, two girls from HELP and I did a 30-minute presentation on HIV and AIDS at Lugazi West Primary School. The 700 elementary students were already assembled for morning exercises. We listened to a preacher for a few minutes first. (It's crazy how strong the Evangelical movement is out here.) Our presentation went pretty well, I think. We may do more of them in the future.

We spent Thursday at Broadway Bakery, which is owned by the branch president. Taylor is trying to help them straighten out their finances. It was a long day, but I think we helped out a lot.

I think the most exciting thing is that after a business class today, a big group of volunteers are heading for Rwanda for the weekend. We are excited to tour some of the genocide sites and monuments. Genocide is so horrible, but I think it's so important to learn about it. We will also attend the tiny branch in Rwanda. It's held in a member's house. Actually, some cool news is that Elder Holland is coming out to Uganda and Rwanda in August, and he's going to dedicate Rwanda for preaching the gospel. It will be part of the Ugandan mission. I think that's so cool. I'm sad we won't be here when it happens.

Anyway, things are still going well. Taylor's feeling better. He was only a little sick for a day or two. I have (very luckily) been completely healthy so far. Let's hope it stays that way.