Jealousy

I admit it. I’m a jealous person (apparently). I am sometimes sucked in by American materialism and “keeping up with the Jones.” But here in Uganda, it’s not about the stuff. It’s about the spirit. I have commented to a few friends how much easier it is to be close to God here. To really be in tune to His heart, to hear His voice, to call out to Him, to thank and praise Him. It’s a state of need and desire to be close to Him. And I see it so fervently in the believers here.

I was reading a book recently (an excellent book called “When Helping Hurts”, that I highly recommend to EVERYONE!) and the author commented about the people he encountered in a tent church in a slum here in Uganda. The members were all praying aloud at the same time, as is customary in Uganda, and he heard praises and pleas such as “Lord, thank you for the food you provided yesterday, please provide it again today,” “Father God, be with my husband so that he doesn’t beat me today,” “Almighty God, I believe that you can provide school fees for my children.” And on and on the praises and prayers went. It’s out of a great need and desire to praise God for the work He is doing and will do in their lives. It’s a constant outpouring of thankfulness and approaching His throne for their daily needs. If everything is God’s and He lovingly gives it us, then this is how it’s supposed to be, right?

And I’m jealous. I see the dependence, the glistening tears of gratitude when He moves and the outstretched arms as believers fervently pray for their nation. When did I miss out on this? I know that it’s in America too, but sometimes I get so caught up in that good ole American materialism and the fact that our “needs” are not even in comparison to the “needs” of people in Uganda, that I forget. I forget that God has supplied all my needs, according to HIS riches and glory! I forget that what I have is already HIS and I should pour out blessings and praise to Him who has so generously given to me. I forget to seek his face for my daily bread.

So, I pray that I will not forget. That I will stand in the gap for our nation, for our children, for the impoverished of this world. That I will stand in awe of the cereal I have in the morning, because God provided it (okay, maybe that’s a little much, but I should be thankful, even for the little things!). And that I will remember my brothers and sisters in Uganda. Though they may be “materially poor” they are “spiritually rich” and we can all learn something from them.

The Butterfly Effect

Our yard is filled with butterflies. All kinds. Small. Big. And lots of colors! I guess it figures since during this rainy season I have seen many a caterpillar mosey-ing along. Last Saturday, as we were all outside doing our weekly washing, one landed on Peter’s shoulder and stayed! I was amazed. He walked right up to me with it still sitting on his shoulder, saying “Look Auntie Leslie!”

I tell you all of this, in the midst of having our first short-term team here, for two reasons. Reasons that I needed to hear, understand, process and evaluate in my own life. Yes … this is one of Leslie’s philosophical moments. Ha ha!

Reason #1. The butterflies had been flying around our yard for at least a few days before I saw the one sitting on Peter’s shoulder. But it took him saying, “Look” for me to actually see. Sometimes that really bothers me about myself. It isn’t until someone points something out to me that an understanding, a dawning happens in my brain. As if my eyes were not comprehending the world around me prior to the aforementioned “Look!” And I guess the only word for that is self-centeredness. YIKES! Now that is something to sit down, reflect, take the time to process and understand and then take steps to change, isn’t it? Sometimes, I just need a small little reminder to stop. Look. I was just glad this time that reminder came in the form of butterflies.

Reason #2. Caterpillars are pretty cute if you look at them. They could happily stay that way forever, I’m sure. They have their needs met. They get plenty to eat. Of course, I’m guessing on this. I have not actually interviewed one, but I can only imagine that their simple little life is just fine with them. But then something happens. They start the cocoon. And suddenly are thrust into the world as a new creation! Not crawling, but flying. Not colorless, but colorful. Something brand new. I can only imagine what they are thinking in their little cocoons, but to be able to come out and see the world as only a butterfly can, it really must be something. It’s the greatest analogy to becoming a follower of Christ. We are all called to something greater when we enter this world. Life can be going along and then you hear it … Jesus is calling you. By name. To quit crawling in the muck and the mire and to fly! I’m ever more aware of this since being in Uganda. I see Jesus in these beautiful faces, soulful eyes and joyful smiles looking back at me. I see new creations, flying. They way they were created to fly. It’s a precious thing. One we should all remember!

As I write this from my “New Creation Family Home” (appropriately named, don’t you think?), I can only smile as I think of these kids and the new creations they have become. They were beautiful before they arrived, but now they can fly!

I have to examine myself, because sometimes, I go back to crawling. Breathing in the dirt and grime and forgetting that I was created, that I was called to something greater. That I too can fly because I’m a new creation. And I’m praying that the kids (and adults) we meet in these next 2 weeks will want to fly too. 

School Daze ... literally!

The feeling that freedom is not far away. The mornings where you can finally sleep late (if you want). The never-ending facts that you cram into your head are almost done!

Yes, it’s almost that time … when school will be out for the term. But before this longed for freedom, there is one little obstacle. Exams! Argh! Yes, end of term exams are here. My students have been reviewing and reviewing and reviewing their notes, their past quizzes and their math worksheets in preparation. Tomorrow is the big day. And we are all praying that they are ready!

And now you’re thinking, “Seriously! They are almost out of school. What?” Well, schooling in Uganda is done in 3 terms for each school year, starting at the end of January, with some holiday time in between each term. A rough calendar would look like this:

Term 1: Jan – Mid-April

Term 2: Mid-May – Aug

Term 3: Sept – Nov/Dec

What we in America would call the big “summer” break is actually Dec/Jan in Uganda. During this long holiday, you’ll find many students and teachers alike headed back to the village to visit family and friends, as is the case with many of our own students at New Creation Center.

I, myself, am looking forward to this holiday as much as my students. And now I know why my teachers all looked completely frazzled and burnt out at the end of each year – it’s because they are. I’m just now feeling their pain myself. So for all my teacher friends: you really do fight the good fight. I’m praying for you!

Speaking of, please pray for the students here as they start their exams. Also, during this holiday between term 1 and term 2 we are looking for a qualified English teacher at New Creation Center. Please pray that we find one!!

From Uganda, this is Teacher Leslie, signing off! Singing my merry tune of school-time freedom! Woo-hoo!!

It's Greek to Me!

Technically, it’s not Greek, it’s English. “Ugandan” English to be precise. Did you know that Uganda has 2 official national languages? They are English and Swahili. Now, Swahili is rarely spoken where I live. You mostly hear Luganda and English in and around Kampala. And most schools are taught in English, so children learn pretty quickly. While English may be a second language for most Ugandans, it is one of their official languages.

Anyway, since arriving back in Oct I’ve catalogued some of the interesting turn-of-phrases that have graced my ears. Now, if you are a Brit or an Aussie, you may think some of these phrases are commonplace. Apparently, you all use some of the same jargon. For those of you from the USA, consider this your proper Ugandan English lesson for the day:

Uganda English	USA English
Can I go susu? Can I go for short call?	Can I go pee? Can I go pee?
Can I go for long call?	(what do you think this one could be??)
Someone is poo-pooling.	Someone is on the toilet, pooping. You’d think that long call and poo-pooling would be interchangeable, but they aren’t. You’d never ask to go poo-pooling!
My pen is disturbing me!	My pen won’t write. I think it ran out of ink.
Dodging	Not doing your assigned chore
I need to pollute.	I have to fart.
Indicator	Turn signal
We have ever.	Yes, we’ve done that.
I have tonsillitis.	I have a sore throat.
I have the flu.	I have a cold.
My stomach is paining me.	I have a stomach ache. (note: the word “ache” is rarely used here)
Extend	Move back, scoot over, step aside, etc.
Well be back.	Welcome back.
Assist me, please	Give me that, please.
I’m going to the saloon.	I’m going to the salon (to get a haircut).

I’m sure there are more, which I have either forgotten to write down, or have become so common to me that I think nothing of it. In any case, I do sometimes get a case of the chuckles over some of these. Especially the poo-pooling comment. I most often hear this as the kids reason for being late back to class after the bell rings! Someone else was poo-pooling and they had to wait to susu. Still makes me laugh as I type this.

And that concludes your first Ugandan English lesson. Study … there may be a quiz on this next week. Oh wait, that’s teacher-Leslie coming out. I forgot, this is blogger-Leslie.

Broken Bones

Yes, it is true. We have a broken bone in the house. And surprise, surprise … it’s not Shafiga. Shafiga holds the record with 2 broken bones. In fact, she’s had the only 2 broken bones that New Creation Family Home has experienced (even with all these wild boys!). Until today. And who is the grand prize winner … drumroll please … Vickie!!

Yesterday, during lunch break and recess, the kids were playing this game called “Bando”. It’s kind of like hide-n-seek. So, Vickie choose to hide in the mango tree and before she was discovered, jumped down and landed very badly on her foot. We iced, wrapped and elevated to see if it the swelling would go down and when it didn’t this morning, Mama Sarah made an appointment.

Vickie is a little tentative in smiling for this picture.

 We took Vickie to a nearby hospital/clinic for X-rays, which told us that she did in fact break one of the bones on the top of her foot. She had never had X-rays before and I could not tell if she was scared of this giant machine that stood before her, so I explained that the machine takes a picture of the bones. Most importantly, it won’t hurt!

Next, we go to P.O.P., better known as Plaster of Paris. This is a new building on the premises. Actually, I don’t think you can call it new if it is still being built, but the bottom floor is done and they are using it. Before entering, take your shoes off (which I thought was hilarious and therefore took a photo of my foot with Sarah’s foot, which you can find on FB).

I’ve never seen a cast being put on, so I stayed to watch and held Vickie’s hand as the technician wound the gauze-looking stuff around the broken part of her foot. It didn’t take very long and then Vickie was being measured for her very own crutches! The ones she was using were Shafiga’s old ones, but she’s much taller than Shafiga.

And that is the tale of Vickie’s broken foot. Since she’s young she only needs the cast on for 30 days. Pray that it goes quickly for her!

Planting Perspective

It’s March. And now you’re thinking “Yes, Leslie, it is. Are you living in a time warp?” The team was here in January and I have yet to write about the amazing two weeks of serving alongside 26 other volunteers from the US and Australia. Where has the time gone?

Which leads me to procrastination vs. processing. Where does processing stop and procrastination start? I’m always amazed at the amount of processing you do in the weeks and even months after a short-term mission trip, but in my case I also have to acknowledge that little vice in my life – the other “p” word: Procrastination.

 

Hold that thought … it will come back. I promise.

The January team got to visit and plant palm trees, which will line the driveway at GRACELAND, the future site of Loving One by One Ministries here in Uganda. It was a fun and dirty time, with kids and volunteers alike sharing special moments in planting “their” tree. As I watched, I couldn’t help but “see” what this driveway will look like when the trees are older and the palms are spread out inviting everyone to come up the hill.

I think about these baby trees, knowing what they will look like when they get older (I’ve seen what the “grown” up trees look like). It made me ponder the things I plant in my own life and what they look like as they grow. Sometimes I plant the right things, like kindness. Sometimes I plant the not-so-right-thing, like jealousy. Let me tell you, that does not grow into a beautiful palm tree. It’s more like an ugly cactus!

While the team was here, I discovered a seed that was beginning to plant its roots in my heart: Homesickness. Thankfully, the seed was literally plucked out, when I heard the sermon at church. It was all about perspective. I quickly realized that it’s a matter of what perspective I plant in the garden of my heart. I can choose to plant homesickness or I can choose to plant joy and gladness at the things I get to experience.

As a kid, I used to hate that saying “you reap what you sow”, but I have to admit that … (ugh!) … (c’mon, Leslie, you have to say it) … it’s … (swallow the pride) … true.

If I sow trust, I reap faith.

If I sow contentment, I reap joy.

If I sow self-discipline, I reap self-control.

On the other hand …

If I sow pride, I reap selfishness.

If I sow anger, I reap bitterness.

If I sow “but I want to do this now”, I reap procrastination (see I told you it would come back … BTW, is there a one word meaning for “but I want to do this now?”)

In answer to “What do you want most in life?” many people would say that they just want to be happy. I’ve always thought that was an interesting answer. But, how does one reap happiness? It’s all a matter of what you sow:

Sometimes the thing you sow sounds good, looks good, feels good at the time, but what comes up out of the ground is nothing but a rotten piece of fruit. So, you’re happy in the sowing, but miserable in the reaping. Does that sound like happiness to you?

Sometimes the thing you sow sounds impossible, looks like an uphill battle, feels frustrating, but what comes out of the ground is juicy deliciousness. So, you’re not so happy in the sowing, but beyond delighted in the reaping.

Now, which kind of happiness do you want?

Above all, the Bible has it right … I mean who doesn’t want to reap love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Now THAT sounds like an amazing garden. And if I sow the right things, then it's one that I will have. 

No matter what seeds you plant, they will eventually grow and soon it will be blatantly obvious to everyone which one you planted. Just look at the fruit.

It’s all a matter of planting the right perspective.

Kony 2012. What I know.

Many, if not all of you, are now aware of Invisible Children’s campaign called “Kony 2012” which has spread like wildfire on YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo, creating one of the quickest, if not the quickest, viral videos in our history. The video has staunch supporters and harsh critics alike. Dare I say, much like any topic in our world today?

If you have yet to actually see this video, click here: Kony 2012.

I do not purport myself to be an expert in Northern Uganda, the LRA or Invisible Children. Nor do I claim to be an investigative journalist charged with getting the front page byline, selling the most papers, getting the most hits or beating the other guy to the punch. I’m just me, living in Uganda (southern Uganda, at that). And this is what I know (however, little it may be):

The LRA’s leader Joseph Kony should have been stopped long ago. The list of atrocities he and his organization have engaged in are the worst of the worst. Aside from rape, abduction, maiming and pillaging, the physical and emotional torture he has inflicted upon thousands of children is altogether spine shivering. Imagine watching your brother boiled alive in front of you and then told you are going to eat him (true story). So, Invisible Children’s simple message, Stop Kony, should be agreed upon by everyone!

Yes, Stop Kony, is a simple message. Maybe too simplistic in the minds of many out there, certainly some of the more critical articles I’ve read. Let me take you back to my marketing days at a medical device company. The technology that goes into the devices can be mind-boggling at times. Certainly more complex than anyone, other than the engineers, really ever need know. Yes, the problems Uganda face are more complex than “Stop Kony”, but if you proceed to detail all the issues, how many of you would ever have tuned into the video, let alone watch it all. All I’m saying is that our attention spans are short and our memories are even shorter. Remembered messages are short, sweet, and above all simple!

The truth behind the LRA in Northern Uganda at this moment in time has also been put to question. No, Joseph Kony is not here in Uganda and has not been active here for some time. He’s moved on, under pressure, to other countries. Northern Uganda is relatively peaceful aside from land disputes as the Acholi people are being restored to their homeland.

The LRA is also not operating at the same level it was during their reign of terror in the 90s. Abductions are slowing, killings are fewer, raids on villages seem to be for food, which leads some to believe that the LRA is a dying organization better left to simply die out on it’s own. To that I say, where is justice? Should Kony not face the consequences just because he’s not killing and abducting as many children as he was before? Invisible Children made a promise to young Jacob all those years ago, and they continue to honor it. That is integrity in a world where too many sit idly by tearing down those who would try, complain it’s too hard, and become apathetic.

Uganda faces many troubles, from a corrupt government, a military force that has terrorized the very people they were to protect, “nodding” disease, HIV/AIDS, etc. And Uganda children are not alone in their mistreatment. The LRA does not hold the copyright on Child soldiers. It’s happening now in other countries all over the world. These are all “arguments” I’ve heard from critics of the Kony 2012 video. As if Invisible Children should be advocating for ALL the problems and ALL the countries in the world. The mark of any good department, mission statement or charity is specificity. Be specific in your mission, your goals and you will reach them. How can anyone criticize Invisible Children for staying true to their mission? Hey you critics, why don’t you pick up a banner, create a charity, and follow the founders of Invisible Children’s lead. I’m sure these other causes would love your support!

There’s more I could say, but frankly, this blog is definitely not short and sweet!

Sometimes action is simply clicking “like” or sharing a video. Sometimes something stirs in our hearts urging us to financial giving. And sometimes, the cry of your heart is so loud it cannot be assuaged by anything other than jumping into a ministry or starting your own. The point is, you’ve taken action. Your voice is being heard. Let us never find ourselves in an apathy chair, sitting back writing critiques of those who would act.

A few other resources for you.. (Note: my views and opinions expressed in this blog are not necessarily the views or opinions of these organizations listed below.)

Africa Arise: www.africaarise.ca

To restore justice and righteousness to the orphan, the widow and the poor in Africa. Serving in the Acholi Quarter near Kampala. (The Acholi people were the most affected by the LRA in Northern Uganda).

Invisible Children: www.invisiblechildren.com

Invisible Children uses film, creativity and social action to end the use of child soldiers in Joseph Kony's rebel war and restore LRA-affected communities in central Africa to peace and prosperity.

The below was added approx 6 hours after original post.

Interesting information to read if you want more:
The LRA Crisis Tracker by Invisible Children + Resolve
Interview with one of the Kony 2012 Video Creators
Invisible Children answers the hard questions