TIA: Farmers Tan is Kickin’
Posted on 20. May, 2009 by Josh Agerton in Formation, Uganda
We’ve given out 232 pairs of eye glasses over these last three days thanks to Eyes on Africa (they supplied us with the glasses and all the testing gear.) It’s been a great act of love poured out on these folks. They are all so grateful and we are hopeful for these seeds planted in kindness. It’s also just been a blast to visit with these locals and serve them. I love getting to know them and hearing about their lives. And they have loved hearing me try to speak a few words in Lugandan (their native language).
Also took a break today to visit the old run-off well that was used before the new bore well was put in last fall with the help of Cornerstone. It’s become a usual thing for each team together to understand the importance of the new well. We all took a 5 gallon jerry can down to the well and hauled them back it…a good ½ mile, up hill, and partly through the bush. It was a serious chore. Felt like I was on “Survivor” or something. But we all made it back up. Most of the kids in the community were doing this at least twice a day, every day. So much that it was affecting them from growing taller. It really makes you appreciate the water that comes out when you just turn the faucet. Jordan said, “I’ll never leave the water running when I brush my teeth again.” The new well (clean water, close to the church and community) continues to make a huge impact on life in Buloba.
Last night we had an authentic Ugandan feast over at Pastor Eva’s house in Kampala. We all got there around 6pm and visited with Pastor Eva in the living room for a while. Then we went out back and found where the real party was…where about 12 folks from the church were doing all of the cooking.
We ended up hanging out with the cooks in what was like a narrow alley behind her home. They couldn’t believe that we wanted to hang out there with them (in what is known as the servant’s area) instead of on the fancy front porch. But it was so fun. At one time I counted 5 fire pots going…cooking rice, beans, steamed vegetables, a fish stew, grilled chicken, fried potatoes and tons of other stuff I can’t name…all with no hot-pad holders. Brother Godfrey let me help him a bit with grilling the goat (a delicacy in Uganda), but he did the turning of the meat on the grill (with no grilling tools…his own hands).
It was so much fun. We stayed back there for almost two hours sharing stories with each other and just hanging amongst all the smoke. They insisted not to let us help them so we just stayed close and kept them entertained with our crazy American stories and differences in our cultures. Watching them in this place I understood the great sense of community they had as they worked together. I asked them what time they arrived to start cooking and they said 2pm. Everyone had a part in the dinner. And they all shared their lives together as they washed pots, peeled potatoes and kept the fire pots going. It wasn’t till about 8:30 when all 23 of us stood around a huge table full of food to pray and dig in. It was a blast. Amazing that we have found a sense of community and belonging in just a few short days with these people. We finished off the night with a huge birthday cake for Lauren who turned 19 yesterday. It was maybe the best thing I put in my mouth all week (I had leftovers of it for lunch today.) We didn’t get home ‘till about 11:30…we partied hard and were all kinda dragging when we showed up to do the glasses deal this morning. These folks understood and practiced the meaning of St. Benedicts Rule #53: “Let all guests that come be received like Christ.”
Tomorrow we’re taking a break and having a day as tourists. We are heading out at 6am for a 2-hour drive over to Jinja to check out the source of the Nile River. The college crew is all going to bungee jump over the Nile. Or at least that’s what they are saying now. We’ll see when we get there. We’re also going to have a little lunch at a fancy bed n’ breakfast overlooking the Nile. Then back to Kampala in the late afternoon to shop at the market. Should be a good day together.
In the midst of the poverty and struggle of the people here in Uganda we are seeing the face of Jesus…in the people we are serving and in each other. These days have been stretching and eye opening for all of us spiritually. I’m so encouraged to be with such an incredible group of young people on this trip…Andi and I are the only non-college folks. These are kingdom minded people that are going to change the world.
Be sure to check out Andi’s blog. She’s got more stories and also a good picture gallery as well.
