Another Week in Bundibugyo

July 9th, 2007

Today was an exciting day in Bundibugyo. It was the dedication of the new pediatric and maternity ward at Nyahuka medical clinic. The ceremony lasted several hours and included lots of traditional dancing, Ugandan food, and Celine Dion music. Yeah, don’t ask. God answered our prayer in that it was a beautiful sunny day. The featured speaker at the ceremony was the US Ambassador to Uganda. He stopped by Christ School for a brief assembly in the morning, then spoke at the medical clinic. Aside from the excitement of talking to the ambassador over a coca cola and accompanying him at the airstrip (along with Ugandan guards armed with rocket propelled launders), I really enjoyed his message at the dedication. He said he wasn’t here representing the American government, but rather the American people. This was because a large part of the medical clinic and mission here is funded by churches, families and individuals that comprise the American people. He spoke of how each year the US government gives $500 million in aid to Uganda. For each dollar that is funded by our government, $3 is given by the American people to the nation of Uganda. This money is channeled to serve underprivileged people through various missions organizations, NGOs and non profits. He emphasized that the individual does make a difference. He spoke of how several years ago, three American university students went through Uganda in search of a story to capture on film. They produced a documentary that opened America’s eyes to the twenty year long war involving child soldiers in northern Uganda. That was the Invisible Children DVD. It’s because I viewed that DVD, that my eyes were opened to Uganda, missions opportunities, and overall just having a bigger view of the world, its people, problems, and my role in the midst of it all. I really enjoyed the ambassador’s message because it’s easy for us to sit back and feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the world’s problems. Because of this, we fall into the faulty mentality that the individual can’t make a difference. But that just isn’t true. Call me an idealist, but if one life is touched from just one dollar or one prayer or one short term missions trip, it’s worth it. Change is being brought about by individuals and small groups of people. Global poverty and hunger may continue to exist, but apathy isn’t the answer.

July 14th

The beginning of this week started off pretty rough in my classroom. The students were disrespectful to me on Monday. I left the classroom feeling very discouraged. We prayed about it a lot with the team here. Disciplining students is not one of my strong points. Especially here in Africa, when things are a bit more intimidating as a foreigner. Fortunately, my head teacher, Master Peter, was able to exchange words with them. I reinforced these words the next day in class. As soon as we threatened discipline (slashing the grass), they behaved like angels. I hope that my last week of school here can be marked by learning and good behavior and fun.

Towards the end of the week, I tried doing my first laboratory experiment with my classes. The experiment was a simple neutralization reaction, aiming to produce a soluble salt. They had never performed an experiment like this before, I believe they have only watched demonstrations. Although the reaction was simple, I was a bit fearful, given that we were working with a strong acid, and open flame, and the day before they had asked to make an atomic bomb. Also, the class size, with forty students is a bit daunting. I prayed a lot about how the lab would go, for safety, for good learning, for obedience. It went so well! It was great to hear cheers of excitement after the lab groups had successfully produced a salt. Everyone was so excited about learning, which is a contrast to their indifference expressions when we lecture in the classroom.

We only have about nine days left here in Bundibugyo. We leave here the 24th, spend 2 days in Kampala, then fly out. Some times I feel like these 2 months have gone so fast, other times so slow. Pray for good reflection and debriefing time as the team prepares to leave and go back to a very different world.

Love,

Andrea

This past week

July 6^th, 2007

Hello everyone. Happy belated fourth of July. It was definitely different celebrating Independence Day in Uganda. July 4^th was my first day back to teaching the S2 grade level. God really provided a wonderful day. Before classes started, I consulted my mentor teacher for advice in transitioning back to school. He suggested I spend some time talking with the students about their feelings on being back, and praying for them. It was such good advice. In talking with the students, I found out that some were angry that they had to leave school and their studies even though they were innocent. Others were angry that some of their classmates are expelled. Still some are frustrated with the rules that they have to follow. I listened to them, and offered some words of encouragement. Then God led me to Romans 8:28. I shared with them how this is one of God’s greatest promises to his children. If we love God and are called according to his purposes, which I believe many at Christ School are, he will work all situations together for good. They listened intently and I believe God comforted them with his word. We closed in prayer and then peacefully started our study on salts and solubility. Praise God! The last five minutes of class were spent in an interesting cultural exchange. We talked a bit about American Independence Day and compared it to Uganda’s Independence Day. Turns out we have a lot in common. We both celebrate Independence from England and we both celebrate by parades, food, and fireworks. At the request of my students, I sung our national anthem. It sounded hideous, but they didn’t care. J

In the past two weeks, Lydia and I have been teaching HIV prevention in a local Ugandan government school. We are not limited at all in what we can share. We are able to read from the Bible, pray with the girls, and share the gospel message. This is excellent, as this is an essential part to abstinence education. We work with our friend Annette, who is our translator. Please pray for the hearts of the girls, that they will receive the gift of faith to believe in Jesus and have a desire to live according to God’s word. The girls seem to listen and understand. Most of them are at least vaguely familiar with Christianity, but there are many cultural barriers that contradict a Biblical worldview (ie polygamy). We are trying to present the gospel and through God’s grace, work against such barriers. Here in Bundibugyo, it is common for women to be mistreated and looked down upon. They often perform the majority of physical labor and are not given equal opportunities for education. Women seem to receive their value from having children, so many girls have babies at young ages. It is also not uncommon for a girl to use sex in order to buy food or other supplies. Needless to say, the girls are hearing the truth from God’s word, but there are many real life messages they hear that contradict the Bible. God’s word is strong and powerful and does not return empty. Pray that the girls will be transformed by the working of the Holy Spirit.

That’s about it for now. I send you my love the whole 7000 mile journey across the Atlantic all the way to eastern PA.

Andrea

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28 to 31

Recap of Last Week

June 29^th, 2007

Recap of Last Week

Wesayo from Bundibugyo! We just arrived back into the district last evening. It was a long and very bumpy car ride from Fort Portal. It is so good to be back. It is amazing how I’ve only lived here for about three weeks, yet as we were driving back in to the Christ School complex, I felt like I was coming home.

The situation at Christ School is much better. Praise God. The students have been coming back by grade level at a staggered pace, every two days or so. They are arriving with their parents and having discussions with the teachers. So far, everything has been peaceful, which is a huge answer to prayer. In talking to some of the students, I’ve gathered that they are happy to be back and return to their studies, though some say that the rules will still be difficult to follow. Please continue to pray for peace as the students will still be coming back in waves until next week.

Our vacation was wonderful! We had time to rest, study God’s word, have fellowship, and enjoy God’s creation. The first day was spent hiking 14 miles over the Rwenzori Mountains. The journey was difficult as many parts were steep and very muddy from the rainy season. However, the view from the top was breath taking and made it totally worthwhile. We made a friend along the way, a Ugandan national. Though we didn’t speak his language, he was helpful in finding us all walking sticks and just being an encouraging, cheerful presence. It is amazing that many Ugandans live high up on the mountain and travel it weekly, if not daily. They really put us to shame. We were passed by many children, a herd of goats, a boy carrying a chicken, and my favorite, an old woman carrying about 50 pounds of sticks on her back.

The next two days were spent in Fort Portal where we did a Sonship discipleship course. It was great to take time away from our busy schedules to really meditate on the Bible and search our hearts. I left the retreat more thankful for God’s grace and resting in his promise that I am his child. God really worked to bring unity to build his church in this time. Oh, and the hot showers were nice too. J

The final portion of our journey was spent on safari. We were blessed to see many elephants, warthogs, water buffalo, water buck, hippos, crocodiles, and impala. My favorite was the lion. It was absolutely stunning. Just to see the way it walks with such authority. It’s astounding.

Today was a big day for the church in Bundibugyo. We had the dedication of the book of Acts, which was just translated into Lubwisi. The ceremony at the church lasted for about seven hours and was marked by much joy and excitement. Many members from the Wycliffe translating team were there to celebrate the accomplishment. The people in the church waited eagerly to purchase a copy. Many started reading as soon as they received it. It made me think of the years in my life where my Bible sat collecting dust in my room. And here is this group of Christians that for years have gone without the Word of God in their native tongue. It’s a pretty sickening thought for me. However, God is gracious and has given me a love for his word. And he is equipping translators to bring his word to the Babwisi in Bundibugyo. Praise Him! We pray that the Holy Spirit will move in power to build the church here in Bundibugyo, just as he did in the early 1^st century church.

Please be in prayer for this week of transition. Pray that I will be able to direct my students back into school mode and continue to pour out love and grace to them, while maintaining authority. Also, please pray for my health. I have an infection on my face. It is not painful, just hideous looking. Despite the fact that my eye was swollen shut yesterday, it is fun to joke about my ogre eye. The Myhres are taking good care of me and I am on antibiotics, so the infection is going away. It just seems that any open wound here in Africa will most likely get infected, so it is easy to get sick.

Well, I think that’s about it for now. Thank you so much for your support, and encouraging messages. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Andrea, AKA Quasimoto