AUNT! YOU AH SEEEEK?

Of recent days I have heard this question more than I can remember, and equally as many times I have answered the query, “No, I am not sick.” The person asking then scrunches and contorts their face as if to say, “Then why is that thing on your neck?” I have come to realize the stupidity of my answer and have been forced to take a deep look into why I say, “No” when clearly all things are not right.  Why am I so opposed to someone labeling my condition as a “sickness”? Obviously, my own personal worldview, especially in respect to this topic of sickness, is radically skewed American. Notice I didn’t say, “Western” and include such variations as English, European, Canadian. Presuming to know what they think has gotten me into more trouble than I care to relive. But, WHY do I take such offense at being labeled “sick” when “it’s only my neck that is out of whack”? Basic definition of sickness and disease is dis-ease and clearly I am not moving about with the greatest of ease. But, I don’t consider myself sick, I consider myself only temporarily down. Is it the great American positive attitude that unless I am majorly incapacitated of the respiratory or digestive system, then I am NOT sick? MAYBE. Truthfully, I am not expecting to answer this question today, but I’ll just throw it out into the great blog abyss to be chewed on. 

Fire Season

Kevin sucks on the cocoa seed 

There is a belief in the surrounding villages that when it's REALLY dry it's time to burn the fields.  During the past month we have experienced MANY fires in the area. One was on our secondary sight and narrowly missed 3 of our staff houses, but did do some damage to our greenhouse. The seriousness of the issue was lost on those who have grown up here and believe that next season's grass won't grow if you don't burn. The worst part was that it was also an extremely windy time as we were deep into the dry season. In fact, the change of the wind direction was what saved many of our threatened structures here at New Hope. On the vocational school land, where we and other staff keep gardens, we amazingly missed fire devastation! A roaring fire burned up to our garden on three sides and did not destroy any of our crops! But, that was two weeks ago, and a different fire altogether than the one we suffered last week. We lost cassava, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and a little bit of sugar cane. Geoff dug up the remaining cassava and potatoes last Friday. While he was there working, one of our neighbor gardeners gave him a cocoa plant seed pod. The kids were excited to see cocoa in its virgin form and proceeded to do the local thing. . . suck off the outsides and spit out the seed! (The seed from which cocoa, as we know it, is made.)

Cocoa seeds drying in the sun

The intact seed pod and casing before the kids got to it!

Sharing the wealth! There was no way we could eat all the cassava we had to dig up. It only lasts about 2 days after taken from the ground. We were able to share with a family who is new to our staff.  It is a blessing to bless!

After the garden, Acacia and Daddy spent some special time together!

Sweet girl Acacia!

Jeepers!!!

Tomorrow marks one week of wearing this crazy neck brace! It has been a painful, tiring week!  But the best part is the way the kids unabashedly STARE at me!!! My first "outting" around New Hope was last Tuesday. I was on my way to Ladies' Bible Study and I left the house 15 minutes early so I could spend time talking with people who might wonder about the brace.  NO ONE asked me ANYTHING! Children, old and young and adults all just stared and were speechless. I was really tired as my muscles were pulling in all different directions all day and I had no interest whatsoever in offering any information if people weren't brave enough to ask.  So, I got to Bible study early and enjoyed talking to Aunt Marian for awhile.  

Now that I am a week into this 8 week ordeal, some of my muscles are stronger and do not bother me so much. Others are still screaming. I find myself very tired by about 1 p.m. and throughout the afternoon I take intermittent rests.  By about 8:30 I am toast. But, another part of this 2 month regimen is nightly traction for 20 minutes. Geoff has to set me up with 7 kg of water weight to oppose me and I "hang" as I sit. Not the most comfortable position, but it is slowly helping to improve the pain.

I have to share my favorite story of the kids who have stared at me. I was walking with a friend yesterday and talking with her, so I waved a quick hello to one of our New Hope kids who had stopped on his bicycle along the path. I could tell that he was fixed on me and wondering what was going on with the weird contraption around my neck! I kept walking and at the next junction we found him waiting for us!  He had sped up on his bike and taken a short cut so that he could look again. Finally he said, "AUNT! WHAT HAPPENED?" I was happy to answer him as he had the boldness to pursue me! Satisfied with knowing what was going on, he rode off with a smile.

My other story gives me the title of the blog. One of our fellow missionaries sent their son to borrow a movie from us a few days ago. The kid had not yet seen me and when I greeted him at the door he asked, "WHAT HAPPENED?????" After I explained he laughed and exclaimed, "Jeepers!" which then made me laugh. His response was very cute!

Thanks for all of you praying for me and for us! I have some other fun blogs to do in the next few days, but they may not get posted as soon as I would like.  The rest of life doesn't stop just because I move a bit more slowly through it!  Blessings!

Conquering the Pain!

After spending five days in Kampala I was very happy to get home!  I am VERY appreciative of the blessing of where I stayed!!! It was a LOVELY new boutique hotel just about a block from the Dr's Office where I went for traction treatments each day. It was cool, quiet and the staff were amazing! The food was great, too! I didn't do much or go out very often being that I had to swallow 10mg of Valium everyday! I hate that stuff!!! So, I'm very glad THAT is over! Update is that I have not experienced relief from the intermittent pain and after consultation with an orthopedic surgeon I will be on 8 weeks of home traction (20 min./day) and a stiff cervical collar all day long each day (except for sleeping, of course!) But, enough about that for now. 

When we arrived home yesterday the boys (Acacia had come with Geoff to pick me up!) were standing at attention at the front doors. They didn't break character of being waiters of a "sandwich parlor" and proceeded to serve us sandwiches and chips (which we had brought back from Kampala), took our drink orders and had the house equipped with signage for entrances and bathrooms!!! We had a lot of fun and I am so glad to be back home with the family!!!!

The boys standing at attention at the front doors of the "restaurant"

The spelling on this sign reveals the Ugandan/English influence our kids are under!!!

Truthfully, throughout the day I have fought with discouragement.  I want to get on with life without pain, decreased energy and limited mobility!!!!! This morning I read in, "Jesus Calling" a devotional book written by Sarah Young, some powerful words and I have carried them with me all day.  I intend to conquer this pain with JOY, HOPE and the truth that with God, NOTHING is impossible! I trust Him regardless of what the circumstances look like. Here is the quote from "Jesus Calling," "Come to Me with all your weaknesses: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH ME. Pry your mind away from your problems so you can focus your attention on Me. Recall that I am able to do immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine. Instead of trying to direct Me to do this and that, seek to attune yourself to what I am already doing. When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts, remind yourself that I am your Shepherd. The bottom line is that I am taking care of you; therefore, you needn't be afraid of anything. Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself to My will. Though this may feel frightening--even dangerous, the safest place to be is in My will. "(Luke 1:37; Ephesians 3:20-21 and Psalm 23:1-4).

Thank you for praying for me and with us. I am hopeful that this just a short time of struggle in a very long life!!!! (Plus, I think part of my being "down" today is that Valium can stay in your system for up to 80 hours!!!!! BANANGE!!!!!)

On a lighter note, we don't pick up the traction set-up and collar until either Friday or Monday. AND, we will spend the weekend celebrating Geoff's life and his 43 years!!!!!

I Took Shoe Shopping to A New Level

One of our sons in David family needs a new pair of school shoes. We've been looking for some every time we've been in town since Christmas time. We "shop" on the roadside where some guys set up business out of huge garbage bags---not your definitive mall experience to say the least! He described to me what kind he wanted and I finally found some!!! Genuine Reebok black leather for only $15. A few hours after the purchase I remembered he didn't want lace up, but Velcro.I went back and bought the right kind from another guy and then tried to get the refund for the lace ups from the first guy. Keep in mind that these guys work together and they do a whopping good business. "I'm sorry Madame, but you'll have to come back tomorrow, I have NO money now." I, like most missionaries, am able to adjust well to the demands of my surroundings--and being surrounded by a lying, cheating shoe salesman demanded an inner strength that flowed out nicely I must say. In my best Luganda--stay with me here-- with a smile on my face, "ssebo, olimba. Njagala cente/35,000/-KATI!" we basically had the same conversation about, ummmm, 15 times until he couldn't handle the criticism he was getting even from his colleagues. After about 20 minutes when he realized I wasn't leaving without my money, he gave in and slunk away announcing he'd be back in 5 min with my money. I smiled and said, "see you in five minutes or I leave with these shoes AND another pair of my choice." he was back in four minutes with correct change. VICTORY! (well, somehow a victory. . . Should it really take that much effort to be treated fairly?????) I took a boda boda (motorbike) back to my hotel and THE BODA DRIVER tried to cheat me! I handed him what I knew to be the correct fare and walked away without giving him a chance to say anything. Anybody wanna go shoe shopping with me next time you need a pair?????

A bit uptight are we?

Where to begin. . . Here I (Mary) am alone in a fantastic boutique hotel, enjoying the quiet, comfy surroundings. . . Reading lots of books and studying Isaiah(my current Bible study with the girls)and watching ALMOST an entire movie that I've been wanting to see for a long time and the movie stops with just 15 minutes remaining!!!!!!!!! "But wait" you wonder, why are you in a boutique hotel, alone,without the fam? Long story, so I'll shorten it just for you. I have a nerve pinched between C-5 and C-6 and am requiring 5 days of traction. When the doc first suggested these 5 days of traction, I laughed, "I can't do that! I live too far away and teach my kids and etc, etc, blah,blah,blah" the dr said we could try muscle relaxers and exercises for a week and if they didn't work, then the traction needed to happen. Well, they didn't help and I am now on day 3 of traction. It's only 20 min a day (unless the nurse forgets about me like today!), but it requires me to stay in town. Life doesn't stop for Geoff and the kids, though, so here I am with two days to go!!! I read a lot today and my brain was getting muddled, so I switched to watching a movie--fantastic activity with very little brain required. So, it got to the best part and STOPPED! Argh, Best thing I can figure is that the download was interrupted because of the glorious quality of the Internet. Oh well, guess I'll resume reading.
Thank you to everyone who has and is praying for me. I am grateful for your faith and love!!

Oh wait!!!!! I forgot the most important part of this whole adventure. A VERY dear person in our lives provided the funds for me to stay in town and to cover the medical bills!!! Here is the most amazing part. . .she wrote a check for an amount and believed God was asking her to give more, so she tore up the first check and wrote a new one with the new amount. The fees were more than we originally anticipated and the new amount took care of the surprise expenses!!!! God is awesome and active!!!!!

UNDER GROUND Potato Roast

Medie, our compound worker, helped the kids dig the hole and get the fire started. This was a new venture for him as a potato roast such as this is the practice of the Ateso tribe, not the Buganda.

In early January we learned the fine art of roasting sweet potatoes underground. We spent an afternoon and evening with the vocational school staff as part of our annual envisioning week and we all prepared a traditional meal together--everyone with their own task.  Toby was shown how to roast sweet potatoes by digging a hole, placing the poatoes in, and covering them with hard packed dirt.  He had so much fun that he decided to roast some of our own sweet potatoes we had grown on our land.  

Kevin fans the fire to get it nice and hot.

poking in a stick to see how the fire is progressing

Toby needs to double check just to make sure it is just right.

Geoff stopped by on his way to a meeting and checks on the progress as well.
At the end of it all, we didn't succeed with our first batch--we didn't leave them in long enough.  A fellow staff member from the Ateso tribe stopped by to give us some pointers.  A bonus of his stopping by was another treat from his tribe.  Smashed roasted sweet potatoes mixed with roasted ground nuts.  Yum Yum. We made a second batch applying the pointers given and it turned out so well that we enjoyed them for three days!!!!

Bi-annual Maize Harvest!!!!

About two weeks ago we worked together as staff and children to harvest the maize on our Enterprise Farm.  We started at 8 a.m. and worked until a little after 12 in the HOT (emphasize BLAZING HOT) sun.  It was an enjoyable time despite the dust, heat, hard work of lugging heavy bags and the blackjacks that stick all over your clothing!!!  At about noon the porridge was ready and we stopped to enjoy a nice snack of soy beans and maize porridge.  

The tractor carried  maize after being hand-picked. It also carried children who thought riding in the back wagon was the best part of the whole day!

Acacia, Toby, Micah and Johnny help hand-harvest alongside a farmworker.

Some of our girls from David Family enjoy a break and some nice HOT porridge on a very HOT day!

Jill, Alair, Nancy and I were full of blackjacks--little sticky seeds from a weed that grows among the maize. It takes what seems like forever to pick them all off!

Aunt Grace and I worked side-by-side in the early part of the morning.  It was relaxing to be in the field with such a good friend!

Being out in the fields together, working, talking, laughing and sharing stories is one of the best things about harvesting together!!! It is a chance to interact with some people that we rarely get a chance to spend time with due to our varying schedules here at New Hope.

After about 2 hours of work I never saw the boys working on the actual harvesting of the maize.  They were thereafter found "Helping" with the tractor!

Uncle Jimmy Bosco and Geoff work side-by-side in the early part of the day.

Children and staff interact on an entirely different level out in the field.  It is a great opportunity for deepening relationships outside the norm.

I didn't get many pictures of Kevin that day, so here is one with him in the center working alongside Johnny.

Mmmmmmm, boiling hot maize porridge fresh from the open fire.

By growing our own maize we significantly offset the operational costs of feeding our children!!! I don't know the exact numbers, but not only do we grow maize and other crops on the Enterprise Farm, but each individual family group (we have seven at present, with an average of 23 children in each) maintains their own gardens which serve to assist in providing food. The schools also keep gardens and use the yield to offset the cost of feeding the children break (maize porridge) and lunch (posho-from maize flour and beans) each day.