Today I decided to make some choices for myself, and that was to ask questions. So this morning I cried again and thought how terrible it is that I’m here. But I got up and went over to the childrens home and asked Pita if I could help in the office. And yes! There was something to do in the office, yay I’ve got a job! Lots of kids have sponsors in Canada, so my job is to take a picture of them and get them to write a letter to their sponsor. Sounds easy enough, and gives me a chance to meet some of the kids, we’ll see how it goes. Another question was about internet, there are two internet sticks available for volunteers, of course they are already being used, but I was told to ask one of the girls if I could chip in each month and share. We’ll see hopefully they’ll agree to it, I’d love to blog more and keep in touch with my support group. Lastly, about food, I asked if sometime this week someone would go into town with me so I could get some food. And with that question I find out that Christian, a volunteer from Holland was going into Kampala today. Perfect! I’d get some groceries and explore a little, just what I needed to get out of my dumps.
First we walk up the road to the main road into Mukono, where a “border-border” picks us up. Which is a scooter/motorbike that taxis people around town, and from what Christian says it’s called a “border-border” because people used to travel from border to border in Uganda and these motorbikes would take them. These men I’m telling you are ruthless! Weave in and out of traffic like they’re immortal, with sometimes 3 people on their bike. Once we got into Mukono we got into this “bus” which is actually a 15 passenger van, but sometimes can hold up to 20 people in it. And I thought the motor bikes were ruthless, well these guys are just as bad. Suicide passing, honking their horns, weaving in and out of traffic. There’s no traffic laws, can you tell?
Once we get into Kampala, it’s busier than Vancouver on a bad day. There are people selling things everywhere, such as sunglasses, or country flags, or candy. We walk to this food court and order some ice cream, oh my I missed that sweat treat, even if it hasn’t been a week since I’ve had it. I needed it. After our ice cream we walk to the “mall” which really is a mall, it’s got all sorts of shops and a big grocery store, even a food court. (apparently Holland doesn’t have food courts, so Christian thought it was strange) They also had a internet café where I got to blog for the first time, and let everyone know I’m okay. I needed that too. These grocery stores basically have everything you need, I got a loaf of bread, apples, kiwis, grapes, and some pizza. It should hopefully last me the week until I can find someone to go into Mukono with next week. I ordered a hot dog at the food court, they put tomatoes and cucumbers in it… strange, but good. After that we walked over to the other mall because Christian needed to use the bank, then we were on our journey home.
And was it ever a journey. First, we stand on the side of the road trying to catch a bus to take us back to Mukono for about 15 minutes but no one would stop for us. So we walked a little further back down the street and found a bus that was charging 3000 ugandian shillings, which apparently is a lot. But we took it anyways, the bus took us half way down Kampala when it decided they didn’t want to drive into Mukono anymore… haha, so basically go find another bus. Thanks. But quickly we find another bus that would take us to Mukono for 3000 shillings for the both of us (score?) but we waited for about 20 minutes for these guys to find other people to fill the bus up, oh my. So we wait and wait and wait, and mean while the clouds begin to get darker and the wind begins to pick up, which only means one thing, rain. Once the bus was full the driver had a hard time getting the bus to start, than he kept stalling, man I could tell he was riding the clutch too. So we stop, than go again, than stop, than go again, until he decided that the bus was out of gas. AHHH! So the bus drivers partner jumps onto a “border-border” to the gas station. Lovely, we’ve stopped again for another 15 minutes, I’m wondering if we’ll ever get home at this point. The partner comes back with gas and we start again just in time for the rain, which in a way was a blessing cuz it was so sticky and hot in that bus with 17 people in it.
We finally get back to Mukono in one piece, thank the Lord! We jump onto a “border-border” and hold on for dear life. The man was nice enough to drive us straight to the compound, which by the way is a dirt road… seriously holding onto dear life here!! But surely we get back in one piece, what an adventure!
So here I am at 5:30 in the afternoon patiently waiting for bed. I hand washed some of my clothes, we’ll see how long it takes to dry and how clean they actually are. I’m going to start my devotions in the mornings now, I think that’ll help with my loneliness, to start off with God. So I guess I’ll journal throughout the day instead of just at night.
Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
On one of the bus rides home today I saw Isaiah 60:1 on a mans t-shirt. Than I saw 23 on another mans t-shirt. Thanks God for showing up today.
I experienced my first birthday at the childrens home. A little boy turning 2. Soo funny! They make this big cake, and set it on a table and brought the baby to the table so he could sit by the cake. And every night after dinner the kids sing their thanks to God for food and life things like that. And this poor little boy is just sitting there looking terrified! Haha we’re all singing happy birthday to him, and he’s got this look of terror on his face! So priceless, I couldn’t help but laugh. Too cute.
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