Uganda Reflection

Hello, how are you? I'm fine, thank you. And you?
The deep, rich, orange dirt that never seems to leave your feet,
The unexpected rainstorms,
Blackouts,
The slow paced lifestyle,
Black tea instead of coffee,
6:30 PM summer sunsets,
Imported Japanese cars,
Unending streams of boda bodas,
Mangoes, pineapples, avocadoes,
Dust,
No sidewalks,
Prompt 5:30 AM muslim prayer calls,
Cool morning breezes,
Beautiful countrysides.

TIU. This is Uganda.

Immersed in a new culture with new food, new people, and with new music without the comforts of home, there were days I was counting down to when I was going home. However, when I look back at our stay here, I learned so much. Unfamiliar terms such as KOICA and Vision Care entered into my vocabulary. KOICA and Vision Care are Korean non-government organizations in Uganda with the mission to further the healthcare in Uganda. (On the side-note, once there was a Korea lady who came to the front desk asking for the wifi password. Gloria seemed to know her so I asked her who the lady was and Gloria said "She's a KOICA" but I thought she said "She's a quaker." I thought it was so interesting that there were Korean quakers in Uganda, hahaha then I found out she meant KOICA.)

In the beginning we struggled to overcome jetlag as well as getting adjusted to the lifestyle here. Things that are so simple in America was difficult to do here (doing laundry, going grocery shopping, etc). However, somehow in these two months, I learned more about Africa than I ever knew. This side of the world that I never really thought about became real. From the missionaries, I learned how they traded a comfortable lifestyle for a difficult one in Africa. Despite the setbacks they received they sacrifice to love as Jesus loves. They have a heart not only for Uganda, but for the whole continent of Africa, that people may come to know Jesus truly as their Savior and King. They continue to pray to pioneer new chapters throughout Africa. But it's difficult. Before I came here, I didn't really understand why it's so difficult to pioneer a chapter in Africa, but now I understand. Even as a person with a professional degree, it's difficult to find a good, stable job. There are many parts of Africa that are still developing and there are so many issues and problems that still needs progress. And depending on the region, people speak different languages. Even in Uganda, other than English, people speak different languages. Also only the educated people really speak English. With the rich being super rich and the poor being super poor, there are so many people who need help. To continue to pour out love and compassion over and over when you see no progress is difficult. It's difficult not only for yourself, but also for your children. For example, the missionary's kids here go off to a boarding school in Kenya around middle and high school to receive a better education. I think the hardest part is that no matter how long you live here, it's difficult to feel like you truly belong. Because as a foreigner, you get ripped off in the market places and have to pay the foreigner price, which is two or three times more than what a Ugandan has to pay. Also since there is a lot of theft in Uganda, you always have to be alert and aware wherever you are.

But in the midst of all the struggles and difficulties, God is at work. Although it is a continuous struggle to raise up disciples who will stand to follow Jesus with everything and to stand above what their culture deems to be acceptable, I see God working. Maturing doesn't happen overnight; it is a process. I hope that God will continue to raise up leaders from Uganda that will live truly for Him. I'm thankful for the friendships that were built over early morning prayer meetings, long talks, dinners, and outings. I will never forget the friendships that began here and maybe one day we can meet again (in the US?! haha). I believe even if I came to Uganda to encourage and build up one person in their walk with God, it was worth it. First time living away from home in itself, I learned so much.  Although it was difficult commuting freshman year, I'm so thankful that I can live at home throughout college. It's one thing to live in your own room, but it's a whole another world to have a roommate. Though it was a struggle at first, I learned some very valuable life lessons. There are things such as - who's cooking what for dinner, who's washing the dishes, who's taking out the trash that seem so small but amount to a lot of work. Maybe I had an expectation (an expectation I didn't even realize that I had) that since we were living together, we would do everything together. But I realized that we're so different. I like to sleep around 10:30, but Anna's a night owl and doesn't get tired until late into the night. I like to eat breakfast, Anna doesn't. But over the two months, I learned to just accept things how they are. I learned to fall asleep with half the lights still on, to be diligent, to not only think about myself, but to consider others above myself. I learned to appreciate the slow paced lifestyle of Ugandans. I learned to live without coffee (haha, jk I'm not that addicted to coffee, but I did miss drinking coffee). I learned that I'm more like my mom than I ever thought I was (and somehow in the midst of all this, I realized my mom's sort of a perfectionist). I learned to love Uganda - to love the people here and to appreciate their culture. Above all, I learned to be content.

Philippians 4:4-13 - 
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what is is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength."

Uganda: Week 6 & 7

Hi everyone,

            It’s hard to believe that Anna and I have been in Uganda for almost seven weeks. Last Thursday Dr. Luke Lim arrived to Uganda. We received the ping-pong nets and rackets. Thank you!

This week has been pretty eventful. On Monday, we visited another branch of the clinic at the village in Buvuma Island. Christopher, Dr. Luke, Dr. Luke’s two friends from Korea, Jinsil, Anna, and I left at 5 AM in the morning in order to reach the island around 10 AM. We drove for two hours, took a ferry for one hour, and then drove another hour up to the village. Although the journey through the dirt roads was difficult with many uneven roads, the view in the village was beautiful. We also tried jackfruit, which tasted like a mixture of a mango and an orange. Afterwards, we went to Jinja and took a 30-minute boat ride in Victoria Lake. Connected to the lake was the source of the Nile River.

On Tuesday, Anna assisted Dr. Song in breast cancer examinations. Dr. Song and Dr. Park, good friends of Dr. Luke was visiting Uganda for a week. Before they left for Korea on Friday, we joined them on a trip to the Queen Elizabeth National Park for a safari. On Wednesday we left early in the morning at 6 and after driving all morning, we arrived around two. We went on a boat ride at five and saw a lot of hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and birds. It was such a beautiful sight! The next day, we drove through the safari tracks and saw a lot of deer, antelopes, and buffalos. Unfortunately we did not get to see a lion.

Yesterday Anna shared 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 during our fellowship meeting. We were reminded to have an eternal perspective in order to fight the good fight to the end. We know that our labor in the Lord will not be in vain. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Although we may experience hardships in this life, we will never be crushed. In the end, God will surely accomplish his sovereign plan in our lives.

Lately there have been a lot of guests from here and there. It’s been good having fellowship with other girls here through going to the market and eating dinner together. Next Sunday, we will share what we learned in Uganda during the Sunday service. I see that everyone is preparing for the conference in the upcoming week. I look forward to attending the conference and seeing everyone in a week!

-- 

These are a few pictures from the safari! Although the journey was very difficult, the view was soo amazing. I have never seen a view more beautiful! While I was looking at the scenery, I realized that heaven is going to be even better than this.

Uganda: Cultural Observations

I wanted to write a blog post on the cultural observations I made so far in Uganda as well as some challenges and experiences we have had while living here. 

1. Life is slowly paced here. You can tell by people's attitudes, behavior, and even by how they walk. Most people take their time while walking. After a stressful semester, I've had time to relax and take life at a slower pace for the summer.
2. I learned that it's really hard for people to get jobs in Uganda (in Africa in general). Even after people graduate college, they are often jobless for a couple of months. I suppose it is similar back in the US, but I think it's more severe in Uganda. 
3. If you invite someone to come for dinner or a meeting, they will say "yes, I'll come" but half the time they won't show up. I asked Gloria why Ugandans do this if they know they won't show up. She said that it's because they don't want to hurt the person's feelings.
4. They tend to marry early and have a lot of children. They say that having three children is the minimum.
5. The rich are so rich and the poor are so poor. When you hear that people live off of $1 a day, you wonder how it's possible. But I realized why it could be possible. $1 is currently equivalent to 3,200 Ugandan shillings (Ugsh). A regular sized avocado is between 500-1,000 Ugsh, a pineapple is 2,000 Ugsh, a mango is between 500-1,000 Ugsh, a bunch of bananas is 2,000 Ugsh. Fresh fruits are really cheap here while processed foods are extremely expensive.
6. Art is appreciated. I found this to be really interesting, but apparently there are really famous world-wide artists from Uganda. When we visited the Kyambogo University, I learned that being an art major is really competitive and more expensive. This is so different from how being an art major is viewed at UMCP.

These are just some of the observations I've made the past month and here are pictures from my phone. (I find it a lot easier to take pictures with my phone than my camera because it's less bulkier and obvious. Also it takes forever uploading pictures from my camera on the internet here.

Pictures

As you can see, there are no sidewalks here. And as Asians, we are often referred to as Chinese people. We also stand out a lot whenever we walk in the streets.

All private properties have guards next to the gates. I heard that Uganda is one of the safest nations regarding theft in Uganda. This is the compound where the Bethesda Medical Center is as well housing for three families as well as some volunteers.

This was from when we were helping out with the children's eye exams. This Anna and John putting eye drops to dilate the children's eyes.

All the windows here have a certain pattern to them. It's to keep out burglars but I think they look pretty.

There are sooo many butterflies in front of the clinic! Who needs to go to the butterfly garden?

more butterflies

Living in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, it's hard to see what life in Uganda is like for most people. But when we went to visit the land where the future hospital is to be built, it had more of a countryside feel. It really reminded me of the village Jerusalem in Mexico. I loved the fresh air and the quietness of the land. Even though it's been over a month, sometimes I have a hard time sleeping through the all the car noise and sound of the city. Also there is a mosque near the hospital and they really do pray 5 times a day. The prayer goes through a speaker and we can hear it all the way from our room and sometimes it wakes me up at 5:30 AM in the morning.

Anna

One of the main public modes of transportation is by these vans called "taxis". Taxis fit about ten people and are fairly cheap. Another main mode of transportation is by a bota bota, which are motorcycle.

I really like the trees here.

A leaf I found on the street.

I think one of the challenges is doing laundry by hand, haha. Every time I do my laundry I pray that it won't rain so that my clothes can dry. 

This is a picture from when we taught CBF one Sunday.

I was surprised when Aizhen sat in the front of the car without a seat belt...haha I guess there are no laws about kids sitting in the front here. Apparently cars are not manufactured in Uganda. So all the cars here have been imported from countries such as Japan. And all the cars are so so so old. They say that an old car in another country is brand new in Uganda. They also sell them for the price of a new car. This contributes to the pollution in the city.

Food

In high school I was never really interested in cooking so I never really cooked at home. My mom taught me how to make things like kimbap and a few things, but I didn't know much aside from that. Perhaps it was the fear that I would end up being terrible at cooking that prevented me from trying and learning, but I have definitely learned a lot this summer about cooking from google + trial & error. We've also made dinner and invited our next door neighbor Seul-Gi (Sophia) a couple of times as well as Gloria.

Lunch

This is typically what we eat for lunch here. The first week, everything tasted kind of bland but after the first week it started tasting good. The pineapple here tastes sooo good. It's much sweeter than the ones back at home. 

I just thought the gradient was really pretty. Spring onions!

We don't eat nutella as much now, but when we didn't know what to cook or make for breakfast, we ate a lot of nutella sandwiches...haha I really like nutella banana sandwiches but Anna doesn't really like bananas.

One of the first meals we actually cooked.

We also learned how to make spaghetti. To make the tomato sauce, you need around 10 tomatoes for 2 people.

Are we in India? At the supermarket near the clinic, there are so many Indian spices...only if I knew how to use them. I think it must be because there are fairly a lot of Indian people in Uganda. Surprisingly, there are a bunch of Koreans living in Uganda as well. However I think the number of Chinese people in Uganda surpasses the number of Koreans here.

I'm so thankful for missionary Mary (From Kyambogo UBF) for making us kimchi. I didn't really miss kimchi for a few weeks, but eating it after not having kimchi for a while made it taste so good! Missionary Mary went back to Korea to visit her children and will go to Swaziland to pioneer another chapter with her husband, doctor Samuel.

The sweet potatoes here taste really good too. So we made gam-ja-tee-geum (deep fried sweet potato).

This is when Anna got really into making Korean pancakes for a week or so.

I miss coffee. Although Uganda exports a lot of coffee, not a lot of people drink coffee here. So I've been drinking a lot of black tea (which is what is in the picture above).

I learned how to cut pineapple! We failed in our first attempt to cut a pineapple, but now it's solid. The process goes from L to R.