A Much-Needed Update

It was advised to us while at our cross-cultural training this summer, that we should plan on taking a 4-month break from public communication when we arrive on the field. This gives us the advantage of focusing wholeheartedly on the abrupt task of adapting to our new culture, without the pull of feeling like we need to communicate every step of our adaptation to those we just left back home. At the time we felt like this was a bit excessive, but since our arrival

we have seen the wisdom in the words. 

*Lucy & I enjoying some afternoon story time with some of the girls who live nearby

The last 8 weeks have been more than challenging. They have been wrought with sickness, temporary housing, inconsistent water and electricity, major work projects to get us moved into our new home, and our first stocking and re-stocking trip to Kampala (now 6hrs away since the new road has arrived). All of this while trying to navigate the waters of a new culture, and trying to pick up bits and pieces of common phrases used to communicate.

 *The old road through town took 45 minutes to get to Bundibugyo

*the new road thru town takes 15 min to get to BGO!

 One difference in the culture we left behind and the new one we are embracing is that Western culture is a "Face Time" culture. African culture is a "face time" culture. There is a vast difference between the two. What I mean by that is that in America we have embraced every means of technology to stay in touch with our family and friends on a regular basis. Due to school, jobs, ministry assignments, etc., it is not uncommon for Americans to live spread out across cities, states, and countries and still remain connected with their families back home. We are an independent culture, and use ingenious means to stay in touch while being far apart (hence a Skype or "Face Time" culture).  

In Uganda, "face time" means greeting everyone you meet for 10-15 minutes (minimum), whether you pass them on the road or they come to your door. 

(And as I write this, I think we've had probably 5 knocks on the door so far!)   

They are a communal culture (opposite of our technology culture), and life is expected to be done in families, clans, and communities. We are now a part of this community, and thus are called to devote ourselves to the people whom we have been sent to serve. BUT, we are still very much a part of our community back home, and so there is the expectation and desire to communicate all that is going on in our every day lives here with you.  

We have not done either as well as we would have liked to, but as they say in Lubwisi, "Buke, Buke" ("bu-kay, bu-kay"), meaning 

"Slowly, Slowly"...

*a lizard friend on our back porch

*cranberry hibiscus (yummy!) growing on mission

 So, thanks for your patience with us, friends. We love you more than you could imagine. God's grace through your intercession of our family has carried us thus far...

We need you. 

It is impossible to walk this journey alone...

So, thanks for walking it with us.

                  

PS- now that we have turned a corner and finally feel like we are settling into somewhat of a routine, I hope to be updating the blog weekly, probably on Tuesdays. Don't hold your breath, but we will see if we can make that happen.