Miss Independent?

{{Fetching some water at our lodging in Gulu!}}

Many of you know that I recently reached a milestone in my life – I turned 21 last Thursday! Though I did not have my first drink (school policy and personal preference), I did have a “yogurt cocktail”-flavored lollipop (emphasis on cocktail), which was close enough for me! Birthdays aren’t really a big deal here in Uganda (case in point: two of my host siblings have had birthdays since I arrived, and I didn’t find out until weeks later! 0_o), but my new friends and host family were gracious enough to celebrate with me. The USP program assistants decorated my school locker, a group of my muzungu and UCU friends joined me for lunch at a local canteen (complete with a chocolate cupcake…an endangered species here in Uganda!!), and my internship staff provided the lollipop, along with a rousing Ugandan rendition of “Happy Birthday to You.”

The best part of my big day, however, was the surprise that awaited me at when I came home from school…a burger for dinner!! I repeat, A BURGER FOR DINNER!! Leave it to Chef Rodgers to make the birthday girl smile. :) There was no cheese (oh, how I miss that beloved animal byproduct!), but it was still a warmly welcomed break to the never-ending parade of rice and beans. After returning from my brief visit to food heaven, I ended the evening with a special screening of the Amanda Bynes classic, “What a Girl Wants” – brought to me by none other than my second oldest host brother, Alex. (Note: this was a major sacrifice for him, as his approval of a film rests on the requirement that someone has to die before the credits roll.) All in all, I had a great 21^st birthday. Simple, but unforgettable! Thank you to all of you who sent me your wishes!

{{THE BURGER!!}}

In the process of upgrading to Kelsey Version 21.0, I have been reflecting on where I have been and where I am going. To say that God has richly blessed my life in recent years (and really ever since I first met Him) would be the understatement of the century. The older I get, the more I understand His calling on my life, my indebtedness to His grace, and the power of His love. God alone has sustained you and me both from the moment He chose to breathe us into this world until the very moment that you are reading this post – and for such a miracle, I am eternally grateful! In this particular season of my life, I find myself desiring to experience a greater dependence on God. It is easy enough for me to say that I am desperate for Him, but I’m not so convinced that I actually understand the meaning of that statement in full. After all, there is plenty that I mindlessly do on a daily basis in America without ever asking for God’s help.

For example, I can walk to class, text my friends, design my outfit for the day (sparkly bows a must!), pump gas, take a shower, order an omelet in the caf (Miss B or bust!!), do my laundry, make a credit card payment, and have a jam session (helloooooo, King of Pop!) all on my own – no Savior necessary. Sure, I may chat with God in the process of any of these routines, but mostly because I’m seizing an opportunity to multi-task, not because I’m requesting His assistance. Indeed, it seems that I only know what depending on God means in so far as I am in a crisis, particular those in which my personal reputation and success are on the line. I do love God from the very bottom of my heart, but when I am honest with myself in that exact place, I cannot say that I really know what it means to FROG – fully rely on God. However, coming to this uncomfortable realization is only further confirmation that God has me exactly where He wants me….because Ugandans do.

{{A little shot of the BEAUTIFUL Nile River,
which we passed on our way to Gulu.}}

Something that almost immediately struck me about Ugandan followers of Jesus is the depth of their faith, and the way that it truly permeates every aspect of their lives. When they greet one another, they don’t say, “Hey girl hey!” – they say “Praise God!” Those who run small businesses make sure they give credit where it is due, naming their shops “God is Able Salon & Barber,” “Blessed Be God Chapattis,” and “Jesus Saves Tailoring.” The songs that they mindlessly hum in the quiet moments of the day are not Gangnam Style or Last Friday Night – they’re whatever they heard in the last worship service they attended, which was probably only a few hours ago. Truly, these people don’t just follow Jesus – they cling to Him like white on rice and beans!

And appropriately so, because they know Him as their Provider. In a place of great need like Uganda, God is called upon for help in the daily routines of those who know Him – and perhaps even of those who don’t. When you’re not sure where your next meal will come from, how you’re going to get home from work in the evening, or when you will be able to pay rent, you kind of have no choice but to pray. Now, I recognize that these very scenarios are not completely foreign to Americans – we struggle, too. But from what I’ve observed, the critical difference is that we, in our comfort-driven society, tend to panic and flee from the struggle, while Ugandans are more prone to embrace it. This is not because they desire to struggle, but because most of them trust that God will come through for whatever it is that they need.

{{Me and my friend Reagan - his birthday is the same as mine!}}

The most powerful way that I have come to understand this reality is through the testimonies of the women at Amani Uganda, one of the non-profit organizations that I had the privilege of visiting on my recent trip to the region of Gulu in northern Uganda. Gulu is an area in which civil war took place for over 20 years, pitting the Government of Uganda against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), commanded by rebel leader Joseph Kony. (You may recognize his name from the “Kony 2012” craze.) One of the hallmark atrocities of this civil war was that the LRA abducted tens of thousands of children to be used as soldiers in the conflict. Arming children with AK-47’s and commanding them to “kill or be killed” – often in reference to their own family members and friends – the LRA slaughtered the innocence and eliminated the bright futures of an entire generation of northern Ugandans. Additionally, young girls were abducted and forced to become the “wives” of rebel commanders at as early as the age of 11, being subjected to violent rape, torture, and completely grotesque manual labor demands. Though the war has been unofficially over for about 5 years now (and I say unofficially because Kony never followed through with his commitment to sign the peace treaty and he is said to currently still be in operation from the Central African Republic), the journey to social, economic, and personal restoration for the victims of this conflict has only just begun.

The good news, however, is that healing is happening – at least for the women at Amani Uganda. With a mission for spiritual, emotional, and economic empowerment and recovery, Amani Uganda equips women victims of the war – especially rebel wives – with artisan job training accompanied by Biblically-based group therapy. The women in the program sew beautiful, handcrafted creations and sell them for profit, and when our group visited their workshop, we had the opportunity to purchase some. (NEWSFLASH: You can, too, at http://www.amaniafrica.org/shop-fair-trade !!) But we left with more than just awesome purses and potholders – we also received the priceless gift of the testimonies of those who made them.

{{A typical northern Ugandan grass hut. SWEET!!}}

In front of a large group of absolute strangers, four courageous women boldly spoke about the horrors they had faced as rebel wives, the times they wanted to give up and die, and the faith that kept them going. My heart absolutely broke as I listened to their stories. I wondered to myself, “How could anyone endure such trauma and have enough strength left to tell the tale?” The resilience of human beings never ceases to amaze me…

There is something inherently sobering about being in the same room with a survivor of any kind, but I felt especially humbled by these women whose life experiences have been so completely different than my own, in what seemed to me the worst way possible. The one thing that we do have in common, however, is hope in the redemption of the one, true, living God. I do not claim for one second that my understanding of such hope is as intimate as theirs, but what I do know is that “no one whose hope is in the Lord will ever be put to shame” (Psalm 25:3) – whoever you may be, wherever you may come from, and whatever you may be going through. If you’re looking for hope, purpose, or a clean slate in your life, I encourage you: turn to God. His ocean of love for you will never run dry. If you know Him already, I encourage you: trust in Him deeper. Have no fear in opening up those corners of your heart to Him that you like to try to maintain control over yourself. Because the truth is, we can depend on him – in our ordinary day to day activities and in the darkest nights of our souls – for “in Him, all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17)

{{Some neighbors cooking at our hose for
yet another graduation party!}}

I trust that throughout the rest of my time here in Uganda, God will answer my prayer to become more dependent on Him. Considering that I can’t do much of anything by myself here anyway (for example, washing my clothes, cooking my food, bartering in a market, and even crossing a busy road all require the assistance of my Ugandan friends!), I am certainly being challenged in normal 21-year-old desires for freedom and independence. For now, I am making Psalm 63:1-4 my prayer, and waiting on the Lord for a deeper revelation of Himself:

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.”

That’s all for now, folks! I’m heading off to my rural homestay in the countryside for the next 10 days. Just a heads up, I will be without any kind of communication, so don’t be offended if I don’t e-mail you back right away. :)

Until next time, be good to yourself and be good to everybody else!

Thanks for caring,

Kelsey Jo

Minority Report

There is a word here in Uganda with which I have become well-acquainted. Little kids, boda-boda drivers, and other perfect strangers will holler it at me from the side of the road, and during my first couple of weeks here it made squirm every time:

“MUZUNGU! MUZUNGU!”

{{Look out! Muzungu on the loose in Mukono Town! ;) }}

Translation? WHITE PERSON.

Coming from America, where race is nowadays largely glossed over for the sake of anti-discrimination and common courtesy, it has been an adjustment for me to get used to the blunt way that Ugandans address the issue of race and other physical attributes. It is not that they are intentionally rude, but they just tend to “tell it like it is.” For example, it is not uncommon for a Ugandan to point out a change in your weight, a pimple on your face, or a fashion faux pas. On the same token, they also do not hesitate to tell you when you are looking “smart” (aka- nicely dressed), which is an important compliment in a culture that emphasizes being presentable in public. Either way, Ugandans say what they mean and mean what they say!

At first, I was taken aback by such honesty. I mean, can you even imagine a similar scene in America? If a muzungu pointed and shouted: “MEXICAN! MEXICAN!” from the side of the road, I think that most Americans would probably find it totally insensitive. Why? Because it’s drawing attention to someone’s status as a minority, which could easily be misinterpreted as some kind of racial hatred. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that there is anything bad about being a minority. In fact, I am a big fan of multiculturalism! My point is that, due to the combination of the American obsession with equality and the history of racial tension in our country, white Americans tend to tip-toe around the issue of race (and to even consider race an “issue” in the first place) – which is why Uganda has been a shock to my system in this arena.

{{Statue of the current King of Buganda
(kind of like the original version of Uganda),
Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi II! From a field trip
to the kingdom headquarters last week.}}

The fact that I would be in the minority here was simply not something that I had anticipated in advance. (And when I say minority, I mean M-I-N-O-R-I-T-Y!! Outside of the study abroad students, I have seen a total of 6 muzungus in all of the places I have visited combined – including the capital city!)  Because of this surprise – along with my academic study of the negative impacts of colonialism and the history of unintentionally oppressive Western missionaries in Africa within the first 3 weeks of this program – I initially felt terribly isolated and uncomfortable in my own skin. Not only did I suddenly become acutely aware of my race upon entering Uganda, but I also felt very self-conscious about Ugandans’ perceptions of me. In addition to the race factor, I was especially disturbed by the general quietness of Ugandans, thinking that I would never be able to be my true (loud…) self here.

“Do they think that I have some kind of hidden agenda here as a Westerner? Are they still bitter about the damage that white people have done to their country, and are they indirectly blaming me for it? Is there any way I can possibly serve here effectively with the stigma of being a muzungu following me around everywhere? WILL I EVER MAKE FRIENDS ?!?” During the first couple of weeks, these were the thoughts that raced through my mind each time that I left the comfort of the study abroad program quarters and ventured out into the unknown sea of beautiful black faces on campus or in my community.

Now that I have been in Uganda for a month, however, my racial anxiety has decreased significantly. I still do not enjoy being called muzungu, but I understand now that the intense negative connotation I had been associating with it was my own misperception. I am still not convinced that term is completely neutral in all circumstances, but in many cases it is, in fact, merely a descriptor – and therefore nothing Uganda get upset over ;). I also understand now that just because Ugandans are generally more reserved in nature than Americans (especially the crazy ones like me… 0_o), it does not mean that true friendship is not possible between us. It has definitely taken me more time to make friends here than I expected, but I am especially beginning to feel the seeds of kinship take root in my relationships with my host brothers and my internship colleagues, in particular (I’ll fill you in on my internship soon!!).

{{Rodgers cooking up some beef (African style!)
for a friend's graduation party...with the biggest spoon
I have ever seen in my life!!}}

Another thing that my new exploration of race has helped me to realize is just how much I appreciate the “melting pot” that is America. There are a lot of things about America that I have problems with, but this is something that I think is truly worth celebrating. I didn’t realize how much I have taken the multi-cultural nature of our country for granted until I came here to Uganda, where a far fewer number of ethnicities are represented. (From what I have gathered, there are small groups of people from other African countries here – mostly the neighboring ones like Kenya and Sudan – but the vast majority of the population is Ugandan, through and through.) The fact that in America we have people from all different cultural backgrounds in our own backyard is a unique blessing! I believe that it enriches every aspect of our society, and that it is a small reflection of John’s description of heaven in Revelation 7:9:

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

(Now, that’s not to say that America is in any way spiritually superior to a less multi-cultural country. It’s just something that I like to think about. :) )

So, what is my point in telling you all of this in the first place? My hope is that in sharing some of my emotional ups and downs as a minority here in Uganda, you will be able to better empathize with the plight of whatever “minorities” may be in your own sphere of influence. In this sense, I’m not just talking about race. I mean anyone who may feel isolated because they are different. Maybe it’s the single mom in your workplace who can’t ever go out for happy hour with the rest of you because she has to get home to her kids. What can you do to bring the party to her? Maybe it’s your college classmate who feels lonely and disoriented because he’s an upperclassmen transfer. How can you warmly welcome him into your campus community? Maybe it’s the elderly woman in your church who never gets any visitors anymore because her adult children live far away. When can you glitter Sharpie her into your social calendar?!? Maybe it’s the deaf child in your neighborhood who doesn’t have many friends because people are shy about trying to communicate with him. Why don’t you find a way to break the ice?

{{Members of the Ndere Dance Troupe performing traditional
Ugandan dance in flying colors!! Best field trip so far!}}

After all, this is exactly what Jesus Christ calls people to do, and he was the best befriender of marginalized people in all of human history! In all the Bible stories about his life, we constantly see him hanging out with the people that no one else cared to be around. Though he was popular and powerful, he had no problem associating himself with the prostitutes, the thieves, the lepers, the widows, and yes, the ethnic minorities. His mission was to “seek and save” not the confident people who have it all together, but the lost. (Luke 19:10) At the end of time, our attitudes and actions towards “the least of these” will be a determining factor in our eternal destiny, for:

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" –Matthew 25:31-40

I encourage you to be intentional about reaching out to the minorities in your life this week, whoever they may be – because I can now tell you from experience that even just the smallest gesture of friendliness can go a long way in making them feel welcome. Invite the stranger in, and you yourself will be blessed!!

{{Me and my youngest brother, Kisaakye!
His name means "grace" in Luganda. :) }}

Welp, that’s all for now, folks! I’m heading out of town this weekend to a city in northern Uganda called Gulu. We will be visiting non-profit organizations that help with rehab for child soldiers and other victims of the civil war that took place in that part of the country for many years. I’ll let you know what I learn when I get back! :)

Until then, be good to yourself and be good to everybody else!

Thanks for caring,

Kelsey Jo

Whatever Happens...Happens

Before coming to Uganda, I had heard jokes about “African time.” I assumed that it was similar to the “better late than never” rhythm of Latin time – which would have been to my advantage, because 9 times out of 10, I’m running fashionably late. (Emphasis on fashionably!) I was annoyed to discover within the first week of classes at UCU (Ugandan Christian University) that being late is, as it turns out, unacceptable here – at least in an academic setting. (The nerve of these African professors to actually be punctual!!) What, then, could “African time” possibly mean? I have pondered the question for two weeks now, and I think I’ve come to a conclusion.

{{My new 'do! :) Only took 8.5 hours and 5 packs of fake (BLONDE!!) hair!}}

The rhythm of life in Uganda is highly “in-the-moment” – something that many of us Americans strive to achieve, but are easily betrayed by our Western worldview’s favor of the future. From coffee dates to 401K’s, we like to have plans. We are asked from a young age what we would like to be when we grow up. We are driven by diplomas, deadlines, and dreams. What can we say – Jeremiah 29:11 is in our blood!!

But in Uganda, there’s no need for a 4-year degree plan, weekly organizer, or even a watch! (Okay…I may have exaggerated a little on that last one…but not TOO much!) Why? Because “African time” means that whatever happens…happens. “Plans” are held loosely, and thinking ahead only seems to be necessary for major events like weddings or special parties. (Case in point: one of my neighbors came over yesterday and asked my mom to help cook food for her son’s graduation party, which is in 5 days. I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard her requesting something so far in advance!!)

While tasks generally remain the same from day to day (i.e. clean the house, fetch water, feed the pigs, etc.), the order in which they are done is not necessarily fixed, and they are subject to any number of interruptions. For example, it is common for visitors to stop by unannounced, the unpredictable weather influences daily activities, transportation is not reliable, and you never know when your insatiable hankering for graham crackers will cause you to make a mad dash to the local supermarket (not that I’m speaking from experience or anything).

{{The family pigs! Wilbur and Babe. :) (Just kidding...)}}

The result is that Africans are incredibly flexible human beings. Nobody gets mad over the “hurry up and wait” that often occurs here, and achievement is not measured by the tasks accomplished so much as the moments experienced. If the power goes out in the middle of ironing, it becomes a chance to go outside and enjoy the stars. If a friend desires your company when you’re just about to finish up a paper, the concluding paragraph can wait. If a taxi ride that should take 20 minutes ends up taking 80, the world keeps turning without apology. As the USP (Uganda Studies Program) staff says here: “Nothing is finalized until it has already happened.”

I find myself responding to this new concept of time in two ways. At school, I want to tear my hair out! (Which would be a LOT of work with these new braids…) For some classes, the meeting times are continually changing, which means that I can’t get into any kind of academic rhythm. In America, I’ve learned how to manage my homework/school time well, but those skills don’t transfer as much in a culture with such unpredictable timing.

At home, however, I enjoy the laid-back pace of life. I welcome the breaks for apple cinnamon tea, trips to the community well with my siblings, and conversation with mom. There is a certain element of surprise to the day that makes me smile! And there is no time to be preoccupied with the future when you’re still figuring out what’s going on in the present, which makes it a lot easier to live out this favorite scripture of mine:

“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” –James 4:13-15

{{My oldest brother, Rodgers, and me at a volleyball tournament
this weekend! He works as a doctor, fitness instructor,
and sports team paramedic.}}

I’m discovering that there are several benefits to this kind of mentality. For example, food has never been so fresh!! Lack of stable electricity makes long-term refrigeration impossible, so when it’s time to cook some chicken, you literally just go grab the chicken and slaughter it! (I haven’t done this myself yet, but I’m sure my older brothers will wrestle me into it eventually…) And meal times are like snowflakes – no two are the same! You eat whenever the food is ready…which of course depends on whatever else has happened in the day.

On a deeper level though, African time affects spiritual reality. In my devotional reading this week, I came across a quote that I think will help explain what I mean:

“Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you who He is…Let the attitude of your life be a continual ‘going out’ in dependence upon God, and your life will have an ineffable charm about it which is satisfaction to Jesus.” –Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

To be honest, I am accustomed to asking God what He is going to do. I know that the Psalm 119:105 says that God’s Word is a lamp to my feet, but I usually try to convince Him to be a floodlight to my highway instead!

“God, how do you want to use me today?

“God, what do you want me to focus on this year?”

“God, where should I go after I graduate?”

{{A misty view of Mukono Town from the top of "Monkey Hill."}}

While none of these questions are necessarily bad, they are certainly futuristic, and therefore add little value to my Ugandan life. Before coming here, I had challenged myself to be as present in the culture as possible, making the most of every opportunity to learn, grow, and experience new things. And to my surprise, it hasn’t been so challenging! Because that’s just how people live their lives here anyway. They seize whatever moment is before them like the gift that it is. As my mom shared with me the other day, “time is like a river – you can’t touch the same water twice.”

So while at times I slip into my American “effectiveness is next to godliness”  mode and become frustrated with uncertainty, at other times I feel that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing, at that very moment. Being freed from the demands of schedules and to-do lists here has made me realize just how much influence they have over my daily life back home. I mean, people have always been way more important to me than tasks, and I have no problem chucking my agenda to spend time with someone that I care about. But my experience here in Uganda is helping me to understand the concept of presence in an even deeper way. I am learning that presence – whether with others, with “the moment,” or with God – can be more important than productivity, and even that presence is productive in itself.

{{My USP friend (and hair twin!) Bethany and me. We got excited thinking
there were going to be actual zebras...turns out that's just the Ugandan
term for a crosswalk!}}

Wherever you are in the world right now reading this post, I challenge you to take the time today to be present, whatever that may mean to you. If you are courageous enough to set your big plans aside, even if only for a little while, you might just notice that the little things count for more than you expect.

Until next time, be good to yourself and be good to everybody else!

Thanks for caring,

Kelsey Jo

Welcome to Uganda!

Hello again, friends! TAKE TWO!! I apologize for the inconvenience of having to redirect you to this new blog, but I so appreciate you making the trip! I have been in Uganda for almost a week now, so I think it's time that I show you around a little! :) This post will take you through the top 10 things about my daily life here by which I am currently mEsMeRiZeD!! I'm guessing that by the end of this trip, I'll be desensitized to them all. But that's a good thing, because that means I will have graduated from #touriststatus. ;) So, without further ado...welcome to Uganda!

1) CHIPATI

"Give us this day our daily bread" has never been answered so tastily as right here in Uganda! Little street vendor stands line the roads here, and nearly every other one sells chipati bread. For all you Bloomington-Normal readers, it reminds me of the roti bread from Flat Top, only thicker, better, and Ugandan-er. :) It is dangerously delicious!! Lucky for me, I have a 30-minute round trip walk to school each day, so there is plenty of time to work off all those calories. ;) In addition to chipati, the staple foods here are rice and beans, potatoes (which are called "Irish"), chicken, various fruits (especially THE WORLD'S BEST BANANAS!!), and "posho," which is a spongy, corn-based concoction that looks just like Funfetti cake...minus the fun. I eat lunch at the school cafeteria, but breakfast and dinner are with my host family - which happens to include a couple of really good cooks!! My host mom, Annett, has already lectured me twice about the way that Africans eat: "You people, you always snack-snack! Here in Africa, we PACK. IT. IN. Africans were made to eat!" By "packing it in," she means 3 BIG, square meals a day, with a couple of tea breaks in between. Thankfully, there is no pressure to clear my plate every time, because I have an older brother here who will eat whatever I don't, LIKE A CHAMP!

2) PEACE

Allow me to introduce you to my pet goat, Peace! We haven't talked much yet, but I'm sure he'll warm up to me eventually. ;) In addition to Peace, my family consists of my mom, 7 siblings (2 older, 3 younger, and 2 around my age), 2 pigs, and a coop-full of chickens! I absolutely love them all!! (Well...at least the humans.) I get to spend the most time with my family after school and on weekends. We kind of just hang out and do whatever in the evenings. For example, the other night I watched African stand-up comedy with one of my older brothers, last night I went fruit-picking with some of my younger siblings, and every night I talk about God and faith with my mom. She never misses an opportunity for that. :)

3) BUCKET SHOWER

I am telling you right now, showering has never been such an ADVENTURE!! :D My house has no running water or indoor plumbing, but that's what I wanted to experience so I am a happy camper! We do have electricity, though. It's off and on, but it's usually enough to iron my clothes for school (which is necessary for staying within the strict, professional dress code), cook dinner, and heat up water for my showers - none of which I have actually done myself yet, because my family, in true, hospitable African spirit, keeps insisting that they do everything for me. I'm hoping that will change soon, because I want to contribute! Anyway, for those of you who are wondering, here is your guide to bucket showering 101:

1. Dump the small jerrycan of hot water into the green bucket.
2. Mix it with room temperature water from the yellow bucket.
3. Cup your hands, scoop, and splash!
4. Scrub, scrub, scrub.
5. Repeat step 3 until suds-free. :)

Cleanliness is truly next to godliness here, so I am expected to shower both at night and in the morning. It's kind of tricky with my long hair, but I'll probably get some nice African braids soon and then I'll be a free woman!!

4) MONKEY MONEY

The currency in Uganda is called "shillings." The current exchange rate is about 2500 Ugandan shillings for 1 U.S. dollar, which makes everything here very affordable! This is one of the larger bills, and as you can see, THERE IS A GORILLA ON IT. Whaaaaat?! I don't know about you, but that qualifies as EPIC, in my book!! Also, it brings one crucial question to mind: Why are there not beavers on the American dollar...??!!!?? P.S. On the subject of wildlife, there are real live monkeys on campus here. :) I saw 3 of them together in a tree the other day, and for a split second, I thought I had just run into my youth group... :P

5) RED EARTH 

I have never seen such beautiful dirt in all my life! This stuff is EVERYWHERE. In Mukono, the city in which my school is located, there are no fully paved roads. They are all dirt, and much of it is very uneven. On my walk to school, dust goes flyingggggg whenever vehicles pass, but I don't mind...this is Africa!! Call me crazy, but there is something sacred about FINALLY having this dirt under my feet...

6) BODA-BODAS

On the subject on dirt roads, I could not give you an adequate feel for Uganda without mentioning the boda-bodas! Also known as motorcycles, boda-bodas are the primary form of transportation around these parts. Taking a boda is a quick and easy way to get around. People just pay the driver, hop on the back, and go! Unfortunately, it is also very dangerous (no helmets, inexperienced drivers, lack of road laws, etc.) For this reason, USP (Uganda Studies Program) students are forbidden from riding the bodas (which is fine by me, because I won't even ride a motorcycle in the States!). So we do a lotttt of walking. We can also take taxis to go into Kampala, the capital city, which I'll probably do at least once while I'm here!

7) THIS KID

Meet my little brother, Robert. :) He's not my only little brother, and you'll meet the rest of my fam as time goes by! But the reason I'm including him in this post is because of his name. It's not an uncommon name, and it's not even an African name. BUT! Whenever other members of my family call for him in their Ugandan accents, it sounds like they are saying...ROBOT. :o I get a kick out of it every time!

8) JUICY JUICE

Ugandan juice is HYPE, yo!!! My oldest brother, Rodgers, makes amazinggg 100% fruit juice from scratch! His room is like a zoo of exotic fruits, and it's always a treat when he emerges with some colorful glass of something!! Tea is the most popular drink here though, especially milk tea. I'm trying to get used to the milk tea, but it's suuuuuuper sweet, and I don't drink milk. -_- So I much prefer the herbal tea, which is just called straight-up "African tea." Also, clean drinking water is in plentiful supply here, both on campus and at home.

9) CHURCH

This is a side view of my new "church away from church!" :) It is called Blessed Christian Church, and it is literally across the street from my house. I went to my first service there with my mom this past Sunday, and I was warmly welcomed. The service was surprisingly Western, in terms of the flow of things. But of course the music was lively and gospel-y! The congregation seems very open with one another. During every service, there is a time for people to get up and share testimonies of things that God is doing in their lives, which I really enjoyed! Plus, the preaching was super solid. The church's theme for 2014 is "A Year of Building," meaning a building up of unity and fellowship within the church, an increase of the influence of the church in the community, and individual, personal growth with the Lord. The New Year seems to be a really big deal here. While I'm sure that most of us Americans have long since finished our bottles of sparkling grape juice and have already fallen behind on our resolutions, Ugandans are still greeting each other "Happy New Year!" everywhere they go. This church is open 7 days a week, with different things going on in the morning, afternoon, and evening! Since my house is so close, I can often hear music bursting out of the church windows, which is a mysterious comfort to my soul.

10) YOLO LOUNGE

And for the grand finale, I present to you...THE YOLO LOUNGE!!! AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I see this place every day on my walk to school. I have no idea what's inside, but I just had to share!! Next to English, the main language spoken here is Luganda, which I'm taking at school. But I haven't learned the term "yolo" yet, so I'm pretty sure that this building was named after the actual American slang term! (For those of you non-Millenial Generation readers, YOLO stands for "you only live once.") At any rate, this place is useful for a good chuckle during my walks. I guess there isn't anywhere that you can fully escape from American pop culture! 0_o

Welp, that's all for now, folks! So far, things are off to a great start here in Uganda. I look forward to sharing with you again soon! :) Until next time, be good to yourself, and be good to everybody else!

Thanks for caring,

Kelsey Jo