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Hello from Uganda!!
Sorry I haven’t been updating like I should, it’s just been a
little bit crazy here…
After traveling to Rwanda the 9th of August, staying
there till the 19th and then heading to Uganda, meeting up with my
group on Tuesday the 21st, moving in with my host family that same
day, going through orientation and trying to settle in quickly before heading
out that Friday for a trip with the USP to Rwanda. Traveling (Literally) all
over Rwanda in a short span of only 8 days and then debrief time at Bunyoni
Island in Uganda, and back to Mukono late afternoon Sunday, and starting
classes Monday the 4th, It’s safe to say I was a bit exhausted and
busy with all that traveling.
With the start of classes brought a whole new
element to our already crazy lives. On top of living in a completely new culture, we now have
to juggle classes and homework.
It’s good though. Classes weren’t as bad as I thought they might be, and there is plenty of time for relaxing with our host families…..
Relaxing, and more relaxing actually.
A big thing here is “Presence”. It’s being with
someone else, whether you are interacting or not doesn’t make any difference.
I’m having a hard time with that.
I don’t exactly know how to “relax”. At home in the states, if
I’m not working, I’m doing homework, if I’m not doing homework, I’m planning
some project, trip or something, or I’m hanging out with friends. I have to be
constantly doing something, constantly making good use of my time from the
minute I wake up until I go to sleep.
My host family here loves to sit and just “Be”.
Reading the Ugandan newspaper, watching Ugandan news, (In Lugandan) and just
sitting in the living room after a day of work. It’s different than the
American’s mindset of constant entertainment, of constantly going and doing
things.
It’s an experience, that is for sure.
An experience I am excited to be in. To learn
from, and to grow in.
I will try to be better about updating now that things are getting a little calmer...
I pray each of you continue to walk with me on
this journey half way across the world.
Love from Uganda,
Jenn
With all the exposure to Lugandan, you must be starting to pick up a bit of the language. The "Protestant work ethic" is strongly embedded in our culture. It's awesome that you have a chance to step outside of it into a place that is less driven. Enjoy "be"ing for awhile. So much of our identity is tied up in what we do - to the point where we feel like our value is diminished when we are not doing something.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update!