As I've mentioned before our friends Doug and Kathryn moved to Uganda to be missionaries last month. My Girls in Action class at church (missions class for girls 1st-3rd grade) decided to become pen pals with their children. My class came up with a whole list of questions that I e-mailed to Kathryn. Somehow in her hectic schedule, Kathryn asked each kid for their answers and sent them back to me. I'm quite impressed! =) Anyway, all of that to say, one of the kids' answers really resonated with me. The question.. what are you most excited about now that your are a "MK" (missionary kid)? The answer... "I get to make new friends and everyone is so happy here." That last part is the what stuck with me. They are so very happy! I heard this same thing last summer during my trip. I asked one of the teenagers travelling with us for her thoughts on the trip. She said, "The people are always so happy. We aren't like that in America."
I love that Ugandans are so happy. Now I know that not all of them are happy and no one is happy all of the time, but they do find joy in simple things. Their culture encourages people to be grateful, to be content and to be flexible. As for us, I think sometimes all our stuff, our technology and demanding schedules creates discontent among us. We can not handle it if the power goes out for 30 minutes. We are exasperated if we have to wait another 3 minutes in line at the grocery store. We grow jealous of our neighbor's new car even though ours works just fine. I want to be happy and content and love life just because God has granted me another day.
I love the hospitality of Ugandans. They are so gracious, polite, and giving. They will go out of their way to make you comfortable and welcome. I can hear them now saying over and over, "You are most welcome!" And they really meant it. This has made me really think about how I treat visitors. Am I willing to go out of my way to greet someone? Ugandans will. Do I offer my best and consider the needs of others? Ugandans do. They throw parties and ceremonies to welcome "honored guests". They offer the best food and drinks for others and then go without themselves.
I love their smiles and laughs. They are infectious and they have such a great sense of humor. Few things can match the joy in your heart when you see that big grin break out across a child's face.
I love the way they dance. Oh how I long to move as they do. I have no moves, or rhythm, or skills, but it sure is fun to try and when I do try it gets the Ugandans laughing! =)
I love that they are always willing to share what they have with others. They do not cling to their possessions like we do. One of the most profound moments I had in Uganda was sitting in a church service on a wooden bench in a room with a tin roof and a dirt floor. The pastor was reading announcements and told everyone they were going to do some mission work in a much poorer village. He asked for clothing donations and then he asked, "If you have two outfits you can wear to church, why not give donate one so someone else can have something to wear?" And the people all nodded and I knew that many of them would donate their other set of clothes. Wow, I have a whole closet full, many of which I never wear or don't fit. These people were giving sacrifically to help those less fortunate while many of them did not have electricity, running water, or enough food to eat.
I love that I have made friends in Uganda that I consider part of my family. Pastor Okumu and his wife, Sarah and his children are dear friends in ministry and life.
I love that everything is green and lush. I love the mountains, tea fields, waterfalls, and wildlife. I love that it's a tropical climate. It's not that hot there.. not like what you think "Africa Hot" would be like. But don't tell anyone. I want people to think I'm really suffering...ha! Now don't get me wrong, it's definitely warm and the lack of air conditioning and the humidity are a challenge, but there have been many days when I was there and it was actually hotter back home in Kansas.
I love that they can carry more on their heads than I could ever carry in my arms.
A few other things I love about Uganda... ground nuts, fresh pineapple and bananas, chapatis, samosas, and "Krest" bitter lemon soda. What can I say, I'm a girl that loves good food!
These are just a few reasons. I'm sure more will follow in the days to come.
I love that they are always willing to share what they have with others. They do not cling to their possessions like we do. One of the most profound moments I had in Uganda was sitting in a church service on a wooden bench in a room with a tin roof and a dirt floor. The pastor was reading announcements and told everyone they were going to do some mission work in a much poorer village. He asked for clothing donations and then he asked, "If you have two outfits you can wear to church, why not give donate one so someone else can have something to wear?" And the people all nodded and I knew that many of them would donate their other set of clothes. Wow, I have a whole closet full, many of which I never wear or don't fit. These people were giving sacrifically to help those less fortunate while many of them did not have electricity, running water, or enough food to eat. 
A few other things I love about Uganda... ground nuts, fresh pineapple and bananas, chapatis, samosas, and "Krest" bitter lemon soda. What can I say, I'm a girl that loves good food!
