well folks, we're back. It is very strange and good to be back. It was wonderful to sleep in our own bed last night. I got to see some of you at the garage sale, and was overwhelmed with your warmth and welcome home. Lots 'o hugs. I'm sure there will be more of the same on sunday.
john
Friday, April 25, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Market Day
April 23rd.
We come home tomorrow, which we are both excited about and apprehensive about. Once we get home the whirlwind starts again, which which we're not looking forward to.
Yesterday we went to Rotterdam and Delft. The day before yesterday we went to the east side of the country (to pick up Chris and Lai Hoi's son ), then into Germany for a short while to grab the best tasting bratwurst of my life.
We had an adventure in Rotterdam. We parked in Delft at Chris's place and took the train to Rotterdam. We had a few hours to walk around and look at the cool architechture and sculpture that is everywhere in Rotterdam, then we were to take the train back to Delft so we could drive to Amsterdam pick up Annemarie and Justin from the airport, who had spent a couple days in Scotland. So we got on a tram, and were headed toward the central station, when suddenly we stopped. We sat for a few minutes, machine-gun Dutch flying around our ears, and we overheard that Central Station had been blocked off by police. (which is where we wanted to go) So we got off the tram and started walking. Even before we got off, there had been lots of emergency vehicles heading in the general direction of the station, but now they really picked up; police cars, ambulances, un-marked cars, all kinds. My antennae were starting to prick up, and I started having thoughts of Spain, London and Japan. We got there and there were police everywhere, with police cordons blocking the way to the station. I went up and asked an officer what was happing. There was an ammonia leak on the construction site (they are re-vamping the station) so everyone had to get out. However, we needed to get back to Delft, because we were on a tight schedule, so I asked if we could still get to the trains; the answer was yes, if we walk all the way around the station and come from the back side. So we proceed to do so rapidly, along with a crowd of other people trying to get to the trains. Right as we are approaching the back door, a voice on a loudspeaker says something in Dutch and everyone groans. I ask, and the whole station was being evacuated. Ok, we're down to our last option: taking the bus. So we go back across the street to find the bus stops, find the right bus number (from Chris) and....the buses are also shut down. The whole area was totally shut down. We ended up taking a tram to the other side of the city, where Lai Hoi was just getting out of class at her university, so she gave us a ride.
It was a long day, and we walked all over the city, so our legs are tired.
Today is a day of food- we are going to get all the good dutch food that you can't get in the US.
It is going to be hard to go back to the US; it has already been hard being here in the Netherlands. It is such a radically different lifestyle than the one we were living just a week ago. Consumerism, immodesty, hedonism, luxury and crazy amounts of money being spent. I had a smoked salmon sandwich yesterday, and my friends eat posho and beans every day.
Dad, we got some good cheese for you at the market today, so get some nice crackers for sunday.
Here is Justin and Annemarie's daughter
john
We come home tomorrow, which we are both excited about and apprehensive about. Once we get home the whirlwind starts again, which which we're not looking forward to.
Yesterday we went to Rotterdam and Delft. The day before yesterday we went to the east side of the country (to pick up Chris and Lai Hoi's son ), then into Germany for a short while to grab the best tasting bratwurst of my life.
We had an adventure in Rotterdam. We parked in Delft at Chris's place and took the train to Rotterdam. We had a few hours to walk around and look at the cool architechture and sculpture that is everywhere in Rotterdam, then we were to take the train back to Delft so we could drive to Amsterdam pick up Annemarie and Justin from the airport, who had spent a couple days in Scotland. So we got on a tram, and were headed toward the central station, when suddenly we stopped. We sat for a few minutes, machine-gun Dutch flying around our ears, and we overheard that Central Station had been blocked off by police. (which is where we wanted to go) So we got off the tram and started walking. Even before we got off, there had been lots of emergency vehicles heading in the general direction of the station, but now they really picked up; police cars, ambulances, un-marked cars, all kinds. My antennae were starting to prick up, and I started having thoughts of Spain, London and Japan. We got there and there were police everywhere, with police cordons blocking the way to the station. I went up and asked an officer what was happing. There was an ammonia leak on the construction site (they are re-vamping the station) so everyone had to get out. However, we needed to get back to Delft, because we were on a tight schedule, so I asked if we could still get to the trains; the answer was yes, if we walk all the way around the station and come from the back side. So we proceed to do so rapidly, along with a crowd of other people trying to get to the trains. Right as we are approaching the back door, a voice on a loudspeaker says something in Dutch and everyone groans. I ask, and the whole station was being evacuated. Ok, we're down to our last option: taking the bus. So we go back across the street to find the bus stops, find the right bus number (from Chris) and....the buses are also shut down. The whole area was totally shut down. We ended up taking a tram to the other side of the city, where Lai Hoi was just getting out of class at her university, so she gave us a ride.
It was a long day, and we walked all over the city, so our legs are tired.
Today is a day of food- we are going to get all the good dutch food that you can't get in the US.
It is going to be hard to go back to the US; it has already been hard being here in the Netherlands. It is such a radically different lifestyle than the one we were living just a week ago. Consumerism, immodesty, hedonism, luxury and crazy amounts of money being spent. I had a smoked salmon sandwich yesterday, and my friends eat posho and beans every day.
Dad, we got some good cheese for you at the market today, so get some nice crackers for sunday.
Here is Justin and Annemarie's daughter
john
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Civilization
April 17th
After a long long 24 hour travel day, we have arrived here at Annemarie and Justins about 45 min outside Amsterdam. We took a nap while Justin went and got Annemarie from a different airport. It is very strange to be back to the land of credit cards and burger king. Seveal small things that strike us right away-
1. no tropical diseases- while were we were on the plane, we both seperately felt something touch our leg, and immediately started to try kill whatever it was that was crawling on our leg, because we didn't want to go to the hospital with a deadly spider bite, or get malaria from a mosquito. After a few seconds, we realized that we were on the plane, and we could relax.
2. You can brush your teeth in the sink with the faucet, not bottled water.
3. No mosquito nets.
4. Food left out on the counter doesn't immediately have 4 millions ants after 4 minutes.
5. Smooth roads with law-abiding drivers. very strange.
We're off to go grocery shopping to buy food for dinner.
--
oh my goodness, talk about reverse culture shock. we just bought food for dinner, and I'm drooling already. It's not like there weren't supermarkets in Uganda, because there were a couple western-style supermarkets in Kampala. I think it is the variety of food that is staggering. the cheese alone blew me away. Ellie and I both love cheese, and there is pretty much only one kind in Uganda, and it's fairly bland. Of course in Europe the cheeses are wonderful and varied, and seeing 5 whole shelves with just cheese made me drool. Gruyere, cammonbert, cheddar, brie, i could go on.
Anyway, Ellie and I decided that she isn't allowed to go grocery shopping for a while after we get back home, because she will impulse buy anything that a)looks good b)she hasn't had in a long time. It's the more extreme version of going shopping while hungry.
April 13th
Today was our last day at church. Of course, they brought us up front and thanked us and prayed for us. It was kind of interesting, because most people had no idea who we were. Some did, of course, and there was clapping and yelling. I don't know if it is an accurate feeling, but I feel a bit like we slipped in under the radar, and now we are sort of slipping out without many taking notice. Or maybe they are taking notice, but it's the sort of " Oh, they've been here this whole time, and now they're leaving? Huh." kind of vibe. I kind of prefer it that way, actually. The people who I have become close to are giving individual goodbyes, which is more my style. Goodbyes i'm not very good at anyway, at least not to the satisfaction of others. I just smile, give a hug, say bye, and walk away. No tears from me. It has been particularly difficult here at New Hope because they know that people that are at the institute are often considering coming on staff, so they assume that at very least we're coming back, if not permanently. In their eyes, our skills and personalities are such a perfect fit for the ministry here, they can't imagine that we wouldn't come back. So it is hard to answer "when are you coming back?" with "I don't know, when the Lord wills.", because their face falls. (it's better than saying "we're never coming back probably") Florence was saying that she loves the coming part, but she hates the leaving part.
All the Ugandans got a big kick out of my efforts to learn Luganda. Many said things like "if only you were here for a year, then you would leave not knowing english and speaking Luganda."
Luganda words
Mukisa- blessing
Oliotia - how is your day
Wasuzotia - how was your night
linda- wait!
genda- go!
muchala wange- my wife
leita- bring
m'pa- give!
wabale- thank you
m'pa ko kemu- give me one of those/that
nanaz- pineapple
echisumuluzo- key
jangu- come!
chicopo- cup
chicopo change
sente- money
sente zange - my money
chupa- water bottle
amaaazi- water (don't do like I did and say amazzi, that means poop. Sounds almost identical; slightly different stress )
mugati- bread
kali- Ok, thank you, you're welcome
katono- little
katono nnyo- very little
nnyo- very much.
Katonda- god
Mukama- Lord
Mutukuvu- Spirit
ssebo- sir
nnyabo- madam
jendi- good
bulungi- good
boda- motorcycle
emu, bidi, sato, nya, tano, mucaga, munana, musamvu, mwenda, kumi - 1-10 numbers.
Here are a few more pictures for your enjoyment.
I like this one.
After a long long 24 hour travel day, we have arrived here at Annemarie and Justins about 45 min outside Amsterdam. We took a nap while Justin went and got Annemarie from a different airport. It is very strange to be back to the land of credit cards and burger king. Seveal small things that strike us right away-
1. no tropical diseases- while were we were on the plane, we both seperately felt something touch our leg, and immediately started to try kill whatever it was that was crawling on our leg, because we didn't want to go to the hospital with a deadly spider bite, or get malaria from a mosquito. After a few seconds, we realized that we were on the plane, and we could relax.
2. You can brush your teeth in the sink with the faucet, not bottled water.
3. No mosquito nets.
4. Food left out on the counter doesn't immediately have 4 millions ants after 4 minutes.
5. Smooth roads with law-abiding drivers. very strange.
We're off to go grocery shopping to buy food for dinner.
--
oh my goodness, talk about reverse culture shock. we just bought food for dinner, and I'm drooling already. It's not like there weren't supermarkets in Uganda, because there were a couple western-style supermarkets in Kampala. I think it is the variety of food that is staggering. the cheese alone blew me away. Ellie and I both love cheese, and there is pretty much only one kind in Uganda, and it's fairly bland. Of course in Europe the cheeses are wonderful and varied, and seeing 5 whole shelves with just cheese made me drool. Gruyere, cammonbert, cheddar, brie, i could go on.
Anyway, Ellie and I decided that she isn't allowed to go grocery shopping for a while after we get back home, because she will impulse buy anything that a)looks good b)she hasn't had in a long time. It's the more extreme version of going shopping while hungry.
April 13th
Today was our last day at church. Of course, they brought us up front and thanked us and prayed for us. It was kind of interesting, because most people had no idea who we were. Some did, of course, and there was clapping and yelling. I don't know if it is an accurate feeling, but I feel a bit like we slipped in under the radar, and now we are sort of slipping out without many taking notice. Or maybe they are taking notice, but it's the sort of " Oh, they've been here this whole time, and now they're leaving? Huh." kind of vibe. I kind of prefer it that way, actually. The people who I have become close to are giving individual goodbyes, which is more my style. Goodbyes i'm not very good at anyway, at least not to the satisfaction of others. I just smile, give a hug, say bye, and walk away. No tears from me. It has been particularly difficult here at New Hope because they know that people that are at the institute are often considering coming on staff, so they assume that at very least we're coming back, if not permanently. In their eyes, our skills and personalities are such a perfect fit for the ministry here, they can't imagine that we wouldn't come back. So it is hard to answer "when are you coming back?" with "I don't know, when the Lord wills.", because their face falls. (it's better than saying "we're never coming back probably") Florence was saying that she loves the coming part, but she hates the leaving part.
All the Ugandans got a big kick out of my efforts to learn Luganda. Many said things like "if only you were here for a year, then you would leave not knowing english and speaking Luganda."
Luganda words
Mukisa- blessing
Oliotia - how is your day
Wasuzotia - how was your night
linda- wait!
genda- go!
muchala wange- my wife
leita- bring
m'pa- give!
wabale- thank you
m'pa ko kemu- give me one of those/that
nanaz- pineapple
echisumuluzo- key
jangu- come!
chicopo- cup
chicopo change
sente- money
sente zange - my money
chupa- water bottle
amaaazi- water (don't do like I did and say amazzi, that means poop. Sounds almost identical; slightly different stress )
mugati- bread
kali- Ok, thank you, you're welcome
katono- little
katono nnyo- very little
nnyo- very much.
Katonda- god
Mukama- Lord
Mutukuvu- Spirit
ssebo- sir
nnyabo- madam
jendi- good
bulungi- good
boda- motorcycle
emu, bidi, sato, nya, tano, mucaga, munana, musamvu, mwenda, kumi - 1-10 numbers.
Here are a few more pictures for your enjoyment.
I like this one.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
whoo hoo
April 11th
Things i'm going to miss:
The rain- it is very soothing to sleep to the sound of rain on a metal roof. Also, i'm going to miss the way that everything stops when it rains.
fruit- the quality and adundance of fruit here is wonderful. pineapple ( we had pineapple crumble last night, which was AMAZING) , the best bannanas you can imagine, papaya, jackfruit, all from 100 yards away ( except the pineapple)
Our friends, of course- I feel bad because the ugandans here have so many people like us come for a while, then leave. Many of them never write, so they never hear from them again. Everyone asks "when are you coming back" because they know that a lot of white folks who live at the institute come back as staff, as well as they just want us back. I just say "when the lord calls us" cause who knows if we'll ever be back. We were gone on safari for 3 days, and when we got back there was a mini-celebration with lots of hugs and lots of repeated 'welcome back!!' greetings. I hate to think what the goodbye is going to be like.
Ubiquitous children and babies- it has been so great to just always have kids around, especially kids who need love because of their situation. It is good to be part of a community that is very intentionally trying to bring these children up in the Lord.
Outdoor showers- there is something nice about taking a shower outside. it's refreshing, you can see the trees, birds, etc.
Cool evenings- when it's hot in michigan, it stays hot well into the evening; here, 10 minutes after the sun goes down, the temperature drops 15-20 degrees.
Things I'm not going to miss:
Sleeping under a mosquito net- Even thought we finally got a good net, it is still annoying because it doesn't fit the beds. Even more, the net is treated with an insecticide, so whenever you touch it ( which is often, because it always needs adjusting, plus when you enter/exit) you get permicithrin on your fingers. Then, you rub your eyes because you're sleepy, and oops, now you have burning chemical eyes.
Our bed- our bed is just two beds pushed together, so there is a nice wooden beam ( a dividing wall of hostility, if you will) between Ellie and I. Not the most comfortable thing. Although, funny story, when we were at the tiny little banda we were staying at during the safari, we both commented on how we were looking forward to coming back to our bed at the institute ( never thought i would see the day) , because the foam mattresses that we were sleeping on were probably only 2 inches thick at the beginning of their useful life, and they should have long since been retired. Except for the line of ants on the floor and the gigantic cockroach, it might have been better to sleep on the floor because we could feel the slats on our backs.
the 2.5 hour church service sitting on a concrete bench- it is just brutal on the back and tailbone.
Outdoor showers, especially at night- wherever there is light and moisture, there are bugs. enough said. also, our shower is under the drip line of the roof, so all the junk that falls on the roof come down into our shower, especially when it is raining.
April 10th
Phew, we are back from the safari, clean, showered, and starting to sweat nicely in the humid evening. We (mostly me) took almost 2000 pictures in 3 short days, which is a new record for me. Here is a partial list of the animals that we saw (off the top of my head, in no particular order.) We had a great time, managed to only get bitten a few times, and stung by a bee once. Amazing landscapes, beautiful animals, and delicious food.
Oribi
Red Hartbeast
Lion
Elephant
Ugandan Kob
Grey Headed Woodland Kingfisher
Africa Fish Eagle.
Tawny Eagle
African Darter
Pied Kingfisher
Piapiack
oxpeckers
cattle egrets
carmine bee-eater
baboon
chimpanzee
White Rhino
Vervet monkey
Grey headed heron
crocodile
hippos
Golden weaver
no pictures for now, it's taking me over an hour just to download them off the cameras. drat this silly USB 1.1
We have a whirlwind couple of days left here, then off to the Netherlands to visit the Verkerks, then homeward.
good night.
Things i'm going to miss:
The rain- it is very soothing to sleep to the sound of rain on a metal roof. Also, i'm going to miss the way that everything stops when it rains.
fruit- the quality and adundance of fruit here is wonderful. pineapple ( we had pineapple crumble last night, which was AMAZING) , the best bannanas you can imagine, papaya, jackfruit, all from 100 yards away ( except the pineapple)
Our friends, of course- I feel bad because the ugandans here have so many people like us come for a while, then leave. Many of them never write, so they never hear from them again. Everyone asks "when are you coming back" because they know that a lot of white folks who live at the institute come back as staff, as well as they just want us back. I just say "when the lord calls us" cause who knows if we'll ever be back. We were gone on safari for 3 days, and when we got back there was a mini-celebration with lots of hugs and lots of repeated 'welcome back!!' greetings. I hate to think what the goodbye is going to be like.
Ubiquitous children and babies- it has been so great to just always have kids around, especially kids who need love because of their situation. It is good to be part of a community that is very intentionally trying to bring these children up in the Lord.
Outdoor showers- there is something nice about taking a shower outside. it's refreshing, you can see the trees, birds, etc.
Cool evenings- when it's hot in michigan, it stays hot well into the evening; here, 10 minutes after the sun goes down, the temperature drops 15-20 degrees.
Things I'm not going to miss:
Sleeping under a mosquito net- Even thought we finally got a good net, it is still annoying because it doesn't fit the beds. Even more, the net is treated with an insecticide, so whenever you touch it ( which is often, because it always needs adjusting, plus when you enter/exit) you get permicithrin on your fingers. Then, you rub your eyes because you're sleepy, and oops, now you have burning chemical eyes.
Our bed- our bed is just two beds pushed together, so there is a nice wooden beam ( a dividing wall of hostility, if you will) between Ellie and I. Not the most comfortable thing. Although, funny story, when we were at the tiny little banda we were staying at during the safari, we both commented on how we were looking forward to coming back to our bed at the institute ( never thought i would see the day) , because the foam mattresses that we were sleeping on were probably only 2 inches thick at the beginning of their useful life, and they should have long since been retired. Except for the line of ants on the floor and the gigantic cockroach, it might have been better to sleep on the floor because we could feel the slats on our backs.
the 2.5 hour church service sitting on a concrete bench- it is just brutal on the back and tailbone.
Outdoor showers, especially at night- wherever there is light and moisture, there are bugs. enough said. also, our shower is under the drip line of the roof, so all the junk that falls on the roof come down into our shower, especially when it is raining.
April 10th
Phew, we are back from the safari, clean, showered, and starting to sweat nicely in the humid evening. We (mostly me) took almost 2000 pictures in 3 short days, which is a new record for me. Here is a partial list of the animals that we saw (off the top of my head, in no particular order.) We had a great time, managed to only get bitten a few times, and stung by a bee once. Amazing landscapes, beautiful animals, and delicious food.
Oribi
Red Hartbeast
Lion
Elephant
Ugandan Kob
Grey Headed Woodland Kingfisher
Africa Fish Eagle.
Tawny Eagle
African Darter
Pied Kingfisher
Piapiack
oxpeckers
cattle egrets
carmine bee-eater
baboon
chimpanzee
White Rhino
Vervet monkey
Grey headed heron
crocodile
hippos
Golden weaver
no pictures for now, it's taking me over an hour just to download them off the cameras. drat this silly USB 1.1
We have a whirlwind couple of days left here, then off to the Netherlands to visit the Verkerks, then homeward.
good night.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
almost done
April 8th.
Well it finally rained today, at least a little. Enough to cool it down around here. Our hut is still hot. actually, the bricks are still radiating heat. even to stand next to them is to feel hot.
I'm feeling sad about leaving, but excited about going home. I wish I had another two weeks here, to say goodbye to people, to finish some work projects with Sam. Sam is really sad now that he finally has me, I am leaving. At least I have been able to help him with some major things. We are going to try a big push on monday to get a wireless repeater up to extend the range. tomorrow bright and early we go on safari. work to do, packing, signing up for ellie's classes, etc.
many keep asking when we're getting home- that would be the 24th.
john
Well it finally rained today, at least a little. Enough to cool it down around here. Our hut is still hot. actually, the bricks are still radiating heat. even to stand next to them is to feel hot.
I'm feeling sad about leaving, but excited about going home. I wish I had another two weeks here, to say goodbye to people, to finish some work projects with Sam. Sam is really sad now that he finally has me, I am leaving. At least I have been able to help him with some major things. We are going to try a big push on monday to get a wireless repeater up to extend the range. tomorrow bright and early we go on safari. work to do, packing, signing up for ellie's classes, etc.
many keep asking when we're getting home- that would be the 24th.
john
Monday, April 7, 2008
April 7th
It has been hot here. We don't have a thermometer, but it's got to be at least 90.
We had two broken laptops yesterday, identical twins. One got rained on, and one got dropped off the table, both almost new. So I took the hard drive out of the shorted one, and put it in the one with the fried hard drive, transfered all the relevant files (after rescuing the docs from each hard drive. ) So at least I saved one, and saved the trouble of buying a new hard drive for that one. It was hard to tell the headmaster of the secondary school that his laptop is toast. It is a big deal out here to have a laptop, because they could never afford one even at US prices, but here everything is twice as expensive. He had a folorn look on his face. I felt bad, but I also felt like saying "don't leave your laptop next to an open window in a rainstorm."
April 3rd.
It is becoming harder not to begin counting the days. We are making plans for our departure, trying to fit in a safari, trying to pick up various and sundry things, arrange for gifts, etc.
We have baby nicholas again tonight to give Robin and Natalie a good night's rest.
from the wedding
taken this morning
It has been hot here. We don't have a thermometer, but it's got to be at least 90.
We had two broken laptops yesterday, identical twins. One got rained on, and one got dropped off the table, both almost new. So I took the hard drive out of the shorted one, and put it in the one with the fried hard drive, transfered all the relevant files (after rescuing the docs from each hard drive. ) So at least I saved one, and saved the trouble of buying a new hard drive for that one. It was hard to tell the headmaster of the secondary school that his laptop is toast. It is a big deal out here to have a laptop, because they could never afford one even at US prices, but here everything is twice as expensive. He had a folorn look on his face. I felt bad, but I also felt like saying "don't leave your laptop next to an open window in a rainstorm."
April 3rd.
It is becoming harder not to begin counting the days. We are making plans for our departure, trying to fit in a safari, trying to pick up various and sundry things, arrange for gifts, etc.
We have baby nicholas again tonight to give Robin and Natalie a good night's rest.
from the wedding
taken this morning
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Very heavy
April 2nd
I made a little progress in the computer world today. I got in touch with some knowledgeable people who might be able to help me fix New Hope's email troubles that have been plaguing them for some time. We'll see.
So the ceiling contractors are installing the frame in the dining room (where we had to put extra trusses to handle the extra weight.) Like this:
I did some rough calculations using the density of mortar (they pour the ceiling on the wire mesh) , and the whole ceiling when it is finished ( the room is 28 x 50) is going to weigh more than 15,000 lbs. *jaw drops*. It could be as much as 18,000 if you include the finishing plaster. I think we underbuilt the trusses.....
April 1st
Well, I accidentally cut off my leg today. Har, Har, april fools.
We had a feast at dinner tonight, because there is a team of high schoolers here from an MK school (that's Missionary Kid to the uninitiated :-) )in Moscow. So the quality of food goes up a good bit when teams are here.
By the way, a feast consists of fried potatoes (sort of like roast potato), chunks of beef in a sauce, fried vegetables (including broccoli!!), chipati ( like a cross between Indian nan and a thick flour tortilla) salad (with milk cheese and salad dressing!) and a watermelon, bannana and pineapple fuit salad.
We also had a good time on sunday night: we had popcorn and hot chocolate and played charades with friends, ugandan and muzungu. It was actually quite tricky coming up with phrases that would be universally known. At first the other teams clues were waaaay easier than the ones that we were getting, so to level the playing field a little I wrote down "transubstantiation" as their next clue. Amazingly, James got Ellie to guess it correctly. I should have put "reverse osmosis"
Working in IT is interesting. The problems are less clear, and much less solvable than building a roof. "John, we're having email trouble. Some emails don't send." That's like saying "Doctor, my leg hurts." Anyway, I think I might know why that is happening after a bit of research today. Some things are easy, like helping Nancy find a website to price heavy equipment. Some things are hard, like downloading a 244 Mb printer/scanner software and driver package for 2 hours, getting halfway through and someone turns the computer off, losing the file. I still live by my IT mantra "Google is your friend." If ever you don't know how to do something, usually someone out there has had the exact question you have, and have gotten a good answer to it and posted it in a forum. (that you can find using Google.) It might take some time, but it'll save you paying someone $80/hr to fix it. Plus you dont' get all dirty like when you try and fix your car. ;-)
It was funny when Ellie and I were talking with the Zimmermans (a couple that just came on staff and are staying the banda next to ours for the time being) , and were explaining what we've been doing here. I explained that I had originally signed up to do IT stuff, but ended up spending 2 months doing construction. "Oh, so your background is in computer science." Um, actually, I have a spanish degree. Confused looks all around. heh/
Time is getting close for us to leave New Hope. We leave here two weeks today. Some friends and family have offered to help pay for us to go on a safari, which would be really awesome if we can fit it in. As I've said, I sort of feel bad taking off and leaving the IT guys in the lurch (them having expected me to work with them for 2 months) , but I might only be in Africa once, so I figure if the opportunity presents itself....
I made a little progress in the computer world today. I got in touch with some knowledgeable people who might be able to help me fix New Hope's email troubles that have been plaguing them for some time. We'll see.
So the ceiling contractors are installing the frame in the dining room (where we had to put extra trusses to handle the extra weight.) Like this:
I did some rough calculations using the density of mortar (they pour the ceiling on the wire mesh) , and the whole ceiling when it is finished ( the room is 28 x 50) is going to weigh more than 15,000 lbs. *jaw drops*. It could be as much as 18,000 if you include the finishing plaster. I think we underbuilt the trusses.....
April 1st
Well, I accidentally cut off my leg today. Har, Har, april fools.
We had a feast at dinner tonight, because there is a team of high schoolers here from an MK school (that's Missionary Kid to the uninitiated :-) )in Moscow. So the quality of food goes up a good bit when teams are here.
By the way, a feast consists of fried potatoes (sort of like roast potato), chunks of beef in a sauce, fried vegetables (including broccoli!!), chipati ( like a cross between Indian nan and a thick flour tortilla) salad (with milk cheese and salad dressing!) and a watermelon, bannana and pineapple fuit salad.
We also had a good time on sunday night: we had popcorn and hot chocolate and played charades with friends, ugandan and muzungu. It was actually quite tricky coming up with phrases that would be universally known. At first the other teams clues were waaaay easier than the ones that we were getting, so to level the playing field a little I wrote down "transubstantiation" as their next clue. Amazingly, James got Ellie to guess it correctly. I should have put "reverse osmosis"
Working in IT is interesting. The problems are less clear, and much less solvable than building a roof. "John, we're having email trouble. Some emails don't send." That's like saying "Doctor, my leg hurts." Anyway, I think I might know why that is happening after a bit of research today. Some things are easy, like helping Nancy find a website to price heavy equipment. Some things are hard, like downloading a 244 Mb printer/scanner software and driver package for 2 hours, getting halfway through and someone turns the computer off, losing the file. I still live by my IT mantra "Google is your friend." If ever you don't know how to do something, usually someone out there has had the exact question you have, and have gotten a good answer to it and posted it in a forum. (that you can find using Google.) It might take some time, but it'll save you paying someone $80/hr to fix it. Plus you dont' get all dirty like when you try and fix your car. ;-)
It was funny when Ellie and I were talking with the Zimmermans (a couple that just came on staff and are staying the banda next to ours for the time being) , and were explaining what we've been doing here. I explained that I had originally signed up to do IT stuff, but ended up spending 2 months doing construction. "Oh, so your background is in computer science." Um, actually, I have a spanish degree. Confused looks all around. heh/
Time is getting close for us to leave New Hope. We leave here two weeks today. Some friends and family have offered to help pay for us to go on a safari, which would be really awesome if we can fit it in. As I've said, I sort of feel bad taking off and leaving the IT guys in the lurch (them having expected me to work with them for 2 months) , but I might only be in Africa once, so I figure if the opportunity presents itself....
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Mowing the Lawn
Dan James, this post is just for you.
If you were wondering how Ugandans mow all the grass that they have, here ya go. Just imagine if you had to do this instead of having a zero-turn mower. They gave the guy who "mows" around here a weedwacker, which was a MAJOR upgrade, and he was ecstatic.
video
Funny story about that: When we were in Rwanda, we drove by the ministry of defense building, and there was a huge grass lawn that went from the building to the road, probably a good 10 acres. The Bennets told us that they mow the whole thing with weedwackers, with an army of like 15 guys.
The quantity and variety of birds here is amazing.
This little one got a catterpillar right before my eyes.
Here is that video of me on the swing at the Davises a while ago.
video
If you were wondering how Ugandans mow all the grass that they have, here ya go. Just imagine if you had to do this instead of having a zero-turn mower. They gave the guy who "mows" around here a weedwacker, which was a MAJOR upgrade, and he was ecstatic.
video
Funny story about that: When we were in Rwanda, we drove by the ministry of defense building, and there was a huge grass lawn that went from the building to the road, probably a good 10 acres. The Bennets told us that they mow the whole thing with weedwackers, with an army of like 15 guys.
The quantity and variety of birds here is amazing.
This little one got a catterpillar right before my eyes.
Here is that video of me on the swing at the Davises a while ago.
video
Monday, March 31, 2008
Finished
March 31st
Well today was a glorious day in my book because i am officially finished with my job at the guesthouse. There are of course many things left to do, even a few things with the roof, but my part of the project is officially done.
See?
So tomorrow I go off to the computer lab. Whoo hoo!
Here's that smile of Kayesu's I mentioned a while ago.
March 30th
One thing that I miss about the states is the internet bandwidth. Actually, even just a reliable connection would be nice. (oh the irony; the connection just dropped)
It was really nice to video skype with you folks at church today, both the Journey class and with random folks in the sanctuary. Adrienne, we didn't get to see your belly. ;-)
March 29th.
Today there is a wedding at New Hope. We will go to part of it, because the whole thing will be quite an ordeal. We'll also be having dinner with the Brittons again, which should be nice. We're also planning on going to Luwero and Kiwoko, to search for material for some clothes and get a few things.
We have Kayesu again, who is as cute as ever. I have yet to get her smile on camera, but it is priceless. I was feeding her last night, (even though she is perfectly capable of feeding herself, she won't when she is with us. she just cries if you hand her food.) trying to get her to eat spaghetti and cabbage. She doesn't like spaghetti because all she normally gets is posho and beans. I in general have better success feeding her than Ellie does, so I was trying to get her to eat, even though she was fussy. So I put several forkfuls of cabbage in her mouth, she started chewing away, and Tim who was watching was impressed that I got her to eat cabbage. As I went in for one more forkful, however, her little lips opened up and pushed all the chewed up cabbage out onto her and my laps. I guess she was just pretending to obey me.
Well today was a glorious day in my book because i am officially finished with my job at the guesthouse. There are of course many things left to do, even a few things with the roof, but my part of the project is officially done.
See?
So tomorrow I go off to the computer lab. Whoo hoo!
Here's that smile of Kayesu's I mentioned a while ago.
March 30th
One thing that I miss about the states is the internet bandwidth. Actually, even just a reliable connection would be nice. (oh the irony; the connection just dropped)
It was really nice to video skype with you folks at church today, both the Journey class and with random folks in the sanctuary. Adrienne, we didn't get to see your belly. ;-)
March 29th.
Today there is a wedding at New Hope. We will go to part of it, because the whole thing will be quite an ordeal. We'll also be having dinner with the Brittons again, which should be nice. We're also planning on going to Luwero and Kiwoko, to search for material for some clothes and get a few things.
We have Kayesu again, who is as cute as ever. I have yet to get her smile on camera, but it is priceless. I was feeding her last night, (even though she is perfectly capable of feeding herself, she won't when she is with us. she just cries if you hand her food.) trying to get her to eat spaghetti and cabbage. She doesn't like spaghetti because all she normally gets is posho and beans. I in general have better success feeding her than Ellie does, so I was trying to get her to eat, even though she was fussy. So I put several forkfuls of cabbage in her mouth, she started chewing away, and Tim who was watching was impressed that I got her to eat cabbage. As I went in for one more forkful, however, her little lips opened up and pushed all the chewed up cabbage out onto her and my laps. I guess she was just pretending to obey me.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Desperate
March 27th
The stories of many children here are horrific, ranging from abuse to neglect to rape to who-knows-what. Even many of the adult staff often have stories to tell. Case in point: Roger, who is the head nurse of the clinic, is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Because he was going to be killed if he stayed ( i can't remember why, probably ethnic war ) he walked to Uganda, leaving behind his fiancee, who was also going to be killed. He ended up at New Hope, and was here for many years, thinking that for sure his fiancee had been killed and didn't make it out of the Congo. Years later, she ended up making it to New Hope, and they got married and have a little girl who is the cutest little thing. He is one of the smiliest guys I know, and is always happy. I was watching him exuburantly worship in church a few weeks ago, and I was struck by how thankful he must feel to God for his life, his wife, and his little girl. He had nothing, just managed to escape, and then God richly blessed him. I should ask him to share his story sometime to get all the details. Anyway, I was struck with how rich his thankfullness to God must be, considering his present and past circumstances. Immediately as I had that thought I was equally struck with how thankful I should be (and am not), considering what God has done for me. If it is really true that the penalty has been paid for my wrongs, and I get to know and be known and loved by the almighty and eternal universe-spanning God who is the source of all that is good and right, then I should be shrieking and jumping up and down for joy a hundred times as much as Roger, who only had his life circumstances changed. It is sort of like that post I had from before about joy. We don't really see and understand things, so our reaction is not proportional to their significance. Would that I would have the thoughts and feelings of God after Him.
It is also clearer to me why some people in the west struggle to really be thankful. Or why people don't think they need a god. For one, we have our needs met, and have plenty (food, shelter, material things; think maslow's hiearchy of needs) . We feel that we can provide for ourselves, that we don't need help, even to push my grocery cart up a hill to my car, much less rescue from a bottomless pit. We dont' believe that we need saving , or that life with God is actually that cool, because we're happy with what we have now. The truth is that we are in just as desperate a situation as Roger was he was escaping Congo, but we just dont' realize it.
---
on a lighter note, pictures for your enjoyment.
Here is a video with me making a save while playing goalie in the Institute vs. Teachers game. It was a good thing i was in goal, because I couldn't have run nearly as hard and as long as those guys did.
Video Link
This one is for you, Robin and Stu. Bring back memories?
Here is a picture of James, Abu and I with the broken truss.
btw, thank you all for praying for us. So far we are disease-free, including malaria, which has been great. Please continue to pray for that.
The stories of many children here are horrific, ranging from abuse to neglect to rape to who-knows-what. Even many of the adult staff often have stories to tell. Case in point: Roger, who is the head nurse of the clinic, is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Because he was going to be killed if he stayed ( i can't remember why, probably ethnic war ) he walked to Uganda, leaving behind his fiancee, who was also going to be killed. He ended up at New Hope, and was here for many years, thinking that for sure his fiancee had been killed and didn't make it out of the Congo. Years later, she ended up making it to New Hope, and they got married and have a little girl who is the cutest little thing. He is one of the smiliest guys I know, and is always happy. I was watching him exuburantly worship in church a few weeks ago, and I was struck by how thankful he must feel to God for his life, his wife, and his little girl. He had nothing, just managed to escape, and then God richly blessed him. I should ask him to share his story sometime to get all the details. Anyway, I was struck with how rich his thankfullness to God must be, considering his present and past circumstances. Immediately as I had that thought I was equally struck with how thankful I should be (and am not), considering what God has done for me. If it is really true that the penalty has been paid for my wrongs, and I get to know and be known and loved by the almighty and eternal universe-spanning God who is the source of all that is good and right, then I should be shrieking and jumping up and down for joy a hundred times as much as Roger, who only had his life circumstances changed. It is sort of like that post I had from before about joy. We don't really see and understand things, so our reaction is not proportional to their significance. Would that I would have the thoughts and feelings of God after Him.
It is also clearer to me why some people in the west struggle to really be thankful. Or why people don't think they need a god. For one, we have our needs met, and have plenty (food, shelter, material things; think maslow's hiearchy of needs) . We feel that we can provide for ourselves, that we don't need help, even to push my grocery cart up a hill to my car, much less rescue from a bottomless pit. We dont' believe that we need saving , or that life with God is actually that cool, because we're happy with what we have now. The truth is that we are in just as desperate a situation as Roger was he was escaping Congo, but we just dont' realize it.
---
on a lighter note, pictures for your enjoyment.
Here is a video with me making a save while playing goalie in the Institute vs. Teachers game. It was a good thing i was in goal, because I couldn't have run nearly as hard and as long as those guys did.
Video Link
This one is for you, Robin and Stu. Bring back memories?
Here is a picture of James, Abu and I with the broken truss.
btw, thank you all for praying for us. So far we are disease-free, including malaria, which has been great. Please continue to pray for that.
Nicholas
Here is baby nicholas, who stayed with us last weekend. Ellie calls him "chocolate chip" because he is so dark.
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