How To's and Hot Not To's

I've been in Uganda a little over a week now, and in just that short amount of time I have learned many of life's skills needed to survive here. Before coming to Africa, I thought the African people lived such a simple life, but now that I'm here I am realizing that life in Uganda isn't so simple. In fact, everyday life in the states is truly the simple life. Below I have listed some of the "how to's" and "how not to's" that I have learned thus far!

How To...

- How to wash your clothes with out a "machine"

          First you fill three basins with water. You put all your dirty clothes in one basin you begin to soap up one article of clothing at a time. Then after you finished soaping that piece of clothing, you take it to the next bin and scrub the living daylights out of it. After about 3 shirts, you hands begin to get rug burn! Then, you put the piece of clothing in the last bin to start rinsing. After all your clothes are washed, you empty the soaping and scrubbing bin and fill them with clean water. Next, you use those two bins to continue rinsing the soap off your clothes. Finally, you hang them on the line to dry. By the next day, they are ready to be taken off the line to iron. Ironing is a must because parasites may find their way onto your clothes and the heat kills them off. Also, Ugandan people value appearance, so going out in public with wrinkled clothes is a big no no!

 

- How to wash the dishes

          Washing dishes is done very similar to washing clothes. You need three water basins. The first one is used for soaping and the second 2 are used to rinsing.

 

- How to make the world's best chai tea

           First you get yourself a nice pot of milk, preferable fresh from the cow. Then you cook it over the charcoal stove until it starts to boil. Then you add your tea leaves and a few spices. Finally, you top it off by adding the sugar. It's a simple recipe, but I have never had chair tea like Ugandan chai tea in my life. It's wonderful.

 

- How to cook

           This is an overview on how my family typically cooks our meals. Everything is cooked over a charcoal or wood burning stove. Meats and fish are bought fresh from the market. Vegetables and fruit are all picked from the garden or plantation outside. Our eggs are collecting from our hens and our milk is gotten from the cows. Clean drinking water comes from boiling the rain water over the stove. To prepare an average meal, you will need at least 2 hours of cooking time.

 

- How to get to places without your own vehicle

            The simple answer to this is that you walk where ever you need to get to. If the distance of over an hour long, a taxi (or in Luganda "matatu") is your best bet. Boda Boadas (motorcycle taxis) are available but very dangerous. As an insight, I recently went to the capital city about two hours away and it only coast me roughly one American dollar.

 

 

How Not To...

- How not to drop your cell phone down the 40 foot hole where you go to the bathroom

           Don't take your cell phone to the bathroom with you.

 

- How not to step in goat poop

          Use your headlamp at night and scan the entire surface your about to walk on. Flip flops are also not the ideal shoe to wear when goat poop is around.

 

- How to eat matoke (cooked green bananas) without feeling like your going to gag

         When given a plate of sloppy vegetables, dip your matoke into the "sauce." It adds good flavor and takes away the bad flavor!

 

 

In general, I am having a great time. There are still moments I find myself imaging waking up in my own bed back home, or playing with my little sister, or spending the night laughing at the simple things with my friends as Messiah, but those thoughts and temptations aren't coming from God. God reminds me daily that I am where He wants me. I believe perseverance leads to breakthrough, so I promised myself that I am going to keep persevering through the hard times because at the end of this season, the breakthrough is going to be amazing. I find comfort in the arms of Christ and His love and joy continue to invade my life even when the enemy is telling me otherwise.

I have included a picture of my home. In that place, I am starting to find comfort and the true beauty of Ugandan culture. I've also begun to find lizards on the wall and spider friends in the corner, but all is good :) As always, I appreciate your prayers and encouragements. To my family and friends,  I love and miss you all tremendously. I am praying for you all daily. God bless!

Seven Second Version!
   Everyday life is not so simple. Be careful what you take to the bathroom and where you walk. Above is a pic of my home. Jesus is still good!