Building Relationships

We have almost been in Uganda for 5 weeks now, which seems crazy. We have met a lot of new people and started building relationships with people outside of The Lodge.  We were invited to go to church by Martin, the friend of a friend of someone Andrew knows, who took us to see animals.  He also took the Newsome family on a weekend safari, so we have seen him several times since he took us.  He picked us all up a little before 8:00.  He was hoping to have a van, so all 10 of us could comfortably fit, but it didn't happen.  Instead of him making 2 trips to take us all, the kids just hopped in the back of the car and the rest of us squeezed in.

Micah, Chapel and Cara..very excited about the seating arrangement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived at his church, Yesu Akwagala (Jesus loves you), a little after 8:00.  As first time visitors, we were invited in front of the congregation to introduce ourselves.  Thankfully, I'm married to a Pastor who doesn't mind being in front of large crowds, so he spoke on behalf of our family.

Church was over about 10:40 and Martin took us all to his home where his wife had made us lunch.  She had cooked a pumpkin that had vegetables and pork in the middle.  She wrapped it in banana leaves and steamed it over a fire.  We were told this type of dish is only made for people who are loved...that it is a very special meal.

 

We also had rice and potatoes and several other African dishes.  It was great to meet Martin's family and we felt blessed to have a meal cooked for us!  Our time at Martin's house was short because Andrew had met the basketball coach at the International School and was meeting him at 1:00 to play golf.  So Martin took us all back 'home' and Andrew left to play golf.  

We were also invited to eat dinner at another families house tonight! Our second day here, we were walking back from the orphanage and we saw another mzungo that Andrew began talking to.  His family had moved here several years ago from Canada and make micro-nutrients.  Later that week we were eating dinner at a restaurant and we ran into his older son (he's the one who told us about the pool at Lindsay Cottages).  Then, last week when we were walking back from Quality we ran into him again and he invited us for dinner.  They have several older children who are in the states, a 16 year old daughter and a 9 year old son that are here.  Chapel had a blast playing with their son and their 3 puppies!  Jude Daniel's reaction to the puppies is similar to that of seeing the butterfly.  He's scared to death! Crying, screaming, running, flapping his hands....coming home to our dog should be interesting. 

Chapel strikes up conversations with everyone and becomes best friends with everyone she meets, adults and children.  It's so fun to watch her in all these new situations and meeting new people.  

When we got 'home' Eric and Josh were already set up watching football...Andrew was happy to join.

 

The basketball coach of the International School has invited us to swim there, so we will probably take him up on his offer one day this week.  Other than that we have no plans...still waiting to get Jude's passport before we can move onto the next step.