tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22325765034325540752024-03-12T16:17:32.792-07:00The Hills of AfricaA lighthearted peek into the life of one American family in UgandaKim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-91094316220769882242015-08-06T03:21:00.000-07:002015-08-06T03:21:20.655-07:00The Bane of My African ExistenceBake them<br />
Mash them<br />
Boil them<br />
Nuke them<br />
Freeze them<br />
Scorch them<br />
Drown them - at this point you might have realized I'm not talking about a food item.<br />
Bleach them<br />
Poison them<br />
Dryer them...and yes, I'm making this a verb for this post, especially since this is what motivated me to write today. I was taking down a kitchen drying mat from the line outside because it's getting ready to rain. With chagrin I noticed it had an ant colony growing on it. (In my defense, this is the mat that sits under the dish rack liner, so it doesn't get much attention.) <br />
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Inspiration struck! I was going to put these laundry items in the dryer, a highly unusual appliance out here, when I realized I might just find a new method for killing my tormentors! And will the lint collector thingy scoop them up too? You can't imagine how exciting this is - I can't wait to go get the stuff out of the dryer to see if I'm successful. <br />
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Yes, killing the ever-present columns of ants is a sick hobby of mine. Hopefully it's the only sick hobby I have. I don't know anyone here who loathes them any less than I do, but I might be the only one keeping a list of my termination techniques. Nuking them in the microwave doesn't actually work; I guess ants are up there with cockroaches. And so far, my favorite technique is scorching them. When they're crawling on a pan, I like to turn on the gas stove and they just shrivel up and fall off when I knock the pan. It's very rewarding; I suggest you try it.<br />
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Ant annihilation is much more satisfying than ant prevention, which is also a full-time job. You will recognize my kitchen as it's the one with:<br />
-peanut butter, the sugar jar, honey, etc in (imported) Ziplock bags<br />
-shortening, cereal, margarine, baked goods, etc in plastic lidded ice cream containers (yes, we reuse them here)<br />
-cooking oil sealed in used water bottles<br />
-butter and bread in the refrigerator<br />
-bananas hanging from the pantry door in a mesh bag<br />
-raisins and peanuts in lidded jars<br />
-the trash bag hanging from the outside kitchen window (to keep it away from the dogs)<br />
-the dirty dishes stacked precariously in a tower within a basin with a moat of water at the base to keep the ants from crossing<br />
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But don't be fooled: the ants do not limit themselves to the kitchen. They are marching out from behind the mirrors and toilets in the bathrooms. They are filing from the air vent to the window. They are on the highway between the power socket and the back of the hutch. And if you would like to know how I deal with them outside the kitchen (when I'm consumed with both anger and energy, a rare combination), let's just say two words: glue gun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FgluXJg5pSc/VcMyxmZ6m-I/AAAAAAAAmII/SU5Gv_eOddk/s1600/IMG_8173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FgluXJg5pSc/VcMyxmZ6m-I/AAAAAAAAmII/SU5Gv_eOddk/s320/IMG_8173.JPG" /></a></div>And the verdict is out: the dryer kills them and the lint screen, as you can see, collects them!<br />
Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-5518960643263288772015-04-11T05:00:00.000-07:002015-04-11T05:00:03.636-07:00Conference Celebrations for Completed TranslationsIn March, we had our conference for all our staff in Uganda. This is an event which happens every other year, and people travel in from their village translation centers to join us. This was an especially joyful year as we celebrated the completions of translations of four New Testaments. Although we still have quite a lot of work to do before the books head to the printers (namely final checks and typesetting), a huge amount of work is now complete! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4Je7UoxeFM/VSjnBNyHVuI/AAAAAAAAmEU/M18OoAxz8E0/s1600/IMG_6910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o4Je7UoxeFM/VSjnBNyHVuI/AAAAAAAAmEU/M18OoAxz8E0/s320/IMG_6910.JPG" /></a></div>The back of our conference shirts<br />
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I had lunch with one of the translators for the Aringa New Testament, Barnabas. He told a friend and me that working on Scripture is like a woman in labor - it is so difficult but then she rejoices as new life enters the world. After we finished eating, my friend looked up at the wall in the dining room and saw this batik, which seems to sum it up well.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3vzKB7Se6E4/VSkAMDtb-zI/AAAAAAAAmEk/Qgd2HvQ7hGo/s1600/IMG_6909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3vzKB7Se6E4/VSkAMDtb-zI/AAAAAAAAmEk/Qgd2HvQ7hGo/s320/IMG_6909.JPG" /></a></div><br />
One of my favorite parts of the conference was the worship. There's just something amazing about singing to the Lord with people from several countries and languages. It always gives me a taste of heaven, worshiping God with believers from many places in several languages.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RxyK7_Idvnc/VSkBsFBTIbI/AAAAAAAAmEw/J5kxrnUhviI/s1600/IMG_6947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RxyK7_Idvnc/VSkBsFBTIbI/AAAAAAAAmEw/J5kxrnUhviI/s320/IMG_6947.JPG" /></a></div><br />
In Joshua 4:2,3 God commanded Joshua to, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.” <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5wxOsce9vI/VSkH4CbX-aI/AAAAAAAAmFA/tqpJ699doYo/s1600/IMG_6912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O5wxOsce9vI/VSkH4CbX-aI/AAAAAAAAmFA/tqpJ699doYo/s320/IMG_6912.JPG" /></a></div>So we had four stones with the names of each language which has recently finished the translation of the New Testament. <br />
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At the end of the day, a translator from each of the languages then carried the stone on his shoulder while everyone cheered and praised the Lord for the work He is doing. These men and women have spent many years working for God to carry His words to their people. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUPUGPxk30A/VSkIwrXr4tI/AAAAAAAAmFI/v6I_Xy_wEdg/s1600/IMG_6933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUPUGPxk30A/VSkIwrXr4tI/AAAAAAAAmFI/v6I_Xy_wEdg/s320/IMG_6933.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Joshua told the people, "Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. (Joshua 4:5-7) I'm not sure what will become of these stones, but I know people throughout Uganda, Tanzania, and all over the world will be telling their children about how the Word of God came to them in their languages by His power and to His glory!<br />
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It's an exciting time for us here in Uganda, and we're so thankful the Lord has blessed us with seeing this work coming to fruition. Around 1,900 languages are still waiting for a Bible translation project to start. Let's not forget to pray for them. As Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Luke 10:2) Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-91280205759416665302014-12-13T04:36:00.000-08:002014-12-13T04:36:02.492-08:00Worth ItWhat could make it worthwhile for a family of five to hazard potentially dangerous driving conditions for nearly six hours to speak for ten minutes and shake some hands?<br />
<br />
THIS:<br />
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What is taking this man's undivided attention from the heat of the day, the discomfort of squatting on the ground in a suit, and a loud speaker two feet away blasting in his ear? THIS:<br />
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Let me tell you what's going on here. On Wednesday, we donned our best and traveled up to the town of Nakasongola to attend an event honoring the anniversary of the Ruuli king's coronation along with thousands of other people. We were fortunate to travel in our car; many traveled by public transport, bicycle, or on foot. <br />
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Before the king arrived, the local church was given the opportunity to present the newly published Gospel of Luke in the Ruuli language to the crowd (the reason we attended). These blue books are what the man is reading above. It has taken years of labor for these three men to translate the first book of the Bible into their language. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQEYJcx8STE/VIv0jpsVTWI/AAAAAAAAmBI/We2K3YN2zIo/s1600/IMG_6206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQEYJcx8STE/VIv0jpsVTWI/AAAAAAAAmBI/We2K3YN2zIo/s320/IMG_6206.JPG" /></a></div>They haven't worked alone though; they have been joined in their efforts by people from around the world who have supported them: linguists, orthography experts, translation consultants, administrators, financiers, and prayer warriors.<br />
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After sections of Luke had been read in Ruruuli, Dusty, as the director of our language programs in Uganda, was asked to speak for ten minutes, introducing the book of Luke, and encouraging the crowds to welcome it into their community and lives.<br />
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He spoke passionately and enthusiastically as one of the translators interpreted into Ruuli.<br />
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It was greatly encouraging to see people in the crowd, like this woman in blue, who were listening with great attention to Dusty and to the reading of the Word for the first time in their language. <br />
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Was it worth the drive, the heat, the effort, and the years of labor? Definitely! After ten years of living and working in East Africa, this was our very first time to be able to attend such an event - to actually get to watch people as they heard God speaking to them from His Word in their very own language! <br />
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As we drove away, we tried to figure out how many people were there. We estimated 4,000. Hearing that I jokingly said, "I guess we should have brought some fish and loaves," but even as I said it I realized that God had fed those 4,000 with His Word in their mother-tongue. Those 4,000 people and all the Ruruuli people who did not attend now have the opportunity to understand the true Christmas story of the Lord's birth for the first time this year:<br />
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"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (from Luke 2:10,11) <br />
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Imagine hearing THAT for the first time in YOUR language! <br />
Praising God with you in Uganda,<br />
KimKim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-91074501991418103962014-11-26T02:05:00.001-08:002014-11-26T02:05:36.961-08:00Heads and Tails; the Reptilian VarietyYesterday our local play group visited the Uganda Reptile Village to learn about the reptilian critters in our area. Here are some photos of the afternoon.<br />
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Nile Crocodiles are much smaller than I had anticipated. It's hard to tell from the photo below, but the big guy is maybe 3 or 4 feet long from snout to tail. That being said, the crocs who live in Lake Victoria are huge; the type you see on National Geographic eating an entire zebra. These particular Nile Crocodiles just get chickens.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A_S_ddvaek4/VHWXnkJf1HI/AAAAAAAAl_U/6t8zzh28PmY/s1600/IMG_5981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A_S_ddvaek4/VHWXnkJf1HI/AAAAAAAAl_U/6t8zzh28PmY/s320/IMG_5981.JPG" /></a></div><br />
In Tanzania we had several Monitor Lizards near our home. The Swahili word is "kenge." You don't want to get too close because they lash out with their tails and can break your ankle. Or the bacteria in their saliva will make a nasty infection if you get bit. Our guide told us that too many here in Uganda are killed for their skin, which is used to make drums - the part of the drum you strike/tap. Sadly, she also said that some are skinned alive because there is a belief that it makes the music better.<br />
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This Leopard Tortoise is over 100 years old! Along with the chameleons, this was the only reptile which Cooper was brave enough to touch. They are the biggest tortoises in East Africa and can get up to five hundred pounds! I guess this guy's still got a long time before he can start offering rides.<br />
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The Egg Eating snake is not venomous, but it sure did thrash around a lot when the kids handled it. Jack thought it made a nice live necklace. Works well with the motorcycle t-shirt don't you think?<br />
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Aaah, and here is our old friend (well, two of them), the Forest Cobra, one of the most dangerous snakes in East Africa. This is because its venom is particularly fast acting. I say "old friend" because this is the same type of snake we found in our garden two years ago and killed. Had I known then about the Reptile Village, I might have tried to intervene to save its life. Instead, I just saved our own. Oh well.<br />
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And the grand finale - the African Rock Python. These lovely MASSIVE snakes often live inside termite mounds (which are huge - many feet high). This one weighs 30 kilos and was Herculean in its strength. When frightened, it also puts out some serious poop, which is why Jack had dropped his hands from the end of the snake and is trying to figure out what just happened. (See the white spots in the foreground if you must.)<br />
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Jack then happily moved next to his sister to steer clear of both dangerous ends of the python.<br />
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Lastly, the parents' turn. Only three parents got in on the action; I was definitely not going to miss out, now that the snake had released its fear. Our guide, Diana, is on my left. She has been bitten by snakes seven times, and yet look how happy and healthy she is! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWNLc13TKW0/VHWXsd31ITI/AAAAAAAAmAM/WXSpZRY8sBM/s1600/IMG_6066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rWNLc13TKW0/VHWXsd31ITI/AAAAAAAAmAM/WXSpZRY8sBM/s320/IMG_6066.JPG" /></a></div><br />
All told, it was a great afternoon. I only felt sorry for the little fluffy chicks chirping in several of the snake enclosures, but I guess if they weren't snake food, they would later be mine, so I'll try not to be too hypocritical. Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-47451867029278593392014-11-06T05:01:00.000-08:002014-11-06T05:01:16.803-08:00It's That Moment When......you find gecko poop in the bottle of water you use for brushing your teeth. (We have to filter all of our drinking water.)<br />
...you find a bug in your bottle of water...and you KEEP DRINKING. (literally, this instant as I write)<br />
...you step into the water stream of the shower and your anticipatory "aaahhhh" turns into "AAARGH!" as you freeze and realize you forgot to turn on the hot water heater beforehand (We have a "widow maker" shower-head which heats the water electrically.), OR the power goes off in the middle of your shower and you still have bubbly shampoo on your head.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7yW-311V-0U/VFtrYcavqII/AAAAAAAAl-s/falDnQ-4MN8/s1600/IMG_9820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7yW-311V-0U/VFtrYcavqII/AAAAAAAAl-s/falDnQ-4MN8/s320/IMG_9820.JPG" /></a></div>...the gas for the oven/stove runs out in the middle of scrambling eggs before church or before the casserole for company is finished. (You then snatch the canister and rush to the store for another.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-liDjtZPJjKU/VFtsmcflxnI/AAAAAAAAl-0/9Pgursagn7I/s1600/IMG_5927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-liDjtZPJjKU/VFtsmcflxnI/AAAAAAAAl-0/9Pgursagn7I/s320/IMG_5927.JPG" /></a></div>...after two months in America you find your kid drinking water from the faucet. (having forgotten they can't drink tap water in Uganda)<br />
...the electricity goes off with ten minutes left of the cliff-hanger movie. (so you read about it online - anticlimactic)<br />
...you need to make a phone call and your phone says "you have insufficient funds for making this call." (we buy prepaid cards of air-time)<br />
...the electricity men come to turn off your power since you have not yet paid the bill that they have not yet given you.<br />
...your three year old angrily yells at the traffic police officer who has pulled you over (for no reason) because he's mad she called him a "baby." (sweetly as in, "How are you, baby?" It's the Ugandan English term for "child.")<br />
...you realize Halloween, Daylight Savings day, and voting day all passed within a few days and you either didn't realize it, or didn't do anything about it. (Ooops - I know I should have voted; it's complicated here, so don't rub it in.)<br />
...you park your freshly-washed car under a tree full of Marabou Storks and find it completely covered after 15 minutes. (Huge birds make huge messes. These stand five feet tall with a ten foot wingspan.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qkoo3X7pd68/VFtrKNVEbKI/AAAAAAAAl-k/kG9eNvDPbLk/s1600/IMG_2748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qkoo3X7pd68/VFtrKNVEbKI/AAAAAAAAl-k/kG9eNvDPbLk/s320/IMG_2748.JPG" /></a></div>...you see post after post of American leaves turning amber, scarlet, and tangerine, and all your leaves are still green.<br />
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Then again, we also have that moment when...<br />
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...you see post after post of dead looking trees in America's winter and your leaves are all emerald, lime, kelly and forest green. Still!<br />
...a camel walks down your street, a chameleon sits on your head, and the cat finds a cobra (and better yet, a passer-by kills it!).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UEYNF8nI5QU/VFttGxtoI7I/AAAAAAAAl-8/YLPwZrNSd9M/s1600/IMG_5494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UEYNF8nI5QU/VFttGxtoI7I/AAAAAAAAl-8/YLPwZrNSd9M/s320/IMG_5494.JPG" /></a></div>...you take your dog off-leash into the Botanical Gardens, and she spots the elusive monkeys for you.<br />
...you breast-feed your infant in public anywhere, anytime, and it's completely normal and accepted.<br />
...you're so thankful to even have running water - what a blessing! And you remember to be thankful for it!<br />
...you have electricity - most of the time! And you remember to be thankful for it!<br />
...you realize that although you miss the fun of snow, your family gets to wear short sleeves and flip-flops all year!<br />
...you are enjoying fruit from your garden all through the year. (We have papaya, guava, avocado, passion fruit, and mango.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1uERXz5rSA/VFtuD5LYDDI/AAAAAAAAl_E/Nir-t5i5-hg/s1600/IMG_4205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1uERXz5rSA/VFtuD5LYDDI/AAAAAAAAl_E/Nir-t5i5-hg/s320/IMG_4205.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Just keeping lists of all these moments makes me realize how to be thankful in everything. Sure, I'm freezing in the shower with shampoo in my hair, but it sure makes me thankful for all those showers when the electricity stays on, and that we have running water for showers! And if we don't experience the changing American seasons, we sure do relish a consistently mild climate all year when we can enjoy our fruitful garden every day. In flip flops. So what if Cooper yelled at the cop? I'm thankful we didn't earn a ticket by breaking any laws. And if I ran out of gas in the middle of a meal in the oven, well, - hey, I HAVE an oven, and so very many people are here cooking in a pot on three rocks.<br />
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Mixed blessings. Silver lining. Gratitude.<br />
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Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-66887587632444413982014-10-30T02:32:00.001-07:002014-10-30T02:32:13.350-07:00Ground BreakingLast week we received an invitation for a ground breaking ceremony. Because we take Fridays off from home-schooling, this was the perfect morning outing for the kids and me. We brought our quiet and obedient Rottweiler along for the walk, as the event was in our neighborhood.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDlrqJ5QRXw/VFH79SppuvI/AAAAAAAAl9k/dql8mQuhVKg/s1600/IMG_5636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDlrqJ5QRXw/VFH79SppuvI/AAAAAAAAl9k/dql8mQuhVKg/s320/IMG_5636.JPG" /></a></div>The local government has hired a Chinese road construction company to repair Church Road. Hopefully they'll pave it, and pave it well. Sometimes a badly paved road is worse than a dirt road. Here are the kids and Ellie, our dog, in front of some of the construction vehicles.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y-y3Ts0X9A/VFH7-4rpWfI/AAAAAAAAl9s/YvAYuHWG-MU/s1600/IMG_5639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y-y3Ts0X9A/VFH7-4rpWfI/AAAAAAAAl9s/YvAYuHWG-MU/s320/IMG_5639.JPG" /></a></div>Events usually have tents set up to protect the guests from either rain or hot sun. Fortunately, on this day, the tents gave us relief from the sun, not the rain. We never know which we'll have. In classic fashion, the guests of honor were seated at a table in the front. In this case, I know one is the mayor of Entebbe, and another is the Commissioner. I didn't catch the names and titles of the others. What surprised me was watching how many of the special guests talked/texted on their phones during the ceremony. Do they do that in America as well these days?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NktEsIie08U/VFH8BGHA4WI/AAAAAAAAl90/BcD11uOBYqU/s1600/IMG_5640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NktEsIie08U/VFH8BGHA4WI/AAAAAAAAl90/BcD11uOBYqU/s320/IMG_5640.JPG" /></a></div>This local band played while a few groups of school students marched to the celebration site. We missed the marching, though we could hear the band from our house. The invitation said 9:00am, but if ten years in East Africa has taught us anything, it's to arrive an hour and a half later, which is when things actually started happening as the guests of honor had arrived about that time as well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SjkfLeBnXQ4/VFH8GBzD2dI/AAAAAAAAl-E/pQ4vOm_KonI/s1600/IMG_5644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SjkfLeBnXQ4/VFH8GBzD2dI/AAAAAAAAl-E/pQ4vOm_KonI/s320/IMG_5644.JPG" /></a></div>All events here include "some small speeches." This phrase can actually mean "many lengthy speeches" The event started with an opening prayer, followed by the speeches. In this case, the woman here is the LC, or liaison with the government, for our neighborhood. She also helps solve disputes. She did a nice job of welcoming everyone and kept it pretty short. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cgf-kezRCyw/VFH8EJPu6xI/AAAAAAAAl98/U1FFnTDX6lY/s1600/IMG_5646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cgf-kezRCyw/VFH8EJPu6xI/AAAAAAAAl98/U1FFnTDX6lY/s320/IMG_5646.JPG" /></a></div>Then the band started playing again. Imagine our surprise as we were focused on the band, when we turned around and found this young girl! Wow! Not only was she a serious contortionist, but she was performing on a slippery tablecloth on top of a small table! I kept worrying the cloth would slip right off while she was in the middle of posing. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRg7iRKA6QM/VFH8Jk5sPGI/AAAAAAAAl-M/icaxf906C8k/s1600/IMG_5655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRg7iRKA6QM/VFH8Jk5sPGI/AAAAAAAAl-M/icaxf906C8k/s320/IMG_5655.JPG" /></a></div>Luckily, she did it all perfectly while everyone snapped photos or videos with their cell phones (having stopped talking/texting). The next speaker asked what she eats to stay so flexible. Behind her you can see several photographers/videographers as well as 3 groups of students in their uniforms, grey/white (L), pink/white (C), and green/white (R). The building behind them is a private kindergarten, but to the left of the photo, beyond what you can see, is also a public primary school.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etr12eZlgaA/VFH8LYZA2xI/AAAAAAAAl-U/7UIR5W_z2KY/s1600/IMG_5659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-etr12eZlgaA/VFH8LYZA2xI/AAAAAAAAl-U/7UIR5W_z2KY/s320/IMG_5659.JPG" /></a></div>This is the head engineer giving his speech, and introducing the Chinese construction crew. This was the last photo I got as Cooper became increasingly uncomfortable about two things: the length of his time at the event, and the concern that they would fire up those huge construction vehicles and run us all over. <br />
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Honestly, my longevity at these sorts of events is rather pathetic as well. To my credit, it runs in my family; just ask my dad. It's nice to have a small kid as an excuse to leave. Whatever will I do when I've no little tikes to take me out of this sort of thing? All that aside, we're thankful that someone is doing something about our roads, even if it's one road at a time. No one likes to get stuck in a pothole which is inside of a speed bump!Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-85278670645204355622014-10-09T07:17:00.001-07:002014-10-09T07:17:26.407-07:00In Celebration of Ugandan Independence DayToday is Uganda's 52nd celebration of independence, having gained independence from Britain in 1962. In honor of this day, I'd like to take some time to learn and share some information about the country where we've been living for nearly three years.<br />
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1. At 241,038 sq km, Uganda is slightly smaller than Oregon. A good portion of that is water.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zNfj36vKHtY/VDaC9k5GK9I/AAAAAAAAl7g/UlPoeyUYYW4/s1600/Uganda_Regions_map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zNfj36vKHtY/VDaC9k5GK9I/AAAAAAAAl7g/UlPoeyUYYW4/s320/Uganda_Regions_map.png" /></a></div><br />
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2. The biggest export is coffee! We enjoy it every morning and can testify to its delicious flavor.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5TIf8VHSfw/VDaFMx-ySQI/AAAAAAAAl7s/YypY2CiK604/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5TIf8VHSfw/VDaFMx-ySQI/AAAAAAAAl7s/YypY2CiK604/s320/IMG_5594.JPG" /></a></div><br />
3. President Museveni has been in office since January 1986 - wow! The State House (like the American White House) is just down the road and up the hill from our house.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Museveni_July_2012_Cropped.jpg/375px-Museveni_July_2012_Cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Museveni_July_2012_Cropped.jpg/375px-Museveni_July_2012_Cropped.jpg" /></a></div><br />
4. The highest mountain in Uganda is 16,763 feet, Mount Stanley. Apparently we even have snow here, though I've never seen it. We have been able to hike around a few crater lakes though.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/MtStanley_2.JPG/375px-MtStanley_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/MtStanley_2.JPG/375px-MtStanley_2.JPG" /></a></div><br />
5. We have about 36 million people living here, and our family was just interviewed by the Census. That was an interesting morning - two ladies in Census aprons came and asked us about our religion, our computers, and our mail among other things.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GkNOPdkuNJk/VDaHBVYLIJI/AAAAAAAAl74/R-Edqjr7zP8/s1600/IMG_9338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GkNOPdkuNJk/VDaHBVYLIJI/AAAAAAAAl74/R-Edqjr7zP8/s320/IMG_9338.JPG" /></a></div>Some of the fine people of Uganda, specifically those from our SIL office. ;)<br />
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6. According to the Ethnologue, Uganda has 41 languages. The reason we live here is to help bring God's living Word to people in their own languages.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ethnologue.com/sites/default/files/styles/map/public/maps/17/UG_rgb.png?itok=XR6Zyfhc" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ethnologue.com/sites/default/files/styles/map/public/maps/17/UG_rgb.png?itok=XR6Zyfhc" /></a></div>Go to www.ethnologue.com for a better view of this language map.<br />
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7. Uganda is one of three countries (Kenya and Tanzania are the other 2) blessed to share Lake Victoria - the second largest fresh water lake in the world. Many Ugandans work as fishermen to support themselves and their families. Every week I cook Nile Perch from Lake Vic, and it has the highest content of Omega-3 fatty acids found in any fish. Unfortunately Lake Vic also has the parasite bilharzia, so we don't swim in it.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upkjh81U5hI/VDaOJE8zChI/AAAAAAAAl8I/b7mWvke3FXU/s1600/IMG_5663.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upkjh81U5hI/VDaOJE8zChI/AAAAAAAAl8I/b7mWvke3FXU/s320/IMG_5663.JPG" /></a><br />
Tessa and Jack on the shores of Lake Victoria (before Cooper came along)<br />
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8. Here's a kicker: according to a recent edition of National Geographic, grasshoppers are 40% more expensive than beef in Uganda! Cheers to Uganda for eating "alternative" protein!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HKl6X64FlfQ/VDaQnkF4ZqI/AAAAAAAAl8U/eehxNKOAhtM/s1600/IMG_4129.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HKl6X64FlfQ/VDaQnkF4ZqI/AAAAAAAAl8U/eehxNKOAhtM/s320/IMG_4129.JPG" /></a><br />
Tessa's arm has a protein-packed visitor<br />
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9. Uganda has the third highest birth rate in the world, following Niger and Mali. 49% of the population is under the age of 15. Life expectancy is 54 years. UNESCO cites the literacy rate at 65%. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_rNKTC3qlI/VDaSkHJlhuI/AAAAAAAAl8g/OI9NV7jp-5w/s1600/IMG_3213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_rNKTC3qlI/VDaSkHJlhuI/AAAAAAAAl8g/OI9NV7jp-5w/s320/IMG_3213.JPG" /></a></div>Some of the kids at the church we attend<br />
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10. Entebbe, where we live, is just a smidge above the Equator, but since we also sit at 3,800 feet elevation, we have a fantastic climate. On the thermometer we're basically between the 60's and 80's all year round - yep, we're spoiled. Another nice thing is that because of our location the sunrise and sunset are basically the same through the year too, getting light a bit before 7am and darkish around 7pm. There are about 80,000 other folks living with us on this peninsula jutting into Lake Victoria. That's just enough to have a lot of diversity, but not enough to have much traffic; a perfect combination.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/vt/data=U4aSnIyhBFNIJ3A8fCzUmaVIwyWq6RtIfB4QKiGq_w,ehIgwtJbEqV25bzmo-hyLoJ_3qpnBOLTCGO127XPkRspbHb3wEOWMprKCo9B-EkEmkfM8LeB6MoZ356ccEPnhwvFziPYrnQzZgLy6zYVemkhg4-RVj2JPoGRFPmebcOOR_FA_X2Qzxg08HqAwPmQKB3yxvD4yVallvzUhP0C7c5dfgejImfh1UthqNTnrWUnS5jMbNzzFKUhjMZYrg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/vt/data=U4aSnIyhBFNIJ3A8fCzUmaVIwyWq6RtIfB4QKiGq_w,ehIgwtJbEqV25bzmo-hyLoJ_3qpnBOLTCGO127XPkRspbHb3wEOWMprKCo9B-EkEmkfM8LeB6MoZ356ccEPnhwvFziPYrnQzZgLy6zYVemkhg4-RVj2JPoGRFPmebcOOR_FA_X2Qzxg08HqAwPmQKB3yxvD4yVallvzUhP0C7c5dfgejImfh1UthqNTnrWUnS5jMbNzzFKUhjMZYrg" /></a></div><br />
We love where we live and are thankful that the Lord has brought us here! Come visit us and enjoy some great people, beautiful geography, and amazing animals.<br />
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* Some statistics, facts, and photos gleaned from:<br />
http://www.ethnologue.com/country/ug/default/***EDITION***<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda<br />
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ug.htmlKim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-17754210317566307912013-12-14T04:54:00.001-08:002013-12-14T04:54:11.670-08:00Hunting Down and Burying the Thanksgiving TurkeyWhen we were invited to join our friends for a traditional Thanksgiving meal we were really excited. We had immensely enjoyed Thanksgiving with them last year, and this year was no different in that regard. What was different is that last year, their church had raised a few turkeys so it was not a problem to get the main course, whereas this year, there was no clear way to find the meat. <br />
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Loren, our host and friend, and I began the hunt. We made phone calls. We searched the web. We talked to friends. We queried others in Uganda on Facebook. We even wandered through the neighborhood chasing down birds when we heard the classic "gobble gobble" call of the elusive beasts - literally! What we discovered was that the birds we heard were already sold. The local shop sold frozen ones for 33,000 shillings a kilo. At that rate, a 22 pound bird would be $131, and we had over twenty people to feed.<br />
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Finally, we ended up buying a live female from the market in a town near ours, negotiating the price down to $30 for bird that definitely didn't tip the 10 pound point. The turkey was joined by 2 of Loren's chickens who were refusing to lay eggs, and Loren's husband and sons "dispatched" them. <br />
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The kids and I had been studying the original Thanksgiving celebration from early American history this term, so our hunt for a live bird felt a bit more authentic. Just to add more flavor (literally and figuratively) to the birds, our friends buried them. No, not permanently, but over hot coals, surrounded by hot bricks, and wrapped in banana leaves and foil a few feet under the ground for several hours! The guys dug them up as the guests eagerly watched, sniffing the air appreciatively. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzGrZTLZmHo/UqxN5V8yvhI/AAAAAAAABHk/w79y2a8-WFE/s1600/IMG_3632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzGrZTLZmHo/UqxN5V8yvhI/AAAAAAAABHk/w79y2a8-WFE/s320/IMG_3632.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I found it ironic that in order to keep the meat tidy and clean, the entire underground poultry package was wrapped in chicken wire!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HfikUAdmwE/UqxOkp4YUJI/AAAAAAAABHs/ec_uwNoa0SI/s1600/IMG_3635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HfikUAdmwE/UqxOkp4YUJI/AAAAAAAABHs/ec_uwNoa0SI/s320/IMG_3635.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Everyone recognized that all that effort was worth it the minute the final layer of banana leaves was opened, and we saw the glory and smelled the roasted aroma of what was to be the main attraction of a delicious feast.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Om3l72857YI/UqxPse_lqXI/AAAAAAAABH4/Usf70rAc9_4/s1600/IMG_3641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Om3l72857YI/UqxPse_lqXI/AAAAAAAABH4/Usf70rAc9_4/s320/IMG_3641.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Our hard-earned birds were joined by local white sweet potatoes, stuffing with herbs from Loren's garden, butternut squash from her garden, mashed "Irish" - what white potatoes are called in Uganda, gravy, crescent rolls, cranberry sauce from a can (a nice find here), pumpkin pie, and ice cream - ALL of it homemade except for the cranberry sauce. And when I say "homemade" I mean everything from cooking an actual pumpkin to mixing cream, sugar, vanilla, and milk for amazing ice cream!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1_KXkFE1Yc/UqxRLEprIMI/AAAAAAAABIA/n4i0Z9ofVvM/s1600/IMG_3643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1_KXkFE1Yc/UqxRLEprIMI/AAAAAAAABIA/n4i0Z9ofVvM/s320/IMG_3643.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Loren and I had a few scares with the electricity popping on and off throughout the day, but we managed to get the whole happy affair on the table and served. When the electricity went out again for the night right before dessert was served, we sat back and relaxed, enjoying the candlelight and company, extremely thankful for the good Lord's provision of tasty local food, the energy to make it all, and the blessing of sharing it with good friends who are our on-the-field family.<br />
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That being said, I think we might have a simple Christmas dinner. I'm thinking...sandwiches?<br />
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Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-62117975235553292522013-09-08T06:12:00.000-07:002013-09-08T06:12:05.881-07:00To Kampala and BackAfter nine years in East Africa, I still am able to look about and recognize how different life is here. The differences were very apparent to me yesterday when we drove to Kampala to get immunizations for Cooper and to do some shopping. Kampala is about 20 miles away from Entebbe, and it usually takes more than an hour in the car to get there.<br />
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The government knocked down several buildings and walls which were "encroaching" on the road, so we observed people working on the rubble several times as they tried to rebuild their businesses and homes.<br />
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The traffic is unbelievable when compared to the rules of the road in America. Motorcycle taxis zip in front of us and around us weaving in and out of traffic, occasionally even going in the wrong direction. A two-lane road becomes three lanes at a driver's whim. A bus and a van had an accident and were choking up the round about (and hey - that's a difference - we have round abouts!). It's hard to describe how people drive here but here's an example of one thing we saw.<br />
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The speeding driver of an SUV passed us in oncoming traffic, and three times he intentionally swerved and pushed oncoming public-service vans off onto the shoulder, where they could have easily hit pedestrians or motorcycles. In that stretch of road, we passed two sets of traffic officers and a police vehicle, and no one did anything. It was very much like that driver was playing chicken; in other words, it was horrifying.<br />
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As we left the clinic where Cooper got 4 shots, 2 Bandaids, and 2 pieces of candy, we were approached by men on each side of the car trying to sell their live turkeys from shopping baskets. Not exactly the frozen food aisle in November!<br />
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The billboards are sometimes boring, but often amusing. My favorite one, which sells chicken meat, says, "For the love of nice chicks with fat thighs!" and has a photo of a lady biting into a piece of chicken. I honestly can't tell if they're trying to make a pun or not.<br />
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Kampala is divided here and there into shopping districts which focus on one type of item. There is a road for fabrics, a section for hardware, a produce/meat market area, and the one we drove through was for office and paper products. It boggled my mind to think of having to get out of the car (if you could find parking!) to buy things like a stapler, a ream of paper, and pens - dozens and dozens of little shops, one on top of the other, crawling with customers. And how do you choose where to shop? You choose the place where you have the best relationship with the clerks or owner!<br />
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As always, we like to watch what will go by on the back of a boda boda (the motorcycle taxis). Yesterday we saw a man with a great big Nile Perch. There was a lady with her traditional gomesi, the fancy shiny dress with shoulders that come out of a Star Trek episode. A whole family on a boda. Two ladies with a blanketed baby sandwiched between them and the driver. Piles of mattresses. Piles of cooking bananas. Piles of pineapples on the back and front of the boda. Wood sticking horizontally out into traffic. Stacks and stacks of egg trays - how do they do it without cracking them on each pothole and speed bump? It's great entertainment!<br />
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The titles of stores are always amusing. During one stretch of road for about 1 or 2 kilometers, I wrote the name of every shop with a spiritually derived name: Hosanna Investments, Noah's Ark Takeaway, Mother Mary Supermarket, Holy Family Complex, Ebenezer Carpentry, and The Divine Grocery Store. How's that for shopping incentive? <br />
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Brightly colored dresses are hung outside clothing shops on very un-American hangars. These hangars hold the dresses by the shoulders but continue on down and span out into a huge semi-circle to insinuate nice round hips!<br />
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As we arrive into Entebbe, we pass by a small bay of Lake Victoria called Sesse. For the past several months it has been flooded from all the rain we got earlier in the year - the dirt walkway had disappeared, and the bottoms of the palm trees were submerged. The little beach is back now, and it's open season for laundry at the beach. People wash their clothes and then lay them out on the grass to dry - not what you see in America when you're at the lake or beach!<br />
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Although the traffic is always truly dangerous and incomprehensible, I'm grateful that I was able to notice some of the fun parts of African roadside life yesterday in an attempt to convey the wonder of it all to you.<br />
Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-63141512948695929982013-05-22T10:29:00.003-07:002013-05-22T10:29:41.935-07:00Making Chicken Enchiladas in Uganda1. Buy fresh ingredients in the market.<br />
2. Buy a frozen chicken, being grateful it's not a live one.<br />
3. Make tortillas from scratch.<br />
4. Boil chicken, remove meat from bones. Feed skin and bones to frenzied dogs. Freeze the broth.<br />
5. Boil beans, drain and mix with onions, garlic, and tomatoes.<br />
6. Chop onions, garlic, tomatoes, and green peppers for sauce.<br />
7. Figure out conversions from "can of soup" to powdered soup mix plus water.<br />
8. Figure out conversions from "can of Rotel tomatoes" to chopped fresh tomatoes.<br />
9. Discard cookbook's ideas about rolling the tortillas, dipping them in sauce, and filling them with chicken.<br />
10. Grease the pan, layer the ingredients, insert it into the oven.<br />
11. Make guacamole from avocados from the garden.<br />
12. Make salsa from scratch.<br />
13. Pretend the plain yogurt is sour cream.<br />
14. Comfort distraught daughter who swallows her loose tooth along with the guacamole.<br />
15. Enjoy all 20 minutes of a dinner which literally took days to completely prepare.<br />
16. Wash dishes, pots, and pans.<br />
and finally,<br />
17. Thank the good Lord for a great house helper who makes this possible so I can teach my kids at home, keep up with my toddler, and still be reasonably sane by dinnertime. Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-91432577210175813922012-12-11T08:13:00.000-08:002012-12-11T08:21:16.805-08:00Reflections on a Tropical ChristmasPros and Cons of a Tropical Christmas:</br>
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Pros:</br>
-No over-marketing leading to greed and disappointment</br>
-No fussing with mittens, gloves, socks, hats when we go outside</br>
-No crusty brown yard, but beautiful green garden full of flowers and birds instead</br>
-No pressure to decorate perfectly</br>
-We get to enjoy our poinsettias as bushes in the ground instead of potted plants that die</br>
-No traffic at the mall; no mall!</br>
-Experiencing Christmas in a culture that's more similar to Biblical times than modern times</br>
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Cons:</br>
-No crisp weather</br>
-No hot chocolate in front of a toasty fire</br>
-No Christmas parties on the calendar</br>
-No holiday music in every store</br>
-No chimney for Santa; we'll (supposedly) leave a key for him on our porch.</br>
-No carolers at the door or Christmas hymns in church</br>
-No drives through the neighborhood enjoying the lights on the houses</br>
-No big extended family surrounding us through the holidays</br>
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As I contemplate this coming Christmas, I find myself experiencing both anticipation and regret. I'm regretful that I'm not with our large family in the States, but I enjoy the quieter Christmas that we have here in Uganda.</br>
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Last year we were on furlough and in the middle of a move, so we did not decorate our small apartment at all, other than taping a few of the kids' school projects to the wall. All of our own decorations were in Africa anyway. It was a bit dismal, but the joy of being near our extended families more than made up for the Spartan decor.</br>
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This year will be our first Christmas in a new home and a new country. We will need to figure out where to put our small fake tree, where to hang the stockings with no fireplace, how to bring Santa in with no chimney, and how to spend our time while our office is closed. Will we travel or just have a warm weather hibernation?</br>
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Regardless of where we are, with whom we celebrate, and how the weather feels, we are more easily reminded of the meaning of Christmas when the broo-ha-ha of American holiday marketing is stripped away. It's easier to focus on the birth of our Lord when we are surrounded by farmers, warmth, animals being herded, bright stars at night, and thatched huts which are surely similar to the surroundings Mary and Joseph experienced in their lifetime. When we see the poverty nearby, we are so grateful for and humbled by our comfortable home, our plates full of food, the electricity and running water we enjoy, and most especially the Gift that was so graciously given to all of us regardless of our nationality or wealth.
Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-6976213927766245072012-11-14T08:30:00.002-08:002012-11-14T08:30:43.335-08:00Hills on Holiday, Part 2As promised, here are some of the animals we encountered during our October vacation. We feel fortunate to live in a place where we can see these animals in the wild with no cages or bars.
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We took a boat trip down the Kazinga Channel between Lake Edward and Lake George. We had the boat to ourselves remarkably and were delighted to see so many animals coming to the water for a drink and bath. The elephants were serene and plenetiful.
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Waterbuck
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Buffalo in the river. Some are red colored because they are mixed with a forest race of buffalo.
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Uganda is well known among bird watchers, and the river trip gave us a great opportunity to see many of them together. I was photographing the birds when these hippos popped up to say hello.
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The mother hippos did not like having us around. Two even charged our boat.
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Banded mongooses make their home at the Mweya Lodge where we visited for the boat ride and lunch. One that we saw even had a collar.
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We saw several warthogs with their tails high as they ran across the dirt track. We also saw a few like this big fella taking respite from the heat in mud pools.
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The Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its tree climbing lions. We had just made the decision to drive across to a further part of the park in order to see them when we noticed two lionesses heading for a candelabra tree. This tree has a trunk resembling a normal tree, but the branches are more like a cactus. They perched in the tree for about ten minutes looking for prey but spotted nothing and returned to the male and another female. It was very exciting to get to see them in the tree.
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Bands of baboons are often near the roads in game parks. QENP was no exception.
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I have no idea what kind of Kenyan spider this is, but it's body alone was perhaps 3 inches long, and it had a hairy gold and white back. There were three of them outside our cottage.
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In Kenya we had daily Blue and Vervet monkeys outside our cottage. This Blue monkey got a little closer than we expected.
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All in all it was a great trip of enjoying the creatures the Lord created, including the two-legged variety in our own family!
Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-72497391861666710512012-11-11T04:15:00.000-08:002012-11-11T04:15:06.321-08:00The Cobra
This Forest Cobra has been lurking for a long time, but only at night. Yesterday Richard, our guard/gardener, and I were clearing out some dead leaves and branches where Tiger (our cat) had followed it a few nights ago. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tiger spotted him today and growled which alerted Richard, who is afraid of snakes. He called me, and I came up with Cooper followed by Tessa and Jack. The snake was mixed in with the vines above our wall. I called Dusty at the office to get his opinion on how to handle it when I realized that I would be the one to kill it since Richard is afraid. He advised me to get his motorcycle helmet in case it was a spitting cobra, and a long piece of rebar. I grabbed a long piece of wood on the way. Dusty then called back to say he was on his way.
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By the time I got back to the wall, a small crowd of passersby had gathered from the street at our wall. I figured I would poke it with the wood and someone could kill it with the rebar. Richard had gone inside to get a kerosene sprayer. When I approached the snake (with Tessa, Jack, and Cooper behind me with some lady) with my helmet and wood, people realized I was serious, and Richard started spraying it. The kerosene made it writhe and move fast as it's apparently poisonous to snakeskin. People began yelling and running. In the middle of the commotion Dusty drove up, and a man grabbed the wood and started whaling on it, beating it out of the vine and onto the ground, where he killed it.
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So I can't claim the kill, but I'm taking credit for the initiative at least - everyone else was simply gawking and unwilling to approach it or make a plan. We brought it inside the gate after thanking the crowd, measured it at 6'4", took some photos, and gave Tiger a treat. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Even Cooper got a hold of it. The guards are happy to see it dead, and Dusty and Jack skinned it for me. I want a belt!! We'll see. I doubt anyone around here knows how to tan a snakeskin; neither do we. Do you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our book says it is the "largest and most impressive cobra in Africa." So this one is not a big Forest Cobra, but it was big enough to do some serious damage! I wouldn't ordinarily kill a snake, but knowing that this snake had the potential to kill, and knowing our small kids play games all over our garden was enough to send this one to meet his maker.
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African adventures still continue after eight years!
Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-89029387029539293092012-10-31T11:06:00.002-07:002012-10-31T11:06:21.036-07:00Hills on HolidayWe've become accustomed to some of the British-influenced wording we hear so often in East Africa. One of these phrases is "on holiday" which doesn't necessarily mean a holiday in the American sense; it means a vacation. Here are some photos of our family from our recent much-needed holiday to Western Uganda and the Indian Ocean.
From the enthusiasm on their faces you can tell that it had been a long time since we had last been on a road trip.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The only photo of all 5 of us, taken on the ridge overlooking Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. It was low tourist season, so we couldn't find others to take shots and resorted to the self timer. Otherwise it was pretty nice to have so few others around.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A water slide made of tile with right angles. Awful for the left hip, but awesome for Daddy-fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Western Uganda is covered with old volcanoes, so we enjoyed quite a few views and walks around the residual crater lakes.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The only caves in Uganda have a small waterfall which made us thankful for our raincoats. We were in for more than we bargained - it was a wet, tricky trek in the name of ecotourism - see next photo.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is taken at the bottom of a steep muddy incline as I watched Dusty crawling under roots and vines and pulling Cooper up with him after removing the baby backpack. It became clear early on that ecotourism here means doing as little as possible to alter nature even if it means broken ankles and claustrophic vines. In other words, Adventure!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On to the second half of the trip. There were 10 dogs on the cottage compound where we stayed in Kenya. Although that is too many dogs for Dusty and me, it was a perfect source of entertainment for the kids.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was lovely to have only 2 options for things to do every day in Kenya. Pool or beach. Marvelously brainless, and fun! Jack discovered flipping into the water while Tessa discovered flipping underwater. Cooper discovered that leather shoes don't go in water.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cooper discovered the joy of eating fresh mango without utensils - a great sport when followed by a dip in the ocean.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The red snapper we bought which lasted us for three meals - unbelievably tasty in a coconut curry made from coconuts on the trees outside our cottage.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The next post will have photos of scenery and some of the animals we saw minus the dogs and fish! Stay tuned.
Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-18982714903979185342012-09-12T04:35:00.001-07:002012-09-12T05:06:26.958-07:00Forgetting AmericaLiving so far away from our home country can put one in something of a time warp. Literally, we're always eight or nine or ten hours ahead of our families and friends. But it is also easy to forget what is happening in America. </br>
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Seasons - It's chilly and rainy here in Uganda, so I've been out of touch with that summer heat most of America experienced. And as your leaves are changing colors, our blossoms continue to burst forth in color year-round. We watched a National Geographic show recently, and when they showed a yellow leaf from somewhere near the Mississippi River, I gasped when I realized how strong of a nostalgic sensation that one image caused. There are NO leaves like that in East Africa. I miss them - their smell, shape, and changing colors. And although I feel sad when I think of the piles of leaves my children are not jumping in, I sure don't miss raking them!</br>
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Holidays and important days - Labor Day came and went without recognition on my part. We were in school, and Dusty was at the office while you were probably out water skiing on some lake or watching a football game. On July 4th, we were on the coast of the Indian Ocean and forgot about America completely - no fireworks or BBQ or parades. When Dusty's mother's Fourth of July package with flags for the kids arrived after our return to Uganda, we did not know what to do with them. The eleventh anniversary of 9/11 took us completely by surprise. </br>
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Yet we still are not familiar with Ugandan holidays, so they take us off guard as well. The most recent one was August 19th, Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan), and one never knows exactly which date will be chosen as it depends on a sighting of the moon, and clouds can delay things by a day or even two. The next will be October 9th, Independence Day. I'll have to mark it on my calendar this time.</br>
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Elections - I confess that forgetting this is not something I feel badly about. I don't mind missing the speeches, marketing, commercials, flyers, signs, billboards, and general broo-ha-ha leading up to November. I still have not figured out how or when to vote from here, but considering that I'm not informed multiple times a day in multiple ways about the positive and negative aspects of each candidate, this might not be a bad thing.</br>
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Terminology - At times we struggle to communicate with each other and the kids because we don't know if the other is speaking/hearing our British-influenced East Africa meanings or our American ones. For instance, one of us will say, "Let's play football; go get the ball," but when the kid returns with an American football, we say, "No, I meant soccer!" football/soccer. chips/fries. torch/flashlight. nappy/diaper. holiday/vacation. These are now somewhat ambiguous words to us.</br>
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At least I can keep somewhat in touch through Facebook. Friends' posts about presidential candidates, minor holidays, photos of temperatures from dashboards, and sports remind me that things continue to happen back home whether or not I remember them. And even though I never was a football fan, I do know that when you write about football, you surely are not talking about soccer. After all, how many of you are watching soccer? That's just for the rest of the entire world...Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-28021108763752693812012-08-05T12:01:00.001-07:002012-08-05T12:01:49.157-07:00How the Hill House WorksI thought some of you would appreciate SEEING how our house in Uganda functions. Here are some examples:
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The dryer.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xCg3RMFn3U0/UB51GrojMmI/AAAAAAAAA-A/4tZ3Ug7OCf8/s1600/IMG_9818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xCg3RMFn3U0/UB51GrojMmI/AAAAAAAAA-A/4tZ3Ug7OCf8/s320/IMG_9818.JPG" /></a></div>We dry 90% of our clothes on the line, but we actually have a very old Maytag dryer which we bought from missionaries in Nairobi who were moving back to America. We use it when it's raining or too cloudy to finish drying the clothes and diapers.
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<b>The air conditioner and part of the security system.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUSGA-4uhLk/UB523pf-A5I/AAAAAAAAA-o/U2XKxdD-jCk/s1600/IMG_9824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUSGA-4uhLk/UB523pf-A5I/AAAAAAAAA-o/U2XKxdD-jCk/s320/IMG_9824.JPG" /></a></div>We are very fortunate that Uganda has such a great climate! The windows are open all the time, and the house stays cool in the shade of some big trees in our garden. Most homes in East Africa have some form of bars on the windows to protect from intruders. And we definitely have screens on every window to keep out the most common invaders - mosquitoes and their malaria.
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One of the security guards.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jtpElMWdUJI/UB51EsOv-TI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/mIEzrpNlRzE/s1600/IMG_9738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jtpElMWdUJI/UB51EsOv-TI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/mIEzrpNlRzE/s320/IMG_9738.JPG" /></a></div>Koko stays outside all the time. Ellie sleeps inside with us so that we have double the protection from inturders. Although we are mostly concerned with thieves, the dogs also help out by keeping snakes out of the yard and house. Tessa's cat, Tiger helps out with mice, rats, and geckos as well.
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<b>Another part of the security system - the front door.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lt3fe7MK1-k/UB54Dl9g7hI/AAAAAAAAA_0/xtiISDcZN-0/s1600/IMG_9834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lt3fe7MK1-k/UB54Dl9g7hI/AAAAAAAAA_0/xtiISDcZN-0/s320/IMG_9834.JPG" /></a></div>Having a large set keys is the norm, and you can see why - every door and gate has its own set of padlocks. Most interior doors have their own skeleton keys as well. This is the first time we've lived in a house with a solid metal door.
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<b>The produce aisle.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ssqg6VWCm6k/UB51E081xsI/AAAAAAAAA9c/evenRFBFXes/s1600/IMG_9723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ssqg6VWCm6k/UB51E081xsI/AAAAAAAAA9c/evenRFBFXes/s320/IMG_9723.JPG" /></a></div>We're fortunate to have ample space for both flowers and edibles. Here you can see lettuce, ginger, and broccoli, but we also have tomatoes and several avocado trees. The saying here is "if you plant it, it will grow." We've found that to be true for the most part.
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<b>The local private school.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7wv1uwiYSc/UB51Fk02bcI/AAAAAAAAA9o/xNQwxnI4_qc/s1600/IMG_9395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7wv1uwiYSc/UB51Fk02bcI/AAAAAAAAA9o/xNQwxnI4_qc/s320/IMG_9395.JPG" /></a></div>Before we arrived, there was a home schooling co-op, but those kids have moved away or into boarding schools, so we're on our own, although there are some other home schooling families in Entebbe. Now that I'm teaching kindergarten and 2nd grade, I really feel like an actual teacher, and we facetiously call our school "Queen's Road Academy" since we live on Queen's Rd.
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The water supply.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RW-PwRcCB6Q/UB51GKvN4VI/AAAAAAAAA90/iVTzPstQEoY/s1600/IMG_9817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RW-PwRcCB6Q/UB51GKvN4VI/AAAAAAAAA90/iVTzPstQEoY/s320/IMG_9817.JPG" /></a></div>We get our water from the city of Entebbe. It makes its way to this red tank above our bathroom and then into the house, and so far it's been much cleaner and significantly more reliable than what we had in Tanzania, but you won't find me peering into this tank!
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The official filtration system for the water supply.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr5kRoVguOs/UB524GNhIcI/AAAAAAAAA_A/kWACmfE0kF0/s1600/IMG_9828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr5kRoVguOs/UB524GNhIcI/AAAAAAAAA_A/kWACmfE0kF0/s320/IMG_9828.JPG" /></a></div>Although our water is clean enough for bathing, it certainly is not trustworthy for drinking, so any drop of water that we digest goes through this metal container with ceramic "candles" inside. The only trick is remembering to fill it!
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The widow maker, otherwise known as a suicide shower.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8XAICbutz4/UB523b9ZTeI/AAAAAAAAA-c/1IrDwjK2zGM/s1600/IMG_9820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8XAICbutz4/UB523b9ZTeI/AAAAAAAAA-c/1IrDwjK2zGM/s320/IMG_9820.JPG" /></a></div>Why the morose name? This modern version is much safer, but former versions of these individual water heaters can shock careless users. It intimidated me at first, but now I'm quite thankful for being able to heat water for a shower immediately instead of having to have the foresight 15-30 minutes in advance.
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<b>Self explanatory.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SRJfKmfw6qs/UB54DG7ILCI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/S__DoUWvNzE/s1600/IMG_9831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SRJfKmfw6qs/UB54DG7ILCI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/S__DoUWvNzE/s320/IMG_9831.JPG" /></a></div>The reason I've included this photo is because of the awkward pulley for flushing (black thing on top near the right). If you don't pull it properly, the entire plastic top falls off. It seems that almost every toilet here requires an explanation before someone can use it. Either there's a tricky flushing mechanism or a missing/sliding/pinching seat.
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<b>The attached garage.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFJ6K0w6UP4/UB5221Pp7mI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/a51TwGq18bc/s1600/IMG_9819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SFJ6K0w6UP4/UB5221Pp7mI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/a51TwGq18bc/s320/IMG_9819.JPG" /></a></div>Apparently our house had an actual garage that was then converted into our guest bedroom and bathroom. We're thankful for this covered parking place which keeps the car cleaner and cooler. And now, you can come stay with us in comfort instead of us having to put you in the garage!
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Ugandan power outlet/switches, 220V.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2EX7wdWF8Y/UB54C2hSHLI/AAAAAAAAA_M/jKYxkESQehU/s1600/IMG_9829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2EX7wdWF8Y/UB54C2hSHLI/AAAAAAAAA_M/jKYxkESQehU/s320/IMG_9829.JPG" /></a></div>The lowest switch is for the light, and the right one is for the water heater in the shower. There are multiple ways to heat water for a shower, including solar, but this one has its own small heater attached, and you turn on the switch about 15 minutes before you want to take a shower. All the power outlets in the house look like this one, with safety switches to turn them on and off. Occasionally, Cooper turns one off near the floor, and it takes us a while to figure out why some appliance isn't working. An odd thing about the switches is that many power cords have only two prongs, so we're frequently shoving a ball point pen or scissors into the top opening in order to get it to work.
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<b>American power, 110V.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1VhYhx2yRDc/UB580LqL0UI/AAAAAAAABAI/VFYDLKWNVFQ/s1600/IMG_9827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1VhYhx2yRDc/UB580LqL0UI/AAAAAAAABAI/VFYDLKWNVFQ/s320/IMG_9827.JPG" /></a></div>Any time we want to use an American electric device, we either have to use a transformer or an adapter. This transformer is in a kitchen cabinet, and is actually wired to an outlet over the counter, so we recharge the cordless drill and other devices in the kitchen.
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The alternate power system.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nDK6AJVjkc/UB523_d7TlI/AAAAAAAAA-0/LurIRFUq-NY/s1600/IMG_9826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nDK6AJVjkc/UB523_d7TlI/AAAAAAAAA-0/LurIRFUq-NY/s320/IMG_9826.JPG" /></a></div>When the power goes off, which is often, these batteries kick in to provide us some power in the house. Even though we can't run everything in the house, this is a great help to us when we're in the dark!
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<b>The entertainment system.</b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VALYqj0Po5w/UB54DeX8X5I/AAAAAAAAA_k/sWxwQYWwWTg/s1600/IMG_9832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VALYqj0Po5w/UB54DeX8X5I/AAAAAAAAA_k/sWxwQYWwWTg/s320/IMG_9832.JPG" /></a></div>OK, so we actually do have a TV and a DVD player, but we limit the kids' viewing time, so they keep a lot of craft items in this Action Packer and can play checkers on top of it with bottle caps. They spend a lot of time outside playing as well.Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-49784355681524601892012-05-07T12:19:00.000-07:002012-05-07T12:19:05.369-07:00While Dusty's been in Thailand, we've been staying busy, which hasn't been hard since we've been sick and have kept up with our home schooling schedule. In between easy meals, naps, and school, we've been playing outside, doing some crafts, watching a few movies, and playing games while we wait for Dusty to come back.
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rROP6xYXXPE/T6adryhcFwI/AAAAAAAAA9A/dGzqzFUHAAE/s1600/IMG_9058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rROP6xYXXPE/T6adryhcFwI/AAAAAAAAA9A/dGzqzFUHAAE/s320/IMG_9058.JPG" /></a></div>We are borrowing a trampoline from friends who are in Montana on furlough, and the kids are using up great stores of energy on it, which makes everyone happy, especially me. I wish I could get up there and jump like I did when I was a kid, but I'm too nervous about my back.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9dhK1GW8yZQ/T6adqwem53I/AAAAAAAAA80/3feN1LO5Ckg/s1600/IMG_9055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9dhK1GW8yZQ/T6adqwem53I/AAAAAAAAA80/3feN1LO5Ckg/s320/IMG_9055.JPG" /></a></div>One of the kids' favorite things to do is to make paper airplanes for them from a book my mom gave us. OK, I'm the one who makes them, but then they color the planes, name them, and have flying races.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ2Vbfy4NUc/T6aYNpg4R-I/AAAAAAAAA8k/XV3MhnnECgo/s1600/IMG_9009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ2Vbfy4NUc/T6aYNpg4R-I/AAAAAAAAA8k/XV3MhnnECgo/s320/IMG_9009.JPG" /></a></div>One of our garden visitors, and actually this one is on the smaller end. I know all of God's critters are amazing, but this kind kind of creeps me out. This morning there was a slug on the back of our map of the world in the school room. Blech. This evening right after dark while showing the kids a good-sized frog, Jack managed to step on it. Sorry Frog - he did hop away at least.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIHtOkEidtg/T6aYMPpA3tI/AAAAAAAAA70/Fk2gzHB_-Us/s1600/IMG_9027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="229" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIHtOkEidtg/T6aYMPpA3tI/AAAAAAAAA70/Fk2gzHB_-Us/s320/IMG_9027.JPG" /></a></div>The weaver birds frequently scavenge from the dogs' bowls. So does our kitten, Tiger. We have so many weaver birds, that it's easy to forget how amazingly beautiful they are. We also have rainbow sunbirds, very blue kingfishers and one bird that is half black and half crimson - gorgeous.
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7ENGDls1Mo/T6aYMZnop-I/AAAAAAAAA8A/lod-3j58rW0/s1600/IMG_9066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="230" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t7ENGDls1Mo/T6aYMZnop-I/AAAAAAAAA8A/lod-3j58rW0/s320/IMG_9066.JPG" /></a></div>Inspired by a friend in Musoma who did the same thing, we converted one of our ugly Action Packers into a game board and finally found something useful to do with the soda caps the kids have been collecting. Any more ideas for caps?
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uMiGgLgwUyY/T6aYMn3Rr7I/AAAAAAAAA8M/0aLSAap_2HI/s1600/IMG_9083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uMiGgLgwUyY/T6aYMn3Rr7I/AAAAAAAAA8M/0aLSAap_2HI/s320/IMG_9083.JPG" /></a></div>It's great to see our garden coming to life after planting several new plants while enjoying the ones that were already here. I'm not sure if I'm more happy about having blue hydrangeas or feeling confident that our new dog, Koko, will no longer try to kill Tiger, who can now roam at liberty all day long.
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh9HcnsmGCI/T6aYNH9AHVI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/2o47gFpBc7U/s1600/IMG_9118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="274" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh9HcnsmGCI/T6aYNH9AHVI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/2o47gFpBc7U/s320/IMG_9118.JPG" /></a></div>Tessa actually took this photo with our bulky camera. Cooper loves swinging in his swing outside, but he prefers digging in the dirt.Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-87247987299036043132012-04-09T11:42:00.003-07:002012-04-09T12:02:24.704-07:00Easter in EntebbeWe actually got to go to an Easter egg hunt, and the kids used vegetable shortening tubs for Easter-egg baskets.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cv6sWUjtTNA/T4MvpviQjwI/AAAAAAAAA6I/vwJyWOZcQ6o/s1600/IMG_8941.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cv6sWUjtTNA/T4MvpviQjwI/AAAAAAAAA6I/vwJyWOZcQ6o/s320/IMG_8941.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729475545126702850" /></a><br /><br />We visited a church for the first time, and Tessa and Jack spontaneously joined the children's choir singing songs they didn't know, doing choreography they hadn't practiced, in front of about 300 people they'd never seen before!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJdcUVDy_xo/T4MvrJaCc5I/AAAAAAAAA6g/hg6iQRWK1U4/s1600/IMG_8928.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJdcUVDy_xo/T4MvrJaCc5I/AAAAAAAAA6g/hg6iQRWK1U4/s320/IMG_8928.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729475569251414930" /></a><br /><br />Tessa wore a new dress her grandmother gave her for her birthday, and matched it with some lovely orange Ugandan $1.50 shoes.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajywwYm1tJI/T4MvrUz8MUI/AAAAAAAAA6w/AfL4QY8xle8/s1600/IMG_8943.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajywwYm1tJI/T4MvrUz8MUI/AAAAAAAAA6w/AfL4QY8xle8/s320/IMG_8943.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729475572312846658" /></a><br /><br />Forgetting to plan a fancy Easter meal, I served my family leftovers for lunch and popcorn for dinner (we did eat pretty well at the Easter egg hunt)!<br /><br />We dyed hard-boiled brown eggs with white yolks. Orange and yellow did not show up, so we only had pink, green, and blue.<br /><br />Easter weekend includes national holidays Friday, Sunday, and Monday so Dusty was off, but the kids and I carried on with home schooling.<br /><br />And finally, we got some things done around the house, including hanging our hammock, which the kids see as a playground. Tessa apparently bit the hammock (why?), and Jack jerked it out of her mouth - along with her not-very-loose top tooth. It's great having a gap-toothed kid around these days! Congrats, Tessa!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4zmoJ1djWs/T4MvqrgjjgI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/sqrAynMY_K8/s1600/IMG_8880.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4zmoJ1djWs/T4MvqrgjjgI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/sqrAynMY_K8/s320/IMG_8880.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729475561225686530" /></a>Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-45882118796622529562012-04-03T01:46:00.002-07:002012-04-03T02:18:38.258-07:00Strange and Wonderful EntebbeThis morning in the middle of school, guess who came to our gate? Two CAMELS. They were grazing the hedges growing on the walls up and down our street. They had their shepherd (camelherd?) and his dog along with them. Apparently these are camels who work the beach selling rides, but in their off-time they cruise the neighborhoods snacking. Fortunately they did not care for our bougainvillea.<br /><br />So, after being here two months, we still are enjoying the differences between our old town of Musoma, Tanzania and Entebbe, Uganda. Here are some other oddities, and I say "oddities" because they seem odd compared to what we used to experience.<br /><br />-swimming pools. There are a few here where we can pay to swim so our kids can now really learn the critical life-skill of swimming.<br /><br />-pavement, lots of pavement. There are also dirt roads, but it is sure nice to drive in a town where the main roads are paved.<br /><br />-international airport. We live close enough to it that we hear planes all the time, and we are already enjoying the visitors the planes bring. Come on over! This also means we meet a lot of people employed in the flight industry.<br /><br />-rain. Even though Musoma is just across Lake Victoria from us, we get a lot more rain, so our garden is greener.<br /><br />-access to Kampala. The capitol is only an hour away, so that means medical care and shopping are close as well. It took us between 8-10 hours to get to Nairobi from Musoma.<br /><br />-restaurants. When cooking another meal overwhelms me, we can choose to go for Italian/pizza, Chinese, fish & chips, continental, or Indian. Musoma had 2 restaurants where we occasionally ate, but it took about an hour between ordering and receiving food.<br /><br />-expats, tourists, and short-term workers everywhere. "Expats" are expatriates, or people living outside their home country like us. The UN for the surrounding countries is based here beside the airport, and several safari companies and missions are here too.<br /><br />-English! Although almost everyone here speaks it as a second or third language, it is still so nice to be able to communicate perfectly well in our first language. This is not to say that Bible translation isn't needed - many non-urban people in Uganda don't speak English, and they are the ones who need their languages written and the Bible in their languages.<br /><br />So, that's why we're here, in this wonderfully strange town!Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-36001791292674607862012-01-23T08:07:00.000-08:002012-01-23T08:13:33.090-08:00Goodbye AmericaIt's our last morning in America. We leave in a few hours.<br />Today I'm enjoying with intent:<br />- the last glass of cranberry juice<br />- the last instantly hot shower with clean water<br />- the last bit of reliable electricity<br />- the last morning for the kids to watch PBS while I work<br />- the last use of unlimited internet<br />and<br />- the last time with my parents and aunt.<br /><br />But I'm looking forward to:<br />- warm weather all year and the end of cold weather clothing<br />- a garden for us all to enjoy<br />- routine!! (Who knew one can be excited about the same old routine?)<br />- the end of traveling for a while<br />- a slow pace of live<br />- focusing more time on really enjoying my kids<br />and<br />- a home of our own!<br /><br />Goodbye America; we've loved being with you!<br />Hello Uganda!Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-97614202083449242012-01-19T18:38:00.000-08:002012-01-19T18:45:09.767-08:00Counting1 broken computer<br />2 exhausted adults<br />3 sick children<br />4 days till flights<br />5 bags still to pack<br /><br />Counting is so stressful!<br /><br />100% financial support<br />9 checked bag allotment<br />8 new books to read on our new gift: Kindle Fire<br />7 more days till a home of our own<br />6 months of luxuries in America<br />5 of us traveling together instead of 4 & 1 in the original plan<br />4 amazing grandparents<br />3 kid baths in clean water today<br />2 (only) flights to our new home town<br />1 functioning updated website<br /><br />Counting blessings is so much better!Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-60142205908624939142012-01-09T17:57:00.000-08:002012-01-09T18:36:30.765-08:00Facing the UnexpectedYou might remember that we had a plan to return to Uganda. Dusty was to leave the 11th to get our home situated, purchase a vehicle, and spend some time with our friend who is currently serving as the Director in Entebbe so he could make a smooth transition into the position. I was to go later with the kids on the 21st. <br /><br />Our timing apparently is not what the Lord has in mind, and although this has been a tough time, we want to do what is best in His plan. We have learned this over and over as missionaries - flexibility is critical in our lifestyle.<br /><br />After two days of fever, we thought Cooper might need to go to the pediatrician. Instead, on the third morning we discovered he had cut his first tooth, and the fever went away. We were relieved till the next day I began to notice my back hurting. On the following day I became crippled by pain which escalated to the point that I went into shock. We had a presentation planned for Saturday that we canceled about 2 hours before it started as I could no longer get out of bed, was going into shock again, and was in excruciating pain and fear.<br /><br />We went to the ER where I received a very strong shot and was put on high doses of a pain killer and muscle relaxant which are preventing me from nursing Cooper. For the most part, I am staying in bed. Our entire family has stepped in to take care of Cooper and me, for which we are so extremely humbled and grateful. <br /><br />We are now in the process of changing our flights so that we can travel together as a family. While this brings peace of mind to all of us, we also are keenly aware that it will make things a bit more stressful once we arrive in Entebbe. I am very thankful that we can go through it together as a family though.<br /><br />Transitions are always stressful for us, and this one has been even more stressful with a move, changing countries, my back problem, and a few other situations that have not yet resolved themselves. However, we know the Lord is taking care of us and has us firmly in his grip. <br /><br />We appreciate your prayers through it all, and we truly look forward to the time when we can settle down in our own home in Uganda after moving in and jet lag are over.Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-67283163402457143752011-11-04T14:12:00.000-07:002011-11-10T14:16:05.449-08:00The "What is Furlough Like?" QuestionWe get a lot of questions about furlough. What do you do? What is it like? Do you get any rest? Has it been fun? How are the kids adjusting? etc.<br /><br />While there are no short answers to these questions, I can at least try to give you a glimpse into how our life has been since we got back in July. Here is how we've been spending our time.<br /><br />1. Work - Dusty goes to the office at the church during the weekdays and works on linguistics, survey reports, getting acquainted with our work in Uganda, and finishing some work from Tanzania. I've been tackling our website issues which have made me enter a maddening cyber-chase.<br /><br />2. Logistics - This includes trying to get our container full of our household items from Musoma to Entebbe (it's there now!), renewing passports and getting them to Uganda for visas (they're there, but now we need them back), submitting foreign medical receipts for insurance and then dickering over them with the insurance company.<br /><br />3. PD (Partnership Development) - We're having several open-house events, giving presentations to multiple groups from 6 churches, meeting with supporters, and updating our address lists. How can this be so fun and so tiring at the same time?<br /><br />4. Kids' education - Some time is spent taking care of the kids' schooling while they are here: Tessa is in public school 1st grade while Jack goes to a church preschool two mornings a week. Soon I will be wading the murky waters of home schooling curriculum and trying to figure out how to get it to Uganda in January. Anyone going to Uganda soon with luggage to spare? <br /><br />5. Medical - All of us are in need of check-ups, shots, and some physical updates. Cooper had 4 shots this morning actually. These appointments inevitably lead to more insurance dramas. <br /><br />6. Rest - Yes, it is part of our goal to get some rest from the stresses of living abroad. This is tricky since it seems we are just trading those stresses with American stresses, but nonetheless, we are enjoying some time with family and friends. We recently had two short vacations in the Colorado mountains and were very thankful to be back in our beloved Rockies again in spite of the kids' very serious croup episodes. <br /><br />So, like you, our lives are a mixture of family, work, fun, stress, fellowship, and hassles. However, we never feel quite at home because we are traveling between 2 states and 2 countries, living in a home that is not ours and heading to an entirely new spot altogether. <br /><br />That being said, we really are enjoying our time with our family, old and new friends, favorite restaurants, libraries, playgrounds, and the change in the seasons. Now, back to the glorious effort to clear out my inbox...Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-69028989088585378922011-10-04T14:03:00.000-07:002011-10-08T08:37:02.583-07:00What It's All AboutThis past weekend, our team in Tanzania had the privilege of dedicating the first translated and printed book of Luke among the Ikoma (and Nata and Isenye) people in the Mugumu village. This is a huge milestone for our family and our entire team. Although we weren't there to celebrate, we are so thankful to have some of Michael Nicholls' photos of the celebration and wanted to share a few with you as well.<br /><br />Long before the ceremony begins, the ladies of the church started preparing a meal for everyone who came. The food is usually ugali (boiled cornmeal), goat stew, rice, beans, and a bit of greens.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbzdmO6GRqw/Tot1GrXj5AI/AAAAAAAAA4U/nTiX3TpoZXs/s1600/319952_10150408568660774_789440773_10251818_1960518046_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vbzdmO6GRqw/Tot1GrXj5AI/AAAAAAAAA4U/nTiX3TpoZXs/s320/319952_10150408568660774_789440773_10251818_1960518046_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659746114302370818" /></a><br /><br />The children of the community curiously awaiting the dedication.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9n4jEdAoqiY/Tot1VxGqdUI/AAAAAAAAA4s/ewboulxcc8U/s1600/298935_10150408570430774_789440773_10251834_531910917_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9n4jEdAoqiY/Tot1VxGqdUI/AAAAAAAAA4s/ewboulxcc8U/s320/298935_10150408570430774_789440773_10251834_531910917_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659746373540148546" /></a><br /><br />The participants joyfully line up to carry the box of Luke booklets into the church. The man on the left in the blue shirt is Mussa Karume Tobias.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfH5ZaAQQYg/Tot1WFAvBlI/AAAAAAAAA40/wlD-2gV996c/s1600/307493_10150408571075774_789440773_10251839_729087464_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OfH5ZaAQQYg/Tot1WFAvBlI/AAAAAAAAA40/wlD-2gV996c/s320/307493_10150408571075774_789440773_10251839_729087464_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659746378883991122" /></a><br /><br /><br />Accompanied by singing, the Word is brought into the church in gift-wrapped boxes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2wYOfD87HU/Tot1WWAHcQI/AAAAAAAAA5E/r7L5cff2Grc/s1600/317838_226855207369315_219174418137394_549442_1262551485_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N2wYOfD87HU/Tot1WWAHcQI/AAAAAAAAA5E/r7L5cff2Grc/s320/317838_226855207369315_219174418137394_549442_1262551485_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659746383444799746" /></a><br /><br />After unwrapping the box, Bishop Stephen Mageri holds up a booklet for everyone to see.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RA5HUi1k2pM/Tot1V6v5imI/AAAAAAAAA4k/hMlvTOrGo7A/s1600/296595_10150408571720774_789440773_10251845_936782720_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RA5HUi1k2pM/Tot1V6v5imI/AAAAAAAAA4k/hMlvTOrGo7A/s320/296595_10150408571720774_789440773_10251845_936782720_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659746376129022562" /></a><br /><br />Celebration!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-WTraeu_QA/Tot1WYvjPDI/AAAAAAAAA48/mXJvHSwIMak/s1600/308713_10150408569715774_789440773_10251827_593190952_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-WTraeu_QA/Tot1WYvjPDI/AAAAAAAAA48/mXJvHSwIMak/s320/308713_10150408569715774_789440773_10251827_593190952_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659746384180624434" /></a><br /><br /><br />Mwalimu Mtiro and a friend reading the very first book ever in their own language.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRVlJfdSfuA/Tot1G5qPEoI/AAAAAAAAA4c/yOiS6jGrnHI/s1600/320603_10150408574450774_789440773_10251873_1682012293_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRVlJfdSfuA/Tot1G5qPEoI/AAAAAAAAA4c/yOiS6jGrnHI/s320/320603_10150408574450774_789440773_10251873_1682012293_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659746118138794626" /></a><br /><br />And this, folks, is what it's all about. This is why we first started thinking about becoming missionaries. This is what we have been striving toward since we moved to Tanzania in 2004, surveyed the people groups in 2005, and opened the cluster translation project in 2006. This is why you've been supporting us and praying for us and the Tanzanians around us - the Word of God in their mother tongue. <br /><br />Thank you for going there with us in your hearts to make an eternal impact in the hearts of the Ikoma people and all the others both in the Mara region and around the world. <br /><br />Praise God!Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232576503432554075.post-51186126270836989232011-07-30T19:59:00.000-07:002011-07-30T20:52:41.333-07:00Early observations of life in AmericaNow that we've been here about two weeks, I'd like to share some observations about life in America. Some are things that I appreciate; others are simply things I notice.<br /><br />1. There are lines on the roads indicating where you should drive, and where you can pass - and people follow them! When we have lines in East Africa they are considered mere suggestions. Driving here is so easy that we can almost safely zone out while at the wheel.<br /><br />2. It's blazing hot in Texas, but everyone is surprised that it's never that hot in Musoma. Although we're so thankful for the A/C, we are surprised at how cold they keep the restaurants and other places. It feels quite odd to walk out into 105 degrees outside carrying a sweater so we can comfortably go out to eat!<br /><br />3. CLEAN WATER! Oh, the luxury of clean water. I don't have to keep my mouth closed in the shower. I can rinse off my toothbrush from the tap in the sink. I can rinse a cup and then drink from it immediately afterward without worrying about amoeba. It's so nice!<br /><br />4. The "bigness" of it all - at restaurants sodas and plates of pasta are huge. Along with this comes the "sweetness" of it all - sugar seems to be added to everything edible. And while on the topic of sugar - the sugar here is so nice and fine and white! Our sugar in TZ looks like what Americans call "Sugar in the Raw," big and brown, and we laugh that people consider that special!<br /><br />5. Options are limitless. We can't get decent orange juice in TZ unless we squeeze it ourselves and add sugar (which due to the above reasons doesn't dissolve nicely). But here we have the choice of: pulp, no pulp, vitamins added, diet, healthy heart, antioxidants, fresh, frozen, from concentrate, from various types of oranges, from various brands, and then - which is the best price? And that's just juice! Now think about churches, entertainment choices, restaurants, clothing, friendships, music, books, and the list is as limitless as the options.<br /><br />6. Green grass and beautifully manicured landscaping around homes and businesses in spite of lack of rain - and sprinkler systems!<br /><br />7. Doctors' appointments are hard to get. In Nairobi we can get an appointment with a good doctor within 1 or 2 days pretty easily, even if we are a new patients.<br /><br />8. It's light here from 6am - 8pm. In Musoma it's light from 6:30am - 6:30pm...year round. We can't seem to get the kids into bed at the right time since we're all internally confused.<br /><br />9. In East Africa it seems to take us a lot of time and a lot of effort to get even small errands accomplished satisfactorily. Here, things are straightforward, traffic is easily navigable, and everything is open when we need it to be. American businesses have catered to the high value we place on efficiency, and customer service is standard instead of extremely rare.<br /><br />10. We don't pay for internet by the megabyte - it just feels nice to view whatever we like without even thinking about its size.<br /><br />So we're grateful to be back in the Land of Plenty, enjoying its riches and conveniences, but we also still appreciate life in Africa where things generally seem more simple and light.Kim Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654843459764457073noreply@blogger.com0