What’s Going On In Uganda (See Brad’s Own Thoughts in the Comments)

I’m sorry if you’ve been waiting to hear what Brad’s been doing in Uganda. I’ve been delaying because I feel like I can’t adequately explain the “why” of what he is doing there. I believe there are more reasons for him being there than I really know. I do know he’s supposed to be there, and I can tell you some of what he’s been doing.

While has been in Uganda Brad has…

• attended an international church in Kampala in an open shelter with a tin roof. It rained the whole time.
• exchanged money and was thankful for the armed guard at the door of the building.
• slept fine.
• showered, although not always with warm water.
• been loved by the children in the village. They’re happy just to sit by him for long periods of time. They were fascinated with his leg hair, his hat, and his flip video camera. He said they’re priceless, and he doesn’t go anywhere without three of them hanging onto him. They seriously have basically nothing else to do – no toys, no playground….
• been exposed to boils, lice, ring worm…
• eaten rice with his fingers.
• experienced African generosity.
• shopped for school supplies.
• worked. They are getting the foundation of a school building ready for cement to be poured. This involves hauling large rocks. I believe you can see a similar project here. The first four pictures in that link are what they’re working on this week. Next week a crew is coming to help pour the cement. They’ve had a lot of wait time for the trucks to come with the rocks, and they’re paying villagers $2 a day to work; therefore, Brad’s had time to spend with the kids and do other things.
• felt well!
• handed out balloons/was mauled for balloons. He filled one with air but didn’t tie it, then let it go flying a way. They kids all went running and one poor little girl fell in the process. He said she was crying, but she doesn’t understand English so he just patted her back. He might have just done that even if he did know English.
• visited the home/sleep quarters of the boy we sponsor.
• experienced a boda-boda ride, which before he left he said he didn’t want to subject himself to such risky activity. On his taxi ride he came inches from an oncoming truck but felt the ride was smoother than riding in a car on the washed out road.

• looked at some electrical boxes. Getting electricity to the site was supposed to be a down-the-road project, but it looks like that might change. Brad might get to do some African electrical work!
• seen a lot of people hauling water. He thinks it’s what they spend half of their day doing.
• bonded with James and Chad. He didn’t actually say that, but that’s what I’m gathering. When I called today, he and Chad were laying outside looking at the stars. Although Bugiri has a few thousand people, it doesn’t have street lights; so the stars must really have a chance to shine.
• checked out the town of Bugiri. In case you saw my map of where Bugiri was before I corrected the caption, here it is again.
  

  From Google Maps. The village they are working in is actually similar in size to our Nebraska village and is 6-8 miles east(ish) from Bugiri.

When he wakes up tomorrow he’s hoping to get to help James take the older girls shopping for clothes. Then Saturday they get to go to an all day African wedding in the village. I suggested he buy some appropriate clothes for the occasion, but he didn’t think that was necessary. He must be used to sticking out.

Any questions?