Its been a while since I last posted anything on my blog.I should say that, it is partly because of the culture in Uganda.Writing and reading a lot is not part of the culture back home.So,am a bad writer though I would very much want to be a good writer.
Since my arrival here(7 weeks down the road)everything has gone well apart from the fact that my truck's engine fried.God has blessed me with great friends and wonderful family that I stay with (Brad,Aimee,Molly & Meaghan).
Many people have asked me if I miss home but the fact is that I do not miss home apart from our wonderful kids and chapati (Ugandan Tortilla).I miss seeing these kids,talking to them,solving their problems ranging from "Uncle Seggy,Sam has refused to share his mango with me" to "Will you buy me a car if I pass my tests?"
These kids are so innocent and they show genuine smiles and genuine love.If they are angry at you they will show it and they will not get anywhere near you.When Akim realized that I was coming back to U.S he avoided me and looked at me with this "I hate you look".I went closer to him but he didn't want me in his space so I decided to leave him.The day after,he came to me after the church service and he went like "Uncle Seggy,I no longer like you because you are going to America without me.Even last year you went with Uncle Mark and left me.But God will take me" I didn't know what to answer Akim but I assured him that when his time comes he will go and other children will say the same thing to him. Basically,these children are a blessing and am thankful to God for having given me an opportunity to serve Him through these children.Am not surprised at all that Cara and Sean are having a great time in Uganda working with these jewels.
Friends here have made me feel at home and the way am pampered is just wonderful.This gives me no time to miss home,how wonderful to be one family in Him.The love that has been extended to me is just way beyond what I expected.
I have made some observations here in and I will expound on them below:
Parent-Child Relationship.
I have realized that all parents here love their children a lot and they do whatever they can to show them that they love them more than anything else.This is a good thing but somehow very many children have taken it for granted thus not respecting their parents since they know that they have freedom to do anything. Growing up in Uganda I knew my parents loved me and cared for me but they would not hesitate to spank me at any one time if I wronged anyone. This did not at all destroy my love for them but it helped me growing up knowing what is good and what is bad.
Unfortunately, I grew up not being hugged or hearing any "I love you" from my parents.I have just realized how much I missed that and I wish my parents did that to me,I think they would have meant a lot to me.
Indoor Parenting.
Its a pity that children here do not get a chance to know their peers next door.They will only see them on Halloween looking for candy or see them as they drive out or in the garage.
In Uganda this is not the case apart from a few high end neighborhoods.I remember our house being open to all the children in the area I grew up in.As children,we would go play at anyone's house we wanted and of course sometimes we would end up in trouble thus getting spanked by any older person present.It was everyone's responsibility in the community to punish any child who misbehaved and we were surely community property.I grew up knowing each and every child in the neighborhood and many times I did not eat any meal at home since I was offered food at any house and this was the case to all other children.
Back here,I have realized that many children do miss out a lot on all the fun that I had growing up.The expensive toys the children have here are not enough substitute.I got my first toy when I was about 5years and I will never forget this toy.It was a plane and it could rotate around before flying.I was so happy and I kept it dearly and the children in the area wished they were me.This toy made me a high profile person among them since they all wanted to play with it.
I appreciate the fact that parents try to take the children to parties and parks so that they can meet their peers.This helps them connect well as kids.
BRAVO POLICE.
I appreciate the Police and Fire Department here.They are quick and helpful.My truck broke down the other week and I was so surprised to see the Fire brigade pulling over after 10 minutes and asking if I needed any help.Before I knew it,Police had arrived and these guys helped me to get water cool the car since it was over heating.How I wished Uganda Police would be this helpful.
These guys are so good and we cracked some jokes as we waited for the truck to cool and no ticket was issued to me.Had it been home.......
I will stop here for today and am excited about getting another car soon.Peace to all.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
COMING TO AMERICA 2
ARRIVAL.
Am happy that I have bee successful to open up a blog and start blogging during my entire stay in the United States of America.
I arrived here a week ago and my stay has been good. Right from the time I arrived at Sky harbor Airport I realized how committed people are to this great cause of making a change in this temporary place we live in ( Planet Earth),I was warmly welcomed by Frank,Cindy,Stephanie,Ed,Jolene and Sean. This didn't shock me to see all these people at the airport waiting waiting for me since I have realized that our African Culture of mobs welcoming people at the airport has come to U.S too just because of the partnership we are having and the extension of love.
Before I left home I found time out of my busy schedule to go visit Mom and Dad and say bye to them since am gonne for a long time. I haven't been away from home this long so it was a hard time for me to go bye to them. Dad called me aside and said "Segi (that's how he calls me),God has brought you a long way and he has shown you things beyond you what you imagined. Go serve Him as best as you can and stay a good boy. I know we will not see you in a long time but PLEASE make sure you keep in touch with us,our hope is in you".
We then went back inside and what followed is history.
On the day of my departure I went to church and to me it seemed like it lasted for only 20 minutes yet they were 3 hours, I was thinking a lot looking at our children and how much I was going to miss them. John called me to go in front of the church and he spoke loads of me and I could contain the tears in my eyes.He talked of how far we had come and far we have reached with building this ministry,here I was before hundreds of the congregation with tears running down my face.Yes,I knew how much i was gonna miss them but I was happy that I was going for the good of the ministry. I was prayed for and church continued.
I embarked on my KLM and left Uganda for U.S,during my entire flight I was asking God to use me as best as He wants for the good of His glory to be lifted up high.
AMERICAN QUESTION:
"Hey,could you be knowing so and so?He was priest in South Africa" I love this and am sure am gonna enjoy all these interesting questions. True,many Americans do think that Africa is like a State and if you are from Uganda should be knowing Tom or Samuel who lives in Botswana or Ghana.Am glad am gonna be a teacher of geography and maybe history to all my friends that I come across on this journey of mercy.
BUMMER AFTER BUMMER:
The other day I lost my phone in Target (equivalent to Uganda's Uchumi) and I failed to trace it and that was bummer.
Then yesterday,as I was driving back my truck broke down in the middle of the road on Litchfield Road,Yes,I was stuck and I didn't know what to do.Good enough Aimee had borrowed me her phone and so I decided to call a couple of people to help tell me what to do but guess what,I ended up on voice mail which ALL Americans rely on. But somehow a lady and her son helped me push the heavy truck off to the nearby CVS on Camelback and they gave me a RIDE back home.This was so sweet of them but unfortunately I didn't get their contacts to send them a thank you card.This is one of those experiences that am not gonna forget.
Am happy that I have bee successful to open up a blog and start blogging during my entire stay in the United States of America.
I arrived here a week ago and my stay has been good. Right from the time I arrived at Sky harbor Airport I realized how committed people are to this great cause of making a change in this temporary place we live in ( Planet Earth),I was warmly welcomed by Frank,Cindy,Stephanie,Ed,Jolene and Sean. This didn't shock me to see all these people at the airport waiting waiting for me since I have realized that our African Culture of mobs welcoming people at the airport has come to U.S too just because of the partnership we are having and the extension of love.
Before I left home I found time out of my busy schedule to go visit Mom and Dad and say bye to them since am gonne for a long time. I haven't been away from home this long so it was a hard time for me to go bye to them. Dad called me aside and said "Segi (that's how he calls me),God has brought you a long way and he has shown you things beyond you what you imagined. Go serve Him as best as you can and stay a good boy. I know we will not see you in a long time but PLEASE make sure you keep in touch with us,our hope is in you".
We then went back inside and what followed is history.
On the day of my departure I went to church and to me it seemed like it lasted for only 20 minutes yet they were 3 hours, I was thinking a lot looking at our children and how much I was going to miss them. John called me to go in front of the church and he spoke loads of me and I could contain the tears in my eyes.He talked of how far we had come and far we have reached with building this ministry,here I was before hundreds of the congregation with tears running down my face.Yes,I knew how much i was gonna miss them but I was happy that I was going for the good of the ministry. I was prayed for and church continued.
I embarked on my KLM and left Uganda for U.S,during my entire flight I was asking God to use me as best as He wants for the good of His glory to be lifted up high.
AMERICAN QUESTION:
"Hey,could you be knowing so and so?He was priest in South Africa" I love this and am sure am gonna enjoy all these interesting questions. True,many Americans do think that Africa is like a State and if you are from Uganda should be knowing Tom or Samuel who lives in Botswana or Ghana.Am glad am gonna be a teacher of geography and maybe history to all my friends that I come across on this journey of mercy.
BUMMER AFTER BUMMER:
The other day I lost my phone in Target (equivalent to Uganda's Uchumi) and I failed to trace it and that was bummer.
Then yesterday,as I was driving back my truck broke down in the middle of the road on Litchfield Road,Yes,I was stuck and I didn't know what to do.Good enough Aimee had borrowed me her phone and so I decided to call a couple of people to help tell me what to do but guess what,I ended up on voice mail which ALL Americans rely on. But somehow a lady and her son helped me push the heavy truck off to the nearby CVS on Camelback and they gave me a RIDE back home.This was so sweet of them but unfortunately I didn't get their contacts to send them a thank you card.This is one of those experiences that am not gonna forget.
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