Northern Uganda Women and Children Support Initiative, Inc. (NUWOCSI)

In the village

Last week we met with some ladies in a remote part of the village. We had hiked about 1 1/2 to 2 miles into the bush to reach them.

These ladies are all anxious to learn a skill or trade.

I had brought a book with me on African designed quilts and was showing them the different types of quilts from various African countries. They were intrigued with the different designs but noticed that the book didn’t include a quilt from Uganda. When I assured them, that in time and with practice, they could one day sew a quilt like those in the book, they were anxious to start learning. They want to make sure that one day a Ugandan quilt will be represented in a book.

So, this will be one of the first training projects. Quilt making! I already have a small,

Mary is showing them the practice piece.

easy project ready so they can learn and practice.

This week we had a much bigger group but I was able to start some basic hand stitching training. There are over 20 ladies interested in the quilt making.

One stitch at a time

Practicing our stitches

Saturdays, we meet with the ECM sponsor children and have been using a “Wordless Book” curriculum. Each week is a new lesson on one of the colored pages. So far, we have had 5 children profess their faith in Jesus Christ.

Now that the children are studying for their school exams before they go on August vacation we will try to help tutor some of them this coming week after Bible club.

Since the ECM water team left Gulu early in July I have been busy learning the Acholi language and learning to drive in Uganda.

One of the ECM missionaries was approached by some high school age boys while walking home one day. They told her that they needed a soccer ball for their school and could she help them get one. They were neatly dressed in their school uniforms and were well-mannered. She was impressed by them. She asked them to come by the next day for her decision. After discussing it with me and the other missionary we decided that we would be buy them a soccer ball (or two) if they would be willing to give us some Acholi language lessons. They agreed so for the past week we have our hourly lessons, then spend a few more hours practicing.

When I walked to the little market close by to the house, I decided to practice one of the greetings they taught us. “Etye ninin” I greeted the ladies at the market and they were all smiles and thrilled that I finally learned something more than my usual one word greeting. “Etye ninin” means “how are you”. When they responded back I was even able to respond with another  greeting.

Progress! 

These young men are very good teachers.

I can even count to 10 in Acholi.

Ingonyo Yesu ? (Do you know Jesus?)

Imito ngonya Yesu? (Do you want to know Jesus?)

Amito pwonge ki lok pa Lubanga. (I would like to teach you with word of God.)

Now, for the driving! Oh boy, I think that will be harder than learning the language!

My biggest concern about driving in Uganda was having to drive on the other side of the road (like Great Britain) with the driver’s side on the right hand side of the car. Well, it really isn’t that difficult. My problem is in learning to share the road with all the other vehicles, boda boda’s (motorcycle taxis), bicycles and people and not getting stuck in the mud holes. On my first attempt at driving I ended up sideswiping a bicycle. I’m go grateful that the rider wasn’t on it at the time and that I didn’t damage it..

…and I think there are people in the center of town still laughing at my driving skills. I won’t even tell you what happened there.

I’ll keep practicing though as being able to drive is going to be a necessity.

In the meantime, I’m doing a lot of walking or sometimes when I’m in a hurry I’ll take a boda boda.

I’ve been attending the Gulu Bible Community Church. The church is a mission minded church with one of the pastors coming from Kenya. They have a 8:00 a.m. service in English that last until 10:00 a.m. and then the next two hours are in Acholi.  I attend the 8 o’clock and sometimes stay for the 10 o’clock, for either all or part of it. The music for the 10:00 gets a little more lively and I enjoy listening (and moving) to it. I just found out that the church also has a Swahili service at 12:30 and lasts for over four hours.

The church is about three miles from my house so I take a boda boda to church but usually take my time walking home, discovering shops I hadn’t notice before or finding new routes home.

A view of my neighborhood

This Sunday while walking home I had to get out of the way of a run away bull. He was just looking for greener pastures. I also had a new short-cut back to the house. I quickly named this the “Bat Path” though. The tall trees lining the path and acting as a canopy over it are also home to hundreds of bats. This could be the one place where I’m not bothered by a mosquito. There’s never a dull moment and there’s a new experience every day it seems.

Please pray for me for the following…

that I don’t overlook opportunities to minister to people here;

that I learn the language quickly;

for my driving;

for my training the ladies in sewing;

and that I take my anti-malaria meds on schedule.

I praise the Lord that I have remained healthy and have not had any serious “food” adjustments and considering that I have eaten pretty much everything that’s put in front of me I find that pretty amazing.

Thank you all for your love and prayers.