It's the Smallest Things

It's the smallest things that take me back.  Today it was a fly.

I was cooking breakfast, and a fly buzzed around my head.  My mind quickly went back to Uganda.  Flies were such a common part of my kitchen and life there, but this small fly today made me realize that I haven't seen a fly indoors in a long time.

Sometimes, on the rare chance I hear a rooster or goat, I am also reminded of my home back in Uganda.  It can be the wide roads and shoulders, the variety of choices at the grocery store, the ice in my glass, the availability of Dr. Pepper, my lack of car horn use, a clean smell, or wearing sweaters in air conditioning.  They all still catch me off-guard a little sometimes.  The smallest things will take me back in an instant.

And of course, there are things that never happen here, but I remember them as part of daily life there.

There is no one sweeping my grass/dirt at 6:30 in the morning.

I can't smell what the neighbors are cooking unless they are grilling out.

No one stares at me when I go out.

No one yells "Mundu" or "Mzungu" when I am seen walking around.

It's VERY quiet here; plus, my windows are shut.
Can you believe that my neighbors don't know when I'm going to the bathroom?
And there is no one patrolling around my house at night on foot.

I haven't filtered water in almost a year, and I've been brushing my teeth with sink water.

Not once have I had to check solar before doing a load of laundry.

And I don't have to buy meat and cheese three months at a time (although I could).

If you haven't figured out, we are still in America.  Father's plans are different than ours, and I'm so glad, because His are better.  We anxiously await what He has in store for us.

We've had quite a few adventures, but I never thought to share them because they're America-type things that you're used to.

We had originally been living in my hometown, with my parents, but as we saw our time on this continent was being extended, we knew we needed to find another place to live.  Through the workings of Our Creator, we are now living in another town we love, but the drawbacks were we had to leave our church, friends, and the kids' schools behind.  The kids weren't quite up to enrolling in a new school, so I started home-schooling again.  We're now finding our rhythm with school while having a baby around.

None of this is our plan, but we are confident in the One who is working "all things for good."

God speaks in a still, small voice, and He imparts amazing wisdom to us.

It's the smallest things that move and change us, and for me, today, it was a fly.

Kids (who don't remember America) say the Darndest Things

I recently read an article about a man who got out of prison at age 54.  He had started his sentence at age 16, back in 1959.  When he got out, he could only ride a bike because he didn't have his drivers' license.  He had only seen the new kinds of cars on TV.  The digital age was everywhere, and he was completely overwhelmed, as you might imagine.

The story intrigued me, and I really shouldn't even dare a comparison after living overseas for three years, but many things he said struck a chord with me.  For me, TV seemed foreign at first.  I don't turn it on like I used to, and even if I did, I wouldn't recognize many of the shows.  I also don't recognize many songs on the radio.  Restaurant food doesn't taste like I remember it tasting, and the list goes on.

The list is longer and different for my kids.  They don't remember much of anything, so most of it is all new.  My oldest remembers the most, but the younger two (who can talk) don't remember much of anything.

(By the way, as a side note, this post is in no way written to make fun of my kids.)

I love my kids all so dearly.

 If you ever want to sit down sometime and hear about how wonderful they are, I'll be glad to tell you... I think any kids who go through transitions that come about because of parents and the things we do and life decisions we make, deserve a lot of credit.

 My kids have experienced a lot, just like yours, and like most kids, they have been resilient and come out of it with their heads high and as champions in my eyes.

 Back in June, when we went to a conference in Virginia our first month here, all of our kids went to classes, as well as Doug and me.  Caleb learned the Pledge of
--> Allegiance, all about American holidays, the months of the year, and about...Daniel.  They discussed how we can be like Daniel, who succeeded in another culture without letting the culture consume him.  I think there is a lesson in there for all of us.
So here are a few observations that have been made and some funnies that have been said since we got home and we juggle the culture we have just entered. 

 

June 14, 2013  (Landing in America)

We landed and saw a big sign that said, "Welcome to the United States of America."  There were some big smiles in our group.

Kylie took a deep breath through her nose, and said, "It even smells like America!"

We were all excited to see the United States flag, and we noticed that security was tighter in the airports compared to when we were here last.

Keira needed some water, and I filled her sippy cup with water out of the sink.  Karis' jaw dropped that I was actually using sink water, and she tried to stop me at first!

The carts to get luggage were $5!!!  They were always free overseas.

Caleb bought a McDonald's Happy Meal that came with apples???

I realized, driving home from the airport, that there are no RV's in Uganda.  I hadn't seen one in a while.  That kind of living-vehicle would totally blow their minds.

I also took a fresh look at subdivisions with matching roof tiles, straight streets, and driveways.  Wow!

We stopped for our first meal at Whataburger on the way home.  The lady behind the counter gave Caleb an empty cup, and he looked at me puzzled.  

I took him to the drink fountain and told him he could have any one he wanted and fill up his cup as many times as he wanted.  His eyes and smile got so big.  He was SO excited!  We all filled up on Dr. Pepper!

(In Uganda, you get glass bottles of soda, and we never ordered them until our food came, which sometimes was upward of 1.5-2 hours, and we never allowed them to get more than one bottle).

June 15, 2013 (first day at my mom's)

Karis:  What is that?

My mom:  A dishwasher 

Karis:  You have a machine in your wall that washes dishes!?

Caleb in tub

Me: "That's enough water."

Caleb:  But I can't find the stopper!"

Me:  I already did it with this lever.

Caleb:  How? There are still holes.

Me:  It shuts off the water under the holes.

Caleb:  Ooooh! Cool.

June 16, 2013 (Father's Day)

Parking at church in my dad's truck:

Caleb:  Something weird just happened.  When the truck stopped, the lock on my door went up, but I didn't touch it.

After church, Caleb was thirsty and asked if I had brought a bottle of water to church (because I always had in Uganda).  I said no, but he could use the water fountain.  I explained how to use it, but he didn't know to close his mouth and swallow, so the water was just splashing into his mouth and falling back out onto his shirt and onto the floor.  Then Karis tried with adults looking on, and it was a similar experience with her.  They had a good time with it, though, and didn't seem embarrassed.

Doug:  We're going to stop at sonic on the way to Nana and Pop's. 

Caleb:  No!  I want to go back to Whataburger to get free refills.

June 17, 2013 (at Doug's parent's house)

Observation:  Wrestling has increased tremendously with carpet around.

The same length of toilet paper we would use in Uganda for one bathroom visit can be used for three different visits to the bathroom in America because it's so thick.

Doug:  Caleb, what do you want me to get you at Chick-fil-a?

Caleb: Do they have hamburgers?

Caleb: That man has a lot of "chair hest"

Caleb: Are there mosquitoes in America?

Doug:  Yes

Caleb: Can I get malaria?

June 18, 2013

Kylie: Why does dad have to pump the gas? 

(In Uganda, it is all full-serve.  You never have to get out of your car)

Observation:  It feels a little weird to turn on the radio and not know ONE SINGLE SONG!

At a fast food Mexican restaurant in Waco:

Karis: I want tacos, but I don't want spaghetti on them (she saw a picture of grated cheese on the taco).

July 21, 2013

Keira's top two teeth broke through. (you wanted to know that, right?)

July 25, 2013

Caleb "informing" one of our Mississippi friends:  Your mosquitoes don’t have malaria because they don’t really suck blood.

July 29, 2013

Seeing the Ross Barnett Reservoir boat arena:

Caleb said, "That’s a dirty pool."  Little did he know, that is where he was going to go tubing.

July 30, 2013

Keira stood up on her own for the first time

(You can't forget about Keira, right?)

August 1, 2013

Kylie, helping Doug and I find some place to eat: “There’s a Whataburger in 24 hours."

Well, here it is, August 26, 2013, and I've taken my kids to school for the first time today.  Kylie and Karis did attend for 6 weeks before, but that was a long time ago.  All three have grown over an inch since June, and all three had trouble sleeping last night because of excitement, but they all left this morning with smiles on their faces and big backpacks strapped on. 

When they get home, I'm sure they will have stories to tell.

I can't imagine what they will think about electric pencil sharpeners!?

It Seems like Yesterday

Remember this?  

This was the kids leaving Texas January 4, 2010.  Our friend Natalie brought doughnuts to the airport for the kids to eat as we checked in, which took a long time.

The airline wouldn't let us on because we didn't have a return ticket.  We had to contact our company and get a letter faxed to the airport, so that they would allow us on the plane.

We arrived in London for a layover,

And started life in Uganda.

Riding bodas became the norm

Watch dogs and a guard on the compound became a part of our life

Receiving packages was such a joy

Learning to cook in a new environment was a new challenge.

This is our house during the most recent packing marathon in June 2013.

We found a gecko behind a box in the garage

Looks like he had been "stuck" here quite a while

We brought several bags home (I'll spare you the number), and we left several behind for some wonderful people from Arkansas to carry (again, I'll spare you the number).

In case you've missed the news somewhere along the way, we will not be returning to Uganda when we come back overseas.  

The other news is that we don't know yet where we WILL be going.

So, in the meantime, feel free to follow our journeys as a family full of children who don't quite remember America, and the interesting observations they make.

Celebration and Goodbyes

In May, our colleagues had a going-away party for us at their house.

Two tents were set up.

 

 

Chairs were unloaded.

 

A pig was cooked.

Enya (the local food) was made.

(no picture...sorry)

People came.

Speeches were given.

Lemech

Obey

 

Eric Allen

Rev. Alice

Beatrice

Food was eaten.

And pictures were taken as we visited with friends and said goodbyes.

As a side note. Pasca called me yesterday (8/8) to tell me her husband died.  Pray for her and her 4 kids.

It was so much fun to have so many friends in one place.  

Here are a few of the things that were written or told to us:

*Kathryn, when i received Dougs Message of farewell i felt am going to miss alot of thing. I started thinking about the time we had together with Doug in learning stories from the Bible and how those stories have transformed me spiritual. These days i can stand to preach the word of God withought fear beause of doug, i can preach how to get into right relationship with God through Jesus and the right Baptism and many many others i have real learned.  i have real appreciate your work may God be with you and bless you. 

 *your family has really challenged me.

     After giving me a gift, my friend said, "This is not enough.  You have given me everything.  You gave me salvation and a Bible and everything."  

     I said, "I didn't give you salvation.  God did."

     Then she said, "But you gave me life in His Word.  You taught me, encouraged me, and if I ever need anything or feel down, you have left me His Word."

Story Group

My head is about to explode with all the posts I want to write, so I'd better get caught up on the past so I can move to the present.

 This post is just for you to get a closer look at some faithful disciples in Arua. Plus, as an added bonus, you can see how much Keira was a distraction for them.

 The guys in the group, especially, all took turns holding her over and over, letting her play with their lips, eyeballs, and anything else in their face she could poke or grab.

 I even have more pictures of different stages of her growth that show them with her as they would come over weekly.

 Sweet, sweet people and friends!

Taban James

 

Richard Kana

Medline holding Keira while James and Medline's tall husband David look on

Mawa James

More Richard

One night after Bible study...all the kids with Richard

Beautiful Medline

Muffin (left) and Betty (right)

Caleb photo-bombing David and Medline

Everyone except Richard, Sunday, and Eric, who arrived later

If you ever think of these faces or names, pray for them to continue to be faithful.

Richard and Taban have been traveling every Saturday to a town north of Arua to minister to people from their home tribe.  They sacrifice a lot to go, but they have continued to be faithful to train a new church plant in the stories that they learned from Doug.

James has been sharing with some motorcycle taxi drivers and others he comes in contact with.

Betty is home with a new baby girl, but she has been faithful to share with her mom, her children, and those that live around her.

All of their names are:  David, Medline, Richard, James, Eric, Sunday, Betty, Muffin, Taban

Where is Truth?

We have a friend who came on Sunday afternoons to learn Truth.

 He always brought his camera, and he asked me to take pictures with his camera and with mine.

 He wanted it well-documented that a Christian took the time to share knowledge and Truth with him.

 He brought his holy book and a list of questions every time.

He also told us what poses to have in each picture.

I LOVE how his face lights up when Truth registers and the light comes on, especially when it's to a question he has had for a long time, and he finally sees the answer in the Word of God.

We really enjoyed our time and conversations with him.  I only wish we had more time.   Pray for his heart as he wrestles with what to do with the Truth he learned.

I hope this is an encouragement for you to talk to people who think and believe differently than you.  And I hope you feel that you can share what you believe with them in a loving way.

Who are the shots hurting?

We took Keira to the clinic to get her six month shots the last time we were in Kampala. This is the second time the kids have gone with us, but this time seemed to be a little different, especially for her big brother.

The lift

The placement

Add a twist

Executed perfectly

Watch the love of a brother.

Comfort time