Uniquely Ugandan: Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving dear family and friends!

This is indeed an important time to stop and reflect as we gather to share a meal and to be grateful for the lovely community we have in this season of our lives. Eric and I will get together with the expat/international community on Thursday- it is a group of people from different parts of the world who live here in Mbale for ministry, work, a short-term volunteer opportunity or just for a visit. We will post those pictures next time! It is guaranteed to be a good meal with enjoyable conversation and guaranteed to be no snow or cold weather J

Once again, we are in awe of the full month that just passed us, since we last updated you all on the blog.

Pre- garden

Our garden now!

Eric has continued to work in our home garden and it's beautiful! His diligence and attention to caring for it provides us lettuce, a local green (like collard green/spinach), cucumbers, and beautiful flowers to enjoy on a regular basis. There are tomatoes, sweet corn, onion, peppers, carrots, eggplant, and bananas growing so we look forward to the harvest that is coming.

My most favorite farmer!

Towards the end of October, we drove up to the northern part of Uganda and Eric met with a few farmers up there to learn about their work while I went into South Sudan to visit my old school where I used to work – Leadership Academy of South Sudan (LASS). I was able to be apart of the 4^th graduation at LASS! It was so special for me to witness the continual growth and to celebrate the hard work that the students and staff have put forth. I deeply love that place!

Sunrise on my way to LASS

Graduates!

Actually, Eric and I are heading back to northern Uganda this weekend to visit this latest graduating class as I will be a part of the orientation day program as we welcome these students into the LASS alumni group and to speak to them about university. Eric will also visit the farms that he is connected to in the region.

In early November, Eric was able to travel with some of his good friends and coworkers to the refugee camps in a different part of northern Uganda, he will share more about that on another update.

During the time that Eric was traveling to the refugee camps, I went with the university that I work with for a community day to a mountainous region in the east called, Bududa. We went because there was a terrible mudslide that came down one of the mountains on a Thursday afternoon in late October. Over 200 people died, including many children who were in classes at 2 of the primary schools that we wiped out from the intense water that was carrying huge boulders, strong waters, and debris. I went with about 5 staff and 45 students, we broke into groups and went around the community to listen to their stories, pray with them and give them some household goods (that were raised by the students) as they rebuild after this horrific tragedy.

Buildings destroyed right next to where the landslide came

This used to be land where houses and businesses were

Huge boulders that came from up that mountain, where the landslide started

This was not a river before but was formed because of the massive landslide

Normal everyday work usually involves us going to the university (LIU) to teach classes, have meetings, and attend various programs. Eric will often go to the PTC farm (where he worked last time that he was here) that is a bit out of town. He really enjoys working with the guys there as they continue to build a sustainable farm with quality procedures and practices. Somedays, our pup Kona and I will go out with him to enjoy the peace and beauty of the countryside.

Cows at PTC farm

Eric working with the farm manager and staff

Kona LOVES to go for a drive to the farm and see life around Mbale!

I have been working alongside a peacebuilding radio program called One Tribe for several years by organizing some of my former LASS students to translate and record the radio programs. We have also begun a partnership with LIU to begin developing a peace studies program. So, earlier this month, the director of One Tribe and some of the team came to visit us in Mbale. They have become good friends of mine and it was a gift for Eric to meet them and for us to work on these partnerships together.

The director of One Tribe, Elizabeth, and one of the student recorders/translators, Juma

Two of the student translators and recorders, Idris and Chris

Lastly, we cannot forget to appreciate the Penn State football season! Eric and I are committed to watching the games each weekend- it’s a fun tradition that we started and really enjoy it! There is another American family here who are Penn State alum, so we watched the Nittany Lions play Wisconsin last week together with them!