better and better everyday...

So its amazing what a couple days can do. I now actually look forward to heading to my host family each evening after classes. I learned how to shred cabbage, I ironed closed for Maama Irene, I didnt get mad when baby Enoch peed on me. Things are looking up!

I also started taking my Luganda class, so I've been learning alot of converstation words, like thank you, hello, good bye, good night, etc. My family LOVES it! They appreciate any effort we make to learn the language or cultural norms. Maama Irene is so sweet and loves answering our questions.

It's interesting because Africans don't feel the need to always be talking, like Americans do. We are taught that its polite and good skill to be able to carry on petty chit chat conversation, and silence often makes us feel awkward. But Africans don't work that way. Theres something here called the "african presence." It refers to how its meaningful to africans just to be present with other people, especially those they care about. So sitting in the living room in silence is perfectly acceptable and actually often preferred. It's okay if theres nothing to say or talk about.

I've learned some other values that I like here also. There is an African saying that "a guest is NEVER a burden." Ugandans LOVE having people over or stopping by to visit. It's never considered a hassle and their doors are always open. Since Mzumba (Luganda for Reverand and what we call my host dad) is a pastor, he knows so many people. There are always guests in our house. Its so great and I've got to talk with so many neat people.

Family here is also sooo insanely important. You die for you family here. And extended family is just as important at your nuclear family. Actually, I don't even think the concept of nuclear family exists here. They call their nieces and nephews, sons and daughters and treat them as they would their own children. I found out that the little boy Timothy is just staying with my host family for the holidays. He will go back home when school starts up again. This is very common. Many children up to early adulthood will go stay with extended family for the holidays. They call them "holiday makers" and even thought technically they are visiting, they get treated as part of the family and are expected to work and contribute as such also.

Everytime Sarah and I arrive home in the evenings, Maama Irene greets us saying "Kulikayo, Kate! Kulikayo Sarah!" Literally translated, its something like "thank you for coming back safely" but it has the same connotations as "welcome back" We answer "Kaala, Maama" which is thank you, mother/elder woman. Ugandans thank people for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. its so funny. There are a ton of Luganda words for "thank you" that all get used for different purposes. They also say "sorry" are the time, like when you sneeze or if you trip or something. Even if they have nothing to do with what happens, they say sorry. Its so cute... and very polite. We should all take a lesson from the Ugandans.

There are many lessons to learn here. I'm beginning to really value their way of life. At first, it just frustrated me (ie that they didnt use diapers and Enock peed on me for the first time) but now I'm starting to understand the reasons and values behind how they live, and its just fascinating. I'm excited for all the things I am going to learn this semester!

This Saturday I'm headed to the "Source of the Nile" with my host family and another family. Its in Jinja in Uganda on Lake Victoria which actually is the source of the Nile River. I'm not quite sure what we do there or what it actually is, but I'm psyched to find out. Ill tell you all about it next week. Be well, and keep the prayers coming.