A World Discovered

    Wow! My first week in Uganda is already over. It's flown by, I must say. This week has been good, a bit crazy, but I've enjoyed it nonetheless. Kampala is unlike any city I've ever been to.There are several paved roads with massive speed bumps, but all the other roads are washed out, red dirt. Most barely fit a car it seems, but somehow cars seem to pass each other without scraping mirrors. Oh yeah, and everyone drives on sides opposite from America. haha...that's fun remembering to go to what I'm used to as the "driver's side" is actually the "passenger's side" when getting in the car. Most houses have walls surrounding them with loops of barbed wire. haha...reminds me of prisons...and when you see the houses, it develops that thought even more. Every building  that is lived in or business has bars in the windows and doors and is locked with padlocks. The bars however, are on the inside.
    There is poverty everywhere, even in the upscale part of town I visited. Very eye opening and saddening as it is the way of life here. There are shacks on the some of the main roads that are made of tin and boards, and there are people asking for money or food everywhere; especially at roundabouts and intersections.

    I spent a day in downtown Kampala...scary place...but it is where all the markets are and if you need it, it can be found down there, whether it's illegal or not. It's interesting and very different to walk around the town, downtown and down the road at the Embassy Market and the guards or police are shouldering rifles. While in downtown Kampala, Luan and I were in search of soap merchants and yarn merchants. Both inquiries were for ministry and business in Fort Portal. Downtown, the area is focused on the taxi stage, which is where all the taxis go to turn in the money they make to the taxi business owners. All around the taxi stage and "further in" downtown are different sections. You have all the yarn sellers in one area, all the movie stores in one section, all the plumbing material in another area, clothes in another, and etc. It's crazy. One would think they wouldn't have good business if only grouped around the other businesses, but the way it works is if one store doesn't have it, you move on to the next and so forth. It's a spider web of alleys and roads that seem endless.
    I also joined Pam for the Thursday lunch Bible study. They are finishing up a study on Spiritual Warfare. There were about 7 women, it varies week to week with the office ladies, but we sang some songs and then dug into the Scripture. Tomorrow, I'm playing worship for the missionary wives' Bible study and we are beginning a study on the "I Am Sayings". The first one is from John 4:1-26. And I'm interested to learn what these women, European mostly, will discuss. :) Wonderful having older women to listen to and learn with.
     I just finished playing keyboard for tomorrow, interrupted by the power going out, and am listening to the constant noise of the neighborhood. I have been learning so much...about the people, the country, the missionaries, everything. Thank God I like to journal as that is a way to help me process!!! I have loved being back with Pam and her family. They are simply wonderful and such a blessing to me. The kids have grown taller in two years...but it seems like just yesterday we spent a month together! Pam is out tonight and Simon is on an overnight flight, so I put the kids to bed. I read Zara a story and then she practiced her reading. Joshua reads on his own now and I teased him by taking his Panda...long story from 2 years ago that they STILL remember! Apparently Panda and I have preceded me coming as one of the kiddos friends upon meeting me said, "You're Emma! I know you're favorite game to play is Panda!" :)
   
     Anyways, I thank those of you who have been praying for me. I've needed them, and God is good. My prayer has been that He was the one that led me here and as I've had two women teaching and discipling me, it has been wonderful and challenging. But I am thankful God has brought me here and is placing people in my path that I might learn from.
     Until next time, may God grant you peace and rest!