It's Been Awhile...

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted an update. I haven’t been to the internet café all week, and they discourage us from using websites other that our emails during work hours. But it’s Saturday, and I’m at the office getting some work done, so it’s okay for me to post this now! :)

It’s so weird thinking I’ve been here two weeks. In some ways it feels like it’s flown by, the days seem to blur together in a Technicolor mix of new experiences, new faces, new places… but in other ways it seems like much longer than two weeks. It’s hard for me to believe that it was only two weeks ago today that I was getting on a little propeller plane in San Diego on my way to Gulu. Time is such a funny thing, I don’t think I’ll ever quiet understand it.

One of my absolutely favorite days so far was this past Thursday. Kristen and I had the opportunity to do a “Mentor Follow,” where we spent the day with a VCSP Mentor as they visited the homes and schools of the students within our scholarship program. I spent the day with Patricia, as she did a few home visits. For those of you who are unfamiliar with IC’s programming, each of the 519 students that have their school fees covered by IC are given a mentor. The mentor meets with the student at least once a month, and meets with their parent/guardian once a month as well. He/she encourages the student to pursue excellence within his/her studies, as well as helps them in any other way the mentor is able…

It was neat getting to meet the parent’s of the students, but it was really great spending the day with Patricia. I got to learn about her family, her friends, her studies… I feel like I’ve made my first new friend here in Uganda. We walked everywhere, so we had a lot of time to talk. I loved it. :)

Thursday night, after the mentor follow, some of the Ugandan IC staff came over for dinner, and to talk about their experiences during the war. (So a few years from now, I remember… a guest list: Geoffrey (the lead mentor), Benna (Bracelet Maker Coordinator), Peter Paul (S4S Procurement Officer), Peter (IC Driver), Jolie (Country Director) and Patricia)

It’s crazy what the human spirit can with stand. The experiences people can live through and still come out smiling and happy, with hope for their futures. Walking home the other day, I was telling Jamie how sometimes people will share stories with me that seem to be movie plots… that it’s hard for me to comprehend someone purposefully harming another human being in that way. But they do; it happens… and all I can do (well, not all, since it’s rather big), is hit my knees and pray for the ones left behind…

(An Abrupt Subject Change)

Things I love about Uganda (so far… and this is not a complete list)

I love walking at dust. There are so many beautiful places here in Gulu, and as the sunsets they seem to shimmer. I love the tea Annette makes each morning. I love that I drink tea every morning. I love listening to Doreen’s country music in the morning; the strange idea that country music, which seems to epitomize America to me, can be found pumping through the speakers at so many bars in town.
I love the kids that giggle at my attempts at Luo. The free air conditioning afforded by a boda boda. The girls at the office who admire all my jewelry and look at me in shock when I tell them I can’t cook. I love the hospitality of warm cokes in the afternoon and meat samosas when you truly can’t eat another bite. The sound of the choir across the street waking me up Sunday mornings.

The list goes on. I love it here. :) Today we’re going to a graduation party for an IC employee. Patricia is the MC, and she’s told me she is going to teach me how to dance. Tomorrow we’re heading over to Awer (pronounced “away”) IDP camp in the morning. Then we’re heading over to Lacor Seminary to show them the IC movie (for those of you who have seen the rough cut, that’s the seminary that suffered the LRA attack and is highlighted with the film… they’ve never seen it). That evening we’re going to Boma, a restaurant in town, to celebrate Valerie’s last night with us (she was the former intern coordinator/house manager). It’ll be a busy couple of days.

Hope you’re all having fabulous weeks. I love and miss you all. And if you ever have time, email me at bcurtis2006@gmail.com. It’s really nice to hear everything that’s going on back home, I feel a bit disconnected at times.

you're in my thoughts and prayers.
betsy