We all have a story, and that story is unique to each of us. We honor one another when we hear and remember each other's story. This is my story of our journey to Uganda, Africa, and the wonderful people of Siloam.
The culture in Uganda is extremely different than the culture in the United States. But the people from each country are much alike in their hearts. And the people I speak of here are the people I know in Uganda. They are deeply faithful, and community, family, and God are extremely important in their daily life. They work/labor hard for their daily existence and they encounter challenges that we do not experience. Their homes have bars on the windows and doors due to theft. They do not have screens on their windows and close their house up at night for protection and avoidance of mosquitos that carry malaria. Everything (dishes, laundry, cooking) is done by hand. Very few have cars and bodas are the general form of transportation. Here is Peter's boda which he brings into the house each night. Gas is high...about $7.75 to $8.25 per gallon.
They are a clean people with no conveniences such as us (microwave, washer, dryer, stove, hot water heater, kitchen sink with running water, dishwasher, and on and on). Anna, Peter's wife, asked me how Larry and I can take care of ourselves. Anna gets up before dawn to wash floors, and clothes and cook breakfast. Because she had her baby, Janelle, 3 weeks before our arrival, she hired house help while we were there. She cooked us three meals a day and on a small charcoal burner. She is always sitting on a small stool cooking, squeezing juice, and stirring. She fed Peter, Larry, our driver, and me every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When we were done eating, she and the children ate. She then cleaned up after the meal. Of course, she had help while we were there...but still!
She was feeding her new baby and running the household while cooking and cleaning. And she always had a smile and caring words for us.
The women -- They are very hard workers. They are strong, yet humble. They are soft-spoken and kind. Their role is traditional in that they take care of the children and house. They gather food or go to the market, they sell what they can for income, they toil in the garden or sell extra produce in a small food stand. The men Larry and I know in Uganda are good husbands and fathers. They attend church and work hard for their families. However, that is not true of many men in Uganda. And we encountered that continually through stories from women left behind with children who no longer receive support or nurturing from their biological father.
I shared with our friends in Uganda that they are blessed through struggles and know what is important. This was not a light comment, and they agreed with us. Life in Uganda is hard. And this is what Ugandans say. What is important to them? Love. Forgiveness. Faith. Family. Community. Their kindness, love, and treatment of us were amazing and so appreciated. Hopefully, they felt that in return.
Shared meals - We shared several meals with new friends and old ones. We love the food there which generally consisted, for us, of rice, Irish potatoes, rice, beans, goat meat, beef, chicken, or fish and greens, and fresh fruit. It was delicious, and we had more than enough to eat! The amount of work it took to make these meals happen is not lost on me. Pastor Peter purchased items from the market and the women cooked, over an open fire, to make this happen. The women elders of Siloam Church organized the meal and served over 100 people! They literally served each person by preparing their plate and serving it.
Anna's meals - Anna is an amazing cook. She would squeeze passion fruit for us to drink along with cut-up watermelon, bananas, papaya, avocado, and all the normal foods (rice, Irish potatoes, protein, and greens). We ate so well, and we are trying to replicate that here at home. We miss her cooking!
Medicines - There are many who do not have funds for medicines. Some of their illnesses include pressure (high book pressure) and diabetes. If a person has funds and access to medicines, these are very treatable. If they do not, stroke or problems arise further creating hardship for the family.
Siloam churches - Pastor Peter started the Siloam Community Church in Jinja. The number of members has grown significantly from when we were in Uganda in 2018 at the old site. It is such a testimony to what God can do. Through this growth, Pastor Peter planted three new churches (Jinja Town, Iganga, and eastern Uganda). We visited all three planted churches and loved the members and pastors serving those churches. We pray for them and wish them well as they grow and serve.
During our 2018 visit, we met Daniel who was helping Siloam and Pastor Peter. We helped Daniel finish his schooling and he is now working in a hospital in a laboratory. He is also the pastor of the Siloam Church in Jinja Town.
The main church was packed with people in the "new" building with families, pastors, children, and youth. When we attended church in 2018, there were maybe 20 people at church in the previous building. There were at least 100 people at church and the singing, preaching, and children/youth presentations went on and on to our delight!
The planted church in Jinja Town is pastored by a special person in our life, Daniel. (Daniel is next to Pastor Peter in the image...third from the left in the back.) We met him in 2018 when he was helping the main Siloam Church and Pastor Peter. We helped him finish his education at a vocational school and he is now working in a hospital as a laboratory technician. A small amount of money can make a big (huge) difference in someone's life! Daniel, Larry, and I are connected through grace and love.
Eastern Uganda - This is where Pastor Peter was born and his family is there. Our hearts are connected to these people. They are raw, honest loving, kind, and faithful. They are almost an hour of rough, difficult roads from Mbale. This is deep poverty and their access to health care and education, logistically or financially, is hard to come by. The village is an hour from Mbale or 3.5 hours from Jinja. Please take a minute to watch the video. Worshipping in the Spirit is special! Check out the video...
And we visited the planted Siloam church in Iganga. There were many at the service, and I love the women! They care about the church, God, and community. We felt instantly loved and accepted into the "family." (See the picture at the top of this blog post.)
