The Market

Today I went to the market to do the shopping, what a system; Godfrey (an uncle at the orphanage (a worker)) stays with the van while Esther (an auntie/worker) and I go into the market. We find the usual boy that helps us by providing bags and taking food back to the van, while Esther smartly uses her bargaining skills to get the best for us the most cost-effective way. The market is not smooth ground, but bumpy and with rocks jutting out or potholes digging in all the time (similar to the roads). The umbrellas are tattered and some areas selling food are simply covered by tarps. As I pass everyone stares, some of the daring say 'Hi Mazungu', which means hi white person, but the beans are colorful, the fruits and vegetables are ripe and I am happy to walk through it all and experience life in Kampala.

The food is good, although basic, breakfast for me is usually bread with jam, then lunch is poncho (its some flour based food) with beans and carrots, snack time is always fruit: watermelon, pineapple, bananas or mangoes. Supper is the only variable, but always includes rice, and then usually a meat and vegetable combination in a sauce. That is definitely the tastiest, or perhaps the way auntie monica (the cook) makes cabbage is the best, either way she is great at providing for everyone; there are 12 children, 5 workers and right now 3 missionaries.

 

You'd think with all of us working it would be enough, but it is exhausting, teaching the young ones, doing laundry (there is always tons of laundry!), sweeping the courtyard, trimming the hedges, shopping, cooking, playing, singing and bathing. People in Uganda bathe twice daily (those that have the luxury of it anyway), and I've never seen American children run to the bath as fast as these kids do, they love bath time! The kids love to help out with all the chores, hanging things on the line, taking the trimmings from the hedges to the trash, usually if I don't get up immediately afteer my place is clear one of the kids and asks if they can put my dish away...absolutely!!

Tomorrow we are going to serve at a home for children with special needs and I am looking forward to the opportunity to play with them, love them and share Jesus' love with them.