Our house is almost complete!

I slept like a baby last night after our hard work yesterday. So, when the sun peaked through our windows today – I was alive and ready to go. I am a morning person – the ones some people, like Tamera, love to hate. But this morning we were both singing and ready to face the hard day of work ahead of us. We arrived at the work site around 8AM only to discover that we beat the workers there. Aren’t we a bunch of overachievers? Next time, we will be sleeping an extra 15 minutes.

Our teacher’s home is progressing nicely. We completed the outside wall; which is 21 rows high. In order to reach that high, we had to be on scaffolding that I didn’t completely trust. This was the first day I climbed up on the scaffolds. To be honest, they scared me a little. I am not scared of heights but I am totally afraid that one would crash beneath my feet only to leave me flying through the air. (A mental picture for all you visual learners.) But I am still alive and well, so I guess that means that scaffolding is possibly in my future.

Time for lunch! As we headed to the shelter for yummy lunch of PB&J – Joseph, the foreman of our team, sat down next to me and felt like talking. So, I sat and learned all about his family and some of the practices in Uganda. My favorite was the marriage process. Once a woman is found that a man desires to marry and the feelings are reciprocated then the dowry is discussed. Usually the payment is in cows or goats and a multitude of household items such as salt and sugar. For example, Joseph paid one goat, a bag of sugar, bag of salt and a few other items I couldn’t understand to his wife’s family. He also mentioned that the church service is for her family and their friends but his family may not attend. Joseph has been married for six years and has two beautiful boys ages 3 and 5.

Of course, only to make things more interesting, God decided that we needed a bit of rain while working today. It started right after our lunch break and sprinkled lightly for about an hour. It made us slow down a little and be more cautious but the temperature was great. Cool with no humidity. We also completed the archways in the house while a couple of Ugandan workers put up the support beams on the front and back outside walls. These are a necessary step since our teacher’s home will be a 2-story building.

As we finished our work day, we were informed that a group of international dignitaries will be touring our house tomorrow so a quick clean up of the work site was required. Out of all the houses to tour – they chose ours. Just another opportunity for us to help Watoto shine and attract outside resources.

Once everything on the site was completed – the fun began. First, we started with Jeffrey; dancing his heart out to our clapping and cheering. Of course, Andi and I took it upon ourselves to keep his pants from falling down. They were way too big and he didn’t have a belt – so every once in a while Andi and I would each pull up on one of his belt loops. Seems a bit motherly for me – but we didn’t want him to get embarrassed and quit dancing. Next was a musical lesson from Issacks. He is the foreman from the other team next to us but has taken quite a liking to some of us. We learned (or at least attempted) two Ugandan songs. Both upbeat and fun with enthusiastic clapping throughout. We are going to try and sing one of them tomorrow at the house dedication service.

The drive home to the hotel is always a treat as there is usually something new to see or smell. Today takes the cake. How many completely different things can you fit in the back of a truck? How about cows inside, people on top, bananas all around and tires hanging from the sides. What a sight!

We arrive at the hotel safe and sound (God Bless Joel – our driver!) only to discover that they are refilling the water tanks and we are unable to take showers. So, here I sit stinking and dirty writing to you. No offense – but I would have preferred a shower first.

That’s it for today from me. I am having the time of my life, learning all about a new culture and meeting some wonderful people. Hope all is well at home.

Written by: Libbi Hamilton