DECEMBER 29th 2008
So here I am at the volunteer house in Jinja, Uganda. Joe picked me up last night from the airport and we talked for awhile on the ride back about life here and life in general. He’s really high on life and I hope I can adopt some of that while I am here. I left my passport, ID, money, birth certificate, immunity record and most importantly my one physical photo of Ashley in the taxi last night. Hopefully because they use him often- He’s honest and will give back all of those things (they’re all in a little satchel.) It’s warm here but not unpleasant. I couldn’t hardly sleep last night- I just lay awake. It’s was odd though because when I realized I’d left my satchel in the taxi, I wasn’t particularly upset or nervous. I just pray it can be return to me. I miss Virginia at this point. I miss my girl. I miss my other friends. I think though, that I’ll really like life here and I may come back. I wish I could call mom, I’m sure she’s worried . But, I’d better get my passport and stuff back first, because then she’ll really freak. I was kinda surprised how much mom cried sending me off. I hadn’t seen her cry that much since Pop-Pop died so I felt damn terrible for going. I felt like I was dying to my own mother- some sort of pre-death grievance. I’m not too big a fan of dying though. I mean, I guess it’s whatever and all but I’d really like to see my friends again and I’m really looking forward to another LONG intermission once I’m home , so I’ll plan on staying alive. Along that note, I was lying in bed this morning after having locked a wrong key in the wrong door. And noted my netting doesn’t fully cover the exposed area…. Exciting huh? Well, I just went a way for a moment and met Phillip. A very kind friend who helped me correct the a fore mentioned issue of wrong key wrong door. That bothered me, so I’m glad it’s fixed. One problem down. One to go. He mentions he works with YL and I guess maybe I’ll do some of that while I’m here in Jinja.
I should tell you, I met 18 YLers on the plane over here. 4 are staying with us and are part of a separate group. The other 14 are starting a YL here in Jinja. That’s exciting! In fact, If someone reading this could forward it to Jeremy Sheppard (I’ll try to tag him on facebook) or Will Cox, if any of you guys still have his contact info. Jinja appears nicer but similar to much of Trinidad that were in. When I say nicer, I guess I mean more pleasant than I do better infrastructure or anything. Here it is more like “Africa” than “America” which I felt like Trinidad was very American.
Another break there, I just met Betty our house keeper. She’s very sweet and quite possibly has the CUTEST baby EVER! (joe said that last night, I didn’t quite believe him but, yup. He’s right) Well I’ll try to send this update today or tomorrow. Much love to all of you,
Jacob
P.s. Renee, Betty said she loves you and misses you very much and is looking forward to you coming back!
I’m back again for another update here, Betty actually made me breakfast this morning since I had not yet been to the market. It was very good- probably the best fried eggs and potatoes I have had in months. A little later I went a boys home, just down the road. There are 11 former street kids that a lady has taken in to teach them and love them and such. Hmm… after that Joe and I went to town to run errands, exchange my money, and go to market. I exchange $450 us and ended up with nearly 846000 shillings. The exchange rate was good but not amazing that day. Then we stopped by Momma Jean’s a local orphanage to drop off clothes. Market was amazing! I love the barter system. But we Muzungu (white folks) are charged more for everything. I tried buying cucumbers. I was told the price was 1000 shillings for a half kilo which rather make most of you scratch your heads as to how much I’m talking about It’s about 3 smallish cucumbers. So l immeadately said, “no 400.” Which is a more than fair price. But I was laughed at by at least 3 vendors before finding one who took 300 for a half kilo. All in all, I bought a week’s worth of food for about $10. After that I went to the internet café. We walked home after that. I walked later with Andrew to a different café and we talked about God and faith. It was really good. I’m thankful the faith of the people because it is not a rigid Christianity. It is a beautiful faith based on that love of God. When Andrew and I returned, he had to go help with YoungLife for a bit so Josh (suubi volunteer), Amberle (suubi volunteer), Betty, Rachel (betty’s sister), and Kimbi all went to a food shack in the back of a smaller nearby market. The food was so cheap -1500. (.78 cents) And so good. Back at home, I watched two episodes of season four of house (I want my money Holland!!! J ) and then went to bed and slept beautifully. Beautiful, Isn’t that a great word? Beautiful is how I describe Africa, the people, the weather (85 sunny and nice. ) nothing here is perfect- but everything here is good.
So today, (Tuesday) I woke up this morning, made breakfast of mangos and rice. (Rachel, reminds me of sticky rice) A little later Josh and I took a piki (motorcycle) to Flavours a Dutch run café, which is very expensive but has wifi for free and is comfortable. I’m going to try to upload photos I think. And later today, maybe I’ll go see the YoungLife camp and sort of explore Jinja.
Rest well,
Jacob
