Africa update

Although I still have one month remaining, I have begun to feel my time here is drawing to a close. I feel I should begin to draw conclusions and observations about my time here in Africa. I have enjoyed Africa very much. My life here at the volunteer house is not burdensome nor “roughing it” as if I was out in the bush yet spending a few nights in children’s hospital and out in a village called Kamouli have given me a clear idea of what life would be like even on the outskirts of the bush. I honestly could not recall all the events that have happened so far in my time here but I want to recap with a few of those still fresh in my mind. I remember arriving exhausted, excited, with a “Savior of Africa” attitude hiding amongst my belongings though I tried to lose it. I remember stepping off the plane, standing for what seemed like eons X line at customs, and thanks only to facebook, knowing what Joe looked like, who’d be picking me up. We rode back in a hired private car- Joe tried to talk but he’d had a long day and soon fell asleep. I stared out the window for a long time thinking, “This is it. This is Africa”. Once we arrived at the building I would call home for the next 4 months, I came into my room, chose a bunk bed. Upon the bunk bed I found a variety of half used lotions, a dingy lamp, and an ancient bottle of brown “silver” water- “gifts” left over from previous volunteers. All useless, but still in weird way- cool. The dorky side of Joe had been revealed! I lay in bed, wondering what the next day held for me; I was unable to sleep.

I must have slept however, because I woke up perhaps four hours later, before anyone else- probably from excitement. I walked around the house and tried the doors to go outside- they were locked. I found keys. The lock appeared similar to a skeleton key lock and naturally I chose a key of similar shape. I stuck the key in the lock and turned, assuming if this key wouldn’t work I would choose another key. The first key stuck. Held fast, no amount of bending, twisting, or WD-40 was going to solve this. The doors and windows here are glass with a metal frame encasing them, presumably to prevent theft. Naturally, I began to wonder if I had in fact ruined this door. If the key was stuck and the door was locked- The door may well have to be taken off its hinges and replaced. As I continued in this line of thought, I realized that the front door and backdoor likely had different keys. If I had stuck the front door key in the back door- We could all be stuck inside the house- FOREVER.

I would like to remind you, I had only slept perhaps 6 hours in the past two days (if you account for time lost by meridians). Such extreme logic (or senselessness) is only possible in that or by morons- and I was well fit candidate adhering to both prerequisites. Eventually, an African fellow named Phillip got up from where he was sleeping in the building behind ours. He had come to the back porch to wash something in the sink. I explained the situation and afterwards, introduced myself- but apparently he already knew who I was. He quickly explained I should pass a different set of keys through the metal grate to him. I did, and miraculously, the door opened. I was thrilled!! My stupid blunder would be kept secret forever!

Alas! Phillip told everyone and we all had a good laugh. Later in the morning, I met a cast of characters-all looking American (one was actually a Canadian! *gasp*). Josh, Amberle, Evan, Christian, Andrew, Joe, and Melissa. In addition to all the white folks, there was Betty, Kymbi, Rachel, Hanifa, and Phillip. Truth be told Phillip wasn’t supposed to be there, but that’s too long of a story for right now.

I remember going with Amberle to the boy’s home that morning and meeting so many African boys all of whom hugged me as if I was a long lost brother. I remember going with Joe to the internet, to Mamma Jane’s Orphanage, and to the market for the first time. Market is a madhouse when you’ve never seen it before. I didn’t know what to buy, what fair price was, or even what some of the things were.

Fast-forward a few days, I remember walking with Andrew to the internet having a great conversation about God, life, and girls. I remember Christian’s cooking skills and Evan’s encouragement. Individually they were good people but together they were Christ in the form of Colorado teenagers. (This lends hope to Mormonism). Christian and I on several occasions shared a piki (motorcycle) into town which insured a “close and intimate” ride as together we could fill the seat let alone with the driver. I grew spiritually in bounds with those boys. They encouraged each other and me. They provided a real example of Christian living to me. Even though Amberle would mock the thought of being compared to a Christian- She acted in many ways how we Christians should act. Josh, the Canadian, was mostly quiet at first but eventually we talked and that kid is really smart, motivated and talented. I walked out into the living room one time to hear, “Your Hand in Mine” being played by Joe and Josh! I was surprised because I didn’t think a lot of people listened to Explosions in the Sky and yet, everyone in the house had heard them. Even though Joe and Melissa were friendly, I don’t think I really got to know them until much later in my trip. I remember my first Suubi meeting which was quite an overwhelming experience and quite fun. I is impossible to remember anyone’s name though for the first two meetings. I was asked to talk about myself and I mentioned knowing Renee Bach which received a warm round of applause and a cry that I can only compare to a Cherokee war cry.

I remember driving down to Adrift, where Evan, Christian, Andrew, Amanda (who had arrived a week earlier), Betty and I were all going to bungee jump. As most of you know, I did not jump. I paid. I walked up, watched others jump, prayed, and listened to Evan tell me a million times he knew I could jump. I cannot stress enough how encouraging this guy is! He’s like Matt Freed, Phillip Wachter, and Glacier Johnson combined. I was bound, strapped and harnessed in to what I was certain was death for the amusement of posterity. I actually wasn’t afraid so much as I just couldn’t jump. It looked like fun, but I couldn’t do it. Evan was quite supportive even after I wussed out which was nice.

Evan and I went to Kamuli with Phillip and I had a very touching experience with a woman perhaps 28 dying of TB. She refused to eat because of the severe anemia, and she refused her medication for fear of not being able to pay for more. That was my first real Africa without the glitter experience. I cried when Evan showed up to meet us at the lady’s hut.

Evan and the boys left not to long after and a married couple, Dan and Katie, arrived. Dan was my first taste of real sarcasm after leaving the states and it was remarkably refreshing. They were from Atlanta and had come with armed with numerous books on what I can only describe as “Christanity: Revisited”. You know the books- the “pop culture influenced” books that my uncle Tommy would damn to hell if given the chance. Well, I like them. They serve a good purpose and Dan and Katie were examples of exactly that kind of lifestyle- “In the world but not of the world”.

Both Katie and Dan took great photos of Africa, and me. Of course, a great photo of me is not hard to come by anyway. Dan and I went to Kamuli together as well but this time I was paraded around as more of an exhibit than anything else. Shown to local sponsors of an AIDS awareness clinic as a sign of Mzungu (white people and thereby rich) backing. John Morrison mentioned a statistic to me before I left that went something like “John Morrison and Jake Lester are in the top 20% of world’s wealthiest people.” In my mind the gap between John Morrison and myself is remarkably huge. However, in Africa someone must have blasted that stat from the mosque speakers because EVERYONE acted as if I was Bill Gates. That meant everything from seemingly innocent befrienders who only wanted money to people cheating you on fair price of everything to some people looking at you with hatred in their eyes. I was both a god and a demon.

Joe and Melissa were married by the Nile. It was a lovely experience and perhaps two weeks later there was a huge partying with all of the Suubi women there to celebrate. The partying was intense, marvelous and lots of fun.

Jon arrived not long before Josh went home. I’m going to take a sidebar to note how many J names were living in the house: Jon, Josh, Joe, Jacob, and before I arrived, Julie, John, and Josey. Jon is from New Mexico and after being fed up as an accountant traveled to South Africa and was making his around East Africa before joining his brother who runs a kick boxing gym in Ethiopia. Jon was quiet, adventurous, and full of good ideas about the world and everyone in it. When not at Suubi or making house visits- Jon and I would hang out in town.

Andrew, an African boy who helps out by washing the van and things of that nature, had a sister, Agnes, in the Children’s Hospital with HIV/AIDS and TB. Jon and I would visit almost everyday and encourage her to walk, eat, and talk. We bought stuffed animals which she loved and even though she seemed to be improving- she began to cough blood. For those of you who don’t know TB destroys your lungs. The blood she coughed was not just red watery blood but also dark red blood with spongy chunks of lung. After a week or so, she began to improve and I believed she’d soon go home and be able lead a semi-normal life. Not long after though, she died. Bunny was right I guess.

Jon, Joe, Melissa, Amberle and I returned again to Adrift. It was Amberle’s last day, she decided she wanted to jump. I had been told by the Jump Master that I could still jump without having to pay again which was very gracious on he’s part. It had already been well over a month and I couldn’t wait much longer or he might forget me. So we went. Jon went up with Amberle and I to videotape and being his normal self made some sly remarks about me pissing my pants on the way down to which my agitated voice responded with harsh phrases I will not utter here. I got rearrested to the death jump machine and walked out to ledge- firmly gripping the bar above my head meant only to steady yourself over the ledge. I gripped as one would grip the bicycle handles the very first time riding on two wheels. The jump master kindly, in the friendliest tone of voice asked me repeatedly to put my arms down, I lowered my left arm (I’m a sly bastard and knew I could hang on with my right arm just as well as with both). “That’s it.” he replied, “ just bring your other arm down now.” I refused, the reason for my refusing was I had told him before that if I didn’t jump on my own- he should give me a bit of a nudge into the Chasm of Death over looking the Nile. I stepped forward on the ledge- knowing he’d feel more comfortable shoving me the closer I was to the end of the ledge. I lowered my right arm and before I had time to breathe off I went plummeting toward what was a least going to be a gruesome death- if not long and painful. I opened my eyes about half way down and realized I was having the time of life, my next thought was the water seemed to be coming toward me awfull- SPLASH!!! I didn’t have time to finish the thought as I was dunked beneath the waterline to exactly my waistline (the accuracy of the those guys is incredible). I proceeded to bounce around for awhile feeling more alive and aware than I have ever been. The experience was- great! I’m tempted to jump again and I might before I leave.

When I turned 21, I decided to really make a commitment to change some things in my life. I’ve been walking everywhere as opposed to riding a motorcycle and have already saved close to 30 dollars. I’ve begun to think about what I’m eating- rather than just shoveling food in, I’m watching how much of this or that I’ll eat. ( all of the food watching will go out the window for two weeks once I’m back). I’ve also started exercising everyday. I made a budget for once I’m home and really have accomplished some interesting that I hadn’t really set out to, but I guess they will benefit me in the long run.

Recently, I have had some great times visiting a few of the different women and interesting experiences in town such as being caught in the middle of about 500 children running up main street and screaming chants in Luganda- they had won a marathon competition. I’ve befriended a 7’ German named Yahn as well. I’ll update again before I leave here but this is enough for now.