After two rough weeks at the Bible study at Nariko, we finally had the sort of study this week that is missionary-newsletter-worthy. I rode out with our teacher, Emmy, not sure what to expect. Sunday night, we had almost 4cm of rain, but Monday’s sun
When I began thinking about buying a bicycle, I asked our local bike expert how much a new ride would cost. UGX 130000 was the answer (about $50 US). I then asked what about a used bicycle, and was told UGX 120000. I couldn’t believe
Here’s one way to open a Bible study: What is more important—fighting baboons or listening to the Word of God? Such are the incongruities of which our lives are made in Karamoja. Incongruous in the developed world, perhaps, but not at all out of place
With apologies to those hoping for some big news from the mission, this post may not scratch you where you itch. I just came across this interesting article that was too strange not to share. You don’t often expect a web designer to draw lessons
As the Okkens have moved now into their house, I am pivoting to the other side of my job description—that of providing assistance to the Word ministry. In particular, the pastors are hoping that I can provide technical help in the areas of radio broadcast
…When you realize that you’ve made good friends. I suppose that this story won’t find any purchase among the cellular telephone generation, but those of a more ancient persuasion might recall the anxious time of waiting for dinner guests who are late. In our case,
Our workers get a lot of flak for being lazy, often deservedly. Or we couch the accusation in anthropological terms—that taking advantage of those with more resources than you, viz. the employer, is an essential aspect of the Karimojong culture. That way, instead of saying
In lieu of Memorial Day, we have two holidays back-to-back—namely Martyrs’ Day and Heroes’ Day. I am unclear on the meaning of Heroes’ Day (which we celebrate on Monday), but it has been suggested that, lacking any other special vestment, I might get away with
Exactly what I was expecting when we returned to Uganda, I’m not sure. Our lives are full of little oddities that are easy to forget when we are away, and so remarkable when we return to what we call normalcy. I did not expect how