This has probably been the longest break from blogging we have ever had. I have to say though, this has been the most challenging event in our lives to date and we have been so busy just finding our feet and setting up home here in Kampala in between the power cuts or lack of internet. It is wonderful to be together again and I can now say we are finally almost unpacked and almost everything has its place. The house is fantastic but like every move, there is always a few surprises. Just when you thought you had unpacked and organised everything into the giant fitted wardrobes, you find woodworm and everything has to come out, (including us!). Almost a week later we are able to put it all back and move the cot and tonight we will be back in our bedroom again. Abi and Matthew now have their own room and all three kids are feeling pretty settled now. We have had the usual health issues plus a few extra. Our first tummy bug has visited each member of the family and after two weeks I think I can safely say it has left the house! I had several mouth ulcers at once when we first arrived which I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was due to elevated stress levels ;0) We are going through the large wound dressings at an alarming rate and I think at one point everyone except Andy had at least one, if not two skinned knees. Getting used to the uneven ground and trip hazards and ditches everywhere around the house for water drainage has taken the kids some time to get used to. Eilidh, who loves to run everywhere, was continually falling over and if its not too hot we go for leggings to give the knees a break!
We had started visiting a few churches but life has just been so hectic and tiring getting used to such a different culture that I was finding it overwhelming. Yesterday we went to hang out around the airfield and hanger where Andy works and just took a picnic and chairs, a bible and the kids bikes and we had a really special family time. It was just what I was needing. Living in such a noisy and busy city takes some getting used. It is very dirty and driving past people living in such harsh conditions with so little while you are bouncing up and down over speed bumps and pot holes to get to where you need to be - lets just say it was refreshing to withdraw to somewhere peaceful and where the scenery was spectacular and you can again place your eyes on the creator of all things.
I have been driving a little and can confidently get to the kids new school and get back without getting lost. I used to depend on the sat nav so much in America - now I usually drive with Andy's scribbled maps in one hand or Abi sits in the back with a pen and paper and writes "TR" or "TL" as I shout them out to her :0) I am not ready to drive to the other side of town yet, that is an intense experience just being a passenger! I am so thankful Andy was able to be here for three months and gain confidence with the driving. He knows his way around well and handles the lack of rules on the road brilliantly making life much easier when you need to get to a specific shop. Relaxing saturday's are a distant memory as we try to juggle the food shop across town as well as other DIY things etc with all three children in tow. Last Saturday Andy took all three to the cinema just so I could try and get some fabric for making curtains. The plan was also for me to try and get the food shop done but it took almost the whole time they were at the cinema just for the choosing, cutting, and measuring the fabric. I think it took the guy about fifteen minutes just to work out my receipt. Gone are the days of buying a nicely packed pair of ready made curtains that match your windows perfectly. I think I may find someone who can sew better than me to make them up for me as the fabric is very expensive and I struggle getting two to look the same!!
After having only one mobile phone for emergencies in the states, I am having to get used to the mobile phone being my only way of contacting anyone, whether it be Andy, the MAF office, or the electric company etc. It has taken some time to get into a habit of making sure it is charged all the time. If the power goes out and my phone is dead - well life will be pretty isolating. So far I have managed to avoid that but I could do with a bunch of post it notes to remind myself to keep on top of all these little things!
We are so glad to be together, in our own house again. There has been so much to get used to and take in. Everything takes a long time and much more energy than you could imagine. Five weeks here, and we are still trying to establish our rubbish collection. Two weeks have passed and they have not taken our rubbish. We can't leave bags outside our gate as there are so many dogs about that rip them open. I was getting pretty fed up picking up our rubbish strewn accross the road/lane and bagging it all again. We did have to invest in a small wheelie bin. These are not common in Kampala and so very expensive - but a neccessity when you have four hungry dogs wandering just outside your gate.
We just loved having Nicky and Jane here and I was very sad to see them go. It is nice having people who know you around you when you are going through so many other changes. Andy was able to organise a MAF flight for them to go on while they were here. They brought their African friends to our house and it was a great privilege to share fellowship with them also.
A few weeks after we moved we heard about a family who were leaving Kampala and needed a home for their 11 year old arthritic dog Issac. We were thrilled to take him on and Eilidh in particular has really taken to him. She picks his food up peice by piece and takes it to him. I found Issac sleeping today with her dolls blanket lain over him! She has also made a little habit of soaking herself as she tries to pic up his water bowl and take it to him - I think she senses his legs are sore and tries to make life easier for him. She is quite the little nurse :0) Last Friday we heard about German shepherd puppies that were needing homes. Now that we are more settled and unpacked we were really excited to buy one and tonight we brought home our new puppy Skye! I am so glad we brought our metal hexagonal playpen - it's ideal for her to sleep in and she is a little terrified of Issac at the moment. Tomorrow will be our first day with her so lots of excitement I'm sure.
In the midst of the dirt and chaos of Kampala there lies incredible beauty - the African people. I have already been moved by their welcoming nature. You never pass anyone by without greeting them and the children love to smile and wave to you. I am so blessed to have an amazing christian lady called Irene who is our house help. If it was not for her help and advice I think I would be slowly unravelling about now. She helps keep on top of all the housework. Everything item that is hung on the washing line has to be ironed to kill the mango fly eggs - that includes towels, and socks etc - things you would never think about ironing in Scotland. The ironing can only be done however, when you have power so a "mountain of ironing" takes on a whole new meaning! Just having another person around who can help translate when people come knocking on the gate or if an African phones me and I can't understand their accent yet - she can help me. She is able to travel to the market place and get fresh produce for much cheaper than in the shops - she is just invaluable and she is God's graceful provision to our family. She has four children the same ages as ours. It is wonderful to be able to bless her family with things that we do not need and she also brings her youngest Esther with her at times. Esther is 2 1/2 years. Eilidh and Esther wander around the garden sometimes holding hands - Esther chatting in Luganda and Eilidh in English - neither understanding each other, but neither caring. When Abi and Matthew go to school in August Eilidh will have a regular companion - another provision by God.
Those of you who know me know I struggle at packing light and talking little! I know this is a mammoth blog but I hope it gives you an insight into the challenges and joys of kampala. I was talking to another MAF wife yesterday and she was saying it took around two years before she felt like Uganda was 'home'. I know I am not there yet and was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong because I don't quite feel the connection between home and Uganda just yet so it was a great comfort to me to hear that. She also mentioned about the way a seadling has to be nurtured and protected from the elements. Only when it is been cared for carefully for a time can it be planted in the garden and expected to survive. She warned me about being exposed too soon to too much around me and how to take it slowly. Great words of wisdom that will stick with me.
Thank you so much for praying for us. We appreciate your encouraging comments so much. We are so blessed to be here and look forward to sharing more with you about life here, in particular about the impact MAF is making here in Uganda and the surrounding areas. Many MAF families are away home on furlough at the moment so please pray for safe travels for them and strength while they visit family, friends and churches. We have just sent out our latest news letter. If you didn't get it and would like to please email us on:
heatherswansonmaf@gmail.com
andyswansonmaf@gmail.com
God Bless and thank you for sharing this journey with us,
Heatherx
(I am struggling to upload photo's with this blog so text will have to do for now - we will try and get some pics out soon :0)
