The Beauty and the Poverty

Greetings from Jinjatown. We have been in the area for a few days to visit one of our former students, Henry, and to see more of the country. The internet is slow and hard to get to, but I am doing my best to keep updating you. There is so much to see, think about, and process.

Jinja is a strong contrast to Kampala as it is smaller and less chaotic. It is also near the Nile and Lake Victoria so a beautiful place. In fact, the source of the Nile is here - although Usuman doesn't agree!


Yesterday we went to Bujjagali Falls - a series of waterfalls in the Nile river. The area is absolutely breathtaking. It is nowhere near the size of Niagara Falls, but it is so scenic. There are a few little hut shops and a little Cantina on the banks - with the best Tilapia ever! Other than that, it is just open country, with residents living nearby. We took many photos, but they may not do it justice. We also took a boat ride - in something between the size of a canoe and a rowboat - 7 of us and a couple we befriended yesterday. That was an adventure - boating on the River Nile! It allowed us to see some amazing views, as we stopped along the way a few times.
The stops also allowed us to see some local people. I gave sweeties to the children I met - some were doing their own hand laundry, the others were playing while their mother did the washing. They were delighted by my camera and the photos I took of them.

AT the Cantina, a group of school girls befriended us, especially the young girls, and insisted on many photos together. They were from Marta Secondary School and were very sweet and fun. They also seemed to be thrilled to make contact with some American students!

I went with Fr. Don to visit Henry's wife and baby son. The baby, Brendan, is ill with Malaria and Measles, but we were able to give them what they needed for medical care. Henry and his wife Betty, along with Brendon, live in one small room with one twin mattress on the floor. They are blessed to have one electric light but have to go get water. We also visited more of Henry's family. There were 3 adults and 10 children there - and the children acted as if our visit was the best thing that ever happened to them. We had hugs all around, received huge and genuine smiles, and thrilled them with our photographic abilities. It was also a blessing to leave them with a small amount of money for food, as they looked as if they were quite malnourished.

It is hard to explain the contrast here. The country is beautiful and the people are so very kind and friendly. Yesterday a young couple from our Lodge offered to drive us to the Falls - a greatly appreciated offer given the difficulties of transportation here. They ended up staying with us for a drink and the boat ride, and we learned so much from them. Emmanuel and Solome will be people we continue to speak with in the future because they can be a very helpful resource here on the ground. They have connections and experience that will be helpful to us for sure. The Holy Spirit was truly at work.

But on the opposite end, the living conditions here are unbelievable and sad. And many are ill - it was heartbreaking to see Brendan so ill - especially when malaria is not so hard to cure with the right care. It has been hard for me to hold back from giving away all of our money quickly because people here all are in need. And so many children!

We have just come from Mass, and the homily, all 45 minutes of it!, was inspiring and appropriate. The priest spoke of how it is challenging to be the face of Jesus, and people should remember this and trust in God, stay focused, and keep their eyes on Jesus. He also reminded the people that the problems of life are God's problems. Good words indeed, but more so given the audience to whom he spoke. I imagine it can be hard to preach here, or perhaps it is easy because the people cling to the hope that Jesus provides. I'm not sure, but I know that I was deeply touched by the Mass today - all of it.

We are all well and happy here, and moving on to Gulu tomorrow (Monday). May God bless all of you.