It's Always Something

One sad observation I have made here is that there seems to be no end to the overwhelming difficulties the people of Uganda face - particularly in the villages and in the north. The war has plagued the northern section of the country for over 20 years. Although cessation of hostilities is coming upon its third anniversary, the people here are only just beginning to have enough confidence in their safety to begin to move back to their lives outside of the Internally Displaced Persons camps. It is, in fact, rather interesting to be here now, as the closely packed huts are vacated and people move to homesteads and more comfortable living conditions. There is even a ritual to the process of moving away from the IDP camps. If a family feels confident in leaving and comfortable that they will be fine, they remove the roof of their IDP hut and knock the walls down, leaving a very distinct remnant of their stay.
The camps we have visited are filled with such symbols of a new beginning. But some do not feel certain that they will make it at home. These families leave their hut standing, often moving from IDP to homestead and back many times until they are ready to make a permanent move.
There is reason for concern about the future. This year, as the movement away from camps has been happening, it has been particularly dry here. Crops are not growing, and often are drying up completely. We had the opportunity to go to Atiak with some Sisters from St. Monica’s who are attempting to build another Girls Tailoring School there. They had recently gone to plant some crops on the large plot of land, but when we arrived, we found that the entire field was completely dry and brown. Not a single plant remained alive, and there was no hope to save anything. This frustration is also devastating the people here and in many areas of Uganda. I believe most of the people rely on producing their own foods, with only small supplements added to the crops they can grow. When the climate cooperates, the food is abundant and provides for the family and also for some income from selling the excess. But this is not working during the drought. The day before we visited Atiak, 2 people died of hunger in the small village. They were the most recent among others who have not been able to withstand the extreme hunger, and they will likely not be the last.
Happily, from the generosity of some of our friends in the US, we came with money to be used specifically for feeding those in need, so we arrived there with bread and a donut for each child. They were given tea as well, and it was a great feast! Fr. Arnold, the priest there, said that it would likely be the only meal of the day for the children. Along the hot and very bumpy journey to Atiak, we also bought 100 pounds each of rice and beans to help feed the community. This experience, along with many others we are having each day, gives a whole new meaning to the call from the Gospel to feed the hungry.
We have all come to appreciate food very much, and water as well. We eat small portions, mostly by choice, because it is hard to be living among those who suffer and not share in their plight. There is no shortage of food at our table each meal, thanks to the very kind Sisters of the Sacred Heart here, but we are all very conscious of overeating and waste now. Well, almost all of us. Jimmy has earned the nicjkname “Exploratory” for being willing to try anything and eat well! This makes the Sisters very happy! Mandy and Alyssa also were very brave when the roasted ants came out - they both tried them like troopers and didn’t mind them at all. Not so for Fr. Don and I, as we were not brave enough to take the plunge!
The problems here do not end with drought and near famine conditions. Jobs are nearly impossible to find, and wages are meager at best. It is an economy with little new infusion of cash, so it is hard to see a way to build the job base and the living conditions here. The corruption only adds to the problem. It is often hard to separate the truly needy from the truly crafty. They are well versed in creating stories to tug at the heartstrings, knowing that these stories are true for so many. I have been asked for money by nearly everyone I meet, for needs varying from shoes to food to start-up for a new business. Another popular ploy is mentioning a relative who has just died and needs to be transported home for burial. We are checking stories carefully and helping those truly in need when we can, for true need is overwhelmingly present.
A host of other problems contribute to the difficult life here that can seem hopeless. Transportation is difficult at best, and traffic accidents are not uncommon.
It is better here in Gulu, where there are few taxis and most travel using bicycles or boda bodas, or by walking. Roads are better this year in Uganda, but still often filled with large potholes. Medical care is hard to find, and disease is rampant. There are signs of malnourishment everywhere - perhaps even to the extent that mental development is affected. Water is hard to get, and clean healthy water is rarte if not in bottles.
This constant struggle is very powerfully evident, but being here is not so oppressive. In fact, in some ways it is idyllic. Everything is done by hand, and the people here are meticulous about their daily work. Chapati - like tortillas - is made perfectly round, vegetables are cut with precision, and even the driveways and dirt yards are swept regularly. God’s presence is very notable here, where people rely on faith to make it through the day. There is little complaining - in fact much less than at home - and great joy in small things like a piece of candy or a heavy rain to water the crops well. I am filled with peace here, and do not feel out of place or anxious to return home. Of course I do miss everyone and will rejoice in returning, and I would be ecstatic with a pepperoni pizza right now, but I have made this my temporary home and settled into life here with all its struggles, trying to grow spiritually and personally from all I see and experience. We are graced to be staying with the Sacred Heart Sisters who are so filled with love and hospitality, and the people here greet you so kindly and happily wherever you go. We all feel that this will be life changing in terms of appreciating things and more importantly people.
We are heading out for a safari for a few days. It has been hard to get online here, but I will add more posts as soon as I can. I have so much to share because of all we have been seeing and doing. We have visited IDP camps, the sites of the two worst massacres of the war, schools, families, and even some local sites that were overwhelmingly wonderful. And we are making many good friends. 8,000 miles will not be so far away knowing that these people are here and we are all praying for each other’s well being and salvation. God is definitely so very, very good and so present in our days. May he bless all of you abundantly.