A night out! A rarity for me. And a super special treat!
Last year at camp I befriended a man named Godfrey. Godfrey is intense, he definitely has a dramatic flare (which, of course, I LOVE!), and both of these qualities play out in His spiritual life. He loves Jesus very much, he wrestles through tough issues in his life, and he is determined to find JOY in the Lord, no matter what. Every Sunday we greet each other at church, and this past Sunday we made plans to have dinner and catch up.
I just assumed we would walk to one of the two restaurants I'm acquainted with on the main road in town, but Godfrey had something much better in mind. He picked me up from my hotel in a taxi and we went downtown!!!! I can't explain what a big deal this is for me. To give you a better idea, I have only travelled the area outside the road that leads to school like 3 times in almost two months...and I haven't been downtown since I arrived. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying, it was awesome to go out!! Also, we went out at night. For safety reasons I am never out at night because I often travel alone. Because I was escorted by a man, an African man nonetheless, I could enjoy the beauty that is Africa at dusk. Since I have never, and I mean NEVER, been out passed dark, my friends who work at the hotel called Pastor Dongo to make sure I was alright. Now that's service!!!
Okay, back to the story. Godfrey took me to Speke Hotel. It was very nice! We sat on the veranda, or whatever other fancy word I should use to mean a patio. Uganda is located on the equator, so everything is green, and gorgeous. We sat across the street from a well manicured golf course where I could look out and enjoy the view. Godfrey acted as my guide, showing me sites like the Sheraton Hotel, the first hotel ever in Uganda, and the Parliament building. He bought me dinner, pizza and soda, which was so delicious! After dinner we walked around the hotel. There was an area where several large groups of Ugandans where meeting, and he explained they were all separate families who were assigning tasks for weddings. Weddings are a HUGE deal in Uganda! Evidently, they have these meetings where each family member declares what he or she can contribute to the celebration. It was awesome to view firsthand, a part of such a culturally rich tradition.
Then, we left the hotel and walked around the downtown area. Godfrey was pleasantly surprised that I was such a "strong women" who could "move around". I was pleasantly surprised that he noticed and proud to show him a different side to American women. Most Ugandans are used to seeing muzungo ride around in cars, and evidently some assume it is because we are frail. I wasn't offended in the least, on the contrary it was very amusing! When I told him I walked to and from school everyday he was shocked, and told me he just assumed Pastor Dongo picked me up and dropped me off.
As we walked around, there was a band playing in a nearby hotel. My dad and brother would have loved it!!! We went in the hotel, walked around, and found our way to the swimming pool! Godfrey asked if I liked swimming. I said yes, and he was determined to set a time to take me. I declined the invitation because it will be hard to fit it in before I leave, but I mention it to show you a very sweet part of the Ugandans I've known. Ugandans are determined to experience life. They have faith that God will make a way for them to see and do the impossible! So, when they hear I would like experience something, they do everything in their power to make it happen. I just think it's such a beautiful quality...tenacity! They are fighters! They don't survive life, they fight for it! They believe for it! And somehow, they are genuinely thankful through the process. I've have learned SO many lessons on life from my friends in Uganda. I'm truly blessed by them!!
Okay, so then he got a taxi and took me home. It was SOOOOO fun! I thanked God for the treat! And of course I thanked Godfrey as well!!
I love yall SO much! Thanks for pouring into my life and standing by me both in Uganda, and also life in the States. I pray the blessings you have given me are multiplied by our Father in your own lives. You're the best!!!
Jenna
