I'm home! What a task ahead of me. Coming into the semester two weeks late is daunting, especially with my strenuous class load, but I know hard work will pull me through. In other words, this blog will be left untouched until January due to me not being in Africa and being extremely busy. Thanks for your support,
Eric Smith
Friday, September 10, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Sep 8
Plane right was uneventful, as most are. I just realized that I am going to be spending 2 out of two and a half nights on planes before my test. Bring it on.
We rented a car when we landed in Holland, only to fall asleep in a parking lot for three hours. Then we went to a cathedral in Amsterdam, ate some delicious bread (something we missed in uganda), and toured Cory Ten Boom's house. We walked around some scenic/quaint side streets before driving an hour to Rotterdam. We boarded the Painenkoekenboot, a two-story boat that serves all you can eat pancakes while cruising around the canals of Rotterdam. We missed the memo that the 1:30 trip would be specifically for children birthday parties, so we were surrounded by hoards of cute little dutch children. As they played games and danced we surveyed the landscape and stuffed ourselves with German-style pancakes.
Funny story: I asked one of the servers, "Can I get a picture of water? (as in a container of water). He responded, "Sure go upstairs." He had misunderstood me, thinking that I was asking him if I could take a photo of the Rotterdam bay. We laughed for about 5 minutes straight. Then we toured a magnificent park complete with artificial ponds and extremely abstract modern art.
Next we went to The Hage, the political center of the Netherlands. We toured the royal palace and its magnificent gardens. We saw two cathedrals and walked through more european-esque side streets.
That was the day. Somewhere in there we went to see some old windmills and canals. I went the entire day without someone greeting me! Night and day from Uganda. I better go catch some zzz's, we leave bright and early (or dark and early?) at 4 in the morning. My next post will be made at home! See you all soon.
We rented a car when we landed in Holland, only to fall asleep in a parking lot for three hours. Then we went to a cathedral in Amsterdam, ate some delicious bread (something we missed in uganda), and toured Cory Ten Boom's house. We walked around some scenic/quaint side streets before driving an hour to Rotterdam. We boarded the Painenkoekenboot, a two-story boat that serves all you can eat pancakes while cruising around the canals of Rotterdam. We missed the memo that the 1:30 trip would be specifically for children birthday parties, so we were surrounded by hoards of cute little dutch children. As they played games and danced we surveyed the landscape and stuffed ourselves with German-style pancakes.
Funny story: I asked one of the servers, "Can I get a picture of water? (as in a container of water). He responded, "Sure go upstairs." He had misunderstood me, thinking that I was asking him if I could take a photo of the Rotterdam bay. We laughed for about 5 minutes straight. Then we toured a magnificent park complete with artificial ponds and extremely abstract modern art.
Next we went to The Hage, the political center of the Netherlands. We toured the royal palace and its magnificent gardens. We saw two cathedrals and walked through more european-esque side streets.
That was the day. Somewhere in there we went to see some old windmills and canals. I went the entire day without someone greeting me! Night and day from Uganda. I better go catch some zzz's, we leave bright and early (or dark and early?) at 4 in the morning. My next post will be made at home! See you all soon.
Sep 7
Today I packed and taught first aid, before we left for Entebbe in the afternoon.
Teaching was even better today although the questions were brutal. One girl asked, "How does dipping cuts in kerosene kill infection?" When I answered that I had never heard of kerosene being used as an antiseptic, she asked, "Well how do the ones in America work?" Yep, hard questions, especially when explaining it to an eight year old. The school we visited was without power, so we had to do the presentation by memory. Moses and I also didn't have the intrigue factor that my computer had supplied the day before, so we had to involve the kids more. Anyway, great time.
We had an extremely aggressive driver take us to the airport, and that's saying something for Uganda. He weaved through the city, passing the never ending "jam" on Kampala's main road. Great guy though. He wants our family to eat dinner at his house when we return in January/February.
Right when we passed airport security it became apparent that we were back into westernized society. Sketchy/materialistic ads were plastering the airport shops, things that are impossible to find elsewhere in Uganda. That was a little depressing.
Teaching was even better today although the questions were brutal. One girl asked, "How does dipping cuts in kerosene kill infection?" When I answered that I had never heard of kerosene being used as an antiseptic, she asked, "Well how do the ones in America work?" Yep, hard questions, especially when explaining it to an eight year old. The school we visited was without power, so we had to do the presentation by memory. Moses and I also didn't have the intrigue factor that my computer had supplied the day before, so we had to involve the kids more. Anyway, great time.
We had an extremely aggressive driver take us to the airport, and that's saying something for Uganda. He weaved through the city, passing the never ending "jam" on Kampala's main road. Great guy though. He wants our family to eat dinner at his house when we return in January/February.
Right when we passed airport security it became apparent that we were back into westernized society. Sketchy/materialistic ads were plastering the airport shops, things that are impossible to find elsewhere in Uganda. That was a little depressing.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sep 6
What an amazing day. I'm absolutely exhausted, so I am hoping what I write will be semi-coherent.
I felt I should bring Moses to help me teacher- weird because he has no background in health. Turns out he opened many doors. He teaches Bible stories once a week to the primary schools in this area, so he knows the teachers and head masters. He worked his magic and we taught at different schools for about 5 hours, with as little as ten minutes notice. Moses was an excellent actor and the kids loved him. I am so grateful I asked him to help me!
We gave stickers to the little kids who answered questions and even showed some of them pictures from America on my lap top. They were enthralled. Everyone was calling me "Doctor Eric" and thinking that I knew the answer to every question they asked. This translated to some excruciating questions. I was definitely blessed to find a way to answer all of their inquiries. Some of the teachers told me that I am welcome to continue teaching in their classrooms when I return, which I hope will pan out. I am teaching 400 more students tomorrow!
One quick experience from teaching: I was teaching about first aid for brain
injury and concussions, specifically the need to provide liquids to drink. One of the boys asked, "I heard we should give beer to dull the pain, is that right?" I got to indirectly bare my testimony to him and the entire class, warning of the dangers of alcohol. I detailed all of its negative effects on the body and finished by saying that most importantly, alcohol addicts, destroying lives. I feel so blessed to have the truth of the gospel and the freedom that its high standards bring!
PS: Uganda has one of the highest alcoholism rates in Africa.
It's sad that only at the end of this trip have I finally lined up service opportunities, when I won't be able to use them until January. I have 4 NGO's (rural development, AIDS, single mothers, and health education) and many schools to teach at when I return. I can barely wait to get super involved in serving with these organizations.
I felt I should bring Moses to help me teacher- weird because he has no background in health. Turns out he opened many doors. He teaches Bible stories once a week to the primary schools in this area, so he knows the teachers and head masters. He worked his magic and we taught at different schools for about 5 hours, with as little as ten minutes notice. Moses was an excellent actor and the kids loved him. I am so grateful I asked him to help me!
We gave stickers to the little kids who answered questions and even showed some of them pictures from America on my lap top. They were enthralled. Everyone was calling me "Doctor Eric" and thinking that I knew the answer to every question they asked. This translated to some excruciating questions. I was definitely blessed to find a way to answer all of their inquiries. Some of the teachers told me that I am welcome to continue teaching in their classrooms when I return, which I hope will pan out. I am teaching 400 more students tomorrow!
One quick experience from teaching: I was teaching about first aid for brain
injury and concussions, specifically the need to provide liquids to drink. One of the boys asked, "I heard we should give beer to dull the pain, is that right?" I got to indirectly bare my testimony to him and the entire class, warning of the dangers of alcohol. I detailed all of its negative effects on the body and finished by saying that most importantly, alcohol addicts, destroying lives. I feel so blessed to have the truth of the gospel and the freedom that its high standards bring!
PS: Uganda has one of the highest alcoholism rates in Africa.
It's sad that only at the end of this trip have I finally lined up service opportunities, when I won't be able to use them until January. I have 4 NGO's (rural development, AIDS, single mothers, and health education) and many schools to teach at when I return. I can barely wait to get super involved in serving with these organizations.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sep 5
My testimony went pretty smoothly. I only had to look at my cheat sheet once and, even better, someone told me I only messed up 5 words! I got to legitmately bear my testimony to a guy at the mechanic shop next door to the church. Then I invited two girls to church the next Sunday; it turns out they are LDS. The best part of the entire day was bringing Orosias to church. Here's his story:
I have been trying for 2 and a half weeks to bring some of the vendors from the fruit market to church with me. After committing multiple people to church and getting a lot of no shows I finally told three guys I would pick them up. The first two guys turned me down, and the last one, Orosias, started making an excuse when I grabbed his hand and started pulling him down the road toward the church. It worked. He came to 2 and a half hours of church! That is literally phenominal for Uganda, where most investigators take a couple months to work up that much church committment. Orosias also promised me that he would come to Family Home Evening and is hopefully going to have a short discussion with the missionaries tomorrow! I am so excited for this guy.
We had a lesson in priesthood about forgiveness. Everyone had amazing stories about losing family members to political strife and having to forgive. Very spiritual.
Tonight we had a Mzungu bbq at the the campus playground which was loads of fun. I talked to a guy from Ethopia for about 45 minutes, 90% of which was spiritual. Although not a member, Moses had a rock solid testimony of Christ-like service. When I asked him where he wanted to be in ten years, he replied, "Me, I don't care what I am doing, as long as I am serving others and my God." Really cool. Although I am technicalling not supposed to invite him to church, he is coming to FHE tomorrow at the chapel to play soccer.
I have been trying for 2 and a half weeks to bring some of the vendors from the fruit market to church with me. After committing multiple people to church and getting a lot of no shows I finally told three guys I would pick them up. The first two guys turned me down, and the last one, Orosias, started making an excuse when I grabbed his hand and started pulling him down the road toward the church. It worked. He came to 2 and a half hours of church! That is literally phenominal for Uganda, where most investigators take a couple months to work up that much church committment. Orosias also promised me that he would come to Family Home Evening and is hopefully going to have a short discussion with the missionaries tomorrow! I am so excited for this guy.
We had a lesson in priesthood about forgiveness. Everyone had amazing stories about losing family members to political strife and having to forgive. Very spiritual.
Tonight we had a Mzungu bbq at the the campus playground which was loads of fun. I talked to a guy from Ethopia for about 45 minutes, 90% of which was spiritual. Although not a member, Moses had a rock solid testimony of Christ-like service. When I asked him where he wanted to be in ten years, he replied, "Me, I don't care what I am doing, as long as I am serving others and my God." Really cool. Although I am technicalling not supposed to invite him to church, he is coming to FHE tomorrow at the chapel to play soccer.
Sep 4
We went on an AWESOME jungle hike today. Monkeys were literally everywhere! Then we drove home and I worked on my testimony for an hour. I'm praying someone will understand me!
Sep 3
Today we did a morning tour of the park. We saw a lot of the same, plus a dot in the distance that our tour guide called a lion. Then we went on a boat ride. This was my favorite part of the park by far. The sky was absolutely filled with many species of water birds and there was lots of hippos and crocodiles. I was amazed to see kids from a small fishing village swimming less than two hundred meters from a hippo, with waterbuck grazing less than thirty feet away. I think we saw seven different species of cranes. When we got back to our hotel, I went for a run to the top of a nearby mountain/hill. I followed a trail that snaked its way through a tiny farming village with huts consisting entirely of grass bundles. The view from the top was phenomenal; you could see miles of savanna. I stayed up really late watching the England/Bulgaria UEFA qualifier and some rugby (which is officially my favorite sport to watch now).
Sep 2
We woke up early and traveled for 7 hours to a national park right on the Congo border. I studied for my PdBio 120 pretest for about four hours (I am trying to test out of a class) and slept for the rest. Our driver bought us some heavenly passion fruit, some of the best fruit I have ever tasted. After driving for 4ish hours through the jungle, we scaled a mountain range and dropped into an arid savanna. Within 15 miles the lush forests evaporated! That was a shock.
I am still getting over the roads here. Main roads are riddled with potholes and extremely narrow, forcing drivers to weave at high speeds only a couple feet from markets filled with people. Many times I was forced to look at my feet/read a book to distract myself from the dangerous situation.
Anyway, we arrived safely in Queen Elisabeth Park. For about 3 hours we drove around the reserve, seeing antelopes, waterbucks, warthogs, elephants, and water buffalo.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Sept. 1
Today I went to local primary/secondary schools looking for volunteer opportunities as a first aid teacher. I was expecting a big interview process with me explaining why I'm qualified, but that didn't happen. Within seconds of telling the Head Master of my idea, he was scheduling me for an assembly. On Monday I will be teaching first aid to around 400 elementary aged students. I am absolutely ecstatic. I also left notes at six other schools, so we'll see if any of those pan out.
I am working on getting a translation of my testimony for Sunday; I really hope people can understand my poor pronunciation. I have invited about eight people to church on the condition that they could make fun of me when I messed up my Luganda.
Probably the hardest thing about being an American in Uganda is the people asking you for money. Sometimes it is appropriate for you to respond "olimba ssebo" or "you deceive me," but unfortunately many times you know their stories are real. Douglas, a guy in our priest quorum, has had an amazingly hard life (the guy has lost 12 siblings and a mother in Rwanda). To make matters worse, his dad had a stroke this week, leaving him hospitalized with a coma. All of the money Douglas was going to use to jump-start a computer business was drained by the hefty medical bills. He came to us asking for the $150 he would need get his career in order.
The problem with giving money in Uganda (even as a loan) is that word spreads like wild fire and before you know it, everyone is using you for your money. Giving locals money also strengthens the "Muzungu-money" correlation, hurting the success of future visitors. One of Dad's colleges at BYU who does research regularly in Uganda warned about giving money, even when people sincerely need it, telling us to only give "when the spirit directed." This would seem to create a lose-lose situation: do you go counter-culture and "selfishly" abstain from sharing everything you have, or do you destroy current and future relationships by billboarding your willingness to share? Hard question. Luckily I have an inspired father. Here's what we did with Douglas:
From the get-go we empathized that God answers prayers. We related stories about the financial stress we have faced (although nothing even remotely close to what he is going through) and related that we have found strength in turning to prayer. I got to share my experience about paying for my mission, noting that it would have impossible without the Lord's help. Then, as my dad says, "we helped him help himself," brainstorming ideas to raise the needed money. We soon realized that he could rent a computer until he received his first paycheck (two weeks). This cut the cost down to one fifth of what it was originally. Then we realized that he could probably negotiate his loan, only paying half of the whole cost up front. Even then, the fifteen dollars he needed seemed miles out of reach. We all fasted and prayed. Miraculously, after two days of begging friends, he had found enough lenders get the money. He called me this morning to tell me he had got the money, reassuring me that his success came entirely from his Father in heaven as an answer to his prayers.
If we would have simply loaned Douglas the money from the beginning, both of our testimonies wouldn't have grown in the way it did. He will now be better equipped to survive future financial distress and has learned how to become more self-dependent.
I believe we can use Douglas's experience as a microcosm for each of our lives. We will all have intimidating trials in this life, sometimes seemingly more than we can bare. Instead of solving all of our problems for us, Heavenly Father allows us to stretch to our spiritual limit, trusting that all will work out. After doing all we can do and praying sincerely, inspiration will come and miracles will abound. I know that after overcoming these trials, we will be able to look back, seeing the many ways in which we have grown.
I won't be on this blog for the next 3 days as we are heading to a game reserve.
"Kotomda Okukume"
(God to bless)
Eric Smith
I am working on getting a translation of my testimony for Sunday; I really hope people can understand my poor pronunciation. I have invited about eight people to church on the condition that they could make fun of me when I messed up my Luganda.
Probably the hardest thing about being an American in Uganda is the people asking you for money. Sometimes it is appropriate for you to respond "olimba ssebo" or "you deceive me," but unfortunately many times you know their stories are real. Douglas, a guy in our priest quorum, has had an amazingly hard life (the guy has lost 12 siblings and a mother in Rwanda). To make matters worse, his dad had a stroke this week, leaving him hospitalized with a coma. All of the money Douglas was going to use to jump-start a computer business was drained by the hefty medical bills. He came to us asking for the $150 he would need get his career in order.
The problem with giving money in Uganda (even as a loan) is that word spreads like wild fire and before you know it, everyone is using you for your money. Giving locals money also strengthens the "Muzungu-money" correlation, hurting the success of future visitors. One of Dad's colleges at BYU who does research regularly in Uganda warned about giving money, even when people sincerely need it, telling us to only give "when the spirit directed." This would seem to create a lose-lose situation: do you go counter-culture and "selfishly" abstain from sharing everything you have, or do you destroy current and future relationships by billboarding your willingness to share? Hard question. Luckily I have an inspired father. Here's what we did with Douglas:
From the get-go we empathized that God answers prayers. We related stories about the financial stress we have faced (although nothing even remotely close to what he is going through) and related that we have found strength in turning to prayer. I got to share my experience about paying for my mission, noting that it would have impossible without the Lord's help. Then, as my dad says, "we helped him help himself," brainstorming ideas to raise the needed money. We soon realized that he could rent a computer until he received his first paycheck (two weeks). This cut the cost down to one fifth of what it was originally. Then we realized that he could probably negotiate his loan, only paying half of the whole cost up front. Even then, the fifteen dollars he needed seemed miles out of reach. We all fasted and prayed. Miraculously, after two days of begging friends, he had found enough lenders get the money. He called me this morning to tell me he had got the money, reassuring me that his success came entirely from his Father in heaven as an answer to his prayers.
If we would have simply loaned Douglas the money from the beginning, both of our testimonies wouldn't have grown in the way it did. He will now be better equipped to survive future financial distress and has learned how to become more self-dependent.
I believe we can use Douglas's experience as a microcosm for each of our lives. We will all have intimidating trials in this life, sometimes seemingly more than we can bare. Instead of solving all of our problems for us, Heavenly Father allows us to stretch to our spiritual limit, trusting that all will work out. After doing all we can do and praying sincerely, inspiration will come and miracles will abound. I know that after overcoming these trials, we will be able to look back, seeing the many ways in which we have grown.
I won't be on this blog for the next 3 days as we are heading to a game reserve.
"Kotomda Okukume"
(God to bless)
Eric Smith
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