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Posted on July 28, 2009 - by Carter

An Unexpected Morning

An Unexpected Morning

Hey, this is Carter, David and Scott. On the eve of this past Saturday we went to sleep not knowing what would await us the next morning. We were planning on waking up, rolling out of bed and into our nice church attire. However, as Sheri knocked on our doors earlier than anticipated we were awaken by an unexpected visitor, Kennedy NO NAME, a worker at FDNC.

Kennedy had arranged for the three of us to come to his village for breakfast, prayers and lunch; however, we knew nothing of these plans. Going with the flow, and eager for an adventure, we jumped at the opportunity, a widely adopted African tendency.

As our culture enriching adventure began, we walked into town to find a Taxi. We were introduced to Kennedy’s cousin Apollo, a nineteen year old science and math teacher. We were amazed that this young man, around our age, was working what we know as a middle-age adult job. As the taxi drivers flooded towards us as oncoming customers Kennedy swiftly cut a deal with one of the gentlemen. The three of us and Apollo climbed into the backseat an old beat-up sedan, with Kennedy up front with our driver. Our first stop of what seemed like many was at the Petroil station (gas station) where Kennedy turned to us and ask for 10,000 Ugandan Shillings. We of course complied and continued on our way. In the outskirts of Mbale we stopped by a MTN boutique for Apollo to buy some ‘airtime’ for his cell phone. As we got ready to leave, the car driver tried to start the car, but failed. This must have been a regular issue for the car, because the driver promptly stepped outside, popped the hood, and miraculously started the car. Soon thereafter as we were back on our way we made a final stop before leaving town and heading up to the mountain village where Kennedy and his family lived. At this juncture a small child no more than 3 years old climbed into the front seat and sat down on Kennedy’s lap. Fearing to say something stupid, none of us asked who this kid was and what he was doing there. Later we found out that the kid had some relation to the driver. Scott, paying interest to the landscape and people, failed to notice the kid until about half way through the ride. He was most confused when he did see him, and shot looks of surprise to Carter and David.

As we left Mbale, the roads turned to dirt and the buildings turned to huts. We wound our way up through the jungly mountain side, a path that seemed only conquerable by the most daring four-wheelers. Our old sedan was certainly unfit for the journey. As we started to fear for our lives we noticed the child shifting the car back and forth from drive to neutral, and pulling the parking break with his other hand. Something that must be a children’s game here in Uganda. It was an exciting and exhilarating ride, which ended at Kennedy’s fathers house.

We stepped into his home, a fairly average home with mud walls and basic furniture to learn that we we going to be fed a breakfast of milk-tea and rolls. We all glanced at each other with faces of slight confusion, knowing that we had no choice but to eat what they put in front of us. We had no greater fear that the milk would be fresh from a goat and deliciously pungent. However we were pleasantly surprised that the milk tea was very good after it was cooled and made foamy by pouring it from one cup into another over and over again. The rolls were great, and we made nice conversation with Kennedy’s family, though the language barrier limited us. Obama came up, girlfriends- shout out to Kaitlin Phalen, politics, livestock, farming, school, family, etc. It was really nice to be welcomed into a house so graciously. If there is anything we can take home with us from Uganda culture, it’s their hospitality.

We left the house and walked down the road to a small Catholic Church where we were seated up front facing the congregation. The congregation met us with joy, handshakes, and many many smiles. We were confused when people of the congregation walked forward and placed items of food in the middle of the church. Later in the service men began to pick up the food and auction it off. It was a way for the people to give to the church when they didn’t have any money. we were given the fruit that wasn’t sold and walked out of the church with 6 avacados a tomato and a passionfruit. We returned to Kennedy’s house to eat matoke, rice, and coca colas and continue our conversations. After meeting all of Kenndy’s family we hopped back in the taxi and returned home. The trip left us 40,000 schillings poorer but 8 pieces of fruit richer and with a many wonderful memories.

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