Let me share with you a glance of what a typical day looks like for me here in Keyo, Uganda. We have set-up our tents inside a concrete building and are finally able to put our camping gear to use! Our home is a short walk away from an IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp.
Waking around 6:30am, I climb out of my tent and unlock the door. The sky is just starting to light up and the coolness of morning is perfect and peaceful. I move the small cookstove, charcoal, kerosene, and matches outside in order to start our cooking fire. After setting a pot of water onto boil, I use the peace of the morning for my quiet time of reading and praying. The privacy doesn’t last long, kids begin showing up to watch us. They tend to mostly hang out a short distance away, drawing closer as the day unfolds. Around 7:30am, my team gathers for prayer – speaking and listening to God. Breakfast has consisted of bread with peanut butter/jam, pancakes, scrambled eggs, or cornflakes.
At 9am, we meet around 100 kids near the soccer field, for songs, story time, and games. This time is filled with laughter, excitement, and love. Afterwards, we head back home to rest and warm leftovers for our lunch. 1pm to 3pm is the hottest part of the day and is spent resting, reading, and hanging out at our home. Sometimes, resting is only a good thought, because the kids (whose numbers have grown to 10 or more) are peering into our windows, laughing, and running around in front of our door. When we go to ask them to leave, they mimic us, laugh, and run, only to turn around and come back. They see this as a game, which leaves us at a loss. We are struggling to know how to love these children when the kids have no sense of boundaries or respect. This is especially difficult since we are learning to live without having rights. So what is the balance between not having rights and not being taken advantage of?
The afternoons vary. Sometimes we walk around the camp praying for people or walk to see the gardens. Other times we will go to visit or learn about how they live. One of my favorite things to do here is to hang out with the people at their home, helping peel cassava or cracking peanuts. Their culture intrigues me! A few of us have also gone to celebrations or meetings.
Since we are cooking for ourselves, two people will also stay back to fix supper. This meal consists of rice/beans, cabbage, potatoes, pasta, or stew. Sometimes we will walk to the outdoor market to buy a few tomatoes or sweet potatoes to add to our meal. I love outdoor markets! Evenings consist of supper, conversation, team feedback, and prayer. Then it’s off to our tents around 10pm.
