Preparing for the traditional Marriage

It was so much fun preparing for the traditional marriage. On Thursday, we went to a huge outdoor market in Arapai. We bought some things in bulk, but ended up going to the boy in the main market to buy things because he always gives us the best price! 

During the week, we had many of Catherine's sisters in and out of the boys quarters(home in the back of our yard). They baked and decorated the cake, they ironed many dresses, cleaned the house, washed 150 plates for the marriage, cooked much food! It was so much fun! 

On the night before the marriage, Catherine slept in the boys quarters with her sister Ruth and we gave her a pedicure and manicure! It is a week I will never forget!

Joseph handing out money.

Picking out the perfect cabbage!

Thumping the cabbage to see if it is packed!

How many cabbage can Steve carry to the van??

Picking out 25 kilo of onion and trying to select the large ones!!

Ruth, Evalyn and Catherine decorating the cake!

So excited at the tailor's shop

At the tailor picking up their pretty dresses!

Kate and Karen being tied in the traditional way with their Gomas (traditional Ugandan dress) 

Catherine made Ashley a new dress for the marriage.

Amy waiting in the salon as Catherine gets her hair done.

Her hair is almost complete. 

Ashley in on all the girl fun!!

Giving Catherine a Pedicure and Manicure! 

Oscar's family moved to the village!

On Tuesday, Oscar's family moved to the village.  I told Oscar that I would take them. They moved to the village of Atira, which is about 1/2 hour away. He had told me the two weeks earlier that when they were done with the potatoes, they would be moving out to the village. I was so sad! My lap would feel so empty on Sunday's at church! I wanted to hold on to this precious family. I hadn't seen Oscar for a couple of weeks so I went to visit his home. Christine, his mom, said that Oscar was refusing to go to the village, until he could let me know! He also had been carrying around a little piece of paper that had his CD4 (he is HIV+) counts on it.  I had asked him once about it and he was so faithful to be carrying around this little piece of paper. He is so special to me! I told him then that I wanted to take them to the village so I could know where to visit him.  

We loaded up the van with luggage, a goat, a dog and children and made the trek to the village. His father even came along for the trip.  He took off work so he could escort his family. 

O was so worried about leaving Oscar in the village. How was he going to get his meds? Who was going to keep witnessing to his young mother? Why God are you removing this family that you brought into my life?? 

I was so happy when we got to the village. The children ran to greet their grandmother. There were hugs and you could see the love.  I met some of the ladies that lived near and even a step mom of the father. They were all born again.  I kept encouraging them to witness to Christine!! She is seeking the Lord, but is afraid!  God has it all under control! 

Please keep this family in your prayers.  I really want to visit them again before we come stateside, but time is going really fast!! 

Ashley's writing assignment- A short description of Pamba

Walking into Pamba town the first thing that fills my ears is the booming from the mud brick movie hall like thunder on a stormy day. I hear tons of bikes coming and going from house to house just like the hustle bustle in the market. There are hundreds of people talking and walking,buying food and getting bicycles fixed. Laughter and yelling from children playing all over fills the air above all others. The sound of music flows to town from the many drinking areas behind the crowed market street where people are buying more foods for meals during the day. The rumbling of generators echoes through town like many motors from cars, when power is out.

A trip to the Village in Bugondo

A fishing trip is always a must when in the Bugondo!

The boys like to tell us they caught these fish, but really they buy them from the locals! 

This is the Tata (grandmother) that stays on the compound to care for things when they are in Soroti/Pamba town.  She is so fun to be around and she loves it when we come. She says it feels like Christmas when we are there! Meaning we bring lots of good food!

This is Tata and her mother! 

Emma keeping Kate busy while waiting for dinner. We usually don't eat dinner till 9pm when in the village. By this time Kate is usually a wreck!

Always playing Mweso.

Shooting catapults with the boys!

Preparing good food!!

Pigeons galore!

Catherine's Village

Many of you have seen pictures of my friend Catherine. I have now been to her village a couple of times. When Steve and I went to Kampala to pick new teammates, Kate went and spent the week with Catherine in the village. She absolutely loved it! So much dirt to play with and so many people around!! Village life is great!

Catherine's Grandmother! We gave her this necklace as a gift.  Catherine told me that she never takes it off.  She even refuses anyone to remove it when they bath her. She is beautiful!

This is my very good friend Catherine! Here she is sitting with her oldest grandmother.  Her grandmother still gets up about once a day to sweep her compound and the rest of the time you will find her in this chair in front of her hut!

This is one of Catherine's grandmother's.  Immediately when you get to the village they ask you for something! This is not just because we are white, but they do this to all who visit them! Most elderly survive on the generosity of others.

We received a chicken from Catherine's Uncle Martin! They thought Kate was pretty amazing that she would hold the chicken so well!! I think she is amazing too!

Our friends Bob and Josephine also gave a chicken, Kate was loving this day!