When it's Time to go Home

The past several months can't be summed up in a single word. 

I've learned a lot. I've seen the absolute best and worst of myself. I've discovered a need for Jesus like never before. I've rediscovered missions- real missions, and what that looks like practically. I've had to be responsible for other people in a whole new context, figure things out without the help of a volunteer program, and come to terms with my own culture and this halfway-familiar culture I now live in. 

There have been amazing highlights: I've gotten to reconnect with my friends and make new ones; I have built amazing relationships with my neighbors and their sweet children (I can tell the twins apart, and they no longer call me Melissa!); I got to introduce my best friend and my parents to the country that has my heart (such an amazing opportunity!); and I have gotten to lay the foundation for this ministry that God entrusted to me.

There have also been really hard times: saying goodbye to friends, struggling to explain this time of research and groundwork, fighting what has seemed to be an endless battle with certain required documents, and doing life largely on my own. I've learned that a lot of the expats here don't hold to the same standards in their faith that I do, and that's been an intense struggle for me. 

As best as I can possibly sum up, it's been really hard. 

The journey is not over, by any means, but I've done what I can do for now. The groundwork is laid, the documents are processing, and it's time for me to go home. There is much to be done from the US side: re-strategizing, regrouping, team-building, and refreshing. 

Saying goodbye is not easy, but it's not goodbye. Uganda is still home, and I'll be back before I know it. Louisiana is home, too, though. It's ok to have two. I'll go home to regroup, and I'll come home to move forward. 

I am so thankful for the grace upon grace that Jesus gives. 

<3, Robin 

P.S. I'll be home 9 August

Learning English Again

One of my favourite parts of living in the Ugandan culture is learning the language. 

In Northern Uganda, there are many different languages, but the most common is called Luo, also spelled Lwoo. It's a language filled with double consonant sounds like "ng," making it tricky for a southern gal who thrives on vowels. 

In addition to learning Luo, life in Uganda requires learning English all over again.

English is the national language of Uganda, but many words and phrases have taken on completely different meanings within the Ugandan culture... 

Enjoy. :) 

*****

"You were lost!"- I haven't seen you in a while; where have you been? 

"I'm around!"- I've been here, but I haven't seen you either!

"I'm from Kampala!"- I've just returned from Kampala! It could also be said I'm from the market, I'm from town, I'm from a friend's house, etc. Interestingly, Ugandans tend to phrase questions with the object of the preposition at the end of the question: You're from where? You came when? 

"You're from which country?" - Which country are you from? (Unless the word country is said, it is safe to assume they mean where are you coming from at this moment.)

"Even me!"- Me, too! 

"Even"- "Even I am feeling glad to see you." I can't really explain this one. 

"Go with" or "Move with"- to take something with you. "You go with this paper." "I saw you moving with that basket." You don't say you took something because...

"Take"- to consume as food or drink. "Let us take tea." "She is not in the office- she is taking lunch." 

"You first..."- before you go on to another location/activity, "you first take tea!"

"It is finished" or "It is over"- whatever you requested was there, but now is not available. 

"It's not there"- whatever you requested may not have ever been there.

"Flu"- a generic label for any illness, especially a cold. *sneeze* "Oh, sorry, you are having flu??" 

"By the way"- a side comment that may or may not have anything to do with your current conversation... 

"Pass from there"- walk this way, walk around this obstacle, follow this path, etc.

"Pack it"- to take leftovers to go

"You're called who?" or "You're called what?"- what is your name?

"You stay where?"- where do you live in Uganda?

"Now now"- immediately. Now can mean anytime in the next little while, whereas now now demands a more immediate response.

"Slowly slowly"- take your time, don't rush

"Somehow"- an adjective-ish. "How is your work coming?" "It is somehow okay!" 

"Stubborn"- an all-purpose adjective used to describe the otherwise difficult-to-describe-in-English: "You're very stubborn!"- You're very funny/clever/creative/disobedient/distracting/hard-headed, etc. 

"Ever"- used like "always": I'm ever seeing these things on the road. 

"These things"- Used to describe a specific item you've already been talking about. Believe it or not, this is not a generic phrase! 

"This one"- usually referring to a specific person. This one leaves to return to Gulu soon. 

"How is the day?" or "How's been the day?"- how is your day going?

"How is home?"- how's your family/roommate/personal issues?

"How is here?"- How are things at your current location?

"How is there?" How are things wherever you just came from? 

"We are here."- a simple statement that more or less means "we are okay." Usually the response is "thank you." 

"Pick"- pick up or pick out. "I need to pick soap" or "I cannot pick the fly from the milk." (The struggle is real.)

"Pain"- a verb that means "hurt": "My back pains me/is paining me." 

"Nice time!"- Have a good day! Good to see you! 

The response to many of these phrases is thank you... You can be thanked for almost any circumstance: waking up, being okay, returning from a journey, greeting someone, living in a certain area... you name it! 

*****

There are many things to write about, but time won't let me now. Soon you should expect a blog featuring: 

Paperwork

Fixing my Eyes

Holiday in Kenya

Friendships

The Missionary Formula

Cold, or "Flu"

Partnerships

The Odd things You See 

Etc. 

In the meantime, my friends (Stephanie and Aaron and Kimberly) leave this week, my parents come in two weeks, and I am somehow only three and a half months into this journey. (It seriously feels like I've been here for years- not in a bad way.) 

Thank you all for your love and support!! I appreciate your prayers so much. 

Love and prayers, 

<3 Robin 

***** 

To support the ministry of Wajumbe Initiative in Gulu, Uganda, visit my GoFundMe page.