T. I. A.

We just returned from a safari at Murchison Falls National Park.  It is about five hours north west of us here in Uganda.  On our way into the park we stopped at a Rhino preserve.  We walked in with a ranger and saw several of them sleeping under the trees he said they were, “digesting the ton of grass they ate all night long.”

We stayed on the south side of the Nile at a place called Red Chilli Camp.  It was very basic with tents and “bandas” — round stone huts with a straw roof — very quaint.  We were warned of the hippo that comes through the camp at night.  “Just go around him and don’t get in front of him,” they told us at the camp.  M-m-m-m.

The first day of the safari, we left quite early in the morning and took the ferry across the Nile into the game preserve.  Arriving at the ranger station, the armed ranger got into our safari vehicle and the first thing he said to us was, “T.I.A.” — This Is Africa!  We soon found out what he meant.

The top of the vehicle came up so we could stand up and get a bird’s eye view.  This is where I spent most of the next three hours.  The ranger said that the entire park is the size of Rwanda — some 3,840 square kilometers.  

I was blown away at how the animals were wild, yes, but they were not afraid of us as we drove into their space.  I’ll let Steve tell you about all of the animals we saw and the adventures we had over the next two days.  First on land, then in a boat on the Nile.  My favorite was the giraffes.  There were hundreds of them in all sizes — we saw them grazing, gracefully walking and running over the savannah, and in the last of our safari we saw them sitting so straight and tall in the heat of the afternoon resting.  I felt so honored to have seen so many of natures wild animals up so close on their territory — absolutely high wild and free!

Part of our calling to be here (we discovered) is to assist our hosts in a small way as they bring closure to three years of profound and sacrificial service.  We find we can give perspective and reflection — they see so much more to be done as we see and reflect how much they have done.  In their last weeks here, people ask for more and more.  We offered to host them for a four day getaway to Murchison Falls National Park — a chance to catch their breaths before their final week here in Mityana.  It has been amazing for all of us!

(This is taken from my journal as we were there.)  

We are not in Kansas any more Toto!  On our way into the park we maybe saw 600 baboons.  It is awe inspiring to see a part of creation away from our normal home life and its expectations.  We are far from home!

Last night as I sat in the dark outside the banda hut we are staying in, I heard a sound.  My flashlight revealed two large warthogs grazing about 10 feet away.  Again counting.  In the presence of awe my mind tries to quantify. 
When our family took a trip to western  U.S. my son George was the family stat man -- "23 buffalo, 12 big horns."  I now understand his attempt to express majesty with numbers.

Today I saw more wildlife than I ever have!  Each sighting was thrilling — male elephants pushing each other head-to-head to see who could push the other back, graceful giraffes, too many to list.

Ugandan kob are beautiful with such perfectly curved horns and graceful leaps — we saw more than a thousand in all, but now I am quantifying again.  Countless hippos and one tiny malachite king fisher.

We ended our sightseeing with seeing Murchison Falls from the boat and taking a hike up to the top of it.  We were told it is the most powerful waterfall in the world.  The mighty and wide Nile forced through a six meter crevice.  Power!

Then sings my soul, O Lord my God to Thee — How great Thou art!

Other wildlife — antelope, the tiny oribi, Jacksons hart beest, water buck, many wort hogs, hornbills.  We stopped and the ranger opened a termite nest (it looks like a huge pile of mud) and talked about how tasty they are.  I ate some.  

Then, on the Nile — crocodiles — the largest about 15 - 18 feet.   And, many hippos close to the shore soaking in the cool water.  Also,  ruby throated bee eaters by their nests carved in the mud cliffs.

Most of the time I felt stunned, unable to absorb it all.   Chuck used the word “reverential.”  It fits.

We are still absorbing the entire experience now that we are back home in Mityana.  We just couldn’t wait to share it all with you.

Much Love,

Elizabeth & Steve

Henry - Part Two

Remember in our second communication to you, we talked about Henry helping me with building shelves for the musical instruments and how he lost all of his front teeth some time back?

So, Henry went to the dentist at our request to get an evaluation and cost for the dental work.  He continues to serve daily in small ways, never asking for money.  The evaluation showed the need for more extensive work totaling about $350  (1,200,000 shillings) and Henry was disheartened.  

These numbers must have seemed astronomical — what’s the difference between 1.5 light years and 7 light years.

As we have been talking with our hosts, Chuck and Beth Bradshaw, about when giving is right and when it disempowers, we were stumped with Henry’s situation.  What should we do?  It’s one thing to give $50 and quite another to give $350.  And, there are so very many other needs.  We can’t do it all.  We struggled.  We philosophized.  

As I sat in silence, asking for guidance, two things emerged.  The previous day I had a bad toothache.  I hired a car and driver, travelled four hours round trip, saw a dentist, got a prescription, all of this totaling about $150.  How many people in this country have that option.  The cost here for pulling a tooth is about $4.50.

Secondly, friends at home following our blog, David and Joyce Powell, were moved to donate $200 to needs we saw.  What’s the total?  $350 — just what will give Henry a confident smile.

Can we address the larger needs of poverty in Africa?  Not even close.  Can we cause problems by giving to make ourselves feel good?  Definitely.  We are here to be companions to others.  What we can do is — when we spend time with someone — when there is give and take in a relationship — when that brother has a need and I have excess, the path becomes clear.

As I write, Henry is biking the two miles to Mityana to the dentist.  He knows to keep the source anonymous.  He will get the care he needs.  This is not great generosity — only doing the right thing in a world where we have more and others have less.

Blessings, Steve

P.S.  Going on our safari in Murchison Falls National Park next week — can’t wait!

True Prayer

“True prayer is the breath of life, 

of radical abandonment to God, 

the heartbeat of a life of radical abiding in God, 

and the action of a life of radical availability 

to God in the world.” 

In my childhood my family didn’t pray.  And, in my 38 years of meditation, as silent prayer, it is my breath of life and a radical abandonment to God — and from this came a natural underlying feeling of “all is well” even though it appeared not to be at times.  

In my marriage to Steve, we pray every morning and evening, at meals and whenever the occasion should arise.  This has been the first time in my life I actually prayed out loud.  At first the words took a while to come.  But, as we are here in Uganda, during our morning devotions, a deep expression of the Heart is coming quite naturally. 

The accomplishments here in Mityana, by the Bradshaw’s, have been over the top.  They have given the credit completely over to the support of prayer from those who have supported their endeavor financially from Maine, USA and of those directly involved here. 

“The life of true prayer releases the Presence of God 

into the world and that world is shaken to its very depths.  

This also suggests that those whose prayer is true, whose prayer emerges from a life of radical abandonment to God,  

whose prayer is a life of radical abiding in God, 

that these persons themselves become the agents of God’s Presence through a life of radical availability to God.”

It feels, to me, that we have opened a door with you in these communications that is releasing the Presence of God into the world.  It is intrinsic.  Yes.  But, while here we can actually see the affects that true prayer is having in Mityana.  You may also see some shifts and changes in your part of the world and in your life.  It is very powerful when you have hundreds of people coming together like this.

Here is a picture from the opening ceremonies of the music school that the Bradshaw’s (and contributors) have created on the campus of the Diocese of Mityana.  I wish you could have been here to see these children come alive through music.  We even saw Henry dancing the traditional African dance.  The school has trained teachers and staff to carry on what Beth & Chuck have started.  Mukama Yebazibwe!  Praise the Lord!  

One small but significant place in Uganda and in the entire continent of Africa where a light is shining bright.  Yet, there is so much that is happening here that we certainly don’t hear about in the news at home or read in books about Africa.  We are seeing this first hand.  Bringing our love and Awareness into this part of the world is key.

“True prayer is a life of radical availability to God in the world.”

Pastor Lazarus told us (recently) of a family in his church.  Both parents have HIV.   The man cannot work because he is so weak, so the family has no food.  The Pastor and his wife have shared food with them, but it’s not enough.  They have five children — the oldest is 7, and a baby due in two months.  Some, maybe all of the children have HIV.  Maybe the new baby will.  The man wishes to send all the children to live with his wife’s mother, but doesn’t have the money for transport.

Money will not fix this.  It would feel good to give money and not have to feel the desolation of this family any longer.  I do not know what is best.  Would the grandmother be the best care taker for these children?  If money was given, would it go for the intended purpose?  Should this family stay together?

We have money.  We are so very wealthy compared to all those here.  Sometimes a gift of money can help a specific situation.  Most times it is more complicated.  Even when money can help,  the needs are vast and way beyond our resources. 

What do we do?  Most of the time what seems best is simple companionship.  To be with others in their need.  To sit with the discomfort and not try to fix it.  This is hard, and requires Grace beyond my capacity.

We pray.  We pray for God’s mercy for the millions in need here.  Those in refugee camps.  Those who will die today.  In the amount of time it takes to inhale, someone in the world will die of starvation.  God have mercy.  We pray for wisdom to work and live in sync with the will of God, a God whose wisdom doesn’t make sense to our understanding at this moment.

This was just one conversation we both have had about what is happening for people here.  It’s beyond both of our experience and comprehension.  We wanted to bring you here to be aware of this.  Thank you for being with us.

… those whose prayer is true, 

whose prayer emerges from a life of radical abandonment to God,  

whose prayer is a life of radical abiding in God,  

these persons themselves become the agents of God’s Presence 

through a life of radical availability to God.”

Love,

Elizabeth & Steve

P.S.  The quote in italics was written by ~ M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.

Beauty in Bleakness

“What is deepest within us is the image of God.”

It’s been one week since leaving our home in Maine and coming to Uganda.  We are in Mityana, a little village about 2 1/2 hours from Entebbe (where we flew into).  Our elevation is 3,000 feet and close to the equator.  But, the weather is much like it was in Maine before we left — 75 - 80 degrees.  Nice.  Not what we expected.

The  drive here was crazy with lots of vehicles all over the road and holes and dust — everywhere dust.  But, in the vehicle there was only beauty and love as we got to know our new friends.

As we woke up the next day, we heard lots of sounds from something in our back yard.  We realized later there are hundreds of weaver birds nesting in the trees there.  They build their nests upside down and enter from a hole in the bottom.  Beautiful!  Yes?  Chuck told us that weaver birds destroy the trees here.  

So, we have been seeing a contrast here … it’s somewhat paradoxical.  Where we are staying we do have a lot of creature comforts but it certainly is a contrast from the way most people live here.  Here is where we are staying …

My sister sent me a lovely blessing: 

❤ You can't be safer than being in the place God ordains you to be! 

We are finding places where we can serve.  The Bradshaw’s are leaving here in October after three full years of mission work.  So, they are quite busy closing up things and packing.  I am finding it quite easy to assist in the packing and around the little cottage where we are staying doing whatever is needed in the moment.  Steve is enjoying working in the music school making shelves for the instruments.   Yesterday morning we were with the children in the school giving a lesson to the children.  I had so much fun teaching them a favorite song from my childhood: “This little light of mine … I’m gonna let it shine … let it shine! … let it shine!  Remember?  We are so grateful to be here and have this experience with open, receptive and loving people.  More beauty in this place of poverty.

Red dust, everywhere.  It gets in your eyes, your mouth, your clothes.  Poverty is pervasive.  Even those of somewhat higher status live below the lowest level of poverty at home.  There are no jobs in this rural area.  Everyone gardens and has many (hand made) jobs.  Survival is a full time job.  Even the scrawny chickens scrounge all day for a few seed.  What a bleak picture.  Yet, they appear happy.  

For the last 2 days I have been building shelves in a cabinet.  This is to hold musical instruments for the new music school the Bradshaw’s have built.  I am used to using a variety of power tools, dimension lumber, quick access to whatever I need for woodworking.  Here I have a hammer, a hand saw, rough cut warped lumber which exudes sap.  I make many mistakes and progress is slow — “mpola … mpola”.

Henry has been working alongside me.  he has not asked for any money and is cheerfully giving his time.  He is quiet, but always looking to make my part of the task easier.  Yesterday, he took several 8 foot long boards on the back of a hired motorcycle (boda boda) to town to be cut.  Amazing!

Henry is missing six of his front teeth.  it would cost about $50 to get his teeth fixed here.  That might as well be a million dollars for him. 

I have been so blessed by Henry’s beautiful spirit.  He is a skillful dancer too.  When he dances, joy fills him and everyone around him.  

P.S. Henry will get his teeth.

That is the nature of our days — beauty in the midst of bleakness.  We pray for the Grace to see the beauty and not be blinded by what is bleak.

“God, light our way … let us see with new eyes.”

Today is the dedication of the music school and the farewell gathering for the Bradshaw’s.  We will send pictures in our next message to you.  

Love,

Steve & Elizabeth

Welcome ... Welcome ... Welcome!

We arrived in Uganda yesterday after three days of travel.  It was quite comfortable considering the 19 hours of flight time and lots of waiting time in airports.  The stewardesses on each leg of the trip made sure that Steve and I had seats with lots of leg room.  And, when we spent the night in the airport in Doha, we were lucky to have found a quiet room with lounge chairs to stretch out in and sleep quite well.  We were so grateful!

Chuck and Beth Bradshaw met us at the airport in Entebbe and we drove to Mityana where they live.  Everyone is being so gracious to us. 

Right away we felt the “Welcome” from everyone.  Each time we would meet someone new they said it at least three times.  The Africans sure know how to make us feel right at home.

We are settling into our new space for a little while here in the Bradshaw’s home before we move into Mama Victoria’s boarding home just a short distance from here.  They will be leaving to go back to Maine, USA the first of October.  So, in the meantime, we hope to be of some help in their transition of moving after three years of being here in service to the Episcopal Diocese of Uganda, and whatever else we are being given to do — taking each moment as it comes.

In our morning meditation and prayer time, Steve used the Celtic Benediction to begin our day.  The closing prayer seemed to fit quite nicely to set the context for the days to come:

In the busyness of this day

grant me a stillness of seeing, O God.

In the conflicting voices of my mind

grant me a calmness of hearing.

Let my seeing and hearing, 

my words and my actions

be rooted in a silent certainty of your Presence.

Let my passions for life

and the longings for justice that stir within me

be grounded in the experience of your stillness.

Let my life be rooted in the ground of your peace, O God,

let me be rooted in the depths of your peace.

~ J. Phillip Newell

More to come …

Love,

Elizabeth & Steve