February 24^th

More of the different – When I previously wrote of crumbling, I left out part of what I had written in the orange book. And that was that in the first few weeks here everything was new to me, and there was so much to learn. Then the underlying realities begin to set in, and you feel like things are “crumbling.” When I spoke with S and I last weekend, they said that in the training they received before beginning work abroad, that is exactly what they were told. And that if you can make it through the crumbling time, you might be able to persist.

Continuing the discussion with Peter – In my discussion with Peter, previously described last week, we also spoke about the push for an anti-gay law here that is causing much international concern. He said that homosexuality is against the cultures and traditions of Africa, and against god’s law, and therefore it is OK to pass an anti-gay law. I didn’t express my opinion. He went on to say that also by the cultures and traditions of Africa, men (families) are supposed to have as many children as possible, and that, in fact, a man can divorce a woman if she doesn’t have many children. I said that he knew the problem with that, and he said he did, and we left it there. I think he was telling me that he realized the problem of basing national law on “the cultures and traditions of Africa.”

Salon/saloon – Many of the signs on the outside of beauty salons (and there are many salons) say beauty saloon. An idea for Silvia and James.

Trash and recycling – There is virtually no trash collection here. There are no trash bins, no dump around Lira of which I am aware, nothing. Trash here at home is put into a pile behind the latrine and occasionally burned. Trash is thrown, piecemeal, along the road. Apparently recycling of the tons of plastic bottles does take place in Kampala, but not here. Some stores here take in plastic bottles to ?sell? for refilling with some other liquid.

More from S and I - In my talk with them last week, they said that perhaps one of the most important things that we do here is cross-cultural understanding. Though we feel uncomfortable about it, they are pleased and honored when we participate with them. They asked a Ugandan woman preacher they know what would happen if they sat at the back of the many funeral services they have attended for people they don’t know, instead of being escorted to the front, as they have been. The woman said it would be a great insult to do so. S and I spoke of JF speaking at a traditional marriage which they attended and saying that having international guests there was an honor to the bride and groom and boded well for their marriage.

Still lots to talk about.