Leigha's Log

Nkulamusizer (greetings) from Bukeka! My luganda words and small phrases are coming ever so slowly! And I have gotten past the point of embarrassing myself, and so most the time we're always laughing at myself trying to respond in the local language. The worst is when you respond to someone correctly but really had no idea what they just said. Luckily I can get off the hook pretty easily yet. It has become quite amusing if I must say. But I enjoy learning more! We have planted most of the beans and only have just a small bit left. We decided to wait until some rains come so we can be sure the seeds germinate. And the Lord has graciously blessed us, and now it has been raining some the past couple days.   A little front porch sitting after church Shine got to go check on the beans with us... ...and she also had her first driving lesson. She sure thought she was hot stuff when we pulled into school to park the car. We do need to work on her smiling tho...

The other day I was talking to a friend and was explaining to her the experiences of taking public transportation in Uganda. I hadn't realized that it was such a funny thing until I was telling what it's all about that I found myself laughing so hard I couldn't finish my stories. So I figured I would try and give you all the experience through words. I have included a few pictures of a taxi van to give you an idea what they look like and the size. They are usually a small Toyota 12 passenger van. You have the driver and then you have the guy (I forget what they call them) who finds the passengers, keeps track where they need to go, collects the fees, and opens and shuts the door.  Then you have the passengers. All 20 of them. Ok that might be a slight exaggeration, but it wouldn't surprise me if it happens. Yes, you never know how many grown adults can fit into small spaces until you try. Plus all your belongings, which you hold, set on your feet, fit under the s...

Week 7 came and went with a wide variety of activities. From visiting farms with cows, to digging & leveling with a hoe and breaking it (whoops), to baking homemade white bread and banana bread, to taking public transportation to Jinga, to planting beans and corn, to fixing a weed whacker (with the help of a video chat with Dillon), to visiting my boy Isaac, and singing a solo in church.  Now I'll try and break that all down for ya.   One of the beautiful evenings here in Bukeka. Minus the mosquitoes. Went to visit a couple people that had some cows. I'm learning how people take care of their animals here and for what purpose they have them in hopes to gain some knowledge so Suubi can have our own herd of dairy cows in the future.  Having your own cows means you are pretty well off in terms of providing for your family. They are expensive and a lot of work. A lot of work because you have to fetch water for them daily and cows drink a lo...

I wish I could capture for you where I'm sitting while typing up this blog post... Its been a relaxing Monday morning for me, which is a nice change from the business from last week. So be ready for a boat load of pictures. :) But this morning I'm having a little free quiet time down at the river. Its quiet and serine, the vegetation is so lush and green, a few fisherman in their hand made boats out on the river, hearing the loud rumble of the rapids not far away, birds and moneys having the time of their life in all the trees, and the clouds slowly gather for a noon day shower. And every once in a while a group of adventures' will float by on their whitewater rafting trip. Which I have yet to do, but is on the top of my list of things to do while here. And for those of you who are wondering, no there are no crocodiles in this part of the river, they are all in the national parks...I think.  Anyway, this week has been a week for gardening! And when I mention garden, it...