Journey to Mukura

On Sunday I traveled with the Academic Dean to his home Mukura: ((n) Moo-koo-rah: trading center near Soroti). I was informed of that this journey would take place on Friday. This was a bit nerve wracking since this journey involved 2 hours in public transportation, and 3 hours of me preaching at the church there. Here is how it went down.

We left our compound at about 7:45 AM. Took a boda boda (motorcycle for hire) to the Kumi (Koo-me) Road. This is where the taxi's load. The taxis here are "public means." They are like a micro bus deal straight out of the 70's. There is a sign on the side "licensed to carry 12." The average number of passengers is 15, and the high was 22. This was a warm and cozy ride. I mean very warm, oh and I will take this moment to remind you that deodorant is not used here. I will tell you more about these two modes of transportation later.

Upon arrival to Mukura we went to Amos' house where I ate breakfast prepared by his wife. Eggs and bread, and of COURSE tea. Remember any time is tea time in Uganda. We then ventured to church. This was about a kilometer walk. We entered to applause. That's never happened before.

I then enjoyed listening to the several choirs, and congregational singing in Ateso. A language that I am definitely not fluent in. After which Amos spoke for a little bit "warming them up" and then I did my thing, and really Amos did the preaching I just gave him my ideas of what I wanted to say and he said, well I have no idea what he said, but it seemed that he said more than me sometimes... Oh well.

After church I think I shook at least 50 people's hands. The grown ups came up and usually say "eyalama" (thank you), "Karibu" (you are welcome, which is not used here like it is in the US. Instead of saying come again, or come in and sit down, they say you are welcome. This confused me for quite some time), or "Praise God" (Iteretete Edeke) to which I reply "Amen." They would then leave and make room for more, but the little kids would come up and shake my hand and kneel a little bit. They would then continue to stand in a circle around me, staring at me as if I don't look like them? They are very cute though, so I didn't mind. They would just break out in laughter sometimes. I'm not sure if it was at me or with me... Oh well...

Then we went back to Amos' house. We ate more lunch than I have ever eaten. I literally think that every person that reads this blog could have eaten from the table set for 2, and we would have had extra. It was delicious though. Pork (in some sort of thick sauce), chicken stew, chipoti, rice, Irish potatoes, passion fruit juice. Since I was the guest I got to eat the gizzard.

We then went back to church where I continued teaching. I taught them an illustration for sharing the gospel in the afternoon, and the importance of follow up after sharing the gospel.

There was similar shaking of hands, we went back to Amos' house for a short bit, and then caught a taxi back to the college.

Here are some photos from the journey. Enjoy!

Amos, his wife and I in front of his house in Mukura.

This is a prime example of the use of motor bikes here. Who needs a truck when you have a motorcycle or a bicycle?! Loaded on this bike is a live pig.

This is a cool looking lizard. I asked what they are called. Profoundly enough they are called...
Drum role please.... Lizards.

Some fellows hanging out with their goats, or perhaps not their goats, but goats are near them in any event.

This is Amos' granddaughter Alicia feeding the chickens. With help from grandma.


I am sorry that I lied at the end of my last post. I will not include those things in my post today. Mainly because many other things occurred that I felt you would enjoy hearing about more.