Basketball in Uganda

For a while now I have been asking for one of the Dongo children to take me to a basketball game in Uganda. Since no one really helped me out with that, I had to find out myself when and where the games were held. I saw in the newspaper that there was a game on Wednesday in Lugogo. Although I knew where Lugogo is, I didn't know where in Lugogo the games were being held. I asked Thanx to research that and that I would take him to watch a game. So he figured it out from some friends and we went.

I really didn't know what to expect for basketball in Uganda. I had been told that some high schools had teams, and they were good. I didn't really believe them knowing that athletics in schools here is much different than in the US. Teams do no practice daily in Uganda. Ezra Dongo's soccer team might just practice on the weekends. Very different from the craziness in the US, but at the same time it's difficult to develop skills without practice. I had also played with some kids here and first of all there were very few who played and second, the ones who did weren't able to do much.

The first game we arrived for was the ladies matchup between Kampala International University (KIU which is just down the road from God Cares School) and Uganda Christian University (UCU). As I watched them get ready for the game, I realized that these girls can't shoot, but they are much more athletic than many of the girls I've coached. But after watching that game, I came to the conclusion that our Oaks Christian girls teams over the years would destroy these teams. They don't really have offensive sets and play a soft zone defense. While I was watching two American couples sat next to me. One of them was obviously a coach so I struck up a conversation with him. He ended up being the mens basketball coach at UCU. He told me that the players in Uganda were very gifted, but lazy and wondered what my take on their game would be. He also said most shots were layups or threes. Keep in mind that they have the international 3 out here.

So as the UCU Canons and the Sadolin Power warmed up, I watched intently. I noticed first that almost everyone out there warmed up by attempting and/or completing crazy dunks. Already something I'm not used to because high school teams in the US are not allowed to dunk in warmups. Then as I watched them even shoot free throws, I saw poor form and many bricks. (I could have built the whole God Cares High School if I could have collected them!) Finally the game began. There was no rhyme or reason to the offense for each team. It was one on one basketball much like "Street Ball" or "And1 Mixtape" without the flashy dribbling. I think the Power must have shot about 80 threes and made about 10 at most. And when the center for UCU dunked, he danced all the way back to the other side of the court. I have to say I was very entertained and the UCU Canons won a close game.

I'm glad I got to watch the game and dreamed of what it would look like with some discipline and increase in practice time. I was hoping that UCU Canons would win, but the playoff series is now tied at 1-1 because they got demolished Friday night so today I'm going again hoping that they can pull out a victory.

Thank God for the Free Gift

As you can see, I've again lost track of time in my blogs/journals. However, it has been a difficult task getting online these days. My internet service has continued to be shaky and I'm looking to possibly change service when I return from my trip to the states.

On a completely different note, let me log my some of my adventures over the past few weeks. As some of you know. Pastor Dongo's daughter was not accepted to any university to which she applied in Uganda. She was devastated to say the least as she loves her country and especially her family. However, mzungu to the rescue. One of my acquaintances in the US was visiting Uganda for a trip to Sudan with Pastor. When she found out that Worship did not get into any universities here, she offered to pay for two years of education at a city college near where she lives and be her adopted mom over this time. So the first daunting task was the test she had to take for showing her fluency in English. We didn't know what her scores needed to be, but by faith, I bought her a book and signed her up for the test. We were disappointed to find her results being low in reading due to the proctor suggesting that they don't "waste" time reading the passages, but just guess on the answers. We thought for sure that she would need to retake the test. However, Moorpark College had received her scores and accepted her for admission. The most intimidating task was then to go for her visa. There were many documents that we needed to obtain so we gathered what we could and made an appointment. On that day, Worship went to the appointment and came back telling me that she didn't have enough strong ties to US. That was the weirdest thing I had heard. A frenzy ensued as we looked for people in the US to write letters of recommendation for Worship. In the meantime, I sent an e-mail to the embassy asking for clarification and booked another appointment which by the way cost an additional $131 (the cost for each appointment). Why would she need strong ties to the US? The lady asked specifically for a letter from the person sponsoring Worship in the US. We received about 8 letters to support her stay to further her education. Then i emailed back and forth with the embassy a few times and they kept talking about "strong ties to Uganda" They must be crazy there seeing as we sent many documents showing what Pastor Dongo was doing in the states, but apparently the lady there refused to even look at them when Worship attempted to show her. So now panic mode changed into getting as much information to show that she would return to Uganda upon completion of her studies. The morning of the appointment, Pastor Dongo and I drafted a letter talking about his ministry, his family and all he is doing here in Uganda. Then Pastor asked me to escort Worship to the appointment. We thought that since I was a US citizen, they would let me wait in there for her. Instead, I was denied entrance to the embassy with her and even chased from the waiting area in front of the entrance. I waited and waited and waited in the car. Praying, praising, interceding. Finally, after almost 2 hours, I saw Worship approaching the car with a big grin and yelling "I got it!" What a relief.

Next story, we turn to the immigration building in Uganda. I had been planning a trip to Tanzania and knew that my visa was going to expire before I left for Tanzania. I wondered if I could just cross the border to Kenya with an expired visa, but the Christian man of integrity made me do the right thing and attempt to get an extension on my visa. So I prepared all the things that I might need for the visa. These were the same items I had to submit the first time around. However, a friend had inquired for me and said I didn't need any of those things for an extension. I knew that stories often change so I brought the materials anyway. I waited in the line and when I arrived at the front, the man asked for a letter from the place I was working with. I told him it was in the car. Then I specifically asked if that was ALL I needed. He agreed. I went to the car and came back, waited in line again, and gave him all my materials. Then he asked when was I leaving. I told him the date and he asked for proof. So again back to the car, wait in line, give him the materials. He asked where the NGO certificate was. I told him it was the one thing I didn't have and asked if I needed it. He just mumbled to himself something like I wish you had that. Then he told me to come back in 7 business days. So after that, I returned about a week and a half later. then the lady says she needs the NGO certificate. Now I'm only a week away from leaving. She tells me to come back in 3 days. Now I'm realizing that getting the visa before my scheduled date of departure might be impossible. So we tried to use connections to get help with the visa. You know how that panned out? With a lady asking for about $90 to speed up the process. That wasn't going to happen. The problem is that if I got my passport back 3 days later, it still wouldn't have an approved visa. You have to go to the bank to pay the fee for the visa then come back and they hold your passport for a few more days. So now to plan B. I should still be able to get my passport back, skip the visa processing and cross the border with an expired visa and deal with the repercussions. So I go to pick up the passport not there. Next day, not there. Third day not there. Now I only have 1 business day before I'm supposed to leave. Hopefully it will be there Monday because I can't even book the bus trip without the passport!

So there is a reason why I tell these two stories which by the way have more drama than can be said in this short blog. I was with pastor discussing Worship and my issues with the visa. He said, "Thank God eternal life is a free gift." Can you imagine if we had to do things to deserve our place in heaven as believers. I know I would fail miserably. That's why even through these little trials, I thank God because he has saved me from destruction. He has given me eternal life. He has made my broken spirit whole. If you don't know Jesus, He can do all of this for you as well. He loves you and cares about you. I hope you all know that!
 

Lake Victoria

So on Thursday of last week I was told that we were going for baptisms. The church has it set up that kids take a foundation class then are asked if they want to be baptized. So we prepared on Saturday to go to Lake Victoria. I was told the we were going to have an opportunity to swim for a little while. So I got out my swim trunks that were packed way back in my dresser and prepared for a new adventure.

We drove down toward Gaba then venturing off to Munyonyo...that's where the 5 star resort is here. It's a nice place, but how can you possibly come here to serve and stay at such a place? I've already asked to be forgiven of that sin as it is where I stayed my first visit...but it must be noted that I didn't make any of the plans or accomodations for that trip. Anyway, I digress. We pass there and go to a place where there was a gate to the beach we were going to. We were promptly met by a young man demanding 15000 shillings to enter; we gave him 10000. Then he disappeared somewhere... probably wasn't even connected to that land. Anyway, I digress again. We drove down to the beach where we found trucks being loaded with sand. Apparently small boats go to different islands to get sand to use on the mainland...interesting. Many of the kids began to change attire for going in the water. Was their a place to change...of course...the bushes...where else in Uganda. We went down and proceeded to watch kids get baptized. Hallelujah. I think about 40 were baptized. Awesome.

Now the fun part. I wanted to go swimming, but wasn't quite prepared for what I found. That water was more disgusting than the pond at Hume Lake and I NEVER go in the pond unless it's required during competition. You could see all kinds of nasties in the water. I wanted to swim, but at the risk of getting some crazy disease? I wavered. Finally, I gave in. Too bad few of those Ugandans can swim. There were a few small islands not too far away that I would have loved to swim to. Anyway, it was a fun time to see the kids get baptized and have fun in the water. Even traveling that far down the road is very unusual for them. (a few miles)

However, the story doesn't end there although I wish it would have. I'm not sure the incubation time of a virus that you contact in the water, but come Monday at 2am, pain in the stomach...gut wrenching pain. I thought I was going to pass out. Let's just say that I was in the bathroom a lot and didn't sleep from 2 until 7:15 am. At which time I got about an hour of sleep before someone came to ask me a question about something. Oh the joys and pains of swimming in Lake Victoria...maybe it wasn't from the lake, but I can't help but look at the timing and wonder!

Dongo returns

So it seems that I'm not very good at keeping this journal/blog up to date. Maybe because I just wonder sometimes if anyone reads the nonsense that I post. Well, I guess I just can't worry about that and just keep posting as i feel led. I am going to try to get a post every few days. Maybe someone will help to remind me to do that.

It has been somewhat quiet with Pastor Dongo gone in the US. Ismail told me that it has been almost a month while I was thinking it was only about three weeks. A month! No wonder I'm bored. The one person who checks on me constantly and drags me to at least a quarter of the places he goes was gone for a month! No wonder I felt lost with too much time on my hands. However, just as I'm getting used to him being gone and finding ways to be productive on my own, Pastor Dongo returns in about 2 hours. I can't lie, I missed him a lot. He is very much my dad here in Uganda. But tomorrow I will hear those familiar words...."Darren, Darren...what are you doing?" It will be a blessing, I love this man who has such a heart of a servant, a heart of a father, a desire to see that the kids here in Uganda have a hope and a future.

On a side note, Pastor Dongo's trip has been reported as a huge success. Although he did not speak at any churches (that I know of), he was able to make valuable connections with people in Northern California. In fact, there were almost 100 children sponsored on his visit to California and Texas...Praise God. I don't think there has been any trip that I know of where that many children were sponsored. Thank you to the faithful people who were praying for Dongo's trip. However, we still need over 100 children to be sponsored for this year and even more as we bring in new students to the nursery section of the school in 2009.

Missing the US

So inevitably this was going to happen. I knew that at some point I would miss the US and question why I came to Uganda. I think the most difficult part of being here is being away from friends and family. As a result, days and nights can lack the excitement and fun that I experienced every week in the US. Although I know many people in Uganda, they don't have the means to go and do fun stuff every once in a while. If I want to go out most of the time I can take someone knowing that they cannot pay for themselves. That obviously limits where you can go and how often you can go. Most of the time I can't even hang out at my place with the kids who are boarded at the school because they have a strict schedule. They eat at 6pm followed by studies at 7 pm and prayers/praise & worship at 8:30. Their bedtime is 10 pm. Doesn't allow for social time. So I'm bored and was a little depressed for a while.

However, this time has given me the opportunity to thank God for all that He has done for me these last few years. I have awesome friends in the US and family that loves me very much (even adopted families). I know that He even has a purpose for me here beyond what I can visualize. I had to kind of kick myself in the pants this week as I began to get super lazy and not do anything. Now I am really seeking the Lord and not allowing Satan to put doubt in my head. I know that He is all I need to sustain me through my time here in Uganda.

Please don't feel sorry for me. That's not the purpose of this post. However, do pray for me as I seek Him and He changes me. It would be a good time when I return if people ask "What happened to you in Uganda?" "Why are you so different now?" Hopefully I can be changed as God molds me and shapes me in His image and I choose to be obedient to His call.

The Car Game

So seeing as I now have been driving for a while I wanted to account for all the mishaps to my van so far. I thought it would be fun to play a game of who has inflicted more damage to the van. Obviously I'm contestant #1 and if you hadn't already guessed, Pastor Dongo is contestant #2. Well, let's get this game underway...First I need to explain the scoring. Any mishap resulting in no visible damage to the car is worth 1 point whereas visible damage can score anywhere from 5 - 10 points depending on severity.

So when I received the car, I took my first trip to Pastor Dongo's house. Actually, I took Glory for ice cream for his birthday and were driving them back to the house. Let's just say the road to the house wasn't the most "van-friendly". I had been there before in Dongo's car as a passenger without any problems so I thought...no problem, it should be a breeze. The first part was easy, but then...as we got closer to the top of the hill....BANG...bottomed out once...BANG... and again...BANG...I was a little embarassed it being within my first few driving adventures in Uganda. Score - Darren 3, Dongo 0

Second day of having the car, I had to drive to pick up a visitor at the local hotel. She was going home later that day so I needed to pick her up and all of her luggage and get her to the school so she could meet one of the kids her friend sponsors. I got up the hill fine, but as I turned to go down the hill, they had been working on the road. There were some rocks there to block off part of the road that they were working on grading. And on the other side was a man walking. I thought that I had plenty of room on the side with the rocks and obviously didn't want to hit the man. I ran over one of the rocks and.....PPPSSSSSTTTTTT (actually it didn't that long, but was pretty quick)...blew the left front tire. Luckily I was almost at the hotel and was able to roll in and park there. Oh and by the way...found out that not all the things we needed to jack the car up and release the spare tire underneath were present...joy of buying a used car in Uganda. Fortunately for me, we were planning to buy new tires anyway as three of them were one size and one was a different size! Score - Darren 8, Dongo 0 (I would have given more points if we weren't planning to buy new tires!)

A few days later, Pastor Dongo and I had to drive to his village to take pictures of kids that were sponsored there. He asked if I wanted to drive, but I told him he could drive my car. We were cruising around when a big truck came the other way and spit up a rock or something toward us. I watched as I saw this object in slow motion approaching the windshield. Then...CRACK. No big deal...but wait now there's a crack in the windshield. not just one of those pebble sized cracks, but one of those with cracks moving outward, although they were less than 1 in long each. Score - Darren 8, Dongo 6

When the visitors came in from the US, we went to the bush every day with Pastor driving the van. On the first day, we had just reached town and were going on a roundabout when all of us felt something bang and push the back of the van. We looked out the back to see a taxi driver looking at our van yet continuing on his route to a different exit of the roundabout. Pastor didn't even flinch. We thought that he just ignored it and didn't think it was a big deal...later we come to find out that he didn't even know that someone had hit the car. Score - Dongo 13, Darren 8

On that same drive to the bush, we ran into some of the worst conditions for road that I had seen. Pastor was doing a good job of manuevering around the large valleys caused by rain, but then KABONG. followed by a screeeeeeeeeeccccccccccc. One of the visitors said "the tire came off" I about pooped in my pants trying to figure out how that happened. You guessed it, the spare tire came out and the thing that held the tire there was dragging on the ground. After some time and what we thought was some MacGyver intervention by Pastor Howard, We got the tire and place and were on our way...until we bottomed out again and the tire came loose again. We decided to put the tire in the van and fix it when we got to the bush! Score Dongo 23, Darren 8...here's where I'm being kind with scoring because I think it got fixed in the bush only to happen again on the way back to Kampala.

Well, I'm no going to say I'm a better driver than Dongo, but let's just say one of our visitors enjoyed being in my car when I was driving rather than Pastor! Let the score speak for itself. If anyone thinks my scoring is unfair or biased in any way please comment and I'll make adjustments accordingly.

Missing in Action

Where has Darren been for the last three weeks? Missing? Not really...more like busy for one week hosting visitors from Connecticut followed by a five day blackout in the area of the school. So what have I been up to. Really not much.

I taught my first math class two weeks ago. I think it might have been the most uncomfortable I have ever felt as a teacher. For those of you who teach, it was like having an administrator or accreditation watching you. The biggest issue was not knowing their previous knowledge coupled with the language barrier. You might be saying "I thought they speak English in Uganda". They do! However, our every day words aren't the same as used here, or their pronunciation of words is different. I learned a lot about myself as a teacher from that short session. I also learned how gifted you need to teach here. No books so they rely completely on your ability to give them good instruction. I'm sure I'll give it a go again soon.

As I said we had visitors from Connecticut beginning two weeks ago now...they actually left on the past Monday. They are known in the states as the Bethel Bunch...well, not really, but they are from Bethel Christian Church. The team consisted of 7 members including the pastor of the church. For the first few days of their visit, they ministered to people in the bush. They actually went to 3 different villages to encourage the pastors and members of those churches. They shared the Word of God and blessed the people so much. I too was blessed by their visit. We had plenty of time to connect during those 1-2 hour drives into the bush. Hopefully some life long friends/brothers & sisters in Christ. If they are reading this, thank you so much for the love you showed me during your visit. Come back soon!!!

So as you can see...not much to write about...but I do have a wireless router in my room now so I can sit in bed and work on the internet. Stay tuned...I have a new topic to write about for tomorrow...