More differences...

Yes, we know the post today has a similar title to yesterday, but we are not just repeating ourselves. Today we want to talk about the differences we have observed in Uganda from our first trip in 2010 until now. We also want to talk about the contrasts that exist within this country, city and even within neighbourhoods.

Each time we have traveled to Uganda, we have noticed changes- some subtle and some quite dramatic.

One of the first things we noticed on our second trip was the number of new, large buildings that were being built in downtown Kampala and throughout the city. Hilton and Sheraton Hotels are now part of the landscape in downtown Kampala. When you get out into the suburbs (where we live), there really is a huge contrast in every neighbourhood. Right across the street from our apartment building is a HUGE house- it appears to be a single family dwelling, but is large enough to be a guesthouse or hotel. There are many other nice homes and apartment buildings that we can see looking in every direction from our place. Just a few metres down from us there is a path that looks like any path through a park or schoolyard in Canada (except that the dirt is red). If you go about 100 steps down that path, you are in Africa as we North Americans imagine it to be. Families sitting outside their brick homes cooking over a fire, children playing, clothes hanging on clothes lines, goats grazing nearby, chickens running about and roads that are really dirt paths badly damaged from erosion during rainy season. Friendly faces greet you, children wave and yell “Mzungu” as you walk by. It really is hard to believe the huge difference a few steps makes in this neighbourhood. Yesterday was our first walk through the neighbourhood, but we want to do that on a regular basis so that we can get to know our neighbours while we are here.

Another difference, over the years, has been in the style of dress of the Ugandan people. In 2010, most women were dressed very traditionally- beautiful, bright, colorful dresses in various styles. Each trip since that time, we have seen more and more western style dress, even in the older women. On our first trip here, several of the locals were laughing and pointing at the men in our group as we walked down the street. Of course we had no idea why until our host told us that men don’t wear shorts in Uganda- it is considered childish. Since our arrival on this trip, we have seen some Ugandan men wearing shorts. It is not that common yet, but is certainly a change from our previous trips.

In 2010 and 2012, as we watched our Ugandan brothers and sisters work very hard and often walk many kilometers in a day to get to work, we commented on how there was no need for gyms here. Daily we now see people in exercise gear walking or running down the street and gyms have popped up throughout the city. Today on our drive to church there was a race (marathon maybe) taking place. There were hundreds of runners and walkers, but I think the ones that hopped on a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) are going to get disqualified!

Throughout Uganda (and all of Africa, I am told), people are hungry to know Jesus. Church attendance and involvement continues to grow. One of the issues Greg is dealing with is the need for expansion at all five of the Watoto churches in Kampala. Watoto Central holds over 1500 people, has five services and still the place is jam packed at each service. All the other Kampala sites (and I believe Gulu, as well) are all dealing with similar “problems”- too many people wanting to know Jesus. We need some of that “problem” in Canada!

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”