Rags to riches

Today was the first day of school. Most of my classes are in the same room, which is nice. Although the campus is very beautiful. I will post pictures of some of the campus soon. My home stay has be pleasant and I am more comfortable than at the start. I am accepted as a son and am slowly being incorporated as a member of the family. Some daily things I do at home are to sometimes help prepare for dinner and help clean our rooms. I have already washed my cloths by hand , which is how it is done here. I found it somewhat tiring on the arms, but it make me appreciate not having thousands of cloths. It is unnecessary. In the states I come from a lower class family, but staying here has shown how much I am truly blessed with material possessions. Material possessions represent wealth, but I have found richness in family, community, sharing, hard work, and relationships. These are the things that are bound together by love not money.
I have made a few good friends from America who have also come to study, but having traveled from home to Africa with my good friend Melody has made the trip all the more pleasant. I have met her host family and they are just as nice as mine. Most Ugandans I have encountered have been very welcoming and kind. Although it is a completely new world I am quickly adapting thanks to the hospitality of my family, Melody, and other Ugandans. I nearly walk almost an hour to get to school and was nervous at the start, but my confidence has grown like a weed. Here, whites are called Mzungu. At home many would be offended by being called out by the nature of their skin, but that is not the case here. In the villages many kids that see me passing by loudly call out Mzungu! Then other near by kids run to get a look at and I usually wave if they don’t first. Some of the kids will touch my arm to feel the skin out of curiosity. The hair on my arms and my head seem to be very popular. At times I feel as If I were a famous person where those around you are calling out your name wanting to be close to see….to touch. I love them for it. The language of Uganda is known as Luganda. I am taking a course of Luganda with expectations that it will help build a new level of relationships. Language is very important in relationships. I had my first class today and it is tough, but I am practicing and will learn as much as I can.
Church on Sunday was packed out. I sat near the back with my brother Enock (age 17) and my sister Barbara (age 13) Sitting in the back I thought I would avoid most of the looks a Mzungu would get, but the pastor asked all newcomers to stand and introduce ourselves so I did so with confidence. The church is done in English, well English is spoken in many settings thankfully! Many of the songs were the same as back in the states, but with an African twist. It was a good service and met a couple more Ugandans who were very nice. We walked to church…we walk everywhere, but it is nice having time to think to my self instead of flying from one thing to the next. Speaking of walking I went on a 3 hour hike in my flip flops on Sunday to a quarry on top of a mountain. It was a good experience seeing the countryside where roads and trails are just as rough as any in town. I helped a local carry his water jugs up the hill just a hundred feet or so, but he was very appreciative as I was to help him. Enough for now I will write soon.