Sights in downtown Kampala

Here are some sights from downtown Kampala that I noted while riding in a car on the way to do some shopping:

Young men selling MTN airtime cards for cell phones to passengers in cars/ matatus while they are stuck in traffic jams or waiting for the traffic light to turn green.

An 18 wheeler long haul lorry passes thru the space where seconds before there was a man in tattered clothes pushing a wooden wheelbarrow filled with pineapples he will sell. Immediately after the truck cleared through, the same space was filled with dozens of matatus and bodas, all full of passengers leaving the center of the city. There is no order or queuing, the bodas dart in and out and the matatus are often two in a “lane”. No, there aren't marked lanes on the roads in this left hand driving country. The main rule of the road is “give way to anything bigger than you”.

Traffic island sometimes are the stand of choice for self-appointed preachers, screaming out their message over the din of traffic, radios and sidewalk hawkers. The sides of the roads do not have sidewalks in most places and are filled with people “footing” as they can't afford the matatu fare of $0.50. People will walk miles to go to work or to school. Not many obese people in the general population.

Gunshots at 5 am

This morning's prayers of thankfulness were more deeply felt since there were 3 rifle shots early this morning on our side of the hill. The sounds seemed to come from different locations, separted by 5-10 minutes in time and some ways from my place.

Many homes have armed security guards at night time. The guards have training and are authorized by the police and their company to shoot 1 time at intruders coming into the compounds.

My guards do not have rifles, just a bow and arrows and a baton. I think mostly they rely on the dogs to keep unwelcome visitors away. They patrol my yard and the yard of the lady next door. She does not have an enclosing wall as I do. However my wall is low enough in place that I could climb over it if I had too. So not really much of a deterrent. However, the dogs do a really good job of patrolling the entire area and let us know if there are any strangers around. Since most Ugandans fear dogs, this is a big help.

Anyway, thankfulness for peace, for law and order, for safety in one's home and a sense of security are not things to take just for granted or as an entitlement. They are blessings, new each and every day.

Thanks be to God.

Fasting a new exercise

My acquaintances who are Muslim began the month of Ramadan fasting 13 hours a day from food and drink, even water. Beginning Sept 3 or so, for 30 days there is a conscious choice to change daily eating patterns to seek a higher good. Children are exempt of course and those who are seriously ill. But this fasting is a reminder to pray and seek God.

Last week during my devotion time, God's call for me to fast was very clear. So from now until I am settled into my new home in Jan I will be fasting one day a week and using the time gained to do more prayer and listening to God.

Stay tuned for developments from this season of spiritual exercise.

A (African) Sleepers Best Friend

One of the extras of living here is the nighttime protection given by mosquito nets. The nets come with round tops, like this one and large rectangular ones. The net is intended to be tucked under the mattress on 3 sides then tucked under the 4^th side after one is inside.

For me, it is easier to let it rest on the sides of the bed and hang down on the side used to get in and out of bed. Some nets come with chemicals embedded to kill mosquitoes on contact. Mine are just plain ones. I don't like the idea of breathing in more chemicals than absolutely necessary.

In the morning, the net is pulled together and hung out of the way, as the bed often is used during the day as well. :) I did tell you once about my naps, didn't I?? One of the perks of retirement. :)

Good enough, nets aren't necessary all year long where I live. But when the “mossies” are out, it allows for restful sleep.

(This article was written about a month before I came down with malaria. Seems I had a few mosquitoes living inside the net with me as their food source!)