SMOi

Hello everyone.
Sorry it has been so long since my last email. A lot has been going
on since last we talked (especially long power outages). It is so
funny thinking about how my viewpoint on electricity is that it is a
necessity as well as a regularity. However, being here has helped me
realize that electricity is a privilege and we need to be very
grateful we have it and have running consistently. Most of the power
supplied to this area is from the Nile. Must like in the states, they
will dam up big rivers and put turbines in the dam. When the water
runs through the dam and spins the turbine you get energy and a lot of
it (just in case there some of you get excited about that kind of
stuff). Anyway, to save power here in Uganda, the government decides
to have controlled outages resulting in no power for 24 hours or, in
our case last week, longer.
I have forgotten whether or not I told everyone about Rwanda. I am
going to assume I did. If I was mistaken let me know and I will give
you some highlights.
After the hard work from Rwanda (well over 40 hours in a week), the
interns were allowed a short but worthwhile break. We decided to go
just outside of Mbale to Sipi Falls. If there are any James Bond fans
out there, Mbale was in one of the opening scenes in Casino Royale.
Sadly to say, Mbale is nothing like that; however, we did see some
independent fighters.
Sipi Falls was incredible. There were three waterfalls within a mile
of each other and each waterfall was approximately 60 meters or more
(60 meters = approx. 198 feet). I have pictures to show that
describes the trip in more detail but for short we experienced tons of
bats (in caves and in the trees), monkeys, birds, jungle, hills, and
much more. I am sure any outdoor enthusiasts (Aunt Jeannine and Uncle
Mitch) would love the area. We also got to swim in one of the pools
from the waterfall. We got in on video. SWEET!!!
The bus rides to and from Mbale were a tale on their own. Sadly
enough there was no cheap and cheesy African movie - these buses were
like the ones you have heard about. A buddy of mine had to sit above
a duck. Every time he moved his feet he got his heels nibbled on.
About one in ten people would bring aboard some chickens. These
chickens had their feet tied but that did not mean they would be tame.
We witnessed people getting smacked in the face and clawed. If a bus
holds 40 people, you better believe Africans will make it 60. On the
way home I spent the whole time with my knee in a fat man's belly. He
kept asking me "Who do you cheer outside of Uganda?" For those of you
that are confused by this, so was I. I finally realized he was asking
me about my favorite futbol team. Anyway, bus rides are always a
thrill.
Coming back to the office we wasted no time. Back to work full swing
to get things finalized for our theological college design. So from
here on out it will be long hours working but it is so worth it.
Working in this environment is great and everyone is so encouraging.
It makes working late not seem so bad.
I am still loving Uganda. I am not excited knowing I will be leaving
in under a month but I am excited about getting back to family and
friends.

Okay everyone. I am off to eat and then bed. Sleep well

John

ps - sorry for the length of the email, I hope you made it all the way through