This weekend, I have spent my time away from the office to develop self. Thursday was committed to working through Richard Stearn’s “Hole in Our Gospel”, a great book for anyone that considers themselves committed to a call to His ministry, regardless of where it may take you. I was recommended the book through a tweet @nonprofitcoffee as I was preparing for Uganda. It wasn’t until this week that I completed this book and fully grasped Stearn’s story as he leads World Vision. This weekend, I read through Rob Bell’s “Love Wins”. Bell’s book seemed incredibly relevant to the Easter season, and I’m grateful that I was able to read his work in this season. This morning as I was going through my regular routine at home, I received an incredible blessing through the phone…12 digits and no name on the Caller ID only means one thing; someone from Uganda is calling.
On the other side of the phone call was my friend Chris. I met Chris (blue shirt in the photo below) one of the first days that we were at the home sorting through all of the donations. He could speak English, had the most contagious smile, and greeted me with a brotherly handshake. In the States, I would expect people to talk about his charm. People seemed to love Chris, as he was incredibly polite, always willing to talk, and a big brother to some of the children at the home. Chris lived down the street with his siblings and mother, whom had been sick for some time. He invited me into his home one afternoon before playing soccer and I was able to talk with his sisters and nieces. It was there that I learned the importance and significance of respect in the Ugandan culture. Every time I would meet a member of his family, they would kneel down in front of me as a sign of respect. At first, it seemed like coincidence, but when his niece that was no more than 12-16 months old did it, I understood how real it was. I was initially turned off by this act of selflessness as bowing down can be interpreted as gross or unnecessary, but came to understand its beauty when considering the lack of respect in everyday culture now that I am back in America.
Chris spent a lot of time at the home with me. He sat up a small practice field in the front yard to teach me some of the basics of football, including dribbling and a few other moves. I was a sweaty mess after going through his training. Sometimes we would stand in a circle and dribble the ball for 30-40 minutes without a single word being said. In these moments, I was affirmed that communication is above and beyond language and verbal influence. These moments may be what make phone calls from Uganda so difficult for me. Each time I receive one, I just wish I was there to share a hug, see some smiles, and hold close to a culture that embraces people. It never seemed to hard to talk when you were standing face to face, but on a phone call thousands of miles away, it can be incredibly difficult.
After my football skills had been developed a bit, Chris invited me to the secondary school to play a game with some of the older kids in the community. The comparison to soccer player Wayne Rooney was at an all-time high during this game, because of my rising hair line and big legs in comparison to a typical soccer player. I was fully expecting to be destroyed in this game, but ended up scoring three goals. The most embarrassing moment came when I pulled my bunched up long socks to my knees, much like American football players. I was laughed at by everyone that was watching. In Uganda, no one pulls them up but leaves them at their ankles.
Through the week, Chris became my “brother from another mother”. We taught him about the American slang, “Swagger!” He would always enter a room, embrace a large smile for all to see, then flaunt his shirt or jersey while looking at the girls exclaiming, “Swaggggaa!” I was unable to say goodbye to Chris as he would occasionally run home and watch over his family but not come back for a day or two. My assumption is that he is a big provider for his family. When we would go into the city, Chris seemed to talk to anyone and everyone as if they were a brother. He was a relater, or in StrengthsQuest terms, a “Woo” personality.
A simple phone call from Chris has made my day wonderful.
