Well, Friends, here you go! The long anticipated story of my first marriage proposal. Yes, I say 'first' because I am certain I will get another one. Either that, or die an old maid.
You should understand that it is not unusual for African man to ask an American girl to marry him, without even knowing them previously. They ask because marrying an American girl is a free ticket to America. I don't know if they really expect the girls to say yes or what, but despite rejection, they ask. This happened to a friend of mine last time I was here (she did say no, by the way), so I was kind of expecting it. Still, when the moment actually came I was slightly shocked.
I met Emmanuel the first Sunday evening I was here. He is a student at Westminster Theological Seminary, which is on the same property as the school where I am working. After service he came up and was talking to me. He asked me where I was from, what things I was interested in, etc. Harmless enough questions. But when he started asking me about when I want to get married, if I could marry an African, and saying that marriage is a gift from God, I did start to get a little worried. I ended that conversation as quickly as I could!
The following Tuesday (yes, two days later) I was waiting after school for the Ebys to take me back home. Emmanuel came up and was talking to me again. Believe me, I was thrilled. He started off by saying that he had seen me with all the school children. "You have a gift, a way with children. I pray to God that you will stay in Uganda and do His work here." I'm thinking "Well, that is kinda nice but kinda creepy" but I said something like "I don't know if I could stay in Uganda. I would miss my family so much. It would be very hard."
Emmanuel then asked me about my family, and since I really love my family and am very proud of them, I (the fool that I am) pulled out my little photo album and showed him pictures of my family and friends. "You have a very nice family." Emmanuel said. I agreed, of course. Then he said "When you go back home, you must tell your family 'I have a new friend in Uganda now'."
"I will tell them I have many new friends in Uganda." I said, thinking "I know exactly what you mean, buddy, but I'm not playing along."
"No, but you will tell them 'I have a special friend in Uganda who wants to take me back to marry him.'" Emmanuel said, looking at me very pointedly. He has rather intent eyes.
I'm thinking "AHHHHHHH!" Now, I don't have much experience in refusing suitors so I didn't really know what to do. So I freaked out inwardly, basically pretended to be very busy with the little kids who were pulling on my bag and tried to ignore Emmanuel. It didn't work.
"Ruth, do you understand what I am saying?" He persisted. "Will you tell them that?"
I mumbled something like "No, I can't tell them that." I guess it didn't sound very convincing, because Emmanuel then said "Well, if it is God's will, it will be. You can't fight it." What do you say to that?
I didn't say much after that, just went and stood by Mrs. Eby. I figured guys wouldn't try and woo me if I was standing by her.
Sooo, that is my first big story. Emmanuel still talks with me, so I don't know if there will be a second offer from him. There is also Richard, a tall, dark, deep-voiced African who keeps trying to talk with me. He hasn't asked me yet, but I think he will. And then there is some suitor Unknown, who has been asking Aidah (the girl I teach with) about me. And if that isn't enough, just driving or walking around, men will wink and nod at me.
I always wondered what girls in books felt like, the ones who have a bazillion interested young men and are just the belle of the ball. I think I know a little bit now, and I really hate it. I don't like being the center of attention just because I am a young, white, and somewhat attractive female, who is completely single! Next time I come, I am going to take a picture with some male friend of mine and then tell everyone I have a boy-friend.
So, there is my story. I will keep you posted on my love life over here, and let you know if I get any more offers.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah-Naaaah
Important info to know in order to get the humor of this next post:
Mr. and Mrs. Eby (the missionaries with whom I am staying) are both teachers at the Westminister Theological College and Seminary here in Kampala, Uganda. They are both in their sixties. Don and Fran McNeal (missionaries from MI) also teach at Westminister and are in their fifties. Keep this in mind.
There was a student party at WTC last night, and I got to go. There were about 70 people there. Mrs. Eby and Fran brought down food, and we three served it to all the students. It was a lot of fun, but kinda weird cause I could tell that all the unmarried African men were watching me. One guy even snapped a picture of me when I wasn't looking. I would have liked to mingle with the students (such is my TeenPact training) but the women were kinda of spread out and I
didn't want to join a group of men, so was very anti-social and sat near the Mzungus (Foreigners).
After dinner we all gathered together and had a time of singing and dancing, with the African drums. We sang some songs all together first,and then Mr. Eby asked all the students from the Congo to sing and dance, then the students from Jinja, etc. ect. with every different African country or tripal group represented. They sang and dance their tribal dances, and it was a blast to watch them! They really got into it! The guys even borrowed jackets or sweaters and tied them around their waists to dance.
After several groups had gone, they all started to chant for the Mzungus to dance. The Ebys, the McNeals, and the Whites all shook their heads. Mrs. Eby said "We would need a full orchestra!" But I, being young and inclined to make a fool of myself, volunteered to do a dance, and they all cheered when I stood up. I got Walker and Parx to come up with me, and then we danced the Chicken Dance! We three did it for a little while, and then I stopped and said to the American adults "Now you have seen it, you have to come dance it." So, some what reluctantly, all the Americans stood up and danced! Everybody was laughing very hard. I am sure we must have looked ridiculous, especially when I started speeding it up. That really surprised my dancing partners, and their facial expressions made me laugh. But we all had a good time, and proved very forcefully that white people can dance, they just don't dance well!
It was a really neat evening. A little taste of heaven, actually (though I doubt if we will be doing the Chicken Dance in glory). It was so refreshing to see the Africans enthusiasm and energy in praising God. I am a very white girl, and I often just repeat the words without thinking about the meaning of them, and tell myself "I just don't get emotional or demonstrative like that", trying to excuse my lack of true worship. So the worship time last night was a good example for me. The love and adoration for God is so evident in their faces as they sing! Now I will probably never jump up and down or dance around as I'm singing, but I can and will try to be more passionate about He I am sing to, rather than let it become an empty ritual.
It is hard to describe, but suffice it to say: I can't wait 'till heaven when every tongue, tribe, nation, people, and land are joined together in praising God. And I sure hope there are a lot of Africans there!
Mr. and Mrs. Eby (the missionaries with whom I am staying) are both teachers at the Westminister Theological College and Seminary here in Kampala, Uganda. They are both in their sixties. Don and Fran McNeal (missionaries from MI) also teach at Westminister and are in their fifties. Keep this in mind.
There was a student party at WTC last night, and I got to go. There were about 70 people there. Mrs. Eby and Fran brought down food, and we three served it to all the students. It was a lot of fun, but kinda weird cause I could tell that all the unmarried African men were watching me. One guy even snapped a picture of me when I wasn't looking. I would have liked to mingle with the students (such is my TeenPact training) but the women were kinda of spread out and I
didn't want to join a group of men, so was very anti-social and sat near the Mzungus (Foreigners).
After dinner we all gathered together and had a time of singing and dancing, with the African drums. We sang some songs all together first,and then Mr. Eby asked all the students from the Congo to sing and dance, then the students from Jinja, etc. ect. with every different African country or tripal group represented. They sang and dance their tribal dances, and it was a blast to watch them! They really got into it! The guys even borrowed jackets or sweaters and tied them around their waists to dance.
After several groups had gone, they all started to chant for the Mzungus to dance. The Ebys, the McNeals, and the Whites all shook their heads. Mrs. Eby said "We would need a full orchestra!" But I, being young and inclined to make a fool of myself, volunteered to do a dance, and they all cheered when I stood up. I got Walker and Parx to come up with me, and then we danced the Chicken Dance! We three did it for a little while, and then I stopped and said to the American adults "Now you have seen it, you have to come dance it." So, some what reluctantly, all the Americans stood up and danced! Everybody was laughing very hard. I am sure we must have looked ridiculous, especially when I started speeding it up. That really surprised my dancing partners, and their facial expressions made me laugh. But we all had a good time, and proved very forcefully that white people can dance, they just don't dance well!
It was a really neat evening. A little taste of heaven, actually (though I doubt if we will be doing the Chicken Dance in glory). It was so refreshing to see the Africans enthusiasm and energy in praising God. I am a very white girl, and I often just repeat the words without thinking about the meaning of them, and tell myself "I just don't get emotional or demonstrative like that", trying to excuse my lack of true worship. So the worship time last night was a good example for me. The love and adoration for God is so evident in their faces as they sing! Now I will probably never jump up and down or dance around as I'm singing, but I can and will try to be more passionate about He I am sing to, rather than let it become an empty ritual.
It is hard to describe, but suffice it to say: I can't wait 'till heaven when every tongue, tribe, nation, people, and land are joined together in praising God. And I sure hope there are a lot of Africans there!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
From My Side of the World
Greetings from Africa,
Well, I think I warned you that I am very bad at keeping up blogs. See what I mean? I am sorry that I haven't written sooner. The internet has been down a couple of times, and is slower all of the time. I'm not complaining, I am just trying to make good excuses for myself. I really could have written sooner, but you know me, I have trouble coming up with the right words
to say.
I got to Uganda safely, minus my camera. I had it when I left, so I think that it fell out on my second flight. I will be in touch with the airline to see if they have it, but if you don't see any pictures up here, that is why.
My first two days, Saturday and Sunday, were relaxing days. I was able to get over jet-lag fairly quickly, see some friends from last time I was here, and get to meet many new people. Would you believe it, I've met an old-time TeenPacter from South Carolina here in Uganda! She is a teacher at a international Christian school over here, and I enjoyed connecting with her.
I came over here, not knowing exactly what to expect or what I would be doing. I found out on Monday that I would helping my friend Aidah (I know her from my past visit) teach P1 (Primary 1: First Grade). Tuesday was my first day of teaching, since Monday was busy registering all the students. So for now, I am being an assistant teacher to Aidah. That is, I am
trying to assisist her. Obviously I have never done this before, so I don't really know what I am doing. Plus, these young kids can't speak much English at all, and the little they can speak I have troubleunderstanding. Aidah is very sweet and says that I am being helpful, but I mostly just feel incapable. The children are absolutely adorable, and like to laugh at the silly faces I make or things I do before class starts. I sang to them before school started yesterday morning, just songs like "My God is so Big" or "Deep and Wide". I want to teach them the Bird Song from the TeenPact One day. I think they would like that.
The level I teach goes from 8-1, and then my afternoons are free. The school does have a quilting class for older students. That class starts again next week from 4-5 in the evening, and I would like to be involved in that. I don't know if I can't really teach them anything, but I would like to try.
The other teachers are Aidah, Maria, Sarah, Susan, Tony, Amil, and Patrick (the principal). They are all very nice. I know Amil from my last visit, and he is just the sweetest, most humble man I know. Susan is especially lively and out-going. She brought me true Uganda coffee yesterday during the break. It had coffee grounds floating in it, and LOTS of sugar, but it
was surprisingly good. Tony has lent me a book to help me learn Luganda, so I will be studying that. I am getting to know the others.
Over all, I am doing well. I'm feeling very healthy and am taking my vitamins and malaria medication medicine every day like a good girl. I still don't feel like I fit in, not only because my white skin is shiningly obvious, but because this is all so unknown. It's not home, it's not church, it's not TeenPact, where people know me and my sense of humor, my quirkyness, or what makes me tick. It is getting better, but I still feel out of place. Mostly I feel incapable, I
guess. I feel like I don't really have anything to offer and can't truly help. I want to be a blessing, and actually help, but I don't feel like I'm doing that. And then I realize how vain I am. I want to be able to contribute something so I know that I am valuable, so I get praised, so I feel worthwhile, etc. Well, I've been praying for humility and guess what! God is answering.
I know that I am in your prayers, but I would ask that you pray especially for me to be humble, to be content, that I would figure out my role here. Please pray that I would be a blessing, but that it would be for the right reasons. And finally, please pray forunderstanding. That I would learn some Luganda very quickly and that I would be able to understand when people speak to me in English. Often I can't understand because of their accent, and I hate having to say "What?" or just smile and nod.
I am so thankful to have friends like you! Thanks for all your support and prayers. I miss you all and look forward to seeing you when I get home.
I will try my best to update this more frequently. Tune in soon to hear the story of my first marriage proposal (believe me, you don't want to miss this one!).
- Ruth
Well, I think I warned you that I am very bad at keeping up blogs. See what I mean? I am sorry that I haven't written sooner. The internet has been down a couple of times, and is slower all of the time. I'm not complaining, I am just trying to make good excuses for myself. I really could have written sooner, but you know me, I have trouble coming up with the right words
to say.
I got to Uganda safely, minus my camera. I had it when I left, so I think that it fell out on my second flight. I will be in touch with the airline to see if they have it, but if you don't see any pictures up here, that is why.
My first two days, Saturday and Sunday, were relaxing days. I was able to get over jet-lag fairly quickly, see some friends from last time I was here, and get to meet many new people. Would you believe it, I've met an old-time TeenPacter from South Carolina here in Uganda! She is a teacher at a international Christian school over here, and I enjoyed connecting with her.
I came over here, not knowing exactly what to expect or what I would be doing. I found out on Monday that I would helping my friend Aidah (I know her from my past visit) teach P1 (Primary 1: First Grade). Tuesday was my first day of teaching, since Monday was busy registering all the students. So for now, I am being an assistant teacher to Aidah. That is, I am
trying to assisist her. Obviously I have never done this before, so I don't really know what I am doing. Plus, these young kids can't speak much English at all, and the little they can speak I have troubleunderstanding. Aidah is very sweet and says that I am being helpful, but I mostly just feel incapable. The children are absolutely adorable, and like to laugh at the silly faces I make or things I do before class starts. I sang to them before school started yesterday morning, just songs like "My God is so Big" or "Deep and Wide". I want to teach them the Bird Song from the TeenPact One day. I think they would like that.
The level I teach goes from 8-1, and then my afternoons are free. The school does have a quilting class for older students. That class starts again next week from 4-5 in the evening, and I would like to be involved in that. I don't know if I can't really teach them anything, but I would like to try.
The other teachers are Aidah, Maria, Sarah, Susan, Tony, Amil, and Patrick (the principal). They are all very nice. I know Amil from my last visit, and he is just the sweetest, most humble man I know. Susan is especially lively and out-going. She brought me true Uganda coffee yesterday during the break. It had coffee grounds floating in it, and LOTS of sugar, but it
was surprisingly good. Tony has lent me a book to help me learn Luganda, so I will be studying that. I am getting to know the others.
Over all, I am doing well. I'm feeling very healthy and am taking my vitamins and malaria medication medicine every day like a good girl. I still don't feel like I fit in, not only because my white skin is shiningly obvious, but because this is all so unknown. It's not home, it's not church, it's not TeenPact, where people know me and my sense of humor, my quirkyness, or what makes me tick. It is getting better, but I still feel out of place. Mostly I feel incapable, I
guess. I feel like I don't really have anything to offer and can't truly help. I want to be a blessing, and actually help, but I don't feel like I'm doing that. And then I realize how vain I am. I want to be able to contribute something so I know that I am valuable, so I get praised, so I feel worthwhile, etc. Well, I've been praying for humility and guess what! God is answering.
I know that I am in your prayers, but I would ask that you pray especially for me to be humble, to be content, that I would figure out my role here. Please pray that I would be a blessing, but that it would be for the right reasons. And finally, please pray forunderstanding. That I would learn some Luganda very quickly and that I would be able to understand when people speak to me in English. Often I can't understand because of their accent, and I hate having to say "What?" or just smile and nod.
I am so thankful to have friends like you! Thanks for all your support and prayers. I miss you all and look forward to seeing you when I get home.
I will try my best to update this more frequently. Tune in soon to hear the story of my first marriage proposal (believe me, you don't want to miss this one!).
- Ruth
Monday, January 28, 2008
This is a great adventure!
Wow, this trip has really crept up on me! I can't believe that I am truly headed to Uganda on Thursday! It still is kinda of surreal for me. I am very excited about my trip, though, and am busy getting in the last minute preparations. After all, a girl simply can't go off to Africa without two more shots, malaria medication, cough drops, pepperoni, and quilt patterns!
I will be staying with Dave and Darlene Eby. Mr. Eby is a former pastor, who moved to Uganda with his wife when he retired a couple years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Eby are such a godly and selfless couple and I am delighted to be able to spend time with them and learn from their example.
This will be my home for the next month. The Ebys have running water, electricity, and internet (most of the time). As you can see, I won't exactly be roughing it. :)
The Eby's front yard. It is so rich and green, but not exactly conducive to playing Frisbee (Paul, Adam, and I tried it!)
A portion of Kampala, the capitol city. Uganda truly is a beautiful country!
I am very excited about this trip! I am very thankful to be able to have this opportunity, and am looking forward to what God will teach me. I know that I will be pushed out of my comfort zone and will experience many new things. I am especially privileged to have such supportive friends and family, and I can't tell you how blessed I am to know that you are praying for me on this adventure of mine. I will do my best to keep this blog update with my thoughts and pictures of my trip. I hope that you all enjoy it!
~ Ruth Martin
I will be staying with Dave and Darlene Eby. Mr. Eby is a former pastor, who moved to Uganda with his wife when he retired a couple years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Eby are such a godly and selfless couple and I am delighted to be able to spend time with them and learn from their example.
This will be my home for the next month. The Ebys have running water, electricity, and internet (most of the time). As you can see, I won't exactly be roughing it. :)
The Eby's front yard. It is so rich and green, but not exactly conducive to playing Frisbee (Paul, Adam, and I tried it!)
A portion of Kampala, the capitol city. Uganda truly is a beautiful country!I am very excited about this trip! I am very thankful to be able to have this opportunity, and am looking forward to what God will teach me. I know that I will be pushed out of my comfort zone and will experience many new things. I am especially privileged to have such supportive friends and family, and I can't tell you how blessed I am to know that you are praying for me on this adventure of mine. I will do my best to keep this blog update with my thoughts and pictures of my trip. I hope that you all enjoy it!
~ Ruth Martin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)