Village Birthday


A dear friend of mine, Agumo Lois (see her wedding in my February blog posts), invited us to celebrate her birthday. A fellow missionary volunteered to drive. We filled the 9-seater van with 23 people, a chicken, guitar and gifts. (And maybe a partridge in a pair tree? 😊)

On the way home, we no longer had a chicken or gifts, but made up for that by having 25 people in the van, the guitar and a bike on the roof rack.


When we arrived, we were enthusiastically greeted, then lead to seats to wait for the "program" to start.


When Agumo finally came out, her sisters insisted on throwing water on her, a Ugandan tradition for birthdays.




Agumo invited us girls in her house while she found dry clothes. I'm so impressed by my friend's creativity in making her house particularly beautiful (I've never seen hut walls covered with white sheets the way Agumo did in her house).

Lunch was a long time in coming, so we entertained ourselves with lively rounds of Uno and Spot It.

After lunch, everyone was introduced. Yes, everyone. Even the DJ.

Dan, Agumo's father, introducing his ten children, wife, grandson, daughter-in-law and son-and-law (who happen to be siblings!)


I'm telling you, everyone was introduced. The host proudly had his three "brothers" say their names; he elaborated on his relationship with them, revealing they were actually ended up being distant cousins.

Despite the time it takes to hear everyone's name and relationship, I appreciate the Teso family ties. Clan/family ties are strong and people here usually do their best to care for relatives in need.

Baby Aaron, Dan's grandson, is deeply loved despite the fact he is born out of wedlock. Thankfully, his parents stay together and are receiving marriage counseling until they can have a wedding celebration.
I hurt over the hook-up culture of the west and get-pregnant-so-we-can-stay-together-without-paying-dowry on the rise in Uganda. God wisely designed marriage as the closest replica of His relationship to the church. Families break apart, women are left hurting, men try to hide their brokenness, children are abandoned or killed, society falls to pieces... all when a godly marriage model is not followed. Let us value the sanctity and beauty of marriage, saying with the Lord, "What God has joined together, let no man separate".

Missionary kids face a unique challenge: they belong in multiple places, but can only be at one place at a time. I praise God that He gave me a funny. loving, gracious community in Obule. Though I have friends around the world, my heart feels at home here. I thank God furthermore that I am guaranteed to live forever with Him and all my loved ones among His people.

Heading home... Because of the overloaded vehicle, narrow road and a stump in the driveway, backing out was a ten to fifteen minute process!


Comments

  1. Everyday BeautifulAugust 6, 2023 at 9:27 PM

    Oh the life you live! Everyday not only beautiful but full of experiences! You are so patient and understanding of it all as it happens. Not always easy I am sure. You always see the joy and beauty in it all. Love you!

    ReplyDelete

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