This is Ugandan social work

Earlier this week I went on my first home visit to a family out in one of the villages. The purpose of the visit was to prepare one of the four children to meet their sponsor the next day in Kampala.  I needed to make sure she had something good to wear and also a gift to give to the sponsor. It had been pouring rain that day so the car I was taking was not able to maneuver through the thick bush and mud of where this girl lived. So myself and two other women got out to walk up a mile-long hill through the mud. As I was dodging sticky puddles of mud my supervisor chuckled, “This isn’t American social work anymore Ali, welcome to Africa.” It was like she read my mind. I was thinking about how social work in the United States is accompanied by clean dress, paved roads  (or at least semi-smooth), air-conditioning, and case files on computer systems. I couldn’t help but wonder how in the world I ended up in this place.

When we arrived to the one-room, mud-bricked home with no door and chickens running everywhere, our feet looked like we have been playing in the mud all day. As soon as we walked up to the family the woman tells me in broken English, “you are welcome here”. She then prepares a wash basin for me to clean my shoes and feet. As I begin to remove my shoes she then proceeds to wash my feet. I almost cried. I have been here long enough to understand that for someone to even give you water is a big deal, because there is no running water and you only get water when it rains--and it's dry season. So she is using her precious water to wash MY feet. She then escorts me into her home and places a straw mat on the floor for us to sit and we begin to converse. She does not speak English well so I have a translator, but language is really not as big of a barrier as it may seem. I felt like I was having a normal conversation. As we were done conversing, she goes outside and comes back with a giant bag of Avocados (fresh from the tree!) and hands them to us. It is African hospitality to give gifts whenever one has visitors so she gave us a large portion of her food for the day. Everything in me wanted to resist and tell her that she should keep it, but I am also learning that giving is a fundamental principle here. As we excited our home, she escorted us all the way down the mile-long road in the pouring rain—another way African’s show hospitality. I cried on the car ride home because I felt like I just encountered the character of Christ.  I also could not get over how I had learned about African culture and African people in my first home visit. Americans, I, have much to learn from my African brothers and sisters. Just about what is means to be human.

I want everyone to know that Africa is not deprived. Sure, the people I work with make AT MOST 66 cents a day and live in poverty and don’t have the luxury of even running water and electricity, but they are not incomplete. The African puts their value in who they are in the context of their community, not in the self. Because they have EACHOTHER and their Lord, they are full. I do not say this naively, I have witnessed it. The reason we spend our lives chasing happiness is because we are trying to find it within ourselves, and we go through big houses, large paychecks, and luxurious toys to do so.  But what has every single person in the history of the world found in this life? Emptiness, despair, loneliness.

"The isolated self is an abstraction. We become persons only in and through our relations with other persons. The individual self has no independent existence which gives it the power to enter into relationship with other selves. Only through living intercourse with other selves can it become a self at all."

 It is when we realize that we are part of something so much bigger than what is inside us that we can truly be complete.

Two weeks in this place and I’m already changed.

Ali

Adapting

I have now been in Uganda for just over a week but it feels like it’s been months. It’s been easy to make friends; you talk to someone once and then you have a solid conversation every time thereafter. The first step I took onto African soil was quickly followed by tears—because I just couldn’t believe I was here. It was also at that moment my role as a citizen in a country had changed to foreigner, and I was becoming a learner.

Mukono, Uganda on top of Monkey Hill

I sleep under a bed net—Malaria is real. There isn’t toilet paper around, you have to buy your own and carry it with you. Bathrooms are referred to as “the toilet”, and I have very rarely gone to the bathroom in an actually toilet, most are holes in the ground. There is also no air conditioning and showing your knees is extremely immodest.  Hot water is also not around—cold showers all day, every day. Forget throwing your laundry in the washer and doing other things because washers and dryers don’t exist. It’s all hand washing clothes and boy will I have a strong lower back soon! Time is also not a factor in Ugandan culture. It is more important to say hello and spend time with your friends than it is to be on time anywhere.  Americans place value on a person based on how much they can get done in a certain amount of time; I have needed to abandon this mindset.

Road walking home

I have also started my internship working at Compassion International in a rural town called Kisoga. And boy is it rural! It’s a 45 minute drive to where cars are stared at because they are few and far between. I am working in Compassion’s Child Development Sponsorship Program. Every child that is sponsored through Compassion International must attend certain programs and meet certain requirements, all of this happens at this local location. If they do not, for whatever reason, they are at risk of getting kicked out of the program. My case loads consists of those kids who are at risk of being deported from the program. I will be doing lots of home, school, and community visits to talk with the child, figure out what is going on, and figure out a way to keep them sponsored. There are many barriers in this, one being most people in rural Uganda are very poor and don’t speak English. Secondly, I’m white, and let me assure you that some of these people have only seen a handful of whites in their lifetimes.  I am also the only white in the agency.  I have consciously not often thought of my skin color until now. This job is intimidating in some ways but exciting in others because it puts a whole different perspective on social work.

In just a few days I will be moving in with a family for two weeks in Mukono and then commuting to Kisoga every day. I am starting to get used to the stares and assumptions of who I am because of my skin color. I think being a minority is a valuable experience and I will walk away with a different perspective.

First day of internship!

If I could sum up my week here in Uganda, interacting with Ugandans, adapting to the culture, working at Compassion, I have come to the conclusion that at the end of my four months, in a very positive way, I will be a changed person. I couldn't be more excited to see who that person becomes.

Please continue to pray for adaptability and relationships here—for these things are the foundation of being effective in a cross-cultural setting. 

Ali

Preparing for the Unprepared

Today I am leaving for Entebbe, Uganda. Whoa. It has felt like a journey so far away, and now it’s finally here. I know that it’s going to bring difficulties different than what I expect, and also excitements different than I expect. That is why I am choosing to commit in my heart and in my mind to the following things:

·        - Being adaptable

·         -Continually engaging the culture even when it’s hard

·      -   Asking for humility

·        - Being myself

·        - Being intentional with relationships

·         -Never giving up

I will be living in a gated city called Mukono (northeast of the capital Kampala) and doing my senior internship as a social worker. As far as what I will be doing exactly is to be determined when I arrive in the country. This uncertainty would put most people in anx about not knowing what they’re doing, but it quite oppositely excites me—because even if I knew what I was doing, I still wouldn’t really know what I was doing. Flying across the country by myself, not knowing anyone, and entering in to a radically different environment is what I live for. There isn’t much in the world that excites me more than uncertain, wild and adventurous opportunities. All that to say, I’m ecstatic about going to Africa.

I realize it would be easy, and common, for me to have a mindset proud of my education and believing Uganda needs my skill set , but I would be foolish to think that Africa needs me. The truth is that I need Africa more than ever. To teach and mold me into someone who values people first, and that “stuff” is not what defines us. To get me out of my ethnocentric thinking that America knows best and to get me out of my comfort zone. And to allow me to learn about a completely different culture and values, but at the same time realize Africans are human, and they are just like me.

I am thankful for the default prayers of safety and good health while I’m overseas, but I would challenge people to be paralleling those prayers with prayers of adaptability, humility, and adversity—because this is where true growth happens.

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever you would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger”

-Hillsong's Oceans

Ali

True Love

As I was driving back from work today, I flipped on the radio to a familiar station and heard the song True Love by Pink.  The rhythm was catchy so I kept the station on. But the first words I heard were “I hate you, I really hate you, so I think it must be, true love.” I was taken back right away and suddenly filled with anger! I was so fired up about this song I had to call one of my friends just to vent to her about how frustrated I was that it was mainstreaming on the radio. I just thought, what kind of message is this sending to the world? And even sadder, does this song really represent how our culture feels about love? Is this what we think love is? Things like “You’re an asshole but I love you” and “I hate every single stupid word you say”.  And what about the message it’s sending to girls about being with a guy who doesn’t treat her right. Lyrics like “Why do you rub me up the wrong way and say the things you say? But without you I’m incomplete.” Or “No one else can break my heart like you”.

I have to cry wolf: this message is WRONG. I am not a relationship expert and I am not in a relationship myself, but I do know enough to say that this is not what love is. Whoever came up with the idea that love is actually about hating someone and dealing with it is wrong. Love is selfless, not self-taking; it is about learning to serve another person, not “I wanna wrap my hands around your neck”; it’s about building each other up, not breaking each other down.  And 1 Corinthians tells us, “Love it patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.” The world desperately needs, more than ever, for us to love one another with that kind of love. There are too many people running around hating each other nowadays there’s no wonder we have so many family grudges, divorces, and war. I believe the root of every global issue right now is the devaluing of human life—the result of not loving each other.

And for all those girls and women out there who thinks being with someone who doesn’t treat you right is okay, I need to tell you that you’re wrong. And you deserve better than that.  You deserve to be treated of most value—don’t ever settle for less. You are beautiful. Let me say that again, you are beautiful. Just because you have messed up and made mistakes, or have been treated poorly in the past, does not mean you don’t deserve the best.

I am in my last year of college and in no way in the stage of life to have children, but this issue concerns me for babies being born now and for my kids in the future. My desire it to have my girls, someday, be raised in a world that teaches them about what it really means to love.—and to do it well. My desire is that they will not think of themselves less than they are and they will walk upright, knowing they are beautiful, and loved. And for my boys: that they will learn how to treat a woman well, and with respect. That they will understand how the feminine heart is gentle and kind and it needs to be protected.

The purpose of this response is not to bash Pink or any of the songwriters, producers, or radio hosts for making it mainstream. The purpose is both simply to think critically about the message and its validity and draw us nearer to the true meaning of love.

Blessings: experiences and people

I am officially home. I remember writing my first entry on my journey out west and thinking that this experience could turn out terrible and maybe I wouldn't think it would be worth it. And looking at it in retrospect, it was some of the most difficult times of my life, but also held some of the richest blessings. I cannot explain in words how enriched my summer has been with both the experiences in the mountains and the memories with the people I have had. Not that I ever thought I was going to change the people I came into contact with, but I am realizing more and more how they changed me. I have been so touched by the people I lived with. It was the people who didn’t believe in God who encouraged me never to be ashamed of what I believe in. It was the people who didn’t share the same moral values as me who showed me what it means to serve people well and show hospitality. And it was the people who I had absolutely nothing in common with who showed me the realness of every human heart. I am convinced, more than ever, that everyone has something so unique to offer the world. In the midst of every experience, hardship, and trail in a person’s life, there is something to offer. I believe in the good in all people. I believe in the value of every human heart. And I believe that a crazy-loving and passionate God is pursuing them.

I feel like my life is rich. Just rich. Not by any amount of money or ranking in society, rich because of the memories and the experiences that I will hold so dearly in my heart forever. Nothing can take that away. I wish I could share some of these things, but I know my attempts would fail—words just aren't enough.

I am thankful for safe travels, amazing weather all summer, and the challenges that I learned so much from. Thank you so much for those who have feverishly been praying and supporting me all summer.   

Ali

How Much Do You Love Me?

It is now official that I will be leaving Glacier National Park on Tuesday the 20th to return home to Grand Rapids. It is the best decision concerning my health and also to figure out some other school stuff. This is the last thing I want to do considering I am leaving the place I call home and also the people I call my family. This is going to be extremely difficult for me. I always knew this summer was going to be difficult, but I have been challenged in ways I have never been challenged before--things that have really challenged my worldview and what I believe. This is the hardest stuff I’ve ever faced, but the whisper I keep hearing is this: “How much do you love me, Ali?” As I am the only Christian out in my area, I have challenged this question the whole summer. God is purging me of everything that is in the way of making him number one. I believe that’s what he’s doing in all of our lives—in this sanctification process. He’s not only making us more like himself, but he’s doing it in a way that allows us to love him more freely—to fulfill his greatest commandment for us: to love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. That has never been more clear to me as it is right now as I struggle and struggle to discover how strong my love for Him is. And I’m finding that my love for him does not stand alone. My love, our love, for him is rooted in his infinite love for us. Rocks my world. 

A few days ago I had my first taste of authentic raw fish from fish we caught in the lake. We fried them in the frying back over the back country stove and ate them...probably the best fish I have ever had. Then I spent some time up in Waterton Lakes, Canada with Brooks and just relaxed, walked the beach, and grabbed some dinner out on the Patio.  This picture is is just a little taste of the beaches up there. Yesterday I hiked this lake called Shangrala, which isn't even on the map, but it felt a little like heaven. It's one of those lake you have to climb up over cliffs to get to and it sits in the chasm of a range of mountains. Spending the afternoon swimming and cliff jumping was exactly what my soul needed. This weekend I will be getting my 250 pin for miles hiked in the park--it's been wild. 

So now I will be road-tripping back to Michigan starting on Tuesday, please pray for safe travels as well as some good alone time in my own thoughts.Thank you thank you thank you for all your prayers.

Ali

Always Ready

Last week I was planning on doing this intense hike called the skyline. You’re not going to find it on the map or in the hiking books; it’s one of those hikes where you have to know people to find out about it. It’s a 20-mile hike that encompasses 4 summits and an incredible ridge walk.  I was supposed to do this hike and was really excited about it, but wasn’t able to go. As I got up early to start the hike, I went over to the sink and thought I was going to be sick—and that’s the last thing I remember. My roommates tell me they woke up to a super loud thud; the thud being my head hitting our wood floor. I found out later I had passed out, hit my head really hard, wasn’t breathing, and didn’t have any eye movement for 2 minutes. One of my roommates ran into the kitchen screaming that I wasn’t breathing and needed help right away. Rangers with sirens, ambulances, and even a helicopter was called in (they cancelled that one though) and I was taken to the ER in Browning, Montana. Anyways, they still don’t know why I passed out and what happened when I hit my head, so this next week and when I return home to Michigan will consist of multiple appointments with neurologists and cardiologists. So I wasn’t able to hike that amazing skyline. As I was bumming about this, and now not able to drive or do any strenuous hiking, I was reminded that I must, at any time, be ready to give up what I had planned. This event happened so fast and I was not prepared to deal with this at all, but I know from past events that must not bank on anything to happen. I was reminded that my life consists of moving to the rhythm of God’s grace. I don’t know what will come out of all this, but I do know that there is a reason, and if I have to leave Glacier National Park because of it, I could do that knowing God has blessed me with many amazing experiences all ready. It’s not easy to think about our lives changing so fast, but it also keeps us in the present—exactly where God wants us, and being thankful for what he is blessing us with in each moment. I hope I don’t have to return home, but if that is where God is calling me, I’m ready.

Last week a guy that I called my friend died on the mountain from a fall. It's been difficult around here dealing with 2 employee deaths in a 17-day span. Please pray for healing for his family, especially his brother who is also working out here in Glacier. This is another example of how things change so fast. One minute we are all having fun climbing mountains and the next we are grieving the death of a friend. I am becoming more thankful each day God blesses me with knowing that he doesn't owe me, or anyone else, another breath on this earth. Thanks for all your prayers already.

Ali