Memories Via My Favorite Quotes

Once again I think I need to blog but do not know what to say. So, it occurred to me that it might be interesting if I compile a list of the many quotes that I have been collecting since I arrived in January. Some do not need explanations. Those that do, I will try to keep them short enough but still adequate. 

 “I like airports and rain. They remind me of romantic movies when you’re saying goodbye to someone you love.” –USP student (don’t remember who. . .) at the airport in Amsterdam. January 6, 2012. 

“I don’t think ‘It’s all God’s plan’ is always correct. The world is sinful and people get caught in the crossfire, and it sucks. God grieves at suffering.” –Tiffana, telling me part of her story in the dining hall. January 11, 2012.

“At the end of the day, I think God saves us from many diseases; because what we used to do in boarding school. . .(laugh) oh my.” –my sister Hannah telling me about how her and her friends tried desperately to avoid washing clothes and bed sheets when they were in boarding school because the woman who supervised was annoyingly strict. January 16, 2012. This quote went through my head numerous times during rural homestay when we only rinsed our hands before dinner. 

“I just want to serve you. . .If you don’t want tea, will you take some water?” –Papa. January 18, 2012.

“You can’t not like a practicum; that’s like throwing away a Bible!” –Tiffana, as we were submitting our top choices for the location where we would serve at least 40 hours over the course of the semester. January 18, 2012.

“I will stay awake and wait for my heart’s sweetie to arrive.” –Momma, at the dinner table. My dad had been gone all day and was returning late. Hannah responded with a laugh and, “Mommy, it is ‘sweetheart.’ What are you saying?” February 2, 2012.

“Your voice is like a baby.” –Hannah, to me about my voice when I was excited about something (I think). Thought you all might like this one.  February 8, 2012.

“Jesus is the most handsome.” –Papa, to the room full of his “daughters” during evening devotions on the week preceding Valentine’s Day. February 8, 2012.

“This place is a small America.” –Momma, about the potato peeler she likes to use in the kitchen. (Most African households have only one knife.) February 10, 2012.

“This Christian says the sermon is too long.” –Papa, expressing to Momma that Hannah is looking distressed about how much she is talking. Hannah wants to go to bed, but Momma keeps talking about the evening devotion. Feb 10.

Conversation: “Sometimes, people do not act Christian.” –Momma. “It is the same in America.” –Me. “No, we think Americans are angels!” –Momma, showing that really the grass is always greener on the other side. My family has visited the States a few times; they have had very good experiences with Americans…. “What else (other than nursing homes) shocked you about America?” –Me. “Americans are always eating! Walking, sitting, in class, driving! It was strange, but then I liked that freedom.” –Papa, commenting on the cultural difference in the way we eat. In Uganda, it is not really polite to eat or drink and move. We are supposed to sit to eat or drink, although slowly, I think the youth are changing this somewhat. Hannah definitely does not care; she walks and eats whenever she wants. Her friends chide her. February conversations.

“The devil is contextual. He works differently in different cultures. Americans struggle with porn. Village men do not because they have no internet.” –Shadrach, a Kenyan Anglican Reverend. February 28, 2012.

In our evening prayers, papa often prays for good dreams. When I asked him about it, he said, “You shouldn’t take them for granted; they can easily be Satanic influenced.” February 28. Offers a fresh perspective to think about, especially in a culture that deals with a lot of witchcraft and other forms of spiritual forces.

“Are those the same jeans you wore into Kampala last month?” –Hannah to me. “Yes. . .” –Me. “Ah. They were loose then, now they are fitting!” –Hannah, as she smirks. March 4.

“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me./The Lord will fulfill his purposes for me.” –Psalm 138:8 KJV/NIV. A verse we discussed during evening devotions, March 13.

“If Kirabo (that’s me. They gave me a name in their language; it means “gift.”) were really my daughter and a man came to me to marry her, I would demand 20 cows.” –Papa, during a conversation discussing the African customs of bride price. Money and cars, no matter the value, do not measure up to the expected standards. At least one cow is always necessary, or the family will be disappointed (at best) or simply refuse. March 19.

“If God willed it, I would help my wife give birth; she shouldn’t have to do that all the time. She will get tired.” –Andrew, graduate and now employee at UCU. Our conversation was about gender roles in Africa. They are definitely changing among the formerly educated.

“I forgot what it is like to not have diarrhea” –Tiffana, the poor woman has not been healthy for much of this semester, but she still has a sense of humor