April 7, 2008 

I feel like I begin every update with a similar phrase that goes something like this, "Wow! The time has flown by!" For this update, I can't think of a more pertinent way to begin. On Tuesday we returned to Kampala exhausted and hungry. The Peace and Reconciliation class ended on Friday with group presentations, and on Saturday we boarded the bus to head to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). The park is situated right on the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda's border. This area holds the famous Rwenzori Mountains and Lakes Edward and George. QENP was the perfect way to end an emotionally taxing class. There we were able to take a breather and bask in the creation of God. While in the park we spotted elephants, antelope of many variety, hippos, dozens of birds, leopard, lions, and many more. Spending time in nature is a good reminder of how detailed all of God's creation is. Upon returning back to the guest house the students enjoyed a spring break of sorts and took time to regain energy to finish up the semester, and worked on a few projects.

Onto the next stage: finishing up Developmental Economics and Post Colonial African Literature in Kampala. This final month will begin to bring about the many emotions the students feel as they begin the reflection process. Being in East Africa for many of these students has brought about transformation that has only begun to take roots. This week in our Owning Poverty study we will reflect a little on the joy that God's love and promises bring amongst the pain and poverty of our world. Please continue to pray for the students as they begin to think beyond this semester and look towards graduation, summer jobs, and whatever else the next months bring.

March 20, 2008 

From Rwanda...

It is difficult to summarize the past few days. The students were reunited, after practicum almost two weeks ago. They have since traveled from their practicum sites, to Kampala, and now we are in Rwanda. They began the Peace and Reconciliation class in Kigali, Rwanda last week and have been immersed in culture and the events of the genocide in 1994. As part of their coursework, the students have written reflection papers on the various memorials and class materials. One student reflects, “The reality was beginning to hit the surface. These were real people, with real families, and real lives. They each had interests, fears, humor, and personalities each awaiting their future ambitions, goals, and dreams. The blanket of security that families found in each other, friends and their community was ripped away like that of a scab on a healing wound, by the same people which they found their security. I am disgusted and embarrassed by the sinful nature of mankind.”

The students, through the coursework, have been confronted with the reality of genocide and ethnic cleansing. Many of them have been blown away by the sheer capability of mankind and are left with more questions than answers. Over the next few weeks the students will continue to process the gravity of 1994, but will hopefully begin to piece together bits of hope and reconciliation that exists in all of us by the grace of God. As one student wrote, “I have a hope for the city, but it doesn’t change the events that happened only 14 short years ago.”

Over Easter weekend we have a trip planned to visit more memorials, and take some time for reflection amongst the beauty of Rwanda in lieu of the Christ story.

February 25, 2008 
 

From Ethiopia...

My husband, Kenny, and I had the joy of accompanying the students headed to Ethiopia.  The students in Ethiopia are teaching English as a second language in schools, far, far, far out in the northern villages.  We had the pleasure of participating in the orientation process, where we learned of the rich Orthodox history and why Ethiopians are so proud of their country and coffee.  We spent the first four days soaking in Addis Ababa, eating Ethiopian food with our hands, and learning ways to greet people in Amharic, the national language.  We then caught a flight up to Bahir Dar to begin the long and bumpy trek out to their sites.  The sites are in villages that are far more remote than anything I have ever experienced; literally five, bumpy, rocky hours to the next semblance of a town and pavement.  Most of villagers make their earnings through agriculture and herding.  The poverty is difficult to describe.  Generations of remote living and minimal education, are not the grounds for a booming economy.  However, all of the encounters with Ethiopians were filled with warmth and happiness.  We left the students to plunge into the culture and their schools after a few days up north.  Since the only mode of communication is radio, it is hard to say how they are doing exactly.  Each of the students seemed delighted and enchanted with the prospect of teaching English and being in Ethiopia.  The return to Kampala in about 2 weeks, I can’t wait to share their stories!

January 28, 2008 

Greetings parents and friends of Go ED. students. I hope that you find these weekly updates (when possible! The internet is not as reliable in all places we travel as we would like!) helpful to follow your loved one's journey in East Africa with Food for the Hungry. A note of introduction: my name is Julia Miller. I serve, alongside my husband Kenny, as the residential director of the Go ED. program. That just means that I am here to ensure (when possible) safety, health, and be someone to help the students process their experiences' here. Between Kenny and I we conduct the weekly Bible study entitled Owning Poverty, specifically designed for the Go ED. program.

The students have been busy jumping feet first into Ugandan culture. They returned to the guesthouse in Kampala last night exhausted but full of stories about their rural visit. Each student is put into a group of three and paired with a Ugandan student, these Ugandan students work for a local ministry, to show them around town and take them on a visit of their home village (which occurred from January 25-27). The students enjoyed activities their first week with their newfound friends including a matatu (the Ugandan name for a public bus) challenge. On the matatu challenge the students and friends had to navigate the system and find a few local spots including coffee shops, post office, and markets. The rural visit was an eye opening experiences. The students dined on local Ugandan foods and were exposed to culture in a very real way. Although they all seemed to enjoy their village visits, they were excited to see pizza at the guesthouse.

Not only have the students begun their cultural adjustments, but they also have begun their academic portion of the program. Classes started the Tuesday after their arrival. They have begun their African Traditional Religions class, African Post-Colonial Literature class, and the Economics class. Each class presents the students with new challenges. Accompanying traditional lecture and class work the professors do a wonderful job of incorporating field trips to their classes. The students have participated and watched a traditional dance, a Ugandan play, and have visited historical sites including the Christian Martyr's Memorials and the famous Ssembiza Falls.

Looking ahead to the rest of the semester the schedule is quite full. The students begin the practicum portion of their studies in East Africa on the 8th of February. During their practicum time the students will experience Food for the Hungry fields first hand. The practicum options vary from Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda. The Ethiopia practicum is geared towards students interested in teaching English (TESOL) to Ethiopian school children. Rwanda has varying options including: teacher's assistant at an KICS, and international school; and aiding staff FH/Rwanda staff members to establish better ways to communicate with donors. In Uganda, the students would participate and observe the child development programs.

Please continue to pray for safety and guidance as the students soak in what God is doing in East Africa.

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