Jinja Mission Team - Busoga Churches of Christ

My own culture

We have finally reached our two-year mark for life in Africa .  October 9th was the anniversary of our arrival to Jinja.

I’ve heard people say that no matter where you move…within the states or internationally, it takes up to two years for the new place to feel like home.  I think I can agree with that…although, maybe it takes me just a bit longer.

Austin , Texas and the surrounding area will always be home.  I crave the hill country and bites of Tex-Mex, barbeque and a Hut’s hamburger.  I love the live music scene and the feel of walking the drag or browsing Half-price books.  I miss Amy’s ice-cream (Mexican vanilla with strawberries…for anyone heading that way) and Blue Bells’ cookie dough batch.  I’d go for a Round Rock donut or a breakfast taco any morning.  I miss runs around Town Lake .  I miss the casualness of Austin …old blue jeans and sweatshirts.  I miss the people…all the familiar strangers and the ones dear to me.

I even find comfort just in breathing the same Texas air when I’m home.  I remember getting off the plane in the states after being gone for a year and a half…and feeling a complete sense of relief.  Relief that I was in a culture I understood.  I understood the language, the clothes, the food…I felt like I fit.

Currently, Spence and I live in a “Garden of Eden.”  We have palm trees, pineapples, banana trees, papaya, coffee, and tomatoes growing in our yard.  There are at least two dozen different species of birds and an occasional monkey visiting our compound.  I’m getting use to wearing skirts (although, I still change into pants as soon as I’m home).  I don’t mind filtering the water and cooking from scratch.  I miss set prices at the market and have not quite mastered the art of bargaining.  I love that the temperature rarely changes…and that dry and wet season come just as I’m ready for the other to go.  I miss regular electricity…but power days are a reason for celebration and non-power days make for early bedtimes and long nights sleep.  The meat tastes different here, as does the milk and cheese.  The best desserts around are the homemade ones, and most food considered fast-food, do at least require boiling water first.

I’m slowly learning language.  I could understand the preacher on Sunday…well, maybe every 4th word, and an occasional main point.  I can speak if the one who is listening to me is truly patient and can wait for me to build each sentence in my head first before speaking out loud.  The music here is different from Austin ’s music scene, but very captivating and definitely a favorite of mine. 

Culture is an identifiable trait (traits) of a community.  It defines us as “those ones” or as “not those ones.”  It gives us something to hold onto and look back on when we leave a community. 

Maybe I’ll always find the Texas culture comfortable.  Maybe I’ll always love the Basoga culture I’ve entered into now.  But perhaps my focus needs to be on the Christian culture of which I am completely and eternally a part.  The culture that goes beyond the traditions of different Denominations, that looks past the routines of a particular service, or the style of dress required, or even the Christian vernacular that has the potential to exclude and confuse the visitors (and in some cases the members too). 

Maybe the culture I should cling to is the one that leads with mercy, the one in which love moves our every step and every gesture, the one that drips grace over us in every moment of our existence, the one culture that encompasses all cultures. 

Comments (12)

Lyssa Loeffler said:

training to be a missionary... I could feel your heart both at the beginning and the end of your email. Unlike you I have only been to Africa for 9 weeks total (two separate times) but i am training to be a missionary with my husband Adam. Adam and I have recently married and feel the LORD has called us to be missionaries in Africa. I specifically feel led to Uganda and Adam feels a strong connection there as well. We have both spent time in Bombo Town (its about 45 minutes outside of Kampala) and on our way from Kenya we have passed through your town of Jinga! I would love to write back and forth and learn from your experiences in Africa, things you've learned, things your learned before moving...challenges you face...and also i would like to pray for you. Next month we will be returning to Africa with some other students from our school. This immersion trip is only 5 weeks but as our schooling continues we will stay longer and longer until we eventually move to Uganda. I have enjoyed reading your stories, learning about you and your husband. please email me back if you have the time! May God bless you and protect you! May your confidence come from him each day as you continually learn this new culture. Lyssa Loeffler our ministry website: www.godinternational.org

March 07, 2007

Jim Rector said:

... Emily; I am so excited for both of you as I get to witness how God uses his servants for His glory; I want you to know that eveyday I think of Emily and Spencer and pray that He continues to watch over you and that those who you serve will see his love and feel his love because of you. I am certainly encouraged when I think of what I am about to face and honor Him because of the both of you. I use the work love when I think of you and am filled with peace through the termoil I am now facing. Thank you for loving me and please know that God is good to many of us becasue of your example Love Jim

December 04, 2006

Lisa Straus said:

Junior, APTS Dear, Emily-I am a Junior at APTS. Tomorrow is my last day of class in the first semester. I have a test in Ellen's Church History Class. I wound up on this web site doing a search on google. I understand a lot of what you said as I am still assimilating into the culture here at APTS. I will keep you in my prayers, especially on my next trip to Amy's. (Though being a Vermonter, I am happy that Ben & Jerry's has made it to Austin.) Lisa

November 29, 2006

Kelly Ellisor said:

... :zzz Emily I miss you so much! I am so happy for you and all the new adventures you are embarking upon. I admire you and Spencer for your leap of faith and your love for missions and the ones around you both in the states and in Uganda. I miss you so much and want to come back to Jinja. Tell Ronald and everyone I miss them!!!! Love, Kelly

November 08, 2006

BZ Bogle said:

... Emily, you are so wise and inciteful. What pride wells in my heart to read such mature and beautifully worded thoughts. You are sch a gift to our family and to the lives of those you touch. Thank you for being brave and stepping out to share the culture of Christ with mankind. I love you, Aunt BZ

November 08, 2006

Danny Cagnet said:

... Beautifully written! Happy anniversary!

November 08, 2006

craig jenkins said:

... Sweet Cream with Strawberries.... I understand the breathing in, everytime I get off the airplane in So.Cal. I go to the beach and drink in the ocean air and it's then I can be at peace. It's hard sometime to allow ourselves to do what is best in order to make others comfortable it's a Jesus trait. How to bring peace to any situation make everyone your friend so they can be honest with you from the beginning. You always did that very well. Give Spence a big hug from me and here's mine to you o/.

November 07, 2006 | url

Bob Blackshear said:

your brother in Christ Say, Spencer and Emily: Great article, Emily, well put. I know how it feels for you to be in a backward area of the world. I've been to South Africa myself and had to tell myself frequently that "You are a citizen of Heaven. So walk in that light." I know that you both know that, and I encourage you in that spirit. We all miss and love you both very much. May God guide your spirits by His. Much love in Jesus, Bob Blackshear P.S. If I were to send you my latest Country/Bluegrass Gospel album via mp3 attachment, could you receive it? You may not even like that sort of music. Just say so; it won't bug me. \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it null

October 25, 2006 | url

Martha Lee Burchers said:

our Christian culture Emily, You are a great writer and I loved this subject and the way you wrote about Austin and Africa. I could dwell and dwell on many of the sentences you wrote -- they are crafted with such feeling. However, the one that holds me tight is the one that says"The culture that goes beyond the traditions of different Denominations, that looks past the routines of a particular service, or the style of dress required, or even the Christian vernacular that has the potential to exclude and confuse the visitors (and in some cases the members too). How did you get so wise in such short years?! God bless you and Spencer. Love, Martha Lee and Louis

October 25, 2006

Heath said:

... Emily. Thank you. smile! Love y'all!

October 24, 2006

Janice Wiginton said:

... Is this the same Em who was afraid to pray in front of me?! Em- you are so good with words and so good at sharing your heart. Thank you for writing your feelings and insight. I love reading what you are thinking. I miss you sooooo much. Wish you were here to go grab a cup of soup! Love, Janice

October 24, 2006

Kym Langford said:

... Emily, Thanks for the update. We sure do miss you guys and wish you were here with us. The other day at Panera bread Ben and I thought of you and Spence and how we wished you were here eating yummy food with us. We will be anxious to see you again, but your right about culture, it sure does feel good to be here at this point. Missing you, Kym

October 24, 2006

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