Language file II: The Situation

We are faced with a formidable challenge and a unique situation in learning the Karamojong language. Few outsiders, African or otherwise, have learned this ancient and beautiful language. Much of the linguistic analysis of Karamojong was done by early Italian missionaries, there has been little language documentation done in the past twenty years. For this reason, our first order of business was to produce a recording of useful phrases. This material can be found on our website.

After the initial documentation and some planing, I decided the best approach would not be the traditional barefoot method, but a more structured environment provide by language tutors. However, there was one problem, there were no language tutors. This obstacle was easily overcome by the recruiting and training of a few willing locals.  

to Kenya and Back

Over the past few weeks Maridith and I have gone through a whirlwind of emotions and locales.  We ventured from northern Uganda to northern Kenya. Sounds simple enough, not so.  If we were crows we could have made the trip in a day, but alas we are not. Due to geography, we were obliged to go around and then through the northern Kenyan desert, a trip of four days. In route, we had the pleasure of visiting beautiful Thompson’s falls in the Kenya highlands. From there, we drove on to the Nomadic Gathering.  

This was an informative and challenging week-long event centered on the unique aspects of church planting among nomadic peoples. We met some interesting people and made contacts that will hopefully develop into future partnerships. The trip to and fro was amazing. Kenya is certainly one of the most exceptional and interesting places I have ever been. We learned that donkeys do not move out of the road and baboons will not stand still even for a simple photograph.  

            Our time here in Kenya is coming to a close. Soon we will load the truck and head back to northern Uganda. Over these past three weeks we have learned many lessons in loving each other and trusting in the Lord. Like a good friend told me, your US marriage will not work outside the US. This is certainly true. Maridith and I have changed; therefore, our marriage must change as well. Adjusting to life in the bush is a challenge; everything from communication to eating habits is different. Some days it seems too much, but most days it’s a blast. We are truly growing and changing. Maridith and I are learning how to re-learn marriage and each other. This has been a blessing and God’s guidance has been our greatest advantage as we more forward in life together.    

Language file I: Preparation

Our first two months in Africa have been diverse to say the least. I am amazed to see the odd and unexpected things that fill my day. God has been good to give us the opportunity to serve him here in Uganda for a time. One of my primary roles on the Echelon team is that of a language coach. With my spattering of linguistic education I have begun the task of developing and writing the Echelon field manual for language learning. This is a big job an will take a considerable amount of time.

            Next week we start learning the Karimojong language. Our in-country team, at the present time, consists of four adults and three children. I will be facilitating the language learning of both the adults and children during this initial phase of language learning. In addition to our in-country team, we have two couples that are presently in the States and will be joining us in Africa in ten months.  Thus far, the work has been interesting. I began with some basic language documentation with the help of the Karimojong people. We started with recording a few of the songs that the Karimojong had written and finished with useful phrases (this material can be found on our website). These lessons are available to anyone who might have an interest in the Karimojong language. 

            As this language project develops, I will be posting parts of it along the way for all those who might be interested in the process of language learning from an Echelon perspective. 

Kaabong, Uganda, 29 Jan 2012

                                       Week-One In a New Land

We have been in the North for only a few days and I feel as if I will never get over the beauty my eyes have seen in Karamoja. I am now setting on the roof of our house. The bearded moon looks like the crooked smile of a Cheshire cat. I look all around me and nothing is the same. My home in Tennessee, ten thousand miles from here, has no Karamoja equivalent. Behind me, the boulders stand as high as our roof, but on climbing to top of these boulders, I see the puniness of my little pile of rocks. As I look all around, I realize the savanna where I now find myself is boxed in on three sides by shear rock ridges, over ten thousands feet.

 I thought Africa would be hot. Here it is 55 to 80 degrees year round. I thought it would be noisy, but the only human voice I hear is the singing from the village, five hundred yards away. I thought the bugs would be bad, but here in Karamoja the bugs do little more than sing the same song I have heard so many times while walking on the farm in Tennessee.

I am overwhelmed by the peace that surrounds me. It is hard to image this place as the setting of so many wars, cattle raids, killing, and droughts. I have found a new peace in here. A peace that comes not from the serenity that surrounds me, nature can be deceiving, but from my God, the One who brought me here. What is it that You have brought me here to do? Am I ready? Will I be strong enough? God help me to trust in You for all of this. It is You who brought here, it is You who will keep me.  

Africa Does Not Need Me

As I sit here in this old house on the banks of Lake Victoria, I am impressed with all we have found in Africa. I have seen a family of five running errands on a 125cc motorbike, I have held a small child fighting for his life against the HIV he inherited, I have danced my praises to God when I did not understand the language, and I have found a new dependency upon my Savior.

           Three weeks ago I arrived in Africa, not knowing the details of the task I had committed us to. My pride and education tempts me to dream of CPMs, EVexplosions, and all manner of “missionary” success scales. Truth is, Africa needs me not. Farm boys? They have millions. White people? Thousands. What do I bring? The Gospel? I see God working everywhere. God did not bring me here to DO, but to BE, to be with HIM wherever he maybe working. 

You might say, but why Africa? Can you not be with him at home? At one time, I could. But now I can’t. Not when I was told go. Yes, there was a time when my obedience looked a lot like Jerusalem, but that task has changed to the Ends of the Earth. So, shall I change? Some change their location, and not their heart. We call these tourists. Some change their heart and not their location. HE calls these disobedient.    

We follow the Man

God has been so good to us by allowing us to live here in Africa. As many of you know, it was three years ago that we felt sure God was leading us in this direction. We knew that we were making our way to Africa step by step, there were so many details to work out, but we took it a day at a time. 

Two things came as a great surprise. First, we did not know we would be here so quickly. With the changes in the IMB and my need for graduate hours, I honestly thought it would take six months to a year longer than it did. The second great surprise was Uganda. Never, did we think that we would even visit Uganda, let a lone live here for a year and a half. I believe that Uganda will turn out to be the best possible situation for the long-term plan.

We have made many good friends here already. I have enjoyed my time with the Ugandan men who work for the Baptist Mission here in Kampala. Last week, a man named Chicongo took us out for driving lessons. He was a patient and joyful man. He helped us make the adjustment to the British side of the road and the African side of traffic, a challenge to say the least. The men here have also helped me learn some Luganda language phrases.  Luganda (or Ganda) is a language spoken by ten-million people; most Luganda speakers live in the Buganda region of Uganda. The language is widely spoken in and around the Capital, Kampala. 

I am excited to learn this African way of life and language. God has brought us here for a purpose, even if we only see the path ahead as dimly lit, still we follow the Man. 

Day-one in the Uganda, the new life begins.

We arrived in Uganda at 11pm on January 4^th. The 30+ hours of travel were taxing, but the turbulence over the Alps took the cake. I was feeling the pain, while Memphis was yelling WEEEEEEE for all the plan to enjoy. Honestly, I like to fly. I remember walking out of the Jungle; the flight in was an hour and a half, the walk out, 14 days. So, yes, I like to fly.

After contacting the paternities, we got into bed and woke up at the Baptist mission headquarters.  The mission property in Kampala is more than sufficient. We are comfortable and full up on Ugandan food and Kenyan Tea. Today, we went out on the town. We got phones, bought food, and did a little language learning. The Ugandans working for the mission are great. They have helped us with everything from turning on the power to buying soap. The city of Kampala has everything anyone might need. We will be here in the mission house for the next week or two and than then it is off to the bush, but first, we still have a stack of paperwork to complete, a few things to buy, and some fuel injectors on the truck are in need of repair, oh yes, the meetings, we still have to meet with the leadership and then it is off to the bush!