One really neat thing about keeping a blog is getting comments from those who read it. Hopefully I've encouraged someone, or given someone a laugh (more likely), or made someone more eager to visit Alaska someday (most likely).
But occasionally I am encouraged by an email. I received an email from from someone named Alinda Tony from the Arua district in Uganda in Africa. I asked him a slew of questions, and he was kind enough to write back,
I am a man, Alinda is my late granddad's name, meaning (trouble causer), derived may be from the olden days of ethnic wars, and my dad suggests me to use it. Otherwise, my first name is Andruvile, which cannot be pronounced well, by the Bagandan tribes living in Kampala.
Dear Madam Kim, My wife is Christine Afekuru, Enrolled nurse. Our two children are called Noel and Sharon aged 10 and 3 years respectively.
Madam Kim, I live in the village 10km Kampala road, from Arua town, it takes me one hour or so, to reach where I do my voluntary work, and I use a bicycle. Everyday I set off from home at 6.15am, and I reach at 7.45am, if there is no rain. We stop the office at 5.45pm, if there is less work. But sometimes we finish at 7.00pm. ...
Dear Madam Kim, in the year 2003, we had a crusade in Arua ground by one of the Evangelist called Pastor Julius Peter Oyet, in his alter call I realized I was being ruled by my own earthly desires... the preacher's sermon on the prodigal son exposed all the dark corners of past life. This time thank God, I am able to tell people openly about myself, and testify of his glory in my life.
Arua town has an Anglican church called St. Phillips church, I sometimes attend, and also my village church called Etori church of Uganda is where I worship.
St. Phillips has three stages of Sunday services, that is from 7.30 am English service, 9.00am local lugbara service, and 11.00 am English service. My goodness Madam Kim, the congregation always ranges from 600 to 900 Christian, Arua being a cosmopolitan town.
We sing songs from the book of hymns of faith, among the many that are always inspirational to my spirit are as follows;
What a friend we have in Jesus.
All to Jesus I surrender, all to him I freely give.
Love divine all love excelling.
The lord my shepherd I shan't want
Amazing grace how sweet the sound etc.
Madam Kim, I confess even at this level I felt I haven't learnt enough English, When we started learning English subject in school in 1986, I was in primary seven, it wasn't easy because we were always being taught in the local language.
The common food we depend on daily is cassava used as bread, and beans mixed with groundnut paste, Christine is wishing if you where here she would prepare for you some. We then have green vegetables, although we rear poultry, we don't eat it easily unless visitors like you comes to us. Or when the animal gets accidents, not bird flue anyway.
My concern Madam is, in Arua almost everyday the rate of mental illness is at increase among the youthful age group, simply due to alcohol, substance abuse. We are in a team of 10 in my church, in a group called Living Hope Ministries, we go to the streets praying to clean, shave, dress and restore them to sanity once or twice a week, it is a most challenging ministry. So pray for us too in the fight against the devil thanks I will write to you again God bless. Alinda Tony.
He also writes, "So friend, lift us in prayers in union with Christ Jesus for school fees for my degree course, Job opportunity, family care and future."
He also taught me a couple words in Lugbara: Mi Ngonia? means "How are you?", and Ma muke, "I am alright."
What a small world we live in, and how interesting to peer into the lives of a fellow brother and sister in Christ half way around the world! So please say a prayer for Alinda and Christine if you were encouraged by his letter.
We take so much for granted living in the United States don't we! I am humbled and blessed to know Alinda and Christine, and honored to pray for them. | 
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Posted by Meme 
Oct. 11, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Margaret