Names, Laundry, and Matoke

So this will hopefully be a brief note including a few things I keep really wanting to say and then forgetting to. I have a few minutes, so I'll say them now.

Names in African are incredibly important. They are a part of who you are. You have a special relationship to your name whether it was given to you at birth or you were named later. Names are a part of your character. Mama Joyce chose a name for me recently: Mirembe. It means "peace." What a powerful name. It could mean so many things for me: I love peace, I am peace, I seek peace, and I am peacemaker...I could probably go on for a while. So I am proud of my name, because it reflects Mama Joyce's opinion of me, and because it challenges me to think peace in my everyday life. As Christians I think we are called to peace. What does that mean? Peaceful living with people around us, with nations around us, with nature..."Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Children of God" (Matthew 5:9).

Ok. So laundry. I was doing it the other day and when I am washing clothes by hand I kind of feel like I am in hell. It is SO MUCH work. And it hurts your back, and my knees, and your knuckles and palms get rubbed raw...and that stain still won't come out. And if you are a Mizungu, then you didn't learn to wash clothes by hand from the time of birth, so you suck at it to boot. So here's a comical picture of my African life for you: I was washing clothes, or trying to wash them, the other day. And I had been washing for some two hours, and it was only like ten pairs of underwear, a couple of skirts, and some shirts--in total, like 20 items of clothing. So I have been laboring, and I am kind of mad at the world, and I am soaking wet, and squatting African style (this is a unique style I am convinced) by my basin, and the guy who takes care of our cow and one of his friends show up. And his friend, who I've never met before thinks this is hysterical. I have this soaking wet towel, which weighs like 20 pounds, and I don't even know where to start scrubbing and washing, and I am wearing more water than the basin holds--so he starts teasing me. And I am so not in the mood. He's like "you don't wash!?" and the cow guy (who is named Francis and I really like) says "no, they have machines." And this brings another fit of laughter from his friend and a comment like "oh I forgot. Americans are rich and they machines, but in Africa, we use our hands and they are strong..." And so I try to laugh along, and then luckily they feel sorry enough for me to help me do the towel. I was talking to a good friend via the internet. And if he reads this, I hope he doesn't mind me quoting him. He's been reading a book recently that encourages each of us every day to do something we hate. Basically, to practice the discipline of doing not-so-fun things with the cheerful and faithful heart. And that really spoke to me. What a discipline to have. To be cheerful in all circumstances, and to intentionally do something every day to challenge your cheerfulness. So last night I did laundry. And I kept that in mind. And it went so much better.

So food. Can I please just say that I love the food here? And that is such a blessing in so many ways. Americans live to eat, but Africans pretty much just eat to live, so there isn't much variety. They have a staple food called Matoke made up of smashed green banannas or something--and at first, it seems tasteless--and they eat it almost every meal. But as far as food is concerned, I realize how important it is to accept the food of the culture you are in and to accept their hospitality. So I just eat whatever comes my way. So I have a lot of Matoke. And at first it was hard. And then I had a revelation this week: I REALLY like matoke. Yum, yum. I am pretty sure I Would miss it if we didn't have it with pretty much every lunch and dinner. It's a great mixer food, going well with rice and veggies and the different sauces and soups here...so I guess if you eat anything (or maybe almost anything) enough consecutive times, eventually you come to like it.

Ok...so that's all for now. And I'm sure I'll post this and then remember something else I wanted to say. But I'll just say it later. Love you all and hope God is blessing you like He is me.