Presto Cooker. Instant-Pot. Microwave. Fast Food. These brand names are a way of life for us in the USA. We force ourselves to slow down making a meal from scratch. Meals are quickly inhaled……..so lingering over a lovingly home made dinner and good conversation belongs to another era!
Over the last few decades, technology has birthed amazing advancements. Even as these have improved our ability to do more in less time, with their benefits, there have been some downsides. Stress levels, depression and chronic health conditions are going up!
But, we’ve noticed that there’s a new “rebellion”, a push back, that is challenging us to slow down, enjoy, and yes, even to linger a bit.
People have tasted the value of a slower way of life, sharing meals or doing life. They testify to both its health and relational benefits.
Here in Uganda, Paul and I have had to put this to the test. We, like most Americans, are conditioned to think “faster is better” because the MORE we can accomplish in a day the better.
However, part of God’s plan for our personal growth here in Africa, has been to value simple, uncomplicated daily tasks.
Life here in Uganda, rolls day to day, most often filled with activities unencumbered by mind-cluttering technology.
Instead of a microwave………here in the village our friends cook over charcoal or wood. Instead of lining up at a drive through restaurant in town, we walk to the market buying fresh tomatoes, onions, pumpkin or yams. If there are enough shillings, we even buy a live chicken or goat.
Here, families come home to clean, peel and chop the vegetables and prepare the meat. They begin their meals hours in advance, setting fires then letting the coals settle boiling the water or roasting the meat.
While their food cooks, often they’re grinding corn or millet before making it into porridge or posho bread. Or maybe at the same time they’re checking on another side dish cooking on the charcoal stove next to the first. There is NOTHING “presto” about cooking here!
While all this takes considerably more time than we are used to, this is how life happens in the village. Slower, more difficult, like gardening an acre of land………armed with only a large metal hoe!
The beauty we appreciate, is that in the midst of a harder and slower way of doing life PEOPLE and relationships have time to incubate and grow!
Our morning walks take longer as we stop and chat with friends and neighbors. We pray for those who are hurting, we laugh together and share life, even learning many new gardening tips from our neighbor’s. We have found that we can support and encourage one another and lingering with little village children—ALL because we have time.
A life of “less” can be difficult, but less STUFF means you cannot push yourself to achieve more and more and more!
Here, you work hard and do what you can, but you don’t get lost in the flurry of activity as easily as in the states!
So, how has this helped us “achieve” our mission to disciple, teach bible study, mentor marriages and encourage friends to follow after God?
Actually, this is the very vehicle that the Lord has used to help us slow down. Our friend’s example has helped us, we have had to make adjustments, to take the time we need to spend time with the high school girls, or men and women in the village who we otherwise wouldn’t be connecting with. They are helping us as we are shifting and helping them to pivot with their time.
These weeks since we’ve been back have been full but not in our usual Gaithersburg, Maryland kind of way.
We returned to an empty home with Moses and Sarah on sabbatical in South Africa. So things here were very quiet. We spent two weeks unpacking and resettling before a large team from the States arrived for their two week mission trip.
Initially Paul and I had the host and hostess roles and we learned much about what goes on “behind-the-scenes” when Sarah and the other helpers host a team!
We were certainly happy to help but also relieved when a few days later Grace (Moses’ eldest daughter) arrived to take charge.
Because we weren’t part of the team’s activities, we had a ringside seat to observe. This team, like many others, had lots to do, and places to see and people to meet. When you have limited time on these “short term” missions trips, you try to fit in all you can…….and maybe a little more if you’re an American.
As the team moved and ministered, in significant ways, we got to watch. As we did, the Holy Spirit reminded us that not everything is achieved at the full speed.
We could TRY to do EVERYTHING these faithful saints were doing, but we’d be burned out and exhausted. Our ministry pace, the one God has called us to is different. Ours is a slow, “Crockpot”, kind of simmer as opposed to an “Instant Pot” boil. It’s a daily strengthening of friendships, serving, taking time to know people, their struggles that they wrestle with and then love them.
It’s the kind of ministry Jesus had with his small band of disciples that lived with Him over three years. He loved, He invested, He challenged and sometimes corrected.
We are blessed that over our lifetime , we have seen the value of this kind investment in “people building”. We’re blessed that here in Uganda, our Father has placed us in a culture that fits with what He’s taught us to value above our “achievements” and fast paced life. He keeps growing us even as He takes our efforts and increases them to His glory!
Our induction bible studies continue as we move to another village called Kanara. The men’s fellowship continued while we were away on furlough, and these men are going deeper in support and prayer. We’re now praying, and getting counsel about beginning married couples mentoring.
Mary is also considering a drawing class at the secondary (High) school. There she would be engaging more teens and hopefully “drawing out” the gifts God’s placed in them.
The Lord encourages and challenges us regularly, that we are on mission living lives that make Christ seen and heard to whoever and wherever He leads us.
Blessings to all of You!!
Paul & Mary
Up With Uganda 