Celebrating African Style!

I, Ruth, just celebrated my third birthday in Africa…but it was the first time I celebrated with anyone besides Laura. In 2012, during our second visit to Africa, I woke to 6 big balloons in the little Guest House where we were staying (it was my 60^th!) and we did manage to find some ice cream that day! Last year, it fell right in the middle of Scripture Union Uganda’s 50^th celebration plus mission meetings…and so again, it slipped by fairly quietly. To be honest, both years I quietly grieved our departure from the Philippines where we enjoyed such wonderful celebrations in a culture that loves such occasions, remembers everyone’s birthday date, and where we knew we were accepted and loved.

Well, this year, although I’m still missing the Philippines (especially when a video like the one I’m attaching comes from the VOICE Philippine family-see link below), I’m also smiling widely from the delighted “hug” from God this past Monday evening. We had decided to invite the Scripture Uganda family to celebrate with us in our home, since many of them had never been here. (We live on the other side of the city of Kampala with many traffic jams between us and them!) We put together a menu of Ugandan food and then added a couple dishes that they may be not so familiar with—we figured we had enough for about 30 people. About 16 Scripture Union staff arrived and joined the 11 from our Ugandan family here (helper’s and administrative assistant’s families). First time through the food line, virtually all of the Ugandan food was gone and a fair bit of the other…but then most came back for seconds and virtually everything was gone! (In the Philippines we plan on left-overs to send back with some who often don’t have enough food...but that was impossible this time!)

Then, using the guitar and three African drums they brought with them, songs of praise to our God filled the house…oh my, such volume, smiles, harmony, clapping, and movement …dancing to the Lord as they call it! The most vibrant songs were in Luganda (the local language) and were interpreted for us, plus some English songs too. Then they entered into a time of sharing a verse of Scripture with me and/or a song—most did both, mixed in with affirming words which brought tears as I realized that God had indeed given us a family here that also loved and accepted us. Several led in fervent prayer (as the Africans can do so well) for me and for God’s continued direction and blessing. Since we had a few kids, Laura consented to Ernie’s request to get out of his suitcase J…unfortunately the almost 3 year-old dissolved in tears when Ernie said her name, but was reassured by her loving Aunt (Susan, our Administration Assistant) to the point that she was talking about him as they went home that night. Then out came the cake with burning candles and the singing of several lively renditions of Happy Birthday. We served that with ice cream and banana bread (banana cake as they refer to it which is an all-time favorite, also true in the Philippines)…and again, there was hardly a crumb left and not one drop of ice cream. Many hugs and words of thanks and affirmation were said as they left our home. No, Uganda doesn’t yet feel quite so familiar as the Philippines…but by God’s grace we know we belong here and have family to reassure us of that. Thank you, Lord. 
Link to VOICE Philippines Birthday Greeting:
https://www.facebook.com/n/?video.php&v=728828553859294&aref=101880745&medium=email&mid=ac4234aG41868f7dG61293a9G1dG8707&bcode=1.1415194145.AblBevABicrTUp9V&n_m=ruthlhaynes%40gmail.com