God's Beautiful Creation: One Word

Masese.

If it was up to me, that word would be the only word in this blog post. Mr. Webster has created a book of all the words I can use to describe my trip to Africa. But for me, I would much rather use one word: Masese.

Masese is described as the slum of the area. There are three Maseses: Masese 1, Masese 2 and Masese 3.

The first development of Masese was Masese 1 and therefore has the best living conditions. We were invited to a Village Dance the first Sunday we were in Uganda. When we arrived, Mama Santa, the woman who invited us, showed us to an orange tarp. We took our shoes off and settled down on the tarp under shade trees. The kids were keeping their distance and it was different because when we went to church the kids ran to us as soon as we got out to the van. It was so cute watching the kids play and entertain themselves while we laughed and waited for the dance to start. The women were very talented and it was obvious that they had practiced. They even let us dance with them! The children and other women watching got a great deal of entertainment watching the “muzungus” dance. We laughed right along with them!



Kids Playing



Muzungus Dancing



After the dancing, the women set out their beaded necklaces, bracelets, purses and earrings. It was a mini market and all the handmade jewelry was beautiful and a bit overwhelming. We would have plenty more opportunities to buy from the women of Masese but it was difficult not to just spend all my money at this one stop. Soon though, I stepped back and turned around to see what the kids were up to. They were playing a game with Lynley while the rest of the team and women were busy at the “market”. I took a moment to just stand there and observe the scene before me. Lynley has such a talent for working with the kids and they loved every minute of the games she was teaching them. Before long, the rest of the girls joined us and so we all began playing games. I brought out my sunglasses and let the kids wear them while I took their picture.



Necklace Market



Lynley Playing a Game



Our next visit to Masese was the next day for a Bible Study Tina has been doing for the women in Masese 3. Masese 3 is the last development of the area and therefore does not have the living conditions of Masese 1. Here the houses are made mostly of mud and sticks with scrap metal roofs and one room for a family of four or more. When we first pulled up to the site where the Bible Study was to take place, the kids ran to the van and before we were out of the van, a kid would grab our hand. I had two kids in each hand and they held on tight as we walked to the benches the women had set up for us. Here, we were treated to a dance, a skit and a song. Godfrey, a young (and handsome) translator, was the narrator of the story the women told. The story was about how we easily replace Jesus in our lives. I loved the story and one day I hope to get a group together to act out the simple yet inspiring skit. After the presentation, the young adults (Claire, Cate, Shelby, Paige, Lynley and I) took the kids to a clearing nearby with another translator, Martha. The adults stayed at the benches where Tina and Godfrey did the Bible Study.

Godfrey

Lynley and Martha

The kids all crowded around Martha and Lynley as they told the story of the Seven Days of Creation. After the story, we played games. The kids all wanted to hold a muzungus’ hand and they would get very violent for that opportunity. I would have three kids fighting over one of my hands and two trying to grab at least my thumb on my other hand. Eventually, I held my hands up then reached down to grab one kid’s hand in mine and I held on just as tight as they held my hand. We played “I Catch the Ball” and Godfrey came over to play a game he created. Godfrey’s game is simple but it’s in Lugandan so we didn’t know what he was saying but it was a joy watching the kids so enthusiastically play along.

The Kids Love Smiling

Before we left, the kids and women were once again brought back together for singing and prayers. My favorite song I learned while in Masese goes “Hallelujah, Oh, Oh, Oh, Jesus Loves Me. Hallelujah, Oh, Oh, Oh, Jesus Loves Me. Jesus Loves Me. Jesus Loves Me. Jesus Loves Me. Hallelujah, Oh, Oh, Oh, Jesus Loves Me.” and then the song is sung in Lugandan. There are also hand movements that go with this song and they are perfect for clapping your hands with the kids. During the prayer is when I taught a little boy to roar like a lion. He and I were taking peeks at each other during the prayer and I would scrunch my face up at him trying to tell him to close his eyes. After the prayer, I kept my hands clasped at my mouth and roared at him. The little boy did the same thing! So I kept on; roaring, laughing, repeating. A girl nearby, who was laughing with a beautiful laugh and smile, taught me how to say “lion” in their language, but I can’t remember as my Southern drawl is not able to pronounce words like their words.

The next Bible Study was on Wednesday that same week. This was located in another part of Masese 3. The living conditions were a little better; the houses were less mud and sticks and more brick. Here too, we were treated to a dance, skit and singing. There is a group called Africa Talent. This is a group of mostly orphans who have been taught how to dance and perform at festivals and other events. These girls know how to shake it! It was like hula dancing Africa style! We did not dance at this presentation; there was no way I would be able to move like those talented young ladies!

Taking the Kids to Their Bible Study

As at the first Bible Study, the kids were taken to another area nearby for their Bible Study while the women, and a couple of men, stayed with the adults and Tina. The kids learned that if they grabbed my arms, I would swing them. Soon, the kids around me were more focused on swinging on my arms than the story Lynley was telling. When we walked back to the adults, I met a quiet boy who was special needs. He was so fun and loved to pose for pictures with his friends. He held tight to my hand and even gave me hug before we left.



"Muzungu Bye!"

 We did not have the opportunity to go back to this part of Masese but we did get to go back to the first Bible Study place we went to (where the little boy I taught how to roar lived). For this Bible Study, the girls were allowed to stay with the women and listen to the Bible Study. The kids say behind us and three boys loved to play with my shoes under the bench I was sitting on. They loved to place a piece of a plastic toy under my heel and watch as I move it. I kept glancing behind me and they would laugh and act innocent. I reached my hand behind my back and they grabbed on and examined the creases and lines in the palm of my hand. When we were allowed to go play, we were just as excited as the kids to go to the clearing and play “I Catch the Ball” and Godfrey’s game. The kids weren’t cooperating very well though and Godfrey spent most of the game trying to corral the energetic kids. Before we left, I picked up a girl and spun her around. The pure joy on her face was priceless and she did not want to let go of me when I put her down. The kids walked us back to the van. No one said it was our last time there. It didn’t hit me until we were driving away and the kids were running after the van that I would not see these kids after that day. The van had a sad silence about it as we drove back to the Guesthouse.





Most people fall in love with the beautiful things in life; from houses to sunrises and sunsets, from animals to models, the most beautiful things get the most attention. But when comparing the places we went to in Uganda, Masese would not be at the top of the list of beautiful things; unless you are seeing Masese through the eyes of a missionary. To me, Masese was the most beautiful place we went to; more beautiful than the days we spent on the safari. Past all the run-down houses, the red clay, the kids with snotty noses and dirty clothes, the creeks of sewage, is true beauty. The faces of the women are weather and poverty worn but when they smile and sing praises to God, there is not a more beautiful site. When the kids look up at you and smile as they grab your hand, they grab your heart as well and do not let go, even after the van pulls away.

I could go on about how beautiful Masese was and is but it is just too difficult to put into words. To sum up this blogpost I can use one word: Masese.

Women Bible Study