You asked, I answered.

Hello Hello Hello.

It has been another month living in this beautiful land of Uganda. Throughout my time here I get a lot of the same questions from people referring to my experiences here. I decided to open a pole on social media allowing people to ask questions that I would later answer, so here we are. Below are my answers to the questions you asked. Feel free to comment or reach out with addition questions, I love sharing my experiences with you.

What has God taught you while you have been in Uganda?

God has taught me so much while being here in Uganda. He has taught me how to better love people unconditionally. He has taught me to not only hear what He is telling me but act on it. When God is telling us to do something often times, we hear Him but continue to wait for Him to bring us every step in getting there. Often times He is waiting for us to take that step. He has taught me so much about myself, my strengths and weaknesses. He has taught me to turn toward Him in every single situation no matter how big or little it is, to welcome Him in every single one of those areas. Finally, what I have learned the most about is to be still and slow down. I have learned to be present in every moment to not focus solely on what’s ahead but being grateful for what/who is around me. This list could go on and on because God teaches me something new just about every single day. Being here has pushed me to grow in ways, I may never have back home.

What is your favorite thing that you have tried in Uganda that you never ate before?

Believe it or not I have actually tried almost all local foods I’ve been served. Partially because I’m trying to be better at trying new foods but mainly because it’s very rude not to eat what you are served. But I will say my favorite local food is chapatti. There are for sure some places that make it better than others but at the end of the day (usually) it’s always good. In my opinion it’s similar to flat bread, maybe. I’m not sure someone here would use that comparison. I enjoy eating it by itself, but some people also eat it with things such as beans, eggs or lots of other things. The best part about it is, it’s really not too difficult to make so even me with my limited cooking skills have successfully made it.

What has been the hardest part about living in Uganda?

This is a really difficult question for me to answer. The thing is I have been very content my whole time being here. Nothing has really pushed me over the edge. Some things have just required more time, patients, compromising and things like that. For those of you who may not know I am dairy free, meaning I don’t eat dairy. This has been one of the most challenging things I have adapted to. At home you can get any and everything dairy free, even cheese! But here seeing something dairy free is practically unheard of. This just requires me to make more things from scratch, which I have enjoyed learning but is very exhausting at times when I’m use to just getting it from a store at home. But you see its things like this or the internet turning what at home would take 5 minutes to download 8 hours to download (no exaggeration) that require more patients but nothing that has been too difficult to handle. It is all about learning new ways and adapting/making the best of what you do have. There will always be hard situations no matter where in the world you are. It is all about how you handle these hard situations that will determine the outcome.

What are your animals names?

I am going to assume those of you who asked this question was referring to my goat and cow that was so kindly gifted to me from my mom for my birthday. My roommate had the privilege of naming them. Bessie is the sweet cow and Alexis is the goat. Alexis and I really didn’t start off on the right foot. I’m not sure if it’s because we share the same name, or we share the same stubbornness. Either way we are still working on our friendship. However, Bessie is very sweet and just loves life, and grass. They are living on the land the ministry is using to build a youth center on (if you haven’t heard about the youth center please go check out the amazing work happening @ livingwatermin.org). Patrick, who is guarding and caring for this land is doing an amazing job watching over sweet Bessie and Alexis for me. So everyone who has contacted me concerned about my farming skills, no worries Patrick has got it all under control. They are a huge blessing to him providing him with milk and company.

What is your favorite thing to do?

I don’t believe I have one thing that is my favorite to do. However, I have a few things I really enjoy doing and I rotate through them. First, I love playing volleyball. There is a group of people who play every Sunday at a local school and I join in whenever I can. My roommate often laughs at me because I always travel with my volleyball. You never know when a good opportunity to play will come up. Our office has the perfect wall outside to play against when I just need to step away or give my eyes a break from endless screen time. One of my other favorite things to do is go on walks/hikes. There is something about just being outside and exercising that helps me find peace in every situation. Finally, of course, one of my favorite things to do is spend time with the people we are serving. Especially during this crazy Covid time with limited interactions. The times I do get to spend with friends, coworkers, and neighbors is even more important to me now.

What do you miss most about home?

I think I would be in big trouble if I didn’t say my mother so to answer this question, I miss my mom. But honestly, I do miss my friends and family back home very much. There are times where I just wish those special people at home, I love so dearly could experience all these new things with me. I miss little things like organized parking lots, roads without potholes, dryer for clothes, Target, Trader Joes and most importantly knowing where to find what I need. Sometimes I feel as if I’m on a scavenger hunt going from place to place looking for something as simple as an office binder. I can’t tell you how many places I went looking for a binder, and I’m not even talking about a specific binder. I’m talking about any binder to store things in. The thing is when people ask me the famous question, “I don’t know how you do it, don’t you miss home?”. That’s not always the easiest thing to answer because I do miss home but I’m not suffering here. Many of the things I miss about home I have them here. They may look a little different, but they work. It’s all about bringing home here.

Where are you finding joy in your life?

I believe this question relates very closely to my favorite things question. I find joy in God’s creation. I find joy in the little tedious tasks at work finally being complete. I find joy in seeing our team grow and carry out their callings. I find joy in phone calls/messages from friends and family back home. I find joy in laughing throughout my workday. I find joy in clean floors at home. I find joy when the grocery store has my favorite foods. I find joy in so many things around me. Every time I get home, I feel so much joy at my beautiful home God has blessed me with. Joy is all around me.

How old are you and when did you move to Uganda?

For those of you who do not know I am 24 years old and I just recently moved to Uganda in January 2020. I am not sure where this question stems from, but my age was one of the most asked questions while I was preparing to move here. Perhaps many think I am much younger than I am. However, I recently turned 24 and I don’t even like admitting it. I feel old. I have been 24 for a couple months now and it really isn’t getting easier to say. Is this what it’s going to feel like from now on, old? Oh boy.

Do you still have restrictions in Uganda due to covid?

Yes, we do. Our borders are still closed meaning, cars can’t enter the country, as well as the airport is closed. We have a curfew of 9:00pm-6:00am where you have to remain home. Masks are required everywhere you go, even in the car. Personal vehicles can have up to 4 passengers including the driver. Gatherings are allowed of 10 people max (we believe) this has not been very clearly communicated. Churches and schools are all still closed. We have really had to stretch ourselves, like everyone else, to adapt to these restrictions within the ministry. However, we still operate, and life has been moving forward over here. God has truly blessed us with some many new and creative ways to reach the people.

What is something you are experiencing you didn’t think you would?

Most definitely, Covid. I’m sure this question in more referring to culture or experiences outside of Covid however, with Covid it’s really hard to even compare my experiences to what it would be like on a “normal” day here. I had only been here for two months prior to Covid so really, living with all these restrictions have shaped my outlook on being here. Before coming here, I had very little expectations. I did not come up with what I thought it would be like or I had wished it would be. All I knew is God had called me here, I trusted Him, and I came. Often times I look back and even wonder how I truly didn’t have any expectations. I don’t know how I didn’t wonder these things because I’m a planner and I like things organized but Gods had complete control of this one.

How can I be praying for you?

There is so much power in prayer. Please continue to pray for the ministry as we are planning to wrap up the 2020 year and transition into 2021. Pray for the new employees transitioning in and the old ones transitioning out. Pray for my family and friends here and home. Pray for guidance and direction for me. Pray for relationships around this world to be healed. Pray for marriages. Pray for the homes and vehicles of your loved ones. Pray for good health. Pray for yourself. Pray for the roads we travel on. Pray for the apartment complex I live in. Pray for the pastors in the churches. Pray for programs we have here. Pray for lives to be saved. Pray for eyes to see and ears to listen. Praise God for all He has done and will continue to do.

May God continue to bless you and keep you in all that you do.

With much love and many blessings,

Lexi Dingman