Architecture 101

This week I was asked to speak to an art class at an international school about architecture. I don't know who I have more respect for, teachers who teach inner city kids, or teachers who teach missionary kids. It wasn't that bad and to be fair, I was told that 99% of the kids at that school aren't as out of control, and I must have just had a rambunctious class. My instructions from a fellow intern was that I would need to give a little talk about how architecture and art are related, and how one becomes an architect. I thought to myself that this would be fun and I wouldn't really need to do any prep work to talk about that stuff. So I got up in front of the class and the teacher asked me to tell the kids about the history of architecture beginning with the pyramids. I don't remember if I asked out loud or in my head if she was kidding me, but I think the look I gave her said enough. To start I told the kids that the Pyramids were built in 1984 for the Olympics and is considered by many to be Frank Lloyd Wrights finest work. No I didn't really say that, but I may or may not have made up a bunch of stuff almost as absurd to fill the time allotted. Even though I will probably never be asked to be a guest speaker at that school again, I actually did have fun.

Just a Random Photo that has nothing to do with my blog.

Earlier in the week I went on a site visit with the director of eMi East Africa(Chad) and a civil engineer Intern(Heather). We were looking at a piece of property for a ministry that wants to develop a theological school, as well as a primary and secondary school for the community. It was pretty deep in the middle of no where, and we passed a lot of mud huts and small brick homes. As we passed by a mother and her two children just outside their home, Shannon, who is the person we are working with from the ministry, went up and talked them. He noticed one of the kids who was a little girl about 4 years old had some type of cloth in her ear that was there to catch drainage coming from her ear. Shannon, with the help of a translator asked If he could take the girl to a doctor and he would bring her back in couple of days when he comes back to the site. The mother was very thankful and gladly let her child go with a bunch of white folk back to the city. The little girls brother also came along. I was thrown back seeing someone take a child and get them the help they need(as well as a mother letting their children go with complete strangers). If it was just me, I probably would have just waved and passed by this family and would have never noticed that this little girl needed help. It was absolutely convicting and I hope to learn to not be afraid to go up and at least greet people instead of just waving and walking by and thinking I was doing my part. It definitely brought home the parable about the Samaritan who helped the man in trouble and the priest and Levite who both avoided him and went to the other side of the road to pass him. It's kind of hard to judge them for walking on by now.

By the way- the internet is running super slow and I can't do spell check or spell many words, so sorry for any errors.

I totally just got schooled in soccer by a bunch of 8 year olds

I'm not proud to admit that I got schooled, but I was pretty proud of myself that I actually had the nerves to play soccer with the kids this time. The first time I was going to play I started walking towards the field when I passed by and noticed them playing, but when I saw how good these kids were, I stealthfully changed direction and walked quickly pass the field hoping the kids wouldn't notice my retreat. This time, another EMI-er, Jeremy, was with me so it wasn't as frightening to play with the kids. At first they would always look for us to pass the ball to, even if we weren't open, but when they figured out that I have no motor skills, the novelty of passing the ball to the mzungu(white person) quickly wore off. I think the most entertaining part was that they have learned to fake injuries like professional soccer players. The first time it happened, I thought one of the kids broke a bone, but I soon picked up on what was going on and we would just play around a kid laying in the middle of the field.


I do actually do some work while I'm here. I'll try not to bore anyone with details, but I do have a story just so you can get the feel of how constructions works here. We went to a job site last week, and the Director of EMI left me and another volunteer, Christoph, without food or water to do construction management, while he went back to the office(Just kidding Chad, it wasn't that bad) We were helping explain how the coursing of the bricks needed to be laid out for a buildng, and so we started laying out the first row. (By the way, the bricks delivered weren't the size that was specified by the maufacturer, but that didn't matter anyway since the concrete slab wasn't poured to the right dimensions anyway). They had a string and a level to "make sure" the bricks would be level. Then Christoph and I checked the level of the last two corners of the building and noticed things didn't seem right. When we went back to check the first two corners, it turns out the local workers didn't even try to get the bricks close to level. We decided they would need to level out the slab with concrete, but when we went back a couple of days later they just poured a small part and started laying the bricks. Some bricks have about 5 inches of mortar underneath, while others don't have any mortar. It was definitely a learning experience of communication and just realizing how things are done here. At least now they have a local engineer on site, but I still wish I wouldn't have had seen what I did. I don't know if that makes me responsible.

Happy birthday Josh and Dad.

Rafting the Nile and other stuff

I was hoping to write a blog earlier, but between power outtages, internet issues, and just being tired, I haven't been able to post to it until now.

The first week at EMI was pretty intense, but I learned a lot and met a lot of great people. We had training/orientation in Colorado Springs where EMI is based. They bring all the interns that will be serving in every EMI office(Uganda, India, Costa Rica, Colorado Springs, and Canada) together to learn about other cultures and being culturally sensitive, EMI as an organization, building practices in the developing world, team building, and theological teachings like what is a believers responsibility to help and serve the poor and to fight injustice. I met so many incredible people and was really encouraged hearing peoples stories.

Jeremy, Heather, Liz, Christoph, Greg,

Me, Jill, stephanie- Hope you are all ok that I posted this photo.

After the orientation in Colorado Springs we left for Uganda. We arrived Wednesday. The past few day have been mostly getting oriented with Kampala and the office, how things work here, and what projects we will be working on. On Saturday, for kind of a 'finished with orientation/new intern initiation' we went white water rafting on The Nile River. This was one of the coolest things I have ever done. The rapids were intense, and our raft flipped over many times. They have kyakers that follow the raft to pick up all the people who end up floating down the river after the raft flips over, so it's perfectly safe. For those who are thinking of coming over to visit, I will totally go again with you guys.

The rapid I almost died on (just kidding mom)

Sunday I went to church in a building with a dirt floor and just openings for windows. We sang and danced and then began to dance going in a circle to the beat of African drums and a keyboard(well, the Ugandans were dancing, I think you would call what I was doing was more shaking around.) Anyway, it was a great first experience of Ugandan church culture and to see people with not much more than salvation truly appreciate that that is reason enough to celebrate, worship, and enjoy life.

Sorry I haven't sent many personal emails out, but please keep in touch and I will do my best to respond.

I hope everyone is doing well, and I miss everyone a lot.

Zach

Setting up a blog

Hello everyone,

This is my blog to keep everyone up to date on what is happening in Kampala, Uganda- hence why I called it Holla' from Kampala. Clever, huh.

First of all, I would like to thank everyone that has helped me financially and prayerfully. It means a lot to have you support me in this journey.

I am not exactly sure what will be the best way to send updates to everyone from Uganda, so I am thinking I might start out shotgunning it and posting the updates on Facebook, Myspace, and Blogspot. I will then send emails letting everyone know when I have posted an update, which I am sure will start out strong, and probably end a little weak.

I am excited for what God has for me in these coming months, and I cant wait to share what is going on. Everyone, please keep in touch.

Thanks,

Zach