There are many parts of this culture that I treasure, but one that is coming into focus more clearly right now is the response to the death of a parent. Many Ugandan friends have come by to sit with Kevin on our return. They come to greet him, express their sorrow and for most to share their own story of their parent's passing. Most poignant was such a conversation yesterday...
"Now, Headmaster, you are a real orphan. For me, I was a young orphan. But for you, now, you are the old orphan."
It is shocking how much a part of life, death is here. It is a constant companion for folks living at the edge of survival and most, if not all here have felt its sting. I wouldn't say that this experience allows us, as missionaries, to "speak into the culture" in a deeper more personal way. Rather, it has felt comforting to be embraced by our friends and by their tangible understanding of sorrow and loss.
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