Top 10 Biggest Differences between Uganda and Denver

So after being here thought I would give a try at a requested top 10 list of differences between Uganda and Denver.

10. Smells and Sounds. Even in the city, the smells are something, from the smell of trash to the constant and differing smell of fires burning. Sounds from hearing Muslims singing at pre-dawn, to children, to roosters crowing, to different birds -- there are a lot more and different sounds you hear.

9. Shopping/Conveniences. There are many stores, so often to get things requires going to many stores. Fresh vegetables and fruit are everywhere, fantastically good and inexpensive.

8. Sunrise and sunset. Being so close to the equator the length of the day is always, 365 days a year, 12 hours. So the sun always rises and sets at approximately the same time each day.

7. Driving, taxis, bodas. After a month of driving fair to say that roads are bumpier, less rules and you use your horn a lot more. Taxi buses are everywhere and have fixed routes. Bodas or motorcycles will take you wherever you want to go but seem quite dangerous.

6. Water and electricity. Most don't have these in their homes. We are fortunate and have both running water and electricity. The city water fills up large tanks so when the city water is off, a couple days a week, we still have water. There is no hot water, but the fact that we have running water is good and we have learned far more important than electricity. Even though we have electricity we don't have a TV or appliances except a refrigerator.

5. Green and orange. Everything is so green green here and the dirt is the color of rust orange. It is just breathtaking and beautiful.

4. Mzungu. This means "white person" and you hear it everywhere we go. "Hi Mzungu", "Bye Mzungu".

3. Food. When you think about what we eat here and compare, you definitely realize how much of the worlds resources we consume as Americans. Protein is found mostly in beans and eggs. Some meat but they don't eat it very much as it is expensive.

2. Death, Injury, Disease. Everyone here is constantly effected by this, seems so much closer here. It is a part of life, as it seems there is always some new sickness, injury or death each week. Their faith helps them handle these uncertainties.

1. People. Their stories, their faith; they are so friendly, so open. The personal stories they tell are amazing in the struggle, hardship and differences but also in the faith and joy they have. What they deal with and the needs they have make our challenges seems so small. Your heart aches and you want to help but helping is more than money.