Carnival Day

The Ukarumpa community is isolated from our friends in the US by at least 14 time zones, at least 2 hours from anything looking like a city, coping with a limited (or lack of) supply of a limited selection of foods (except for fresh produce), limited Internet speed which essentially restricts internet voice calls home to after 11 pm until around 6:30 am (while everyone else here is asleep), and (for us) no vehicle to get anyplace if we dared drive these roads.

That is why there is frequent and high anticipation for events within the translation center. There are music concerts and recitals, plays put on by students, a wide variety of sports events (soccer, tennis, volleyball, rugby, ultimate Frisbee, floorball – an indoor hockey-like game without skates – and more). We’ve even had a glider contest (which I’ll share pictures from another time).

There are also the BIG events, such as the annual “Carnival Day” which happened one recent Saturday. Julie and I had heard about it a couple of months ago and the actual event did not fail to exceed its reputation. I don’t think I could do a better job at describing the way the community interacts and binds itself together and, especially in the midst of the violent turmoil in our valley, acts as God’s way to reduce our stress levels, heal us some emotionally, and cause us to grow closer together.

As you look at the variety of carnival events and the unique way missionaries use limited raw materials to create a marvelous day full of fun and joy, know that it was the High School students who planned and executed much of the carnival as a fundraiser. They worked hard and served the entire community. That is as impressive as the experience was.

Enjoy!