Pickleball hit Gulu this week! Well…Cwero (pronounced Chweroh) actually, which is forty minutes north of Gulu. In past trips, I noticed a decent-sized basketball slab and I enjoyed playing, but there were very few takers. I decided to see if I could make pickleball happen here. I ordered a net, four paddles and balls, a line-striping machine and some spray paint. A chalk line and a tape measure gave me everything I needed. A friend came forward and gave me two hockey bags, with enough room to fit everything in. A friend from FCC laid out a drawing and we were good to go…almost. 

 Spray paint cannot be transported on a plane, understandably so. Undeterred from bringing pickleball joy to Cwero, I sent an email to our friends here and asked if he could get spray paint and he said no problem. Two days later, I remembered that they are special “inverted” cans, the kind used for baseball diamonds. I let him know and He returned with the news that Uganda apparently did not have such cans. Will said “no worry” as they could find people to paint the lines. The line machine would stay home, but FCC has already found it useful. We’ve already painted some parking spots on the grass and will use if for FaithWorks. 

 When we arrived last Friday, Mr. Prince got to work. Using his keen geometry skills (he participated in competitions as a kid), he used the chalk line and laid out the court with precision. He also assessed that there was mildew on the court and the paint would not hold like he would like. So, he busted out the bleach and got started on his sunburn, cleaning a path for paint. Three hours later, two men were painting the lines and the courts have been getting regular use. The American kids who live here have been active and a few Ugandans have joined us as well. 

 We Midwesterners have run up a body count of sorts. On the second night of play, Mike Evans accelerated toward the ball, only to engage the net and fall forward. No broken bones, but a little “road rash”. Mike hasn’t played since. Two nights later, Gar did something quite similar, only he showed ballet-like ability to catch himself only to have a shot of pain go up his hamstring. Pulled hammy. He told me that if he were to try to play again, I should physically assault him. The same night Gar got banged up, I went to bed in good shape, only to wake up walking funny the next day. I felt pretty good yesterday and almost normal today…I might jump back in tomorrow.  

 We see this simple investment serving dozens of families and friends very soon. The families here can have some dead time and part of pickleball is that many can play at a base level without too much difficulty. For me, it provides a mental respite when your mind is busy teaching all day or trying to understand African accents. Looking forward to it.