Texting - part 1

Texting – a joy and often confusing endeavor.

– part 1

I bought my first cell phone in 2005, but I did not send my first text message in America until 2006. I had just returned from Uganda, and I wanted a way to stay in touch with friends from Bundibugyo. Texting was the answer! It was a much cheaper alternative to calling, though I stilled try to call every month or two, and it was relatively easy to do. Now, I love texting!

Many people in Uganda and Sudan send text messages. People are very conscience about money when they talk on the phone here, especially in Uganda, so texting is short, sweet, and inexpensive. It has proved to be a good way for me to communicate brief messages or send small words of encouragement.

I left Sudan on January 4 and am currently in Bundibugyo, Uganda. Over the past month I have spent $40 on phone calls and text messages to Sudan! During the referendum voting I sent text messages everyday to a group of 20 guys – people that have played meaningful roles in my life in Sudan and have become good friends. Since the end of the voting process on January 15, every Sunday I send a text of encouragement to these guys. I’ve also called many of them, and some of them numerous times. They have also sent me numerous text messages and called me several times as well!

In Uganda people will often ‘beep’ or ‘flash’ me on the phone. They will call me and let the phone ring one time and then hang up in hopes that I will call them back. Sometimes people will beep me ten times in a row if I don’t call them back immediately. But in Sudan, beeping is not so common. So it has been great to have people actually call me from Sudan! (Though, I did tell all my friends that if ever they need to talk or need encouragement, they can beep me and I will foot the bill.)

I love receiving text messages from friends! People in Sudan, Uganda, and America have sent me messages. There is something so encouraging about this and has helped me maintain relationship even though distance is often an obstacle.

On my phone in Uganda I am allowed to send a text message with a total of 100 characters (this includes spaces). This may sound like a lot, but it is challenging trying to write a detailed message that stays within these parameters. I am often trying to abbreviate things or use alternative, shorter, spellings to convey a thought. Because of space constraint, I often receive text messages from my African friends that are confusing and hard to decipher, as I cannot always comprehend their abbreviations and spellings.

I wanted to share some text messages with you that I have received or sent over the past month. I will type the text message exactly as it was sent to me, and then I will give you my own commentary of what I think it actually means. I challenge you to see if you can decipher these encoded scripts! HAPPY TEXTING!