It wasn't a goodbye..but a see you later

And so two and a half months has past. Much has been experienced. Much has happened. Much has been learned. Much has been processed. One week ago, I landed safely (praise God) in the Edmonton International Airport at 5:00pm. I was greeted warmly by friends and family. Then, much to my surprise, I got home and more family was waiting. What can I say...except thank you for loving me.

Thank you Lord for providing me with family that take the time to love me. It means more than they know. Thank you.

The party was complete with pizza, pumpkin pie, chips, pop, veggies and dip. Most importantly, there was the fellowship of family that made the end to my trip memorable.

So far adjusting to this place I call home has been difficult. It seems ironic...why would adjusting to a first world country be so difficult after spending time in a third world country? Well I don't have an easy answer. But what I can say is that living only with things that I need wasn't so bad. Adjusting to living with things that I not only need but many that I have wanted is strange. Seems like life is cluttered and hugely busy. Busy in the sense that there is so much stimuli and information everywhere. Seems it is time to unclutterize.

But what about Uganda?! Yes I will go back. That's all I know for now.

Thanks everyone who read the updates! Thanks for all the prayers! Know that they were answered and that I was very encouraged.

The Home Stretch

Today, I started in Mawanga, and ended in Kampala. Let's just say that goodbye's are not my strength....especially when others start crying. I said goodbye to my friends at the clinic, to my family in Mawanga and to many other friends. Hugs were given and tears were shed.

Yesterday was a time of fellowship with Pastor Paul and his family. We sat down to my last big meal at his home. Present were Pastor Paul, his wife Edith, Benson (Nurse), Samuel, Hakim and Jalia. Each person currently resides at the Pastors home except for Hakim. The dinner was very nice. It consisted of potatoes, beef, cassava, cabbage, rice and gravy. Dessert was a delicious pineapple. After the grub, Pastor Paul became serious and started speaking. He blessed me with thankful words. Gifts were given out including a clock and a certificate with my full name on it. And to my surprise, it was spelled correctly. Then Benson said a few words and gave a gift, followed by Hakim as well. Then Mama Edith said a few words in Lusoga. Each person blessed me. I didn't know what to say back, but I remember saying many Thank you's. These people are quite practiced in honoring others with words, and even gifts...however big or small. Very giving.

The past week, I won't lie, has been full of more relationship building than working. I spent a few nights at the clinic with Judith a fellow nurse. She lives right in the clinic. This situation is somewhat difficult as she never get's a day off. Not really. People always come to the door and ask her questions. I was able to go to the garden with her and attempt to dig with a hoe. :) She laughed a lot when I tried. It's not that difficult, however I can see how it is tiring. Many people, especially women, start digging early in the morning...around 6 or 7 and end a few hours later due to the sun. Then they return late in the day to finish what they have started. Many times, the woman has a baby at her side or sitting on her back. Many children join their parents before school or after to help. Everyone is quite slender due to the hard work. I was able to assist Judith with planting beans. She would dig the holes and I would follow behind, drop a few beans in the holes and cover them with soil. Gum boots/rain boots are valued, especially when it has rained. However many people dig without anything on their feet. One of the girls living at Pastor's house, Maria, suffereda toe injury because she hit her foot with the hoe. The cut was quite open, however the clinic staff took good care of her and the wounds looked much better just before I left.

Also, this week, I was able to assist in a governmental project. The aim is to immunize and deworm all children in school. Lawrence, Judith and I walked to the school. There, each class came one at a time. Many classes/grades had 40+ students. The tetanus vaccine was unavailable from the government, so we gave tablets for deworming. Pills were handed out, people were counted and the task was completed in about an hour. About 500 students were seen and treated. I was amazed at how well behaved they were.

And so, my time in Uganda is coming to a close once again. I know that I will be back. No questions asked. God is so good. Yesu Yebazbwe.

Impending Goodbye

Greetings to everyone who reads this blog! Thank you for reading and for your interest. You're prayers and thoughts have definately been felt and appreciated. Be so blessed.

The past couple weeks have been full of fellowship, thinking about the future and wondering about the goodbye that seems to be traveling at me like a speeding train.

New things I have done recently:
-danced two weeks in the church, accompanying singers
-attended an overnight at the church (this is when the congregation gathers together for a night of worship, praise, praying, and fellowship)
-eaten more white ants...in abundance this time, they aren't half bad
-drove a bike with a friend on the back
-carried plenty of jugs of water
-learned how to roast g-nuts (sorta like peanuts)
-learned more of the Lusoga language
-made new friends
-walked bare foot on the muddy road for a mile (yes...this is risky...but my shoes were going to break)

The culture here is still proving to be challenging at times. People live very communally and are not shy about asking for things. Especially asking a white person for money...or even for whatever I am carrying. This is something that I still have trouble accepting, however I do see some value in this way of living.

On Friday I leave Mawanga and head back to Kampala. On Monday I leave Uganda.

Will write again on the weekend.