I absolutely love it here. I expected to really enjoy it, but I'm blown away. The people are so beautiful and welcoming. Pastor Johnson from Victory Outreach Ministries is an incredible man... I could sit and listen to him talk all day. He knows Jesus intimately and is overflowing with wisdom. He has seen more hardship and struggle than most of us will never even scratch the surface of in our lifetime, but I have never heard anyone speak so frequently of God's goodness and faithfulness.
I may be repeating a lot of what everyone else has already said, but here's a brief rundown of most of what we've done/experienced so far:
- My first plane ride was very, very long but I LOVED it. Had a window seat for both flights. Nothing like flying over the Alps on a clear day...and seeing sunrises and sunsets...
- The place we stay is amazing. We actually have real showers that are sometimes warm! Unexpected, for sure. Everyone there is beyond sweet and welcoming. Loving all the food so far: Scuumaweeky? (green leafy veggie), lots and lots of pineapple and watermelon, jackfruit (weirdest fruit ever: texture of a pepper but tastes like a mixture of cantelope, papaya, pineapple, banana and mango. Try to imagine that...haha), chicken (straight out of the yard) and many forms of potatoes. Not to mention the most delicious beans and rice I've ever had.
- Fit 13 people in a 4 passenger car and drove over potholed dirt roads. No explanation needed.
- Joined the praise and worship team. No one can see these people worship and pray and think they aren't sincere. Very rarely do they just stand there and listen to one person pray...everyone joins in. They are fully engaged and passionate...oh, and they seriously know how to dance.
- Watched a chicken get...killed? decapitated? slaughtered? It was a way slower process than anticipated and the chicken's body continued to move for at least five minutes after it's decapitation. Might work up the guts to do it myself before these 4 months are over.
- Prayed for salvation with a man named Peter who wandered into the church one day while we were practicing some songs. He was just admitted into the hospital for being HIV and TB positive, but had left and walked all the way to the church because he felt God telling him he needed to go there. We're going to visit him in the hospital soon.
- Went to a men's prison after Sunday service. When we walked in, they were already dancing around and singing, 50+ in one small room. We shared a short message with them and heard their tesimonies and stories. Many of them were there unjustly, and had heartbreaking stories. Their eyes yearned for hope. I get the feeling that these were exactly the people Jesus would have chosen to be around.
- We got to interview a man named Nelson who had escaped from the LRA (look it up if you don't know what it is) after being a child soldier for almost 3 years. I hope to share more of his story later.
- Visited a hospital that same day to talk and pray with people. I cannot describe the overwhelming needs there. I may write more about it later. When you ask God to break you, just be prepared for Him to do it.
- Did dishes the Ugandan way.
- Attempted to help with the laundry. I probably made it take longer.
- Went for a 5 hour walk in Lira...which was supposed to be more like a two hour walk. Nothing like getting lost in Africa in the blazing sun when few people around you speak english. Thank you Jesus for sunscreen, water, George and Fred who helped us home, and for Darby and Sarah who kept Aly and I staying positive. It will definitely be a great memory...
- Ate bananas for the first time in years.
- Helped write a budget register thing for the microfinance department...not sure it that's my life calling. Ha.
- Taught 20+ kids we met on our long walk a few songs (they loved O-lay-lay...have no clue how to spell that)...they hijacked my camera and took some of the best pictures I've gotten to far. Haha! Ridiculous fun.
- Had some fun/interesting hammock moments, one being teaching a little girl 50+ words in english because she mimicked everything I said. I wish I knew all the words to Waka Waka because all the kids here seem to know it.
- I could say so much about all of the wonderful times our team has spent together fellowshiping, worshiping, talking about serious subjects,and goofing off. Every single one of them is genuinely amazing. I couldn't ask to be part of a better group of people as we work out what it means to follow Jesus and live in community in Uganda. Inside jokes already abound...
- You can buy some of the coolest stuff for super cheap here. But other things that seem so simple in the states are really expensive.
- While spending some time with Jesus on the roof (the roof is flat and perfect for alone time or stargazing). A group of kids spotted me from the ground hundreds of feet away and started waving frantically. (white people are like celebrities to all the kids here) I stood up and waved back and they all started screaming and ran to get closer. We then proceeded to have a roof-to-ground dance party...they copied every single move I made. After about 15 minutes I ran out of interesting things to do and started acting crazy. As if dancing on the roof wasn't crazy enough. They yelled up to me "Muzungu! (white person/visitor) We want to be your friend! What is your name?' (they have the best accents ever) So stinkin' cute.
Needless to say, I'm losing myself in Uganda in the best possible way. I haven't even touched on half of it and this is already way too long. I feel like this place is giving more to me than I could ever give to it. I can't wait to share more with all of you and delve into more of what Jesus has in store for us.
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