My heart was literally jumping inside of my chest as I made
my trek to the village last Tuesday. The corners of my mouth could have cracked
from the smile across my face. Bumping and jostling down the looong red dirt
road, further and further into the bush; knowing at the end of the road, I
would be reunited with some passionate and beautiful people. When I arrived I
was loudly and extravagantly welcomed, indeed my friends had remembered me! I
wish I could have recorded it. Words can’t describe the joy that filled the
air. I will forever remember that special memory.
When returning to Bulabakulu I
tried not to have any expectations. Knowing it had been two years since I had
lived here. But as with anything, I did… I expected some things to be the same:
children to scream when they see my skin color because they are not familiar
with white skin, enjoying the challenge in pumping 20 liters of water into my
jerry-can and walking a half mile uphill to bathe, short days due to no
electricity, choosing wherever I want my “bathroom” to be (that can be quite
interesting at night in the bush!), and my friends both young and old to
remember me.
I was excited to see improvements
had been made! All the structures are now permanent! They also have running
water and toilets! This is major people! To my surprise, I also found 8 other
muzungus here. Instantly my frame of mind shifted…wait other people know about
this place?? How? How long had they been here? What were they doing? I had been
prepared to go through the culture shock all over again; no running water, the
challenge of communication, skin color, etc. If you know me you know I enjoy
adventure, so when I saw my challenges were no more I was somewhat let down.
Excited for the advancements in the community, but wondering how life here
would differ. I took a step back and realized God knew about ALL of these
things and still chose to send me. He has a plan. I was forced to find comfort
in that plan and I still am. The other white people here do not believe in the
Jesus I follow. It is easy to share your
faith across the world, people either take it or leave it. But I have a fear of being stero-typed when
sharing Christ with people from my country. I am not ashamed of the one who
saved my soul, but I am ashamed of the ones who distorted the picture of a
Jesus lover. So of course I am
continually searching for the lesson and growth to be gained in this experience
of both discipling my village family and trying not to distance myself from the
others.
Many of the projected ‘projects’ I
had mentioned have been done or are no longer a need. Yet another let down. But I believe this too,
God knew. Maybe this is so I focus more on the root of why He sent me here. To
disciple. Plain and simple. If nothing more gets done, it doesn’t really
matter.
My first night here I was the only
white person. I knew it would be this way, but when the reality of night hit I
was beyond frightened. Fear got the best of me and I couldn’t shake it.
(remember that night fall here is pitch black everywhere no lights near or far)
I prayed that God would provide comfort for me. At 10 pm I chose to walk to
Immy’s (my African mom) house and seek refuge.
She was more than welcoming, taking me into her house and eager to know
what was bothering me. She was understanding and had compassion…just like
someone else I know. We then walked to
her friend’s home and Immy requested she stay the night with me in my
room.
Mind you…I had never met this lady
until now and couldn’t make out the lines of her face. So now, this big Ugandan
woman who hardly looked me in the eye has been woken from her slumber and asked
to sleep with a muzungu. With me. In my room. So much for sleep tonight.
That night I drift in and out of
sleep all night. Reading a book of promises my mom had made me and praying, for
anything! And keeping an eye on this Ugandan roommate who I don’t know from
joe. Desperately trying to make it to morning and get things figured out.
Oh, but I was once again
mysteriously wooed by my heavenly Father. Around 4 am I read a verse about
Christ being my provider of comfort (I have read verses like this all my life,
but this time something clicked) I hardly finished the verse before my body
totally relaxed and I fell deep asleep.
When I woke I greeted the woman who
had stayed the night. I asked for her name and she replied “Favour”. My heart
leaped when she said her name.
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| Favour and I- teaching me how to sew on the no electricity machine :) |
Truly, truly the lord has brought
me to Uganda and given me favor among the people.
ISAIAH 42:6-7
“I
am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness. I will take hold of your hand
and keep you. I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the
nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to
release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”
