Friday, February 10th marked 7 months on the World Race. On Saturday, February 11th the team met my younger brother, Caleb, who, until recently I had not seen since he left home before me in June of last year. Caleb is studying in Kampala for a while and he’ll be in Uganda until mid-May. Last Saturday, I went with Pastor Joseph to Kampala to pick up a package for a fellow squadmate. When we arrived 30 minutes early and the bus was expected to be 2 hours late (thanks to the ridiculous Rwandan border patrol!), I asked if we could try and meet up with Caleb while we waited. Pastor was willing and very helpful as we navigated the busy streets of Kampala trying to find his house.
A few taxis and a boda boda (motorbike) later and we were there. Before I saw Caleb a really cute kid ran out of the gate and hugged my legs. When I finally saw my “little brother” for the first time in so long he looked so nice! Khaki pants, a blue button-up long-sleeved shirt and nice shoes. I wore sweaty athletic shorts, a paint-stained shirt, dirty shoes, no makeup and my glasses. Still, after I got a big hug and smile from my little bro I didn’t really care what I looked like. It was so good to see him and I was so proud of myself for not crying because I was busting with joy. We only had about 30 minutes to hang out but he showed me around the compound where he’s staying. There were cows, banana trees, jackfruit trees, and a brick-making business. It’s a nice place.
Caleb and I at his homestay house in Kampala.
When I saw his room he started pulling things out of his luggage that Mom had sent from home. Inside were lots of wonderful items. Included were the essentials: bug spray, sunscreen, acne medicine, lice shampoo, makeup and other random things. However, the two most awesome items that almost made me cry were: a new comfortable pillow and Mom’s homemade pound cake. The cake was individually wrapped for all of my teammates and it even had fancy swirls of food-coloring in it. She really went above and beyond as there were homemade chocolate chip cookies and Reese’s cups too. It just tasted like home. The team and I devoured the cake before I even thought to take a picture of it. It was straight up delicious, mm..mmm.
Cookies from Mom. Thanks Mom, the team loved them and I love you!
When Pastor saw all of the things that Caleb brought for us he kept laughing and saying, “Your mother is a real mother. She loves you so very much!” Also inside were a few birthday cards for me to open in about a month. I was able to Skype with my parents right before Caleb arrived this Saturday and Dad told me it would be okay to open up his card early if I wanted to since Caleb would be with me. He thought I’d get a kick out of it. He was right. Dad sent me an Indiana Jones card with quite a good pun for the Race. It even plays the theme song! In fact, as I type this blog, I’m watching Indiana Jones in the top corner of the screen.
Card from Dad. Thanks Dad, I loved it and I love you!
I love things that remind me of my home and my family. I’ve had a few times on the Race where I have just sat and reminisced. I love it because some thoughts just make me bust out laughing and leave me with sweet joy. After I saw Caleb for the first time and had my package from home in my lap, I simply sat in the back of the taxi on the way back to Mukono grinning from ear to ear singing in my mind, “Bless the Lord oh my soul and let all that’s within me shout out, shout out!”
There’s no real sadness or longing to be home, just thankfulness for what God has already given (sweet memories) and knowledge of who is waiting for me when I finally finish my Race and arrive home in June. There were some days when I was a bit sick that I tried to just imagine that I was sleeping in my own bed, in my own room with a fan and North Carolina crickets chirping outside. Once, Ben asked us, “Have you ever imagined that you’re eating food? Like just closed your eyes and tasted a taco?” There are days when we talk about hamburgers and ice cream, strawberries and Subway sandwiches. Ok, maybe that’s a little much…I realize that it’s not good to daydream often as it can take your mind off of ministry here, but sometimes it’s just nice to think about home and those I love. I don’t think I’ve ever been “homesick” in the way that I have wanted to go back to America. But I do miss my family. I miss conversations, laughter, home-cooked dinners, hugs and spending time together. I miss my dad telling me to turn down the “loud racket” on the radio or my mom telling me that my clothes don’t really match for church. I miss Cookout (a local NC restaurant) trips and basketball games with my brothers. I miss staying up all night talking with my college friends. I don’t miss North Carolina as much as I miss its people.
Being able to see Caleb after such a long time was truly a blessing. Yes, I enjoyed the pound cake and the pillow is helping me get better sleep, but to have my brother here sitting right next to me, eating with the team and fellowshipping at church, that was the real treat. He joined in playing games with the kids, helping with songs and even giving a speech to the congregation! Having Caleb here echoed something wonderful that I found to be true earlier: I have gained so much from the Race, from living in community, from praying and rejoicing with believers overseas… even though I had to give up personal time with my loved ones for a season. I appreciate and love my family and friends immensely more now and I don’t want to miss a moment of spending time with them when I arrive home in June.
Caleb speaking to the church.
The Lord has opened my eyes so much to opportunities at home as he’s taught me tons about relationships and personal evangelism. It is important to take time to know people, understand their struggles and pain, and to celebrate in their successes and joyous occasions. I have met some pretty incredible people here in Uganda and in other countries on the Race, but my family knows me better than any of my teammates or those I’ve met these past few months. My testimony at home is almost more powerful because those that know me know my character well. They see me when I struggle and when I succeed. They see my anger and my love. Your testimony in your own home and family is nothing if those closest to you see something different when you’re outside their walls. Thus, you can impact those who know you more closely in a stronger way than those who don’t, whether it is a positive or negative impact.
Today (Sunday) at church I spoke to the congregation about the importance of personal evangelism to their neighbors. I am the missionary, the one to bring the Word of God, but they have the same Holy Spirit inside of them that I have inside of me. All believers have a responsibility to share Christ. I have had an amazing time on the mission field, but God has shown me so much about being intentional at home.
I had been praying about graduate school for some time. The big question was whether I should start in the fall semester or wait until spring. The fall seemed to come rather quickly, the spring was kind of far away. Finally the Lord gave me the peace to choose for myself. I will start in the spring so I can stay and spend time at home, pouring into those that have poured into me and pouring out into those who need encouragement and hope. I love the foreign mission field and the adventure that it holds but the home front will be no less adventurous.
I know that my work does not stop in June. This World Race may end but I am still running the race for the prize. As long as I live I’ll be running. June 2012 in North Carolina is just another lap around the track in the race that I pray I finish well.
Caleb, me, Mama Frieda and Pastor Joseph
Caleb and I with Shafik and his sister Shakira, two of the children who were sponsored.
Before church on Sunday.
