Written on Wednesday, 7 January 2009
We say TIA (This is Africa) all the time. We say it
when contacts and everything else runs late, when things change unexpectedly,
when church passes the 4-hour mark, when IT (can be anything) smells and looks
terrible…you get the point. This month my team is getting a big ole serving of
TIA. Things changed from the moment we arrived in Gulu. We couldn’t leave the
Hepzibah girls without a boy, and we didn’t just want to switch 1 person so we
blended our two teams. If at any point I didn’t think I was super attached to
our team, watching Helen and Dan drive away changed that instantly. I got a
lump in my throat, and knew I would miss those 2 more than I had anticipated.
Just when it was getting comfortable living with the Transformers, and honesty
was flowing like the river Nile (I just saw it and it’s awesome!) things
changed; TIA Number 1. Another TIA moment happened while shopping in town
today. We had to start from scratch, as in buying a baby stove, all the
groceries we would need for 2 weeks, and many other necessities. I headed up
this mission, and I truly enjoyed the responsibility of it even the
communication gaps that were teaching me some true patience. At one point I was
purchasing 3 kilos of onions and Helen said, “Alex! Remember how when you had
to buy groceries for a large group in the Philippines you were so stressed? And
now you are buying groceries for 2 weeks and it’s easy!” I was super encouraged
when she noticed that. I am changing! I can confidently handle tasks I would
have shied away from before. Anyway 3 hours later we had a truck full of
supplies for the 2 teams. Little tiny Ugandan villages here we come! These next
few weeks we are living with the locals not very
near them but with them. Should be interesting.
We asked God for
challenges. Before we hit the road to come to Gulu, we prayed that He would use
this month especially to transform us more than He had any other. We cant wait
to see Gary and Lisa and have them say, “Who are you?!” in a good way.
Love LOVE you guys!!
P.S. I have worn the
same exact clothes for 3 days, to sleep and during the day. My light khaki
pants are covered in red dirt and food stains. The sleeve of my world race
shirt serves as both my face towel and napkin. My feet are 3 colors: filthy,
dirty, and ashy. My hair is wretchedly disgusting. I can’t remember what shade
of brown I usually am, and I definitely don’t smell familiar! But here is the
wonder of all wonders: I do NOT smell like B.O. I’ll be sure to keep you posted. So to look at me is to
cringe, but TIA right?
P.P.S. I already decided what I want for my birthday next year so start saving! A weekend at a spa. Yup, like those wealthy old ladies who have nothing better to do. It’s gonna take a team of at least 5 to scrub me down enough so i can remember I am a lady!!
