On March 6th, 1985…I came into this world
screaming like a maniac…I surprised the doctors and my parents because I was
supposed to be “Michael,” the son of the Baird’s. But the doctor handed me to
my parents and immediately it didn’t matter. I became “Jennilee,” the beloved
daughter of the Baird’s.
On March 6th, 2011…I turned 26. I woke up on an
uncomfortable bed in the middle of Uganda to a breakfast of bananas and bread
with honey. I was supposed to have a different life…I had my own plans about
life and where I’d be at the age of 26…but God had other plans. What Satan
thought would destroy me over the last 26 years, God knew would bring me to a
place of true identity, freedom, and adventure! When I believed that my “names”
were fearful, scared, quiet and angry…God knew that I would one day be called
Fearless, Courageous, and Powerful…He knew that I would decide to live a life
of honor and He knew that I would find my Voice!
But this blog isn’t about God changing our names (although
it’s something I completely believe
in and I love to see the process in
people’s lives!) and it’s not about starting new seasons or growing up. It’s
about the fact that I got to spend it with people I love and I got to
experience a country in Africa for my birthday.
I sat down with my team for breakfast and was enlightened by
Stefan…even though I officially turned 26, I was actually beginning my 27th
year on this earth…which made me feel super old for a minute or two, until
Christina reminded me that the prime of life is 25 to 35…so I’m just beginning!
We spent the first part of the day in church. We sang
English worship songs…wait…did you read that…English (amen!). We danced around for nearly an hour, twirled in
circles, raised the roof and got low. Immediately afterwards, we hopped on a
Matatu and headed out to Kampala which is about an hour away. I had spotted a
place earlier in the week that advertised Thai food and an ice skating rink! Heck
yes!
We got off the Matatu and found our way to Alleygator’s…home
of an ice skating rink, a bowling alley, arcade games and more! As we walked
in, we spotted the ice rink and realized quickly that the floor was pure rubber.
I was super puzzled until one of my teammates pointed to roller-skates in the
corner of the “ice rink.” No wonder it wasn’t cold at all in that building! I
still think it would have been incredible to go ice skating in the middle of
Africa!
So we decided to go to the bowling alley and play a game. Stefan
graciously charmed the bartender into giving me a free Mt. Dew. We did a round
or 2 of crazy bowl but we were doing bad enough without the crazy, so we ended
up just trying to hit the pins in the normal way…still didn’t work well. I think
I ended up with a score in the 70’s. Go me!
Then we went on a hunt for a cheap, yet nice restaurant.
Thai and Mexican were both super expensive…as was everything else. But we ended
up at an amazing pizza parlor. They brought me out a Tiramisu and a laptop that
played “Happy Birthday”, “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and “You’re 21 now!”
Right as we were finishing off the Tiramisu, the manager
brought his laptop back out and told us he wanted to share a video with us. I
was half expecting something that had to do with a birthday…and I guess, in a
way, it did. But it ended up being a video of…
**drum roll**
A bunch of Ugandans dancing and breaking it down in
preparation for the circumcision ritual. I’ve never seen so many 60 year old
women and men…squawking and moving like chickens and dogs in heat. It was
absolutely hysterical and definitely the best way to end the day!
All that to say that my birthday was awesome! Definitely not
what I expected, but totally spontaneous and full of surprises. It was
incredible to spend a birthday halfway across the world with people I love. It
was super encouraging to get notes and letters and emails from home! As much as
I missed everyone back home, it was amazing knowing that this year will be
different for me because I left home 6 months ago. I can’t wait to see what
this year brings! I’m so excited to finish out this race and get home to
experience the rest of it with everyone in the US!
Until then, I’ll just spend the first 5 months of age 26 in
Africa, Asia and Europe! Praise the Lord for surprises and His plans instead of
mine!
