Uganda bought a lot of beautiful and glorious things on this last month of this journey so I thought I would write them all down for all to see. This last month surely did not disappoint!
1. Doing a week of ministry on an island- Buvuma you’re the greatest.
2. Pastor Peace and her family- some of the most hospitable and kindest humans I have ever encountered. Thank you for loving us like family in our time on the island.
3. Victorious dancing through musical worship
4. Mosquito nets (they are the real deal here)
5. Walking into town
6. The wind blowing through your hair on a daily boda boda ride
7. Morning walks with Aubrey
8. New seasons with the Lord
9. Finally becoming fully funded on the race!! (Insert praise hands)
10. Hugs from elders in the church
11. Hospitality unlike I have ever seen
12. Supportive, hardworking translators (they deserve a ginormous round of applause)
13. Pastor Eddies diligence in organizing a program the reaches out to the community and church members
14. Bishop Steven- encouragement through Isaiah 61
15. Matooke- a favorite food among many Ugandans. A form of banana that is savory and cooked. Pairs great with cooked cabbage, greens, and tomato sauce.
16. The ever exotic and rare Jackfruit and the sweetest most delicious pineapple I have ever eaten.
17. The gift of a duck after Simone gave an encouraging word to a neighboring pastor
18. Dancing in circles with Godfrey, a joyful and incredible boy with autism whose grandmother goes to the church we partner with, but due to insufficient funds is unable to receive the skills and education he needs. Alongside of his 17 year old uncle who is one of the most patient young men I have ever met. One of my favorite families that we got to visit and sit with.
19. Chapatti. Lots of chapatti
20. Seeing the most recent Disney movie Queen of Katwe in the birthplace of the story, Kampala, Uganda (twice). It was a beautiful depiction of what we have experienced and seen in our time in Africa, specifically here in Uganda.
21. Kind people on the street willing to help you get to your destination.
22. Walking through a neighboring slum for a day of ministry. Sitting with the street children, praying for them, and getting to do life with them even if only for a couple of hours. They are not hopeless, helpless, or disappointments. They are seen, beloved, and valued.
23. Receiving a bracelet from one of the girls in the slums by the name of shakira. As we were gathering into the van to leave she asked me to pray for her. I believe that she received so much more than we could have physically given her that day.
24. Team times filled with listening prayer and encouraging words on what we have learned and seen in each other. (Thank you Aubrey, Liv, Simone, Sarah, Luke, Ben, and Coco for being such great teammates this month).
25. Watching food being prepared on the street. It’s a talent and an art of its own.
26. Kind, gentle, and generous shop owners who are extremely proud of their work and just want to invite you into that part of their lives.
27. Praying for school land, widows, orphans, students, and community members. There is extreme power in prayer.
28. Watching school children perform a native dance for you after 30 minutes of nonstop singing, dancing, and teaching each other songs from our homelands.
29. Finding joy through exhaustion
30. Saying goodbye is not a thing in Uganda, it’s always “see you.”
31. Waking up and seeing the View of the Nile River. What is this life? Well, my friends, it is a beautiful one. Simply and utterly beautiful.
Thank you, Uganda. You really were a sweet finish to this chapter and I’m looking forward to see how it spills over into the next one. SEE YOU!
