Each African country seems to be better than the last.
After Ethiopia I didn’t think ministry could get any better. Then came Rwanda, where I had the best ministry host I’ve had all year.
Where I taught 10 extremely rambunctious yet insanely intelligent children every day, where I painted the alphabet on classroom walls and preached in churches.
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I’m sitting here wide-eyed in bed after a long first day of ministry here in Uganda. I don’t think I’ve had a 9-5 work day since leaving home in January. I honestly forgot what it was like.
The last three months I’ve been skipping around east Africa and each month seems to be better than the last.
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I’m back in the place it all started: Uganda.
The past ten months have taken me all across the globe and I’m often left speechless.
I’m sitting here, underneath my bug net trying to decide if I want to be a long-term missionary or a wife, if I want to settle down or if I want to keep adventuring, if I should get a job or move around like a crazy 20 something vagabond. (Yes, that is my new favorite word.)
The past ten months have taken me places I never expected to go and given me experiences I never thought I’d have. But the past ten months have also been very hard. I’ve had my heart broken, I felt numb and internally shut down, I’ve see poverty and I’ve seen wealth. I’ve met people from different tribes and different nations who all speak different languages; many who have become lifelong friends.
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Over the last few weeks I’ve started three different blogs, none of which seem to really explain what I want you as my supporters and my people to know and understand about the last 11 months of my life.
I’m currently in Uganda, our last stop on the race, working with a non-profit in the capitol city reaching out to vulnerable children and street kids. Each day I teach a rowdy group of students for two hours and wave at beautiful faces as I walk through the slums.
I met a man name Jude, who is an outcast simply because he was born as an Albino man. I hold an insanely adorable baby named Agnes almost every day and I am getting Luganda lessons from a 10 year old. I also have a new best friend, a two year old named Miracle who is the daughter of the man who owns the local bar. Life is good.
I have a week left of ministry before final debrief and two weeks until I’m back home in the states. My emotions are all over the place and I have no idea what to feel about this whole process.
These last three months in Africa have been my favorite on the entire race. There’s just something about this place that I’m unable to explain. I seem to fall more in love with the people around me each day. Each country feels like home in its own way.
But the reality of coming “home” to the states is slowly creeping its way into my life and whether I like it or not the time has come. I get knots in my stomach thinking about leaving Uganda and my heart rate rises as I think about the transition ahead of me. I’m aware it’s going to be challenging but I’m also very much looking forward to it.
I’m leaning into the last two weeks here in Uganda, trusting the Father – He knows my heart and He knows what I need.
I think the biggest challenge I may face on the race is yet to come. Yes, I’m coming “home,” but what lies ahead is unfamiliar territory with a list of unanswered questions.
I’m really excited to see everyone but I’m also heartbroken about leaving Uganda (again) and saying goodbye to my squadmates. This year has transformed me in ways I haven’t figured out how to put into words. I’ve learned some really challenging life lessons this year but I’ve also learned some really great things too.
The Lord promises a lamp unto my feet, not a crystal ball or three genie wishes into the future. Wise words from my squad leader brought so much peace to me as I think about the transition ahead: “If you can find a way to trust Him minute after minute, the next will become the now without fear stealing the time between … We’re always becoming, and who you’re becoming and how you’re becoming it matters far more than what you’re doing while you’re becoming.”
I’m choosing to not let fear steal my contentment and joy in the transition from “now” to the “next” fully aware that it will be tough.
I love you all dearly and am incredibly thankful for you. See you in two ahort weeks!
Philippians 4:12 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty of in want.”
