Four whole weeks… Wow. I can’t believe I have been in Uganda
this long. Time is flying, and in these past four weeks I’ve learned more
about myself than I ever thought possible. I am thankful for this time to
discover what direction the Lord wants me to take in the future, and learning
to rest in his presence has been amazing. Lots of things have happened since my
last blog, so I will try to give a run down of what’s happening here.
First, I had the opportunity to stay two weeks with an
incredible Ugandan host family. I was loved so well, and cared for. During this
time I was able to experience what it was like to live with a Ugandan family,
and I am so grateful for all of the many lessons I learned.
Things I’ve learned through my host family:
1.
Be completely honest at all times about how you
feel. It is completely okay to be yourself.
2.
Regardless of what country I am in, mornings are
still not for me.
3.
Carrying Jerry Cans full of water is hard, and
some 4 year olds here can do it better then me.
4.
Hospitality isn’t a joke here. Caring for
someone else, and making them feel comfortable is one of the top priorities
here. These Ugandans put southern hospitality to shame.
5.
There is no such thing as an awkward question-see
statement #1.
6.
Love yourself completely, and if you don’t… you
have no reason not to because Mama says God made you who you are for a reason.
7.
God has me in Uganda for a purpose, and a
season. Don’t waste it.
8.
Embrace others for their differences, and learn
from them.
9.
Always, Always, Always stop and have tea.
10. How
to wash my hair while bucket bathing. (This is a bigger deal than you think)
Life with my family was so much fun, and so humbling. I
still go and visit them weekly, and can’t wait to see what else the Lord shows
me through such precious people.
I am still loving my time working for Compassion. I have
been able to sort of fall into a routine, but there are still some surprises
along the way. My supervisor Ann is wonderful to me, and she has made my
transition working for compassion so smoothly. Its exciting to be able to put
my social work skills into practice, and figure out how things work. We will be
starting our compassion center days next Saturday… and I am so excited. This is
when all of our kids come to the project for one day to eat, have devotion,
play games, and learn. This is such a great time for us to be able to spend
some time with them, and see how everyone is doing. Working for compassion is
such an amazing adventure, and I pray I never take what I am able to learn for
granted.
Two weeks in, I was starting to become homesick for my
comfortable life back in America. I missed the comfortable feeling of knowing
what was next, and the comfort of being home. But things are becoming easier
here, and the overwhelming feeling is starting to go away. This is becoming
home for me, and I am learning a whole new meaning of the word comfortable. The
Lord is holding me when I am lonely, or when I am so uncomfortable I can’t even
stand it. Life is so good though. I couldn’t do this without the support of my
sweet Jesus, and great people back at home. I always feel loved, and prayed for…
and that means the world to me. I am missing everyone dearly, but I can’t wait
to see what else I learn in these next three months.
I will try to update everyone again soon, but life is so
busy sometimes. J
Oh, also…. Someone eat some king cake for me. Holla.
