Context.

I figure I should give a bit of context for all the things I have been saying. It's funny because I feel a hundred different things, and there are a thousand different things going through my mind. Decisions, plans, long term, short term, blah, blah, blah. My head is forever swimming. It's not a bad thing, I'm glad it's happening. I'm glad I keep constantly having something else to try and process.

The last nine days, we have been all over the place. All around Kampala, Jinja, Entebbe, seeing the sights, the shops, the people. It's great because I have been able to get a broader sense of the country. Last time I was here, we did a lot more cross-country traveling, going farther out into the village and hitting up Northern Uganda. This time, we are more rooted, we are staying closer to the city.

Some context. We flew into Entebbe, which is like an hour and a half-ish away from the place we are staying. Once we arrived, we went through immigration and bought our visas, it is so different than India. When I went to India I had to mail in my passport months early and they had to give the ok for me to come on over. In Uganda, you just buy the visa once you land in country. Super easy. The only chaotic part of landing and stuff is the mad dash to the tables so you can finish filling out your application. This time though we also had to fill out a health form telling where we had traveled in the last month or so, and if we had any fever or cold or what not. We zipped through all of it and grabbed our bags and took our first steps in Uganda. Eddie was there waiting with flowers and so began this awesome adventure.

 We're staying in an crazy great apartment. Its gated, with a guard, two stories, 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, a kitchen, ect. Man. It's way more than I expected. Our beds our outfitted with mosquito nets and we have two great balconies I can see the city from when I am getting ready in the morning. Seriously. Its awesome. Electricity, water, wifi, we got the whole shebang.

We are staying 20 minutes-ish (depending on traffic, bank stops, Uganda's sense of 'elastic' time, ect.) from Hope for New Life church where Eddie works. Driving is done on the opposite side of the road here and roundabouts are used, but not like in the US. Think squishing as many cars and boda boda's (motorcycle taxis) into a typical two lane roundabout and your on the right track. For me, this would be panic inducing to have to maneuver. BUT. The sense of space and how and where your car (or bike, or boda boda) can fit is INCREDIBLE. Ugandans are champs when it comes to driving. I swear, it should be a sport or something.  If I was driving, we would never arrive. I would still be waiting for my chance to 'merge.' (Such a loose description).

No I have not seen a lion. No I have not seen a gorilla. No I have not seen a hyena. Im not living out on the savanna or in the Lion King for that matter.  I've seen dogs, cats, goats, cows, all just chilling in the city. A bit different from back home. I promised Eddie if I move here we're getting a dog and it will be raised like an American dog. For sure. My pride and joy obviously. Dogs here aren't like our pets back home. More for security and and there are way more strays. Pets in general just aren't a huge thing. He's not super excited about it...

I'm in the biggest city in Uganda, and the spectrum of glamour and dirt is forever paired next to each other. Last time I was here, I walked away with how crazy the contrasts are. In Uganda, you will have a giant Land Rover parked next to taxi crammed full of as many people as possible. You will have kids going to a huge, outfitted private school right next to those who walk barefoot to class. Contrasts. That's how I would describe the country. Hundreds and hundreds of glaring contrasts. It's beautiful though. It's that beautiful sense of organized chaos. And that is for sure my jam. I'm all about that organized chaos.

How to Update.

Im not sure where to take all of this. Im not sure how to update everyone on this trip because simply, I'm just falling in love more and more. With the country. With the people. With Eddie. Yup. All of it. I keep asking myself what this would look like if I were here for good. I see the markets and the boda boda's and the traffic and the sky and and I  just feel good. Plain and simple. I've been here for 6 days and I feel like I just got here, but at the same time, like  its been weeks. I like the feeling of familiarity-  that it is not a new, nerve inducing feeling, but a familiar one.

 This isnt a missions trip. This isnt me doing anything spectacular (I dont even know what that could possibly be), but it's me getting to know this country. I dont want a shiny impression, I want the nitty gritty, I want to know what Kampala really is. I want to know if I could do it. I know that sounds strange. And why Im putting this on the internet, Im not sure. But Im trying to be honest with the whole trip. Thoughts. Feelings. Impressions. All of it. Including this.

The last time I was here, it was hard going back to the US. I had all these feelings and emotions and it was hard to bring people alongside me. Explaining what was going on in not just my head, but my heart was the worst. I was reeling until probably March and then in May I took off for India. The whole year was me being torn and then being built up. It was a mess.

Im certain this trip is different. Its not about being broken this time, its about seeing and knowing. Its about experiencing the contrasts and walking through them. I am so thankful. So thankful.

Here.

Just a quick update, Eddie is on his way here and were off to the church.

The flights. Awesome. Super easy. I think the ging said it was 31 hours door to door. Luckily for me, I have the powers to sleep where ever and whenever, so on our longest leg of the trip, from Brussels to Rwanda, I slept the whole time. They served dinner and I went straight to sleep and didnt budge until an hour before landing. Magic! So greatful. Poor Ging didnt sleep like I did, so she was a bit out of it once we got to Kampala, but I was wired.

Our apartment is incredible. 2 bedrooms, 3 bath, kitchen, backyard. Its awesome. Way more than we could ever ask for.

Yesterday we went into the city to do some exchanges, tour the national mosque and then we visited a deaf school. It was perfect. It was funny being able to see places I recognized and have memories of my first time here scattered about.

Eddie, has been awesome, showing us around and putting up with all our stuff. I cant believe it has been this long since Ive seen him. Walking out of the airport and seeing him for the first time, flowers in hand, is a memory I will hold for ever.

I was talking to Ging about this trip thus far and I can just describe it as comfortable (in such a good way). Its like I am so comfortable in my skin here. In the things I see, the places, the people, the food. Its just so great. Being in this city has been like coming home. Its like I never left. Sorry for the ramble. Im all over the place. Lets be honest, as usual. Ill get my thoughts together at some point and give an actual update.

Trip 1.

So about a year and a half ago, I took my first loooooooong flight to the other side of the world to meet the country I had been dreaming of since I was 14. Huh?

Yup. Dream come true. Even if I had planned the trip myself, I could not have made it any more perfect. I got to meet kids that stole my heart. I made pipe cleaner glasses till I couldn't rip them apart anymore. I fell in love.  I experienced a country that I had only heard about. It was incredible.

But. I had to leave. But. I had to say goodbye. But. I had to kiss the cheeks of little faces I had only begun to get to know. Talk about breaking my heart. As I sat in the plane that was taking me back to the US, I cried. And cried. And cried. My poor travel partners. Those poor flight attendants. It was probably halfway to Khartoum did I finally pull it together.

If I had to put that trip into a neat little box, and tie it off with a nice little bow, I would have described it as God pouring out gift after gift onto me. He didn't have to send me to Kampala. He didn't have to let me see the incredible ministry that was going on in this country. He didn't have to reveal to me over and over again that He forever keeps His promises. But He did. He did over and over and over again.

I can’t describe the feeling of seeing a brand new church with kids all around being built in a community that was once ravaged by the LRA. What?? I can’t explain what it was like to watch people proclaim their love of Christ as the rose up out of Lake Victoria. Huh??? And I don’t know how put into words the look in the eye of the care givers at the different homes I got to see. Ummm?? Luckily that’s not my job. I was just lucky enough to see it all.

I knew deep down I would see that place again. I knew I would one day walk through that rich red dirt, where the smiles of strangers were so quick to be shared. And. I felt that my heart would again be reunited with the people I love. And I cannot wait for the 5^th to hurry up and get here. 

And I'm going back to get it.

I'm Going Back!

Im going back to Uganda!! WHAT!?!?

Me and the Ging (the roommate) head out to Kampala on October 6 and we’ll be there for the whole month! What?!?!? How did that happen?!?! When did that happen?!?! What?!? Yup. It’s happening. For reals. Your mind is blown, right? Mine still is.

If you know me at all, you would know I have been dreaming up ways to get my butt back to Uganda since the day I got back to the states… from leaving Uganda. I know, rough. Well. It’s actually happening!! We bought our tickets. Our insurance. Our anti-malaria medication. And got a house sitter, so we are set to take off in less than 15 days! But who’s counting …

Our month in Kampala will be spent with the people I have come to love, hanging out with kiddos, sewing, and getting a better look at what is an incredible country. Last time I was there, the people I met were a part of something that had been planted in my heart years ago, and it will be a dream to live it out again.

I am so incredibly thankful I get to walk out this adventure with the Ging, she keeps me grounded, and who else listens to my chatter as well as she does? We’re going to be staying in an apartment Eddie found for us and it is BEAUTIFUL. So thankful for everything he’s already been doing for the two of us. I can’t wait to see him once we end our 28 hour ‘day’ of travel.

Anyways. Pray for us. Think of us. Get excited with us! I’m praying expectedly. Praying I will see the Lord work wonders and miracles, things I could only dream of. He is able! He is already doing it! Stick around and see how my brain processes this country, and read-a-long with the aftermath, which will easily be the hardest part. I’m going back!

.Heather.