Honey, I'm home?

I write this sitting in the house I grew up in.  Relfecting on the memories that were made within this house and outside.

Last Thursday, as you know, I said goodbye to the JOAC house.  Saying goodbye was so weird and felt surreal until I was actually leaving the compound. On the bumpy bus ride to Kampala I wrote a note to each member of the house to remember me by and to be encouraged by. I love those kids so much, and it saddens me to even think that right now they would be coming home from school and I would be greeting them at the gate. When we reached Kampala Simon, the brother of my friend Deo, picked me up from a grocery store called Shop Rite.  We had some great conversations on the way to Come Let's Dance.  CLD was filled with smiling faces and very kind people.  I was SO happy to see Resty, the cook, and it was really fun cooking with her during the days I was there.

On Friday, Kate (one of the interns) toured me around showing me all the new things CLD was up to.  They have just built a school, and it looks incredible and is doing very well.  I saw Sanyu, a girl that I spent all my time with at the orphange two years ago, and the same girl that I taught how to say, "Oh my gosh" to during my first trip to Uganda. It was beautiful to see her grown up and to compare her to the littler verisons of herself.

On Saturday, we had an all day medical outreach in Katanga Slum, a slum that I spent most of my time two years ago.  I saw some familiar faces and the slum really hadn't changed in appearance at all. At night I went out with my friend Rachel for dinner in town.  We got "Chicken Tonight": a fried chicken and chips place.  I was sick afterwards, but it was so worth it. Ha!

Sunday I got to go to Light the World church and see all my old friends.  It was a joyous reunion. Monday marked my last full day in Uganda.  It was mostly uneventful as I packed and got my things together and ready to leave.  I helped Resty cook; she said I had really become African when I was in Mbarara. I'm proud of that ;)

Tuesday morning I woke up really early and was picked up by CLD's taxi driver, Emma (Emmanuel).  He is as sweet man that speaks very little English, but was my driver for years. When I boarded the plan I was greeted by a cute three year old boy and his grandma. He got comfortable with me right away.  He used me as a punching bag for some part of the flight. Ha! It didn't bother me, but I think the grandmother was embarrased at his behavior. When I got checked in the hotel in London I felt some culture shock.  I was alone in a super rich place.  It dawned on me that I would much rather be poor and loved than rich and alone.  I took a hot shower and fell asleep almost immediately after my head hit the pillow.

Wednesday morning I left London for Chicago.  At this point I was very ansy to get home.  I had already been out of Uganda so long, I just felt like I was in limbo. The flight seemed long, but once I was off the duration didn't feel overwhelming dreadful.  I got through customs quickly and retrieved my bag.  My dad picked me up from the airport, and it was SO good to see him! I love him. He's my daddy :) I went to my grandma's house after picking my car up from my dad's store. I hung out with her and my uncle for the rest of the afternoon.  At around 6:30pm I headed home to get ready for the party Katie planned for my homecoming.  People, I have the best friends and community in the world.  Yes, it's super weird to be home and I am feeling all sorts of uneasiness and confusion, but I am surrounded by incredible people that make all of those things seem small in comparison to their love for me. We talked, I showed pictures from my trip, and even let them try the tea I brought back from Rwanda.

I am EXTREMELY jet lagged.  I didnt fall asleep until 6:30am (after taking sleeping pills).  I am super tired, but I just have to hold out to sleep until tonight and I think I will be back to normal.  Please pray that my sleeping habbits will adjust quickly. 

Well, that just about brings my eight weeks to a close.  Thank you for reading my blog even though it was long.  It means SO much to me that people have read these and have prayed for me through it all. 

I think I might keep this blog alive.  I may not update it as frequently, but maybe if I get a revelation any time in the near future I will share it publically here. Who knows?