The Return

After a 7.5 hour flight from Entebbe, Uganda, to London. With a week break in London traveling, and then a 8 hour flight to Atlanta, GA. Stayed overnight in Atlanta, then a half day of debrief, then a 2.5 hour flight to Minneapolis, with a 2 hour rain delay, then a 50 minutes flight to Grand Forks, ND.....

I'm Home.

The travel home definitely made me realize just how FAR away Uganda is, and now wishing it wasn't so far away (or expensive to get there). As I was in my last little flight from Minneapolis to Grand Forks, ND never looked so good! I could hardly wait to get off, felt like I had "ants in my pants". When I got off the plane, finally through the terminal and into the greeting area I was blessed to see my parents, sister, Greta and Brittany, good friends! It was an inexpressible feeling! I've seen it in the movies and on the news of people being separated for so long, or soldiers at war coming home and now I think I got a taste of what that is like to return.

As I had tried to prepare myself, the best I could, while in Uganda, for my return, I really don't think you can prepare. I got home and could still hardly believe all that I had seen just in the last two weeks and believe I was really in America and at the farm...(relaxed sigh). When I got to my parents I just walked around the house to see what was different, mom likes to rearrange/decorate, and just took in the smell of home. I went to my room and was instantly shocked by my things, a common reaction. Before I left I had moved home, got rid of a lot of things and packed the rest up. The boxes were all stacked in my room. I was really upset. I had just lived the last 8 months out of 2 suitcases and arrived to all that I had at home, this too is an inexpressible feeling.

I spent the next 6 weeks traveling, seeing family, friends, speaking to groups and churches to give updates and thanks for their support. "THANK YOU AGAIN!!" It was a crazy busy time and I did get to do some relaxing, blessed by family with their cabin for me to retreat too. Mom and I took a trip to CO in prep for my moving for Grad School.  

I have now been in CO for 2 months, and home from Uganda for 4, only 4! It feels much longer than that. Has it been difficult? Yes. I have had break down(S), long thought processes, physical hurt of missing the family I had in Tororo and those precious children that have touched my life in a way they will never know. I will continue to process and try my best to keep some of what I learned about life in the way I live today; slowing life down, enjoying conversations and relationships, and appreciating other countries. 

There are random moments where I want to say "Asante Sana" (Thank you) or just random Swahili phrases when I am out and about. Or different things just trigger me and I get really frustrated with American life which reminds me of Uganda and the processing begins. 

I can hardly believe it was 1 year and 12 days ago that I left on that incredible journey. I am so thankful God gave me the courage to step on that plane. So Thankful. It is an indescribable time and all the Glory to God for what He did!

Wha, what? Double take!

Hey All so I have a sweet story! 

 So, when I was in Uganda I purchased a sweet painting of a Mzungu woman in the middle of all these sweet kids on one of our adventure trips to Jinja. I met the artist and ask him why he painted this. He told me that it represented the Mzungu coming to their country and showing love to their country, the people and the children by spending time there, away from her own family and country. I was blown away and thought instantly how this is exactly what I was doing in Tororo, Uganda. I purchased the painting and had in my suitcase until I came home.

On my last day at Smile Sarah wanted a group picture with the kids for herself and for this article submission or something and I decided I want one too! When I returned in June I put together a slide show and was visiting people, churches, and groups that had helped me get to Uganda as a follow up of what I did and how life was there. During maybe the 3rd of 5 presentations I realized this picture relation (below).  So I took the picture not realizing that this picture is my painting coming to life!

I was taken back when I realized the similarity of the photos and how prophetic it was, Thank You Jesus. So Cool!

London- an added blessing!

Wow, haven't blogged in SO LONG!!! It is weird not updating people on daily life because I'm in the states again and I wouldn't want to update you on the daily homework I now have as a Grad Student! haha

Well we were able to have such an awesome treat to end this amazing journey to Africa. Our amazing friend Holly and the Petit family were gracious enough to show us around England a bit! We arrived in London on a Tuesday (reuniting with Holly after 2 weeks without her in Tororo) and left a week later! We were able to visit quite a few places while on our short trip and spent a lot of time just talking, reminiscing about our time in Tororo and what life will be like as we go home.

Such a sweet and cherished time. I am so very thankful! Thank you Lord for making this possible! I definitely felt the Lord saying "Thank you for trusting me and I am blessing you with this!" What an awesome God!

Oxford Univeristy

At the "Turf" Tavern in Oxford...(Fargo isn't the only place to have a  Turf!)

At Tottie's art show in Wimbledon! LtoR: Sarah, Tottie, Holly, Ione, and Me.

Riding in the 'London Eye' overlooking the beautiful London City! That's Big Ben back there!

Parliament!

We got to watch a 3-D show of the 'London Eye' after...it was intense!

Pretty! London Eye and Big Ben!

In front of the Abbey!

Can you hear me?? I'm in London!

In front of...wait for it....BUCKINGHAM PALACE!

2012- "Year of Breakthrough" this is not an outhouse, it is a decorated telephone booth..those are thousands of little jewels!

We were able and blessed to see 'The Lion King' ! We three all instantly cried at the very opening!

Friendship!

Visited the Globe Theater and learned about Shakespeare, such a cool place!

We're on the Tube! :)

Goodbye.

Our last day at Smile was one that I, in the first few months, never thought would ever come and ended up to be a day that came all too quickly! I had prepared my mind for the day and tried to prepare the kids as well by letting them know how many days we had left. 

We arrived at Smile early that morning to drop off some things and when we arrived all the little ones were chanting our names, running to us to greet us! It brought tears to my eyes knowing that was the last time I'd hear those sweet little voices and receiving ALL those hugs!

We had a wonderful day playing with the kids, handing out some clothes, receiving the many necklaces /bracelets. *When people leave that they respect and love they give gifts of necklaces, bracelets, or anything they have such as avocados etc. Such a blessing. We were definitely loaded with necklaces and felt so loved. We received so many hugs and said goodbye to the kids. It was awful. But I am so glad it was hard because that reminds me how much I really loved all of them and what an impact they had on my life! 

It is always hard to say goodbye to the little ones, like my little Jose I think he understood that I wasn't coming back but for the older kids who fully understood some of them were crying so hard they couldn't catch their breath. I just hugged them and held them while I prayed for a little while. It was a mutual sadness. 

I am SO THANKFUL for my time at Smile Africa and all that I have learned, grown, experienced, and all the friends that I have made. It will be an all round experience that stays in my heart forever.

Dota and my sweet baby girl Esther! 

BIG SMILES!

I gave Lodo my NDSU shirt...sharing the "Bison Pride"!

Group Photo!

Group Photo!!

The day went so quickly I didn't think I got one last picture with Jose. Sure enough I checked my camera and we did get one, and its the BEST one I have!

New Cloth-es!

Now that I have arrived at home I have some time to catch up on the last few events of my time at Smile Africa. 

A BIG THANK YOU to Trinity church in Sharon, ND for sending these pillowcase dresses! We handed out 50 dresses to girls at Smile and 10 to a girls choir at a village church nearby!

Don't they look lovely! They were all so thrilled to get a new dress!!

Processing...

As we are down to single digits of days left at Smile Africa. My mind is running. I am trying to be "in the moment", but yet, I am excited to be home to see family, friends, and begin my new journey at Graduate School. There is so much to think about, how to say good bye, how to pack, to bring closure to this chapter in my life and how to prepare myself for re-entering home.

We are each reading a book called, "ReEntry". SO beneficial...(I suggest ALL short-term or long term missionaries read this book). It compares this journey of going to a different country, learning a new culture, language, and being totally out of your comfort zone to an astronaut on a space journey headed back home.

 It is life changing..... and hard to explain. 

I have no idea how I will react to the materialism of the Western World, or the reactions to the stories I tell from my experience here. I know I have changed, but I can't really tell how.....yet. I want to say an apology prior to my returning, for all of you who I will see, for an irritated attitude, or drifting off and daydreaming. It will be hard to grasp the difference between life here and there. 

I do know that this journey has changed my life. I am so thankful God gave me the courage, strength, and support around me to do this, He is preparing me for......something. It has been good to chat with our fellow short-termers who have come and gone. To hear their experience of returning home. I know it is something that I cannot compare life here to life at home....you just cannot compare. It is like a whole different world. 

Simon, is getting so big!

Smile Africa = Happy

Sweet Hugable Richard!

Paulo giving me a nice camera smile :)

Logose is getting so big!

Precious.

More PICTURES!!! haha I just have to share them! It wouldn't be fair if I didn't.

SIMON!!!!

We call this one "Little Monkey"- he loves to just cling on to you with the biggest hug!

BLESSING/RICHARD!!!! 

Precious Esther! :)

Paulo....He could be a model someday! haha

Juma, juma!

Olupot!....doesn't this just make your heart melt! So stinkin sweet!

The Last Supper

Last Saturday we had an "Appreciation Lunch" for the staff. We wanted to do something for all of them to let them know we appreciate their work at Smile Africa, because we know it is a very draining and difficult job. But they are there because they love on these kids like we do.
The staff has been such great friends to us, welcoming us with open arms, helping us with the language, learning cultural differences, and just having fun together!
We will miss them all dearly!
Pastor Ruth as well has been such a blessing. I am so thankful God placed this vision on her heart to start Smile Africa because without that we wouldn't be there. She has been such a good host to us, and our Ugandan Mom! Smile Africa has been such a blessing and will continue to be when I leave.
When we arrived  for the day we all had our hair down, which is rare because the kids just like to play with it and pull it. So they were all surprised, it was really quite funny. Then Doris, an administrator, had brought us Gomasis! So we each put one on and they were so thrilled to see us in African dress! It was a fun afternoon of sharing appreciation stories, and enjoying a meal together!

It is hard to describe all the emotions, thoughts, and unknowns of leaving a country you have gotten used to to go back to one you have always known.

It is definitely bittersweet.

Traditional dress!!!

Ugandan African Gomasi!

Holly, Baby Sam, JaJa Grace, Sarah, Margaret, Baby Christine, and Me!

I can't NOT share these with you!

With only a few short days left my camera has been very busy! I have been trying to take photos like crazy even though I know I have pictures of most of these kids already! They are just too precious, I can't help it! 

It is going to be awful to say goodbye on Tuesday....pray for me!

Enjoy!!!

I spy with my little eyes....

Babies eating porridge in the morning! 

Someone donated money so the kids could have some fruit with their lunch!

Oranges!!!

Richard...I will miss this sweet boy!

Our last time having the girls over for a movie, popcorn, and some nail painting fun! The little one in the front is Pastor Ruth's daughter...Esther!