Leaving again
I wonder if I'll ever feel ready to leave Uganda. As I approached Entebbe airport yet again, the memories of so many times flying out from that airport washed over me. My first time leaving was when I had just turned 16 years old, and I cried all the way to Nairobi. Granted that was only a 30 minute flight, but still. And since then I don't think there has ever been a time that I haven't shed a few tears leaving my beloved country. Am I ecstatic about being with my family again? YES! Am I thrilled to have fellowship with my friends and church family back home? YES! Am I looking forward to soaking up some of the comforts of American living again? YES!
I also have another reason to rejoice this time: This is the first time I'm flying out from Uganda on a round trip ticket BACK to Uganda! It's a little bit strange, and a lot bit amazing to have tickets not to/from the States, but to/from Africa! It really is a wonderful feeling to know the date that I'll be back in my Uganda!
And even though I know that I'll only be gone 6 weeks, I know that the work will continue on while I'm away, and I know that my room will still be there when I come back, (all Lord willing!!), I will still miss it so very much. I will miss the kids' enthusiastic chorus of TEACHA! TEACHA! each time I jump out of my car at the school. I'll miss their tiny hands clinging to my hands, arms, legs, and pretty much any part they can reach. I'll miss the arm curls I get to do with 3 kids on each arm. I'll miss the sweet hugs from my teachers, and I'll miss the teasing of our cook, Peace, at the office. I'll miss the view of the water gushing off the mountain in the sunlight on my drive home each night. And I'll even miss the quirks of my little green RAV4.
But I know all those things will be waiting for me again in 6 weeks. And I'm pretty sure the wait will just make me appreciate them even more.
Until then, I can't wait to see many of you all! And if you want to make my day just tell me 'You're most welcome back to America' next time you see me :)
I also have another reason to rejoice this time: This is the first time I'm flying out from Uganda on a round trip ticket BACK to Uganda! It's a little bit strange, and a lot bit amazing to have tickets not to/from the States, but to/from Africa! It really is a wonderful feeling to know the date that I'll be back in my Uganda!
And even though I know that I'll only be gone 6 weeks, I know that the work will continue on while I'm away, and I know that my room will still be there when I come back, (all Lord willing!!), I will still miss it so very much. I will miss the kids' enthusiastic chorus of TEACHA! TEACHA! each time I jump out of my car at the school. I'll miss their tiny hands clinging to my hands, arms, legs, and pretty much any part they can reach. I'll miss the arm curls I get to do with 3 kids on each arm. I'll miss the sweet hugs from my teachers, and I'll miss the teasing of our cook, Peace, at the office. I'll miss the view of the water gushing off the mountain in the sunlight on my drive home each night. And I'll even miss the quirks of my little green RAV4.
But I know all those things will be waiting for me again in 6 weeks. And I'm pretty sure the wait will just make me appreciate them even more.
Until then, I can't wait to see many of you all! And if you want to make my day just tell me 'You're most welcome back to America' next time you see me :)
I don't know if you'll make it to Chicago or not, but I definitely want to have a phone conversation when you get back! :)
ReplyDeleteI love your heart and I love your blog!! <3 Praying for you! ~Monica
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