Home.

I've made it "home." Right now, that is a really funny word for me. Yes, it is wonderful to be home to my friends and family, my bed, my shower, carpet under my feet, my favorite foods, a closet full of clothes... But, home is also waking up to the call to prayer blaring over the wall of our compound, having the city water or power (or both) turned off for the day, eating chapati for the third time in a day, mopping the whole house on my hands and knees with a towel, and being completely tackled by kids as I walk through the gate. They always say, "Home is where the heart is." Well, mine is split between two continents.

My last week in Uganda was hard. Every day I was saying goodbye to a different group of people that I had lived life with for nine weeks. It doesn't how weird life is in a new place, after nine weeks all of that becomes normal. The hardest part was telling all of our new friends that we would be back to visit again soon, but not knowing when that might be. I found myself telling them that it would not be until next summer when I had a long holiday from school, but every time the words came out of my mouth I knew that I'm going to have a hard time waiting that long to return.

Children in Ngongolo Village

Teachers at Kitende Modern Primary School

Part of the P2 class at Kitende Modern Primary School

Of course the hardest part of the goodbyes was the Sozo children and staff that hold a special place in my heart. We stayed as busy as possible through those last few days so we did not have time to sit around and think about leaving. Our last full day in Uganda was a Sunday, so we did our normal routine of going to church and going to Good African for lunch. We went to House 2 as usual, but only stayed for a couple of hours to say our goodbyes. Then we went back to finish packing our last few things, and spend the rest of our evening at House 1 for a little playtime, dinner, and devotion before heading to the airport. 

House 2

House 1

During the day, I pulled a few of "my kids" aside to have a little one-on-one time to say goodbyes. Fatuma and Victo were my P2 babies that I spent a lot of time with this summer... teaching in their class at school, working on education "gaps" with any free time at home, and they were my babies that I loved to tuck into bed at night and pray over them. Both of my girls were being very quiet and not talking much (so I knew they were upset). And then both of them started crying during our goodbyes. I loved being able to hold them tight through all of the tears, tell them how much I love them and how I am proud of them, and telling them that I will be back to see them. In those moments of silence when neither of us could talk, my prayer was that God would give comfort to their hearts (and mine) and remind each of us of the incredible moments He gave us together this summer.

Fatuma and Victo at Watoto Church South

Our journey back to the states was not without hiccup. It started with seeing a friend from my church in Birmingham in the Entebbe Airport... Small world! Then our Sozo tub was overweight. Made it through immigration just in time to walk onto the plane and find our aisle seats were the row with tons of leg room right behind business class. That resulted in a 7 hour night's sleep on the way to Amsterdam. Starbucks and immigration in Amsterdam, then it all went downhill. We sat on the tarmac for 3 hours while a storm passed, which means we were leaving Amsterdam at the same time our connection from Stuttgart, Germany, was leaving for Atlanta. We arrived in Stuttgart, couldn't read the German signs, finally found the Delta counter and the lady was packing up to leave for the day. She said the only thing she could do was book us standby on the one flight to Atlanta tomorrow, gave us the phone numbers of three hotels, and told us to go find our luggage in Lost and Found. We had a failed attempt at finding the right Euros to use a pay phone, and then decided we needed to stand in the KLM line (whose flight we were on from Amsterdam that was delayed). We got in touch with Rebecca's parents and they called Delta stateside to start working on getting our flight rescheduled. 

After 2 1/2 hours and making new friends, we made it to the front of the KLM line. Delta stateside had booked us on a flight the next day (Tuesday) from London Heathrow to Atlanta and on to Birmingham. All we needed was to get to London... Easier said than done. The storm in Amsterdam had messed up travel all over Europe with delayed and cancelled flights, but they were able to get us to London by way of Zurich, Switzerland. We went to find our bags (not actually in the Lost and Found, but still on the carousel), pile them on a cart (struggled to find the right Euro coin to retrieve it), go to the Lufthansa counter (we were told "We used to be partners with Swiss airlines, but they left us last week), then the Swiss airlines counter (we were told all we needed to do was check our bags), Swiss airlines bag check counter (we were told our flight was cancelled), back to the Swiss airlines ticketing counter (found out our flight was not cancelled), back to the Swiss airlines bag check counter (eight bag check barcodes were printed, so each bag ended up with two... BIG MISTAKE), then finally through security, got food, brushed our teeth, and boarded the plane to Zurich. I'll be fine if I never step foot in the Stuttgart airport again!

The baggage we toted around the Stuttgart airport.

We landed in Zurich, literally ran through the airport, had to wait for a Passport check, made it to the gate, and of course the flight was delayed. Finally boarded that flight and we were on the way to our 14 hour layover in London. Rebecca's parents had found us a hotel room in London, so we arrived and found the bus to the hotel. We had Wifi, good showers, and awesome beds. We slept for about 6 hours and got up early to tour the city. We started the journey with Starbucks in hand, carry-on baggage in tow, and hopped on the Tube. In a little over 2 hours, we saw Big Ben, the London Eye, Trafalgar Square, the National Theatre, Buckingham Palace, and Piccadilly Circus.

Our "selfie" sightseeing tour.

Made it back to Heathrow in plenty of time, got good food, and boarded our flight to Atlanta. Even after an exhausting morning, we were able to stay awake on our flight (to help with jet lag). When we arrived in Atlanta to find our bags to go through customs, we were somehow missing 3 of our 4 checked bags. When we checked with Delta, they said our bags should meet us in Birmingham. Well, upon arrival in Birmingham, we were still missing three bags. Come to find out, the double barcodes on each bag did not help the situation. They knew one bag was in Atlanta and would be delivered the next day to our house. The other two are still missing... No telling what airport they are in! So our 26 hour journey home turned into a 54 hour journey, but I got to step foot out of a European airport for the first time and see London!

The only baggage we ended up with in Birmingham.

So since we arrived home on Tuesday night, that meant that I only had 2 days before reporting back to work on Friday. I've adjusted pretty well back to a normal sleeping/eating schedule in the States, I've been able to visit with my close friends about the trip, and even went up to school to make sure that everything was ready for me to jump back in to school. 

I got my bag yesterday (Thursday), but the other two bags are still traveling the world without us! When I opened my bag to start laundry yesterday afternoon, it hit me. The stench of Africa took me back to Uganda, to the people and places that have become "home." It was the first time since I boarded the plane in Entebbe that I really thought about not seeing "my people" for a really long time. I somehow got distracted by the travel nightmares, but now I am really back, luggage and all, and have to fall back into my schedule of work and life in Birmingham.

As hard as some days and moments will be, I know without a doubt that God has me here right now. He is Sovereign, and I am so thankful to be a part of His plan, even though I may not understand it. The most common question that I've been asked is, "I didn't think you were coming back. How long will it be before you move to Uganda?" I don't know. I don't know if I will ever move there. I know God wants me here now. So, in the meantime, I will keep praying. I will keep seeking His will and plan for my life. I will try to be content where He has me. And I will make the most of every opportunity that He gives me, right here, right now.

Thank you all for your prayers and support through this journey this summer. I've learned and grown so much, and experienced things that just cannot be put into words. God is good, He is faithful, and He loves all of the children of the world. I am thankful He lets me do the same!

One week.

One week. It is hard to believe that one week from today, I will be back to a world that seems like a distant memory. I’ll be back to the “comforts” of home, yet leaving behind so many things that have become comfortable. So much about life in Uganda took some getting used to, but now are just a part of life here.

Just this morning, as I was locking one of the five padlocks that it takes to keep our house “secure,” I was thinking about how much I will miss every little detail of my time here. Most days when it is taking a good five minutes to lock up and leave, all that I can think about is how I cannot wait to get home where I can push a button to open my garage door and use one key to enter my home. Today, I was reflecting on how I will miss the way that every morning during this process, I am able to slow down and think. Back home my schedule is hurrying from one place to the next, not taking time to slow down and enjoy life. Life in Uganda is about relationships. In our “lock up” and walk up to House 1, Rebecca and I were starting to have the conversation about the things we will miss the most… Our list was a list of people.

When we arrived to House 1, Mato and Alex (Sozo Uganda staff) were outside sweeping. I told them that I just had a conversation with Rebecca about how much I would miss them when we left. Somehow in the midst of teams in and out all summer, they did not realize that we would be leaving Sunday. Their reaction was priceless. I asked how we could stay in touch, and Mato said, “Book face.” As conversations usually go, there was a lot of laughing, some learning of Luganda, and a lot of questions from the masomesas (teachers — evidently teachers are known for asking a lot of questions). When I told them that I wanted both of them to transport us to the airport on Sunday, Mato said he would not because “the tears will remain hidden.” I’m not sure that mine will.

I know that this week will fly by, as every other week in Uganda has, but I also know that it will be a long one. It is a week of good-byes. We will be going through our schedule, doing everything one last time. There will be tears and heartache, but I pray there will also be intentional conversations and an outpouring of love to those that God has called us to build relationships with this summer. I thank God for every moment this summer, as I know that I have been stretched and have grown in ways that I didn’t know was possible.

Please be praying for this last week, that my heart and mind will stay present where He has me now. God has already started to prepare my heart to leap back into another school year, as I am getting excited about the return to my own classroom. But, I don’t want to get the cart before the horse. God has me here for one more week. One week.

I pray that I am able to look back at the end of the week and say: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:6-7

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

We are nearing the end of our summer in Uganda, and Rebecca and I are constantly asking one another, “Where did the time go?” It really seems like yesterday that we were just arriving, and now we are on the final two week countdown.

I am constantly amazed at how the Lord uses so many little details and weaves them together to perfectly orchestrate not only my life, but also the lives of those around me.

Two of my close friends from Birmingham arrived with a team on Saturday afternoon. Mallory, MaryBeth, and I go to church together and travel together on mission trips to Honduras. I was thrilled when they decided to come to Uganda while I was here this summer!

After seven weeks across the world from my home, it was a breath of fresh air to have familiar faces come (and bring peanut M&Ms) to just give encouragement and renewed energy and excitement for what God is doing through Sozo. It always means so much to have people that are close to you come and experience the things that are so near and dear to your heart, but you cannot put into words to describe to someone. Anyone who has spent time doing missions understands what I am talking about… I’ve enjoyed spending a little more time with the team this week since they are here.

A few stories from the past few days that I would like to share…

Every night for devotion at the Sozo houses, we gather for a time of worship, prayer, and studying scripture. We use a children’s devotional book to guide our time in the Word. Unfortunately, sometimes the examples and illustrations are really geared toward American culture, and our Sozo kids do not quite understand. Last night was one such night. The title of the devotion was “God’s Signature” and it used the illustration of having a football signed by 30 professional quarterbacks. Considering the fact that “football” in Uganda is a whole different sport, that one didn’t quite translate. The other illustration was about parents hanging children’s artwork on the refrigerator. Well, considering there is only a small ‘fridge that is probably not even magnetic at a house of 20+ kids, pictures don’t typically end up hanging there. The whole point of these illustrations was to remind us that it is not the item that makes something have value, but the signature on it.

It was a PERFECT lead in to an illustration that I was able to connect for the children. Rebecca and I have been working with the kids on drawing self-portraits to have at the Sozo fundraiser dinner as silent auction items. (You can get more information at www.sozochildren.org/dinner) I connected this devotion to that project. I told them that even though many of them were telling me that their self-portrait was not good and no one would buy it, I always tell them that the muzungus would love to have it! So at devotion, I was able to tell them that it is not about the artistic ability that they have, but the fact that they are the ones who created the art… that is what gives it value! Just like our lives are sometimes really messed up, and we think they are far from perfect, God chooses to use our lives and put His signature all over it. We are special and we have value because of our Creator. The God of the Universe created them EXACTLY as He wanted them to be: the shape of their eyes, the color of their skin, their personality… The God of the Universe handpicked all of it. Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Sadly today we were not able to teach with Margaret in the Village. The father of two of Margaret’s children became very ill and passed away on Sunday night. The burial was today, and so there was no class at her school today. Please be in prayer for Margaret, her children, and her family as they process through this loss.

Although it was not good circumstances, I loved getting to go with the team today to do ministry door to door in the village. It is always so neat to see believers from different cultures come together and encourage one another as the body of Christ.

Not only were we able to visit two awesome families, I personally checked another item off of my “Uganda Bucket List” for the summer: I carried a baby on my back like a true African. Sweet baby Susan was only three months old and was a trooper!

I still covet your prayers specifically for good health and rest for my last two weeks. There have been a lot of sick children and interns, so pray for healing and for the illness to stop spreading, despite close living quarters. Pray that I will make the most of my time here, and that I will be sensitive to the Lord’s direction and leading. Pray for the relationships that I have formed with teachers in the schools, and that I will have opportunities to share my faith with them boldly. And pray that God will start to prepare my heart for the transition back to my home in America when it does come time to leave.

"Teacher Rauren!"

July 8, 2014

Village day! Since The Jesus Storybook Bible was such a hit last week at Margaret’s school, we decided to plan a very similar day using the story of David and Goliath. Rebecca drew coloring pages, and we even created a paper Goliath for the kids to throw stones at for an activity.

We showed up at the school and Margaret had some “new hair” and a few extra kids at school today. We only brought coloring pages for the number of students that Margaret has in her class. Nevertheless, I read the story aloud to them with Margaret translating. Rebecca was occupied with a sleeping baby for most of our time there. Once again, they were mesmerized with the story. We passed out the coloring sheets and had them share, the best they could.

As we wrapped up our lesson, we stayed around and talked for a while as we always do. Rebecca was able to share a little more detail and background of the David and Goliath story, sharing how her favorite part of that story is how God had used his role as shepherd and fighting off the lion and bear, to prepare him for this huge task of killing Goliath. Margaret went and pulled out her Bible. I asked what she had been studying and she shared with us Psalm 70 and Psalm 27. She read them to us in Luganda, and I read them from my Bible in English. It was so neat to be able to share with her about how sharing these two particular passages really ministered to us this week.

Margaret’s son Frank (who was there last week because he was home sick from school) was there. Margaret let him skip school since the muzungus were coming today. He offered to “escort” us to meet our group farther into the village. Of course once we arrived, he decided to stay with us (along with the other three kids that joined us along the way). As we were sitting there watching the interns “mud” the house (patching a mud hut with fresh mud), I pulled out The Jesus Storybook Bible  again, and let him read aloud the story of David being chosen as king. It was neat to give him that background and tie it to the story that we studied at school. He was like a little sponge, soaking up every word that I shared with him. At one point, another one of the kids was messing with me, and he told him, “Stop! That belongs my teacher!” My heart was overflowing.

As we were trekking up the narrow dirt trail back to the road, he kept saying, “Teacher Rauren! Teacher Rauren!” As difficult as it was for me, I told him that he needed to go to school next Tuesday. He cannot skip classes just because I am going to be there. Yes, I absolutely want to see him, but Margaret is scraping by to have enough for school fees, and he needs to go. Hopefully he will be home before we leave the village and I will still be able to see him.

One passage that I shared with Margaret today was in Psalm 67:1-3. “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!” The reason that God is gracious to us and blesses us is so that we can take the gospel to the nations. I thank God each and every day that I am here in Uganda that the Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to be here and serve Him. Don’t miss the opportunities that God gives you each and every day to show His love to everyone around you. I thank God that I got to show that love to Margaret and Frank (and others) today!

Middle of the World

July 7, 2014

Today I visited the Southern Hemisphere for the first time, enjoyed a pineapple and mango smoothie, and walked right back to the Northern Hemisphere. Yes, we went to the Ugandan Equator!

I’m so thankful that God brought Rebecca into my life to be my other half for this summer. We’ve experienced many “firsts” together, and I couldn’t have asked for a better friend to be by my side.