"The First"

Alright, here it is, my Uganda blog. I have had some experience blogging when Emma and I decided to blog about our dear roomie Lindsay and all her antics, but this blog will be a place where I will post so people at home can know what I've been up to, where I've been, and get some glimpses of my semester. I know that I will not update constantly because I want to be truly present in Mukono. I want to take this opportunity and fully dive in-to my classes, my practicum, my dorm, and of course all the dancing that I am excited to embarrass myself yet again. 


People keep asking me what I will be doing in Uganda. I leave this Wednesday, January 5, and until I get there, I am not exactly sure. I know that I am taking classes and doing 150 hours of practicum for my Social Work major. I will be living at Uganda Christian University with members from the Uganda Studies Program and other students attending UCU. I will be doing two home stays- one in a city and one in a rural setting. I know we will have the chance to travel to Rwanda, which I am very excited for. Other than that I do not know too much, but I am at peace with this. I know it is where I am suppose to be this spring, and more importantly I know it is where my heart is. Until, the 5th, I am in the hated limbo period. You know that feeling of butterflies in your stomach? That is me with the feelings of nervousness and excitement mixed with the unknown and comfort of going back to a land that I love. 

My Sister Winile

For those of you that don't know. This summer I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Bulembu, Swaziland for a month. Shout out to my Swazi Team! This is the trip that started the fire and the passion. I won't spend much time talking about my trip to Bulembu, but it was life changing and I find it hard to truly explain the trip to people who ask. In short, I learned about the importance of comforting others. It is something we all can do regardless of where we are from, our class, sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other factor. We all comfort one another and I learned this from my Swazi sister Winile. Winile taught me that though I may feel the need to have all the answers so I can help someone in need, that does not matter. All you need to do is comfort a person-give them the extra 5 minutes in your day, give someone the much needed hug or words of encouragement, buy the Salvation Army man dressed up as Santa outside the mall a cup of coffee, etc- Just comfort people, because at the end of the day you showed them the real solution which is Jesus Christ.

"grass slashing"

the 'smarty-box' houses

"Community Center"

I learned so much in Bulembu, which is an amazing town with a mission. please check it out (bulembu.org) Lastly, when you are living, breathing, worshiping, working, playing, dancing, grass slashing, etc, on a missions trip you find significance in everything. I was entirely blessed by every aspect of the trip, even grass slashing, from the people on my team, to the land, to mountains and the look out, watching the World Cup opener with the community, doing homework with the kids, and chatting with the Aunties. Everything had significance, but isn't this how we should live our lives out normally, not just when you are on a missions trip? Yes. Just take a look around you, where ever you are and breath in the blessings that are in front of you-sister sitting next to you, freshly fallen snow, a decorated Christmas tree, a caring friend, an unpacked suitcase... You do not need to go to Swaziland, Uganda, or Timbatu to have these kinds of experiences. But this has been long enough, but I hope that who ever finds themselves on my page enjoys this blog-because I am choosing to post my glimpses, be vulnerable, and most importantly accept the challenge to live my life in a way where I can comfort others and go to a place where I really believe God has planted seeds in my heart and has given me the chance to go back to a place that already holds my heart. Well enjoy! I am off to packing 4 months worth of clothes and such in one suitcase.