Anyways, since it's February, the month of red hearts and boxed chocolates, I'm prepared to write a love letter to my time in Uganda. I stopped updating my blog after the third month because I couldn't find myself to authentically process some of the things I went through. Sometimes I was tired and other times I just couldn't put into words what was going on in my mind, so I thought I needed a break from blogging.
Now, two months back in Texas from Uganda, I've tried as best as I can to process some things. Here are three things I'm working through right now:
1. Summarized version vs. the raw-unedited version
Boy have I been struggling between these two. I touched down to Texas and was immediately asked how it went. At first, I tried to talk about everything that popped into my head--all completely random pieces to my Ugandan story. But I soon felt that people wanted to hear the one to two sentence summarized version. Which is totally understandable. I don't know if I'd want to sit through six months worth of details, but the small things I got excited about and tried to express were not really being heard. So I made that experience into something generic, just to spare the listener and myself.
Later on, I sat down with a group of college friends who wanted to know the little details I had been clinging onto since I'd been back: Walking into the second hut at work and immediately laughing until I cried because those ladies were crazy jokesters, walking around town and surprising Acholis by speaking to them in Luo, tucking in my mosquito net, greeting each woman on the compound, and having dinner and boxed wine with friends. I miss those and soooo many other things. I loved my time there. Yes, it was hard sometimes but I never wished to be anywhere else but there. So in all honesty it's been tough being back in the states. I've been living out of a suitcase for two months, traveling to places where I'm needed. If it sounds exhausting, it kind of is, but I've got BIG plans in the near future (AKA within the next month)...you'll just have to wait for that blogpost soon... :)
2. Roses are red, violets are blue
I learned that people are people, not projects. People want to be seen and understood, not used as props. Given the opportunity, the most vulnerable people realize their worth and self-sufficiency. I realized I wasn't in a foreign country to serve and pat myself on the back, but I was there to live in communion with people. That mind-shift changed everything for me and I'm so grateful for the relationships I gained through it! We may look different but at the end of the day we're human beings who feel, aspire and hope.
I feel like I should make this into an example: So okay, here it goes! Once upon a time, there was a red rose who wanted to chat to the blue violet but felt a bit intimidated because they were too unlike each other. BUT plot twist, it later realized at the end of the day they were both flowers! Both planted on common ground with similar needs. Find that common ground with people and don't let intimidation, superiority or fear keep you from meeting great people.
I feel like I should make this into an example: So okay, here it goes! Once upon a time, there was a red rose who wanted to chat to the blue violet but felt a bit intimidated because they were too unlike each other. BUT plot twist, it later realized at the end of the day they were both flowers! Both planted on common ground with similar needs. Find that common ground with people and don't let intimidation, superiority or fear keep you from meeting great people.
3. The adventure never ends
While I lived in Uganda it always felt like an adventure! Whether it'd be shopping at the market for food or kitenge, going to the hospital to scrape off your infected calf burn or going on weekend trips like Kidepo, I always felt alive! I've promised myself, and you should too, not to believe the lie that you need to be somewhere like Africa or Europe to have an adventure. You can have a million different adventures right where you're at! You just need to motivate yourself to live a little bit more outside your routine everyday! I dare you.
Well, these are just a few things I've been processing through, obviously not everything. I hope you enjoyed the video and my thoughts on this blog. If you ever want to chat, feel free to reach out! I'm always up for a good cup of coffee! xo
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