Uganda Reflection

Hello, how are you? I'm fine, thank you. And you?
The deep, rich, orange dirt that never seems to leave your feet,
The unexpected rainstorms,
Blackouts,
The slow paced lifestyle,
Black tea instead of coffee,
6:30 PM summer sunsets,
Imported Japanese cars,
Unending streams of boda bodas,
Mangoes, pineapples, avocadoes,
Dust,
No sidewalks,
Prompt 5:30 AM muslim prayer calls,
Cool morning breezes,
Beautiful countrysides.

TIU. This is Uganda.

Immersed in a new culture with new food, new people, and with new music without the comforts of home, there were days I was counting down to when I was going home. However, when I look back at our stay here, I learned so much. Unfamiliar terms such as KOICA and Vision Care entered into my vocabulary. KOICA and Vision Care are Korean non-government organizations in Uganda with the mission to further the healthcare in Uganda. (On the side-note, once there was a Korea lady who came to the front desk asking for the wifi password. Gloria seemed to know her so I asked her who the lady was and Gloria said "She's a KOICA" but I thought she said "She's a quaker." I thought it was so interesting that there were Korean quakers in Uganda, hahaha then I found out she meant KOICA.)

In the beginning we struggled to overcome jetlag as well as getting adjusted to the lifestyle here. Things that are so simple in America was difficult to do here (doing laundry, going grocery shopping, etc). However, somehow in these two months, I learned more about Africa than I ever knew. This side of the world that I never really thought about became real. From the missionaries, I learned how they traded a comfortable lifestyle for a difficult one in Africa. Despite the setbacks they received they sacrifice to love as Jesus loves. They have a heart not only for Uganda, but for the whole continent of Africa, that people may come to know Jesus truly as their Savior and King. They continue to pray to pioneer new chapters throughout Africa. But it's difficult. Before I came here, I didn't really understand why it's so difficult to pioneer a chapter in Africa, but now I understand. Even as a person with a professional degree, it's difficult to find a good, stable job. There are many parts of Africa that are still developing and there are so many issues and problems that still needs progress. And depending on the region, people speak different languages. Even in Uganda, other than English, people speak different languages. Also only the educated people really speak English. With the rich being super rich and the poor being super poor, there are so many people who need help. To continue to pour out love and compassion over and over when you see no progress is difficult. It's difficult not only for yourself, but also for your children. For example, the missionary's kids here go off to a boarding school in Kenya around middle and high school to receive a better education. I think the hardest part is that no matter how long you live here, it's difficult to feel like you truly belong. Because as a foreigner, you get ripped off in the market places and have to pay the foreigner price, which is two or three times more than what a Ugandan has to pay. Also since there is a lot of theft in Uganda, you always have to be alert and aware wherever you are.

But in the midst of all the struggles and difficulties, God is at work. Although it is a continuous struggle to raise up disciples who will stand to follow Jesus with everything and to stand above what their culture deems to be acceptable, I see God working. Maturing doesn't happen overnight; it is a process. I hope that God will continue to raise up leaders from Uganda that will live truly for Him. I'm thankful for the friendships that were built over early morning prayer meetings, long talks, dinners, and outings. I will never forget the friendships that began here and maybe one day we can meet again (in the US?! haha). I believe even if I came to Uganda to encourage and build up one person in their walk with God, it was worth it. First time living away from home in itself, I learned so much.  Although it was difficult commuting freshman year, I'm so thankful that I can live at home throughout college. It's one thing to live in your own room, but it's a whole another world to have a roommate. Though it was a struggle at first, I learned some very valuable life lessons. There are things such as - who's cooking what for dinner, who's washing the dishes, who's taking out the trash that seem so small but amount to a lot of work. Maybe I had an expectation (an expectation I didn't even realize that I had) that since we were living together, we would do everything together. But I realized that we're so different. I like to sleep around 10:30, but Anna's a night owl and doesn't get tired until late into the night. I like to eat breakfast, Anna doesn't. But over the two months, I learned to just accept things how they are. I learned to fall asleep with half the lights still on, to be diligent, to not only think about myself, but to consider others above myself. I learned to appreciate the slow paced lifestyle of Ugandans. I learned to live without coffee (haha, jk I'm not that addicted to coffee, but I did miss drinking coffee). I learned that I'm more like my mom than I ever thought I was (and somehow in the midst of all this, I realized my mom's sort of a perfectionist). I learned to love Uganda - to love the people here and to appreciate their culture. Above all, I learned to be content.

Philippians 4:4-13 - 
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what is is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength."