We're back! After 18.5 total hours of flight time and 24 total hours layover time we finally got to Omaha, NE where, believe it or not, it's hotter than Africa. Our smiling families met us outside of security with "Welcome Home Mzungu" signs. Priceless! Over some ice cream and salad (ok- an entire month without dairy and fresh vegetables), we told some stories then went our separate ways. I miss Janna already.
With all of the flight time we had plenty of time to digest Africa. Surrounded by industrialism, village life could have never happened. This will come off completely corny, but moving through the airports to easy listening music seemed like a computer game. Nothing natural grew anywhere, no chickens crossed our paths, even after two days traveling I felt squeaky clean. Also, I discovered that on an 8 hour flight there's enough time to watch three movies and listen to an entire CD. After a month without tv, my head hurt. Whatever I watched, whatever I saw, everything reminded me of Africa. I don't know if this will ever change. Forever, everything, always, will remind me of Africa. It's written on my heart and I'm going back.
The third week of the trip, I felt God calling me to come back to Uganda. Being a rather practical American, I asked God to confirm this more tangibly. Within the next week, every single Ugandan staff member found Janna and I, pulled us aside, and told us that we belong in Africa. Why us? So many other MSTs have a heart for Africa, love Africa, and are willing to serve God wherever he places them. I simply thank God that he will allow me to return. We don't know when, but we'll go back.
Provia prays for our return. Tabitha and her friends pray for our return. Florez prays for our return. The staff prays for our return. We became attached as we spent more time in the village than any other MSTs this last month. Kids cried at Sunday school when they announced our last day. Our girls sacrificed seven passion fruits to send with us. The church cooked a meal for the entire team. We led praise and worship one last time. Pulling our sponsor children aside, we had Felix explain that we were leaving, but that we loved and would pray for them. Provia asked that we pray for healing on her. Florez wanted help on her exams, and food for her family. Provia is praying for Janna's return and Florez said she'd pray blessings on me and my family. We gave them dresses and other gifts, hugged them, and walked them home. In a flash of skirt, my little girl twirled away and was gone. I walked the mile back to the trading center in silence, holding the hands of Tabitha and her friends. Their tears left a trail in the red dust. Never has a walk stretched so endlessly in time. Goodbyes never seemed to end. Yet there were no goodbyes, only "see you laters," if not in this life, then the next.
And it's not over. It will never be over. We continue to serve God here in America, in our daily lives. We will go back to Africa when God calls us, and we will serve him there. We will continue to serve until we die; then we will praise him at his throne forever.
So no goodbyes. Thanks for reading this blog. May God bless you, and see you later!
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