Uganda's Awesome Beauty

After a second trip to Uganda I find myself once again collecting my thoughts, trying to gain some perspective on the experience . I am trying to use a good measure of discernment as I consider the impact of my time in Africa on my life. I am keenly aware that some of this journey can only be understood by those who have actually travelled there. It is much easier to identify with those who share the experience of going to a place like Africa, but it can be of great benefit to others if those of us who have made the trip share the experiences we've had effectively.

I think that when you spend time together working in a place like Uganda you come back as family. You are left with a treasured sense of who the people you have made this kind of trip with really are. This condensed and gruelling life experience reveals what people are made of... good , bad, and indifferent. The experience is so far outside of what is “normal” to us here in North America that you come out of it with a better understanding, not only the people in the developing world, but it uncovers who we are as individuals to each other. A new genus of humanity is formed, the classification being “common understanding created through a significant shared life experience”. This is a group I am glad to be part of...I really celebrate the gift that it is in my life!

It all sounds rather silly…but it is a reality nevertheless. When I meet others who have done this kind of work I can extract a spirit of understanding from them that embodies the common ground that is shared by those of us who find ourselves involved in Global Initiatives. I guess I feel changed at the core of who I am, and I recognize and find comfort in discovering that in others.

As we now prepare to bring our team along I wonder what there stories will be. How will we navigate through this with them? How will we struggle...

It is all to be determined, we will all soon be in that "special" family, I am full of hope and anticipation.

JULY is drawing near...