Grand Welcoming

What an interesting and different experience waking up in Africa!  I can't believe I can now say that, I've been in Africa!  Awesome, yet surreal.  The air was fresh and warm, but not at all humid as we thought.  I was ready for the heat and humidity.  I was fully prepared to laugh humidity in the face and conquer the day with ease.  In all reality, Africa was nothing as I predicted, and I'm not just talking about the weather.  Life there is peaceful, yet full of life. 

I would like to take you back to the beginning of our trip, the first day to be exact.  To tell you all a story.  A story about Kachungwa and its people.  My heart was excited to get there.  I couldn't wait to step off our bus and get this wild adventure started.  What better place to begin than in a village we as a team have had a connection and relationship with for years.  For those of you who are not familiar with Kachungwa; it is remote village in the Mubende district that cannot even be found on a map it's so small.  Trust me, I tried to find it.

Canby and Kachungwa have a special relationship where many from Canby have come alongside Kachungwa as partners.  Every team member, myself included sponsor at least one child from this village.  That is one thing the folks at Canby Christian Church take seriously.  Sponsoring, and committing to love the children of Kachungwa.  Our desire is to see the empowerment of, as well as see God move in mighty ways in Kachungwa as a whole and in the lives of all who live there.  Before arriving in Kachungwa, I figured I knew what to expect.  Or so I thought.  While Ken, Renee and those who have been on this trip before tried to give us a heads up on a few things, nothing could have been said to accurately describe what we were about to experience.

Every day we would commute from Mubende (the town we were staying in) to Kachungwa.  I enjoyed these drives.  It was a great time to chat with the rest of the team, laugh about funny things that happened, share moving stories.  On this first drive though I couldn't do much more than sit in silence staring out the window.  All I could do was take it all in.  Everything.  From the landscape to the people working, to the market busy with life to the children playing.  One thing I loved is the landscape in Uganda, it was beautiful (eventually I will create a blog post dedicated to show you the gorgeous landscape), for now, here is a little bit of what we saw.

It was glaringly evident that the farther away from Mubende we got the poorer the conditions got.  More mud shacks, more children with no clothes happily playing in the mud and more bumpy dirt roads that are barely passable by cars (we didn't see any cars out there, only bikes and boda-bodas).  Seeing the buildings people are living in, that they call home is difficult to describe, I will just have you see for yourself.

On this drive we made many turns; dirt road after dirt road, I lost track of how many we turned onto.  Finally, we saw it; the sign and turn off to Kachungwa.  Our excitement was on the verge of bubbling over as we approached the village.  As our bus got closer we started to see something out of place, soon enough we realized what was going on.  They were about to blow our socks off with a welcoming unlike anything we have ever experienced.

Kids, everywhere.  Our children in their bright green school uniforms lined both sides of the road that led into the village center.  Once they saw us, their excitement erupted with song, laughter, and dance.  I understood at that moment why no words would have the capability of describing this experience (as well as the rest of the trip).  The further along we drove, the more people we saw. Children, women, and men, young, and old.  They were surrounding us.  Ahead of us, leading the way with dance, alongside the vehicle, and running behind us.

WE FINALLY ARRIVED!!

 Once we reached the center of the village, we all sat there for a moment taking in the all that we saw.  The whole village showed up to see us, to welcome us.  Children had us surrounded, just waiting for us to get off the bus.  I was more than ready!  Like a tidal wave, children were everywhere.  Rushing up to each of us, looking at us wide eyed full of excitement and curiosity.  Staring, smiling, waving, shaking our hands, asking our names, touching our hair and holding us.  It was a blur of activity the first day, overwhelming really.  I'm sitting here trying to recall all that we did, all they did, but it's just too much.  I do know the love they have for us, radiated from the smiling faces of the children, mothers, grandmothers, pastors, men, etc.  The joy and love I felt when with them proved to show Jesus was with us; laughing, smiling, holding, and loving.

I loved meeting all of the mamas and grandmothers (jajas).  They would grab my hand, pull me for the best hug, smiling, crying and telling me 'God has blessed us'.  Their love is impossible to describe.  It's something that can only be experienced in person.  The swarm of generous and loving people was so large it was difficult to spot everyone from our team most of the first day.  We were all pulled this way and that, with kids all around jumping up and down to get our attention.

It was interesting to watch the children as they looked at us, exchanged glances, and giggled.  It was entertaining watching them get a close look at one of the guy's arm hairs, run their hands over it, then bust up laughing.  They thought that was funniest thing ever.  For me, they loved touching my hair.  It became somewhat of a game, see who could run their hands through my hair and run away before I turn around to see who it was!  

Here are just a few images from our first moments in Kachungwa.

 The photo below is probably my favorite photo from the day, it was definitely one of my favorite moments of the whole trip.  We hadn't been off the bus for more than a couple minutes when out of nowhere Isaac was pulled into the biggest hug by none other than the one and only Lagina.  This wonderful woman is the jaja (grandmother) to Daniel, Isaac's sponsor child.  Just look at that photo!  Amazing!!

 I love my kiddos and miss them all so much.  It was easy to form connections, just like with the precious girl in the photo below.  Meet Margret.  She's 12 years old and the sweetest.  There were many times when I was asked if I could sponsor children.  I would have to find a way to tell them I couldn't afford to sponsor a second child.  Margret was one of those children.  After spending a few days with her, getting to know her it became remarkably difficult to tell her I couldn't.  I would if I could.  Oh I wish I could.  She understood, was sad, but I loved her response.  She asked if I could simply write her, and to never forget her.  I can't wait for her to get her special letter and I definitely will not forget her.

What a fun filled day that was...what might have l

I can't believe that this is just the first day.  Only the beginning!  Stay tuned for more detailed stories from Kachungwa; some funny videos, heart wrenching and thought provoking stories and photographs.  All of which I can't wait to share with you!

My next post will be titled '11 Kilometers'.  I know you must be on the edge of your seat with anticipation, just you wait and see, this story is a very personal story that has made me laugh and cry all at the same time.

Thank you for all your love and support my friends and family!

 Until next time!

-Melanie

Where to Begin...

In four words; I fell in love.

Have you ever felt connected to a place...as if you had lived there in your dreams? Or was so fascinated with a culture that you couldn't resist the tugging at your heart to travel there?  Or have a desire deep down, ingrained in your being to be somewhere? For the majority of my life I have felt that way about Africa.  I still can't believe I now can say I have been there.  I've known for years that God would give me an opportunity to go, to love, come back, and possibly return one day.   I knew even before I stepped foot in Africa I would love it.  But I didn't know then that I would fall immensely in love with it as I have.

It's been over a week since I left Uganda and I'm still not sure where to start...how do I try to explain this trip.  There is much to say but I don't quite have the words.  When people ask how my trip was I can't figure out how to accurately describe my experiences, my stories, what I saw, what I learned, how God moved in my heart, my thoughts, and the deep love I have for Uganda and its people.  Being there felt natural; like second nature, as though I'm meant to be there.  It felt like home to me.  While there, I was overcome with a peace and joy like nothing I've ever experienced before.  It's a feeling of euphoria that overwhelmed my whole being.  It took control and made me want to dance, sing at the top of my lungs, cry and laugh uncontrollably.  It isn't just happiness though, it is an elation that only comes from the Lord.  Never wanting those moments, however brief, to end because honestly there is no greater feeling than to be wrapped in His arms and to be filled with God's presence.

I fell in love with Uganda more each day.  Every day was different, every day was exciting, every day had it's up and downs, every day I realized or saw something that broke my heart, but through it all there is one thing that remained (and will continue to remain) constant - love.  The love of the children, the love of the mamas,  the love of the widows I met and prayed with, the love of one of the many teens I mentored and encouraged, the love I felt when holding one of the many orphans and I realized they were holding me back, and the love I felt welling up inside me every time their little hands curled around mine - the love of God.

The days were full of life, we were busy from morning to night.  The only time I had a moment to stop to process all that happened, all I experienced, saw, and did throughout the day was when I found myself alone at night.  A few of the nights in Mubende I found myself needing to go outside and sit on the steps outside my room to breathe, to think, to feel.  I absolutely loved these moments with God.  Sitting there looking up at the larger than eternity night's sky full of a zillion magnificent stars.  With the splendor and glory of God's creation surrounding me.  It's an overpowering feeling when you really look at a night's sky; how vast and marvelous it is.  Knowing our great God created such things as the universe and all that it holds yet is at the same time is our personal Lord who cares for each and every one of us.  How blessed we are to be loved by our God.

In these moments, and the many that have followed, God has revealed several things to me.  One I will share with you now is that this feeling I have of being home there on the other side of the world is not in vain.  It's not something that will pass.  He has been preparing my heart and life for this moment my whole life.  Everything is good and perfect in His timing.  There have been a multitude of opportunities to go to Africa over the years, but every time I tried to make it happen because I wanted to be there, God shut those doors.  Every time.  It wasn't until I reached this point in my life of completely surrendering my pride, my desires, my whole self to him that he decided it's time.  Time for me to go, to love, to truly see what He wanted me to see, to experience what He wanted me to experience, to feel what He wanted me to feel.
 
So here I am, missing and longing to be back in Uganda with all that I am.  I might have left but my heart remains there.  While I know I will return to this place I have fallen in love with, I'm not able to be there now. While I am waiting, I choose to continue to serve, to love and do as God calls me in life!   As I wait, I choose to live intentionally.  I choose to use the passions, gifts, and circumstances He has given me to be God's hands and feet, wherever he places me.  I want to use all that God has given and shown me through this trip and my gifts to tell the world the stories I've heard; the amazing, heart wrenching, and powerful stories of those I met. It's not about changing the world, Jesus will take care of that.  I though can change the world for one person.  I can be the amplifier of the stories that need to be told and voices that need to be heard.  I know I will return to Uganda soon.  For how long I do not know yet, but for as long as God has me here, I will continue to serve, love, and follow where He leads me!

I miss Uganda waka wange(Uganda my home) with all of my heart, and cannot wait to return.  To see my children. To see my friends and family.  As we were leaving I didn't say goodbye.  Goodbyes are not allowed, only see you later.

See ya later Uganda!


Mukama Akweya Omukisa (God bless you)
-Mel


Thank you everyone who have supported me, prayed for me, love me and made this even possible.  This is just the beginning, over the next several weeks I will share many stories and photos with you my friends.  Some that make me cry, and some that make me laugh.  Many stories to tell!  

On Top of the World

{This is a little old since I have been unable to get Wifi}

We made it to Uganda! All of the luggage arrived with no issues (we had 31 bags total which took quite a while to locate all of them) and we had no problems getting visas, through customs, etc. We were greeted SO warmly by none other than our very own Ashley Davis, Alex and others from Alex’s church. When we spotted each other it was a grand reunion full of hugs and laughter. I couldn’t wait to give Ashley and Alex a huge hug, it’s been far too long since I’ve seen the both of them. As I’m sitting here on my little net covered bed, thinking about our first day in Uganda I am slightly at a lost for words. Trying to form the right words to describe how I feel is nearly impossible. I definitely have been looking forward to this day for weeks, months, no more like years. The joy, peace, and shear contentment I feel in my heart is overpowering. This whole process; the getting ready, the traveling, the stepping foot off the plane, the meeting and loving on the people here feels as natural as breathing to me. It’s been less than one day and I’m sure with all my heart that Uganda and I will have a future. Not sure how just yet but I can’t wait to find out. God you are great!

Before I dive into what is has been like and what we’ve been doing I wanted to share with you a little bit about our traveling. We had absolutely no internet until we got back in the airport in Dubai.

Written 07/25/2013

Two days, three plane rides, over 9000 miles travelled. Portland to Seattle to Dubai and finally to Uganda. It can easily be said that the 14 hour flight from Seattle to Dubai was the most tiring, and hardest. We happily walked off the plane, stretching our legs after such a long flight. Happy to have a place to rest our heads. I know for me personally I didn’t sleep much the night before we left and on the plane ride but made up for that in Dubai. Most of all we were stoked to be one step closer to being in Uganda. In the short time since we left home God has given us more than enough, showed us great opportunities to talk to people around us about what God is doing in and through the lives of our team. I wanted to share with you an experience I had on our first flight to Seattle.

When boarding our first flight to Seattle, the fifteen of us found ourselves sitting all throughout the plane. None of us had seats together, it was as if we were flying solo. When I have flown before the people I sit next to are usually not all that social. Consumed with their music and are in their own little world. I do that myself most of the time but it is nice when you get lucky and get to sit next to a complete stranger who ends up being a great conversationalist. I think that is fun, meeting new people. Learning about their life, their beliefs, their ideas, thoughts, interests, you name it. Not long after I found my seat I was joined by such a character. We hit it off right away, asking simple questions about each other and the reason for traveling. Once I explained what our team is traveling for, of course he became more interested; allowing our conversation to dive deeper about our trip, what we are doing, life in general, and God. I wish I could go into great detail but it was a 30 minute conversation that couldn’t have been better. Walking away, handing him the link to this blog and going our own separate ways I couldn’t help to smile. Knowing God put this guy right in my path. It’s so easy to tune out the world like most people do when flying, but I always think about the great experiences you might miss.

Our route from Seattle. Not the route I thought but I’ve never flown over the North Pole and Russia before.

I will try and upload more photos tomorrow night.  This is all I have for now.


FIRST DAY IN UGANDA!

What a day this has been. We’ve been in Uganda for less than a day and we’ve already done so much. First things first we stopped to get some food. We were all pretty hungry. We then drove over to the ARM headquarters to tour the ARM office and see a little bit of the amazing program they have going on. I was able to meet a couple of the high school girls as they were heading out of their devotion assembly. So many children flooding the walkways, all of which wanted you to smile back at them and wave. Many times I would notice all they want is to be noticed by you. Children will be franticly waving and only when you smile and wave back would they break out their beautiful smiles and laughter. I can’t wait to meet more of the kids and teens; getting to know them some more and loving on them! After dropping our stuff off at the house we were staying at for the night we went to Loving Hearts Orphan Home, where Ashley has been spending quite a bit of time the past few weeks. I’m not ready to describe that experience yet.

I love children. Holding and loving on babies (newborn-toddler) is something I love to do. I did get to hold several of the babies and soaked up every minute of it. Seeing them; their smiles, personalities, and happiness to be held by you melted my heart. This experience was a little bitter sweet for me. Not going to sugar coat it. On one hand you have these adorable, bouncy, happy, and some sleeping babies that make you smile and can’t wait to love on them. On the other…such sadness, heart wrenching really. Walking into this home of babies that have been abandoned, alone, one even survived being stabbed by her mother; breaks my heart. It makes me want to hold and love on them even more. They need it so much!! There is one girl I love so much, Rebecca!! What a personality she has. Rebecca stole my heart a little bit. I want to go see her again!

 

Thank you all for your support, prayers, and love! Please keep us in your prayers as we are heading to Kachungwa tomorrow. Pray for safe travels and open hearts and minds as we meet with people, children, leaders, etc.

Love in Christ,

Melanie