Gotcha Day!

Well, we all made it to Uganda, but not without a few bumps in the road. And while I want to share with everyone what the Mayernicks, Renee, Curry, and I have experienced since we landed, I just don’t think I can put it into words. The emotions are just too big. Therefore, I think I will simply recount the events. It will take much longer for me to actually process the whole journey. I can say this, though, with certainty: my God is a very big God!

First of all, we could not drive to Jinja when we landed because of some rioting that was taking place in Kampala, the capital city through we had to travel to get to our destination. Therefore, we stayed at a hotel in Entebbe. While I know it is a small thing, I found a gecko, frog, and roach in the shower as I entered the room. It was at this point that I knew that we weren’t in Kansas any longer.

We arrived at Amani early the next morning. Asher had not been told that I was coming, so my walking in was quite a shock to him. Still, he came up and immediately hugged me and wouldn’t let me let him go. Without even making eye contact, Asher said, “I want to go home now.” My first response was “With me?” and he said, “Yes.” Again…there are no words.

From that moment on, Asher would not leave me and we began the bonding process. We played at Amani for a little bit (tried to break out some crayons and paper, but it became a little chaotic!). We then made a quick drive into the town of Jinja where we exchanged some money. On the way back, Asher and I got to take a boda (motorcycle) ride where he sat in front and I sat side-saddled in a skirt. I must say, it was quite a sight.

After our short trip to town, we all went to Katie’s to help her feed the children of Amazima. Let me first confess that I was in no way ready for what lay in front of me. I have traveled to Europe several times and I even spent a summer in Hong Kong as a missionary, so I thought that I was ready to make this trip without Danny and all on my own. I thought of myself as a rather resilient person with fortitude and strength of mind. I was wrong.

I now know what fortitude looks like, though. It looks like a young boy—perhaps seven or eight—walking by himself to town at 5:00 in the morning to get enough water to last his family through the day. It looks like a boy desperate for food but infected with small pox begging to come in and being told “no.” It looks like 300 children standing patiently in line for the only meal they will receive that day, then bowing and saying, “Thank you, Auntie.” I thought fortitude was staying up late to finish your homework or finishing a hard football practice. I never knew…

I am overwhelmed by everything that I have seen and experienced in a 24-hour period. I am broken by the poverty and great need, yet I am overjoyed with meeting Asher and how quickly he has taken to me. My emotions have run the gamut today, but I am so thankful for God and His presence and protection. Thank you for your prayers. Keep ‘em coming!
I love you all!