10 Highlights for 10 Weeks - Part 1
Recently, I heard someone say that the reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once. This may or may not been heard on a show, though it also appears to be a quote from Albert Einstein. It seems that somehow 10 weeks have passed since I returned to Uganda after a short notice trip back to the states for some sabbatical time. In all that time and in the time before, so much has happened. I am so thankful all of it didn't happen at once. For the sake of a catchy line, I thought I would highlight 10 things. I will go back into the end of last year to help ensure you are caught up on the highlights.
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1. Moved in November.
Surprisingly, even some friends here are just now finding this out. I'm not sure how I managed to move in the middle of November and have it be not common knowledge. Since getting a vehicle almost a year ago, my life has had more opportunities. One of these means that it is no longer as necessary to live so close to the office. I had been wanting to get closer to church. With the ever evolving door of expats, my community of friends in the city has shifted too. The picture above is the front of the building that is now my home. I am in the half that is closest in this angle. There are two bedrooms and bathrooms up and the rest downstairs. I have loved being able to host weekly bible study group from church now that I am closer to those in my church community.
Prayer Point: Though there have been many blessings, the change to living here has had some challenges. Please pray for wisdom and guidance in these. |
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2. Visitors and Waffles
At the end of November, I was blessed to go to a missionary retreat by Go Be Love. Possibly the best part of this was that my friends were not only leading the retreat but staying after to visit. Visiting doesn't truly describe all that they did. They encouraged me, served me, helped me, cared for me (I was sick while they were here), spoke wisdom into a difficult decision, and so much more. With them around, I laughed to tears and felt so loved.
While they were here, I got a dog! Yep, I am a proud owner of a 4 year old Ugandan special (local mix breed). She was with another family and had been named Waffles. So Waffles she is. she often finds a way to be the center of things as she did in the above picture and was in the center (though under it too) of a card game. She's been fun and challenging.
Prayer Point: Though it is months later, please join me in praise for the time with my friends. Even nearly 4 months later, I am still amazed that they would make the sacrifices they did so that they could be with me for so long. |
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3. Time in the states
Towards the end of my time with my friends, it was becoming clear that I was actually having quite a difficult time. Life had been a bit too crazy for too long and through all of that, I hadn't been doing anything to care for myself. I am blessed more than I deserve in the support of AIM and the leaders I have. They suggested I take a break and go to the states. With all the travel on both ends, it was an even six weeks from leaving Ugandan soil until I returned. The time in the states was so many things. It was so needed, so delightful, so challenging, so restful, so blissful, so surreal, and more. The challenging part was accepting that it was okay that I needed the break. Some of my time was spent at this lovely place and enjoying a tasty treat by the (electric) fireplace. I hope to go back at least once next time I'm in the states. Even today, I was in agreement with one of my leaders that it was good I went willing when I did. Otherwise, we both know I would have been told to go not too long after that.
Prayer Point: Please join me in thankfulness for this time in the states. Thankfulness that AIM has policies and procedures in place for such a time and need. (I've learned not every organization has this.) I'm ever thankful for all the logistics coming together of where to stay and how to get around. I'm thankful for the time that I had with a variety of people, each one that encouraged and helped in their own unique way. |
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4. Church Family
Once I returned, I was delighted to get back to my church here. The first Sunday back, one of my good friends told me it looked like five years had been lifted from my shoulders. I'll never forget this. It speaks so much into the value of that time in the states. It also helps people all around (including myself) that there was such a noticeable difference. I recognize that there difficulties no matter where you live, but once out of your roots and known culture for an extended time, it is refreshing to be back even with the oddities of reverse culture shock. I am so thankful for the friendships that are deepening at church. I am thankful for friends that text me Sunday evening to make sure I'm ok after missing church one time. (I really just needed 24 consecutive hours at home.)
This picture is from an even called Cell Fest. It is something the church has in March and is a time for fellowship and, of course, food. Cell group is the term of the weekly studies that happen around the city. What's the popular term in the states these days? I was so happy to be able to host everyone. It was a great time together all around. Clearly we ate well too!
Prayer Point: Again join me in praise and thankfulness for the church home that I have here. I am so thankful for the friendships that have stemmed from being there. Please pray that our cell group would continue to thrive each Tuesday evening. Pray that we would be open and honest with each other, encourage each other, as well as challenge everyone. |
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5. You are mine, come back to me.
This picture is from the first morning I went back to the office in early February. This is nearly the same avoidance treatment that Waffles give me each morning. Don't be misled by the number of adorable dog photos on my phone, it has been a challenge with her. Since I left so quickly after bringing her home, it was understandably a bit of a challenge to earn her loyalty and trust back. So many times I've called her to me while she lays at the neighbor's door. She would leave me while I actively pet her to go run if she heard the door next door open. Through this annoying struggle, it had me thinking.....how often are we waiting by something that won't help us and God is calling us back. Our Saviour wants us to know we belong to Him. He is waiting with His arms open wide just as my door (and arms) are open wide for the dog to come and be loved. So many times I've told her, "I pay your bills, you belong time me." Have you found yourself being called back into belonging and closeness with our Lord while you are seeking fulfillment in an empty place?
Prayer Point: Please pray that I would seek my deepest joy from our Lord. Pray that I would desire the closeness and make it my priority each day. Pray that I would know to whom I belong and have confidence in the things that don't have a stronghold over me.
Well, I will consider you half way caught up on the highlights. As I wouldn't want you to have to read and process everything at the same time, I will wait and send the second half another day. The second half includes a recurring topic, fun days, and news about how I spend my days.
Be Well and Love Much,
Katherine |
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