I've been dreading this post, just because it's impossible to sum up two weeks in Uganda in any meaningful way in a blog post. BUT, because I love you all so much, and because I don't feel like reading 60 pages of Economy and Society by Weber, I've decided to bite the bullet. I've included some pictures in order to distract you and make this post better than it would be on its own.

Where to start. The first picture is from one of the best days we had. We were invited to visit a village and the family of a man we met because he worked for the family that was hosting us. Some of you may have read about this event in Joshua's email update. I loved this day. The entire village came out to welcome us and it was very humbling to be received with such excitement and generosity by people who are literally a world away from us. I learned two lessons that day. One is that people everywhere are essentially the same. When we first pulled up to the village, there was a huge crowd, traditional music in the air, and lots of unfamiliarity. I was nervous, thinking "I'm not sure I'm ready for this." But, we hopped out of the car and our host greeted us with hugs and everyone who met us said, "Hello, you are most welcome" which is how we were greeted everywhere we went. I really did feel welcome and once we were out of the car, I didn't feel awkward or uncomfortable at all. It was incredible. The other lesson is more personal and spiritual, and I don't want to share it here. So there.



This second picture is from Kampala, the capital city. The city is incredibly crowded, chaotic, and there was a lot of poverty here. It was the only place I felt very uncomfortable during our time in Uganda. This picture is from the central market, which was overwhelming to me in every way. This market made me realize that I don't think I could ever live in Uganda, if I had to shop in places like this on a regular basis.




Finally, here is a picture of Joshua and me standing at the source of the Nile - where the Nile river leaves Lake Victoria. This was a very cool experience and made me want to travel more.

I really don't know how to sum up our time in this post. We learned quite a bit, including one of the most amazing lessons that the body of Christ and the love of God transcend all barriers of race, class, culture, language, and politics. We had some wonderful experiences fellowshipping with our Ugandan brothers and sisters in Christ. We made friends. We saw terrible suffering. We saw resilience and strength in the face of suffering. We saw how the problems in the American Episcopal church have very real, very sobering consequences for the worldwide Anglican communion. We were broken with the way the Ugandan Christians welcomed us, embraced us, and treated us with an abundant hospitality in spite of the ways our national church has offended them. We learned songs, we learned new foods, new handshakes, new ways of using the toilet. We bonded with our team over conflicts, illness,and scary driving. I wrestled with God's promise that not one sparrow falls to the ground without his awareness when I saw children fall to the ground with no comfort in sight.

All in all, it was an incredible two weeks and I have absolutely no regrets about jumping on a plane to Africa. I came back jet lagged, ill, 8 pounds lighter, and feeling more adventurous than when I left. I also came back burdened, sad, and wondering what can be done to heal the wounds in the worldwide Anglican church. I used my sociological imagination to examine the problems of Africa, and fear that there are no clear-cut, adequate answers.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity that we had to experience Christ in a new way by seeing 'life at the margins.' I don't know what else to say other than that this was an incredible trip and I am anxious to see how the fruits of it continue to unfold (especially as I await emails from all the people we left our information with). I would go back again - though not for awhile, and not for extended periods. Thank you all for your prayers for us while we were away. We felt God's gracious provision and protection at every turn. Hopefully soon we will send a formal update to those of you who supported us in prayer and in other ways.


Our team at Bujagali falls, in Jinja Uganda.