How has a year already gone by? The other week, Facebook so lovingly reminded me that a year ago, I was boarding my plane to Arua, Uganda, East Africa. That little bush plane was the last leg of my three day journey. The plane was so small that even I could not stand up fully.
Red dirt. All I saw was red dirt. And I knew, that red dirt would be staining my feet, my hands, my clothes before too long. Little did I know it would be staining my heart too.
Arriving at the house I would be staying for the almost two months would be in Arua, I was exhausted in every aspect a person could be exhausted in. I remember begging God to heal the fear in my heart. To touch the severe place of vulnerability. I had had that feeling of 'I am about to change my life'- I just did not know how much this partnership with Holy Spirit and the Harper family would do just that.
After finally having conquered jet lag and kicking dehydration in the butt, I was ready to go. My one student that I had come for I had yet to see and truly interact with, and my one student had become five. My one subject had grown to all of them, but it was all good because I was growing and I loved watching them succeed. Baylie and I finally began with Algebra 1. Chapter 3. Man, math had never been so... challenging. But as difficult as it was for Baylie, she conquered. She freakin' conquered that book. Algebra 1 complete by the time I began my own school. Now she does Algebra by herself. It was not me though. It definitely was not me. That girl is gonna conquer mountains. Shoot down giants in the land. Because she has the guts and the tenacity to keep going. I learned a lot from her. Like that it is okay to be afraid. As long as we keep looking that fear in the face and keep trying and keep on keeping on. As long as we do not let that fear conquer us, it is so okay to be afraid. And being relational is so good. Relationship across the world is possible. It might mean grumpy mornings because it definitely means late nights. It might mean frustration because you finally get to hear their voice only to hear the Orange or MTN lady tell you that you do not have enough credit to continue your call. I learned so much from her.
And getting on the bus, having to tell them, "hey, I will see you around." I was doing okay until Levi said he would see me tomorrow. Only everyone minus Levi and Charlie knew they would not. I cried on the bus. The cultural taboo not something I cared about in the moment. I spent the next morning trying to rest as I had not slept on the overnight bus. I did not really sleep then either, but I knew I would be fine.
That night, Charles and I picked up Mel. And all the prayers and tears for a good friend during this time in my life, would be answered. Only I did not know it just yet. Cause Mel and I, well, we were exhausted. I remember we had to go back into the airport to go to the bathroom before we could leave. I remember barely having enough room for both of our bags. And I remember falling asleep in the car ride asking the Father to let us become the best of friends and thanking Him that we were all safe and sound.
The next weeks were the best and worst and best of the best. Studying Philemon, that 27 verse book (it is 27 verses, right?) drew me to my knees repeatedly. Philippians still remains a favorite for me. Laughing and running in the field that overlooks Lake Victoria. Playing futól, getting bruises and scars. Tasting freedom and running hard for it. Doing workout circuits while having talks about what we are seeing in the books we are studying. Talking about how we feel God is asking us to apply these things. As I said, Africa left her red fingerprint on my heart.
Leaving was one of the hardest things, but it was time. It was time to find God's heart and the thing He has created me for.
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