Even though it has just been a little over a week since we left Uganda the memories are starting to fade more each day. The experience of a mission trip to Uganda is much more than the mental picture it leaves, it includes sounds, smells and the reminder of the physical demand that our body endures over the two week period. Uganda's cities are among the dirtiest I ever seen including Port-A- Prince, Haiti. Yet, even in the cities, there is a unique attraction to the sights and sounds that are so much different than what we know here in West Virginia. Maybe it is that appearance of total chaos among the thousands of Ugandans moving all at once, slowly transforming before your eyes to appear as an almost symphonic movement that without any direction simply works. In fact the art of travel through the city of Kampala could very well be added to the list of wonders in our world. As I mentioned the smell that accompanies the people of Uganda and also my senses are a large part of my memory. When I leave Uganda my mind holds on to the smell of the charcoal fires, along with the natural smell of people, and to state it mildly, everything they leave behind. But as disgusting as that may sound, it is perfectly natural to them and after a while I believe you learn to love it as part of the people in the same manner as you would a child with a birth defect. The memory I try to hold on to the most is the bright white smiles surrounded by the shiny black faces of the many Ugandan friends I have made while traveling to that wonderful country.
Along with the memories of the crowded city I have been blessed to witness what many people may dream about their entire life. That is the remote country of Africa that holds what at first seems the simplest of all the lifestyles on our planet. I am talking about the mountains of Uganda where villages are separated by deep long beautiful valleys which are covered with banana plantations, scattered Acacia trees and dotted with little mud huts, creating the most peaceful picture imaginable. One glance at this area gives you the picture of what you always thought Africa should have looked like. This makes the experience more enjoyable as you find yourself riding over miles of dirt roads where everyone you pass is either carrying their load on their head or the back of a bicycle. You will find that at every hilltop is another breathtaking sight that quickly becomes a Kodak moment.
Along with the memories of the crowded city I have been blessed to witness what many people may dream about their entire life. That is the remote country of Africa that holds what at first seems the simplest of all the lifestyles on our planet. I am talking about the mountains of Uganda where villages are separated by deep long beautiful valleys which are covered with banana plantations, scattered Acacia trees and dotted with little mud huts, creating the most peaceful picture imaginable. One glance at this area gives you the picture of what you always thought Africa should have looked like. This makes the experience more enjoyable as you find yourself riding over miles of dirt roads where everyone you pass is either carrying their load on their head or the back of a bicycle. You will find that at every hilltop is another breathtaking sight that quickly becomes a Kodak moment.
It is in the small villages and trade centers that you learn to appreciate the fact that what looks like the simplest of life styles is actually very complex and requires more than a basic understanding just to recognize the severity of living in the remote areas of Uganda. It is hard to remember that among all that beauty there is also a very hard way of life. For the missionary each encounter is different whether it is the excitement of the children who gather to see the Mazungu (white), or the local church making way to welcome the American teachers, or those who live in spiritual darkness that tell their story through the way they look at you with long gazing stares. Altogether I have found that in many ways it is not much different than any other city in the world other than the fact that each encounter leaves an impact on someone. Many times that one who is impacted turns out to be me. My best memories are the ones that are made when we are leaving and I know that the gospel has been taught and the Holy Spirit is united with the people.
I might not be able to remember all the details of the trip, but I do remember that God has a mission. And the four of us went to Uganda, not to accomplish God's mission, but rather to be obedient to His call, and to once again love the people of Uganda.
I might not be able to remember all the details of the trip, but I do remember that God has a mission. And the four of us went to Uganda, not to accomplish God's mission, but rather to be obedient to His call, and to once again love the people of Uganda.
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