An Incredible Visit

Well they have been gone a little more than a week, so I suppose it’s about time for me to give an update on Mom and Dad’s time here. I could quickly sum it up saying it was wonderful. But I could also probably write for pages and pages on everything we did, saw, experienced, and shared together. So here goes my attempt at a happy medium! Enjoy!

Picking them up at the airport was an adventure in and of itself. The waited expectation of seeing them was a bit overwhelming and I was busied praying that their flights and travels had gone smoothly and they would walk through the exit door. Dad saw me first and man, what emotions! It was still hard for me to believe that they were really here in Uganda. They landed in the middle of the night, so the ride back to Jinja went quickly, though Dad had several freak out moments sitting in the front seat. Let’s just say driving in Kampala adds a bit of extra stress to your first few minutes in Africa.

The next couple of days we spent in Jinja, meeting the kids, seeing town, and allowing them to get a bit over jetlag. They did great and it was fun getting to show them little tidbits of my life. However, it was also hard. Life here is different and I think more than anything I feared that they wouldn’t see what I see; love what I love; or simply get why I am here. I prayed a lot and was humbled by the Lord telling me to trust in Him. For He brought me here, and made it possible for them to come as well, and He would be faithful in His plans for all of us and our time together.

Over their two weeks with me I was more than blessed by their visit. Being able to see Mom’s excitement about school and everything being done at Ekisa and Dad’s openness to the culture, the people, and desire to learn more about life in Uganda, were such blessings and brought me so much joy as I saw their hearts open to the Lord’s work here.

Apart from hanging out at Ekisa and Jinja town, we did some fun touristy things as well – things that I got to experience for the first time too, which was really fun! After they had been here for a couple of days, we travelled to northwestern Uganda to Sipi Falls. We stayed in a cute little banda, right on the edge of a cliff that overlooked the valley and a picturesque waterfall (125 meters long!). We stayed two nights and truly got to take in the beauty of the Lord’s creation. We went on a coffee tour at a local’s house, where we saw the whole process of picking the coffee beans, drying them out, then crushing/shelling them, roasting them, grinding them, and brewing them – talk about a fresh cup of coffee! So delicious! The next day we hiked three different falls (a total of about 15 km), each taking your breath away at the wonder and beauty of it all. I swear pictures just can’t even do it justice. That evening we went on a brief sunset hike where we saw the sun set over the valley and got to look back at the waterfalls that we had seen close up earlier in the day. I think it should also be noted that several times throughout the day Dad said, “I think I could live here” – something I never, ever thought I would hear him say!

Coming back to Jinja, they, especially Dad, were seeing everything in a new light. I realized how thankful I was for getting to spend that quality time together, and allowing the Lord to fill us each with much needed peace and calmness.  That next week, Dad helped Billy (a volunteer here) move our swing set so that it is more accessible and able to be used more. It was precious seeing the kids want to help and be involved and then the excitement on the swings after it was finished. We also did a bit of souvenir shopping, Mom found a favorite coffee shop in town, and Dad got to know his way around Jinja quite well. Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving – complete with a freshly killed and cooked turkey, dishes with precious ingredients that came straight from America like sweet potato casserole, pecan pie, green bean casserole with French’s fried onions, and pumpkin pie, and then all the other basics necessities. We hosted Thanksgiving at my house and a bunch of friends came, and it a special for Mom and Dad to share in that as well, with the Ugandan family I have here.

Then on Friday, we went rafting on the Nile. At first Mom and Dad were hesitant, but multiple times on the river we all commented at some point, “I’m so glad we didn’t miss this”. We had an absolutely beautiful day! Our raft flipped twice in going through different sets of rapids which left us going up and down walls of water, being sucked down, spun in all sorts of directions and eventually pushed back up, and probably ingesting a tad too much of the river itself. But what an experience! Again, one that I’m so thankful I got to share with them.

Their last few days were spent trying to fit everything in that we hadn’t done yet – dinner, drinks, and sunsets overlooking the river and lake, spending time with the kids pre-bedtime (the cutest, cuddliest part of the day), and getting in time together that won’t be had again until mid-May.

Their time was quick and goodbyes weren’t easy, and I know I’ve said this a ton of times already, but I am more than thankful and blessed by their visit. And not just by their visit. I am blessed by two wonderful parents who support and encourage me even when I think they’re not sure if they really want to, who trust in the Lord’s plan for my life, who love me like crazy, who have become more than just parents but best friends, and who flew half way around the world to visit me, even though Dad had never really planned on leaving the country. I am blessed by two parents who have truly taught me what a loving parent looks like and have helped me understand the love felt for me by my Father in Heaven. And for this I am most grateful. 

Our view of the last waterfall

Mom and I with waterfall number two

 

About to raft the Nile

Some of my favorite people at the Keep for milkshakes!

Dad's little work crew for moving the swingset

And yes, Dad carved the turkey for Thanksgiving here too!