the best hammock date, yet

I'm currently sitting on a back porch in North Carolina. Children are running everywhere, Ugandan food is being cooked in the kitchen, every window in the house is open and guitars are being played while they sing "How He Loves" --

Last night as our girls ran through a field eating ice cream, I knew I wouldn't change my life for anything. That thought still remains. I always ask "if you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be" my first response is always something far away. However, if you asked me the question today, I would say I want to stay right where I am.  I have never felt this much joy at one time.

Today started our vacation, we officially have one week off. When we showed up to the house I could tell this would be such a great week. The family is so welcoming, the house is big and the land is massive. We unloaded our bags into our rooms- 10 girls cots in one room and 8 boys cots in the other room and chaperones spread out through the house. We had lunch outside because the weather today is 100% Spring weather. The kids grabbed kites and I grabbed my hammock. There were so many 'movie moment,' however, I've only had my camera out a little today-- simply because I want to embrace each moment thrown at me. Moments where my heart feels like it will explode. When Martin is building a flying toy with an American boy and he is so excited to show it. When I am watching Misty teach Loyce how to crochet. When Wilber is ready to show me his pool skills, but he misses the shot and laughs it off. There are too many moments to list, honestly. 

My favorite moment today: when I hung my hammock Brenda A. followed me out. She jumped in the hammock right beside me and as we sat there with no distractions, she taught me a song in her language. I wanted to pick up my phone and record it, but my storage is full. Jesus knew it would be. He was telling me to enjoy the moment. We both giggled, we talked about what we wanted to be when we grew up and then she threatened to beat Auntie Lindsay and I when we talked about getting our hair cut. 

A little bit later I had another hammock buddy, this time it was Innocent. As we rocked back and forth I asked him to tell me his testimony. He started by saying that his parents split when he was just 3 years old. He knew that his dad didn't want him and that his mother couldn't afford him. That is why he still lives with his Grandmother and she still struggles to pay for his food. Innocent is from Gulu. Gulu is where Invisible Children takes place. Its where Joseph Kony goes in and abducts children, just to do it. Its where child brides and child soldiers are a real thing. I knew this was true because I had seen the documentary and been an advocate for such a long time-- but I didn't know that I would ever get to hear stories first hand. As Innocent told me his testimony, I asked him if he had ever heard of Invisible Children, he smiled and said, "yes I have, I pass by their office in Gulu." I asked him if they were good or bad people, because of the bad rep they had in America (which I think is completely absurd) his response "They are good people, they are there to help. They help children who don't have voices." I was relived and oh so excited to hear something wonderful about the organization in Uganda. As he continued to talk about IC, he told me about Kony. He says that he had never seen him face to face, but that his cousin was murder by him. She was killed for no reason. He told me that he was happy to live in the city of Gulu and not in the Jungle, because if he lived in the Jungle he wouldn't be in America. He would be taken. After he told me all about Invisible Children. I told him that I use to help with the cause. I told him that if it wasn't for Gulu I wouldn't be sitting in a hammock with him now. He asked why I'd never been to Gulu. I didn't have an answer. I always only go to Kampla and Jinja. I hope that changes soon.

Today, as I look around at these children. It is easy to be distracted, to think about saying 'goodbye' or to imagine how they will readjust once they get back home, but instead I am going to embrace each moment here. I am going embrace the fact that I have not heard one moment of silence since I woke up this morning. I am going to embrace the fact that if the piano downstairs isn't being banged on, then the drums in the room over are. I am going to embrace the huge pots of Ugandan food being cooked downstairs, the random dance moves around the house. Leaving the room and coming back to find wildflowers on my computer,  the giggles from every room of the house. I am not going to worry about where I will be going when I get home because that will be taken care of when the time comes.

If someone would have told me last year that I would be in North Carolina on tour with a choir from Uganda, I would have laughed in their face.

I do not know what this week will hold. I just know that my 'job' this week is to interview each child for a video. -- Expect more blogs, lots of blogs. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dLW_SDid2c

New Adventures.

I'm laying on a church pew in North Carolina waiting for our morning worship to start. Today marks the halfway mark on tour, we officially only have three months left. Being that I have only been here 23 days, this isn't as much as a deal for me as it is the other chaperones. Sure, I cry every time I watch them perform. I cry when I think about saying goodbye, but I can't let the idea of saying goodbye to these babes hold me back from living in the moment. 

As you know I am leading a trip to Uganda in July, I will be home from tour for 5 days and then I gather my team and load onto an airplane. My trip with Visiting Orphans will last until the 16th. However, Darya (a chaperone alongside of me on this tour) and I will be staying behind for two more weeks. We will get to see how this ministry works, firsthand. We will go to the ARM (Africa Renewal Ministries) office to see how things are ran. We will also be going to the Mwangza House to meet the new children who will be traveling to the states on the next tour. Not sure what all we will be doing, we know that we will get to see some of our kiddos while we are there, at their homes. 

Last night as Loyce took her bubble bath, she asked me if I had brothers. When I told her no, she told me that I could have one of hers. She has 4 brothers and one little sister.  She told me all about her farm life. Her parents have crops and she has sheep. She told me that she lived in the same village as Auntie Florence, which is a village we will be visiting. 

I cannot wait to see Loyce in Uganda. I cannot wait to meet her family and see her pet sheep. This journey will be a long one. Coming home from this long tour and heading into new adventures overseas. Saying my goodbyes will be the hardest thing I've ever done im sure, but when Jesus places passion He places love. I know that these kids love me and I love them. We will not forget each other and as they say "if I do not see you again on earth, I will see you in heaven"-- 

Details of my trip in Uganda are being finalized. This does not change the price of my trip, I am just needing the money a tiny bit more. 

This life isn't mine, if it was if be home watching Netflix. 

http://www.gofundme.com/callietakesuganda

To Jordan.

If I were in Dothan tonight Id be making a list of things that have to be completed tomorrow for serving at the Resuce Mission. About 8 months ago, 4 friends sat in an apartment with a dream to start an outreach program for the church. Through a lot of trial and error we found a place to serve, a place to plug in-- The Dothan Rescue Mission. We served there one Thursday night and had a ton of volunteers, they all seemed to love it. So we put ourselves on the calendar for the 4th Thursday of every month. With this commitment, a lot goes on. You need volunteers, food, music and a speaker. When a church serves at the Rescue Mission they also do chapel. Which is a time when someone speaks and then we stay behind to pray for anyone who needs it. I remember the first time I had to ask someone to speak, its funny to see how people respond, I remember when I was asked to speak the first time-- I nearly threw up from the nerves, but I pushed through and Jesus completely spoke through me. I remember asking my friend Karl to speak and sitting on the front row smiling ear to ear while he stepped a tiny bit more into his calling. With this job I have been told no, I have been told yes and then people back out, I've had people serve alongside of me who don't believe in the same Jesus I do, but they know how to love and that's why they are there.

I remember exactly where we were when the ball started rolling on the "big night" -- Pizza Hut, with 4 of my friends. We'd just got done serving and we sat around the table and talked about doing something different- we decided to do a formal. This was an idea I just knew wouldn't happen, it would be too much, but I dreamed about it with them of course. Little did I know that the next week I would have a notebook making list of every single little thing that needed to be done. Throughout the month I tried planning food, music and exactly what this would look like. Jordan and I worked together to pull some strings and the college was doing their hair and make up  for free, the thrift store was letting them pick out an outfit for free, nurseries donated flowers and I had teams of people willing and wanting to help. 

The day arrived and my notebook stayed in my hand the entire time. I woke up nervous, I always do on big days (here's to my wedding day where I walk down the aisle holding a bright yellow notepad) I got dressed and headed to the church to meet the drivers- these people would help transport the people to get their hair done at the college. 

The details of this day could go on forever, I will try and give you an idea and let the video speak for itself. 

The day was everything it could have been and more. People who lived in the homeless shelter looked at themselves completely dressed up and cried. Some men walked up to me after and said "it just feels nice to look this nice." Instead of the residents having to line up and get their own plate, we served them like they were at a real formal. There were black curtains hanging from the walls and string lights to make it look like a new place. We had a jazz band play while they ate. Before the food was served  I walked out to the front and let them know what the night was about. It was about letting them know that they are worth it. That the way they see themselves right now is how Jesus seems them daily. How pretty they feel right now is how Jesus views them. I told them to pretend they were on vacation, eating at a nice restaurant. I asked them to try and get to know someone they didn't know yet. We didn't have a speaker because I wanted them to know that Jesus loved them and I wanted them to feel good about themselves. 

As the night ended I got pictures of their joy, the ladies giggling and all of the residents coming together for a picture of their special night. I told them bye and that I would miss them, but I told them that I didn't want to see them their when I got home. I wanted to know they had moved on from the homeless shelter. I miss them. 

Tomorrow night my best friend, Jordan will get to speak to them. Tomorrow is not just a normal day for her its also her Aunt Nenow's birthday and for those of you who know Jordan's story you know that her aunt meant the world to her. She passed away form cancer a couple months back. Tomorrow, Jordan gets to tell them her story, which will impact their lives. She will be able to connect to them in a way I never could. I want to be there so bad, I want to be sitting on the front row grinning like I did when Karl preached the first time.  I won't be there in person but I am there in spirit, grinning ear to ear in the front row sitting with the table of girls. I know that tomorrow will go so smooth, I know that it will be perfect because Jesus has it.

Here is a small video from the night of the formal. There is a longer one coming soon thank you Brandon for videoing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rg_6vnjlv0&feature=youtu.be

&& to my best friend. I miss you and I am so thankful for you. You will do great tomorrow night. I know you will. I love you so much.  Speak from your heart, tell your story. Jesus will do the rest, promise.

Tour | Day 20

Today I want to be home more than anything. This morning I woke up late and rushed the girls to get dressed so that we could be downstairs for breakfast soon. After breakfast I got a text from my mom talking about her sending me a picture soon, but not to freak out. This is not something you want to hear while you are at a strangers house, eating breakfast. I respond and get pictures of my dads truck flipped over in a ditch. She told me he was fine, but for one second my heart quit beating. I had to hold back tears and excuse myself to the upstairs. I called my dad to find out what happened. He explained the story about a dog who ran out in front of him, only making him swerve to miss the dog and land in a ditch full of water. He was okay and was heading to work still, just in another truck. He is a strong man. And this morning for a second I imagined what my life what be like if something else happened. 

During quiet time this morning I wrote in my journal a lot- here goes a journal entry:

"Today I want to be home. I want to be sitting in my mommas bed with my cat. I want to watch Netflix. I want to be with my best friend, Jordan. I want to see her speak tomorrow at the Rescue Mission. I want to have breakfast at memaw and pepaws. I miss Caroline's labeled food and Camaryn's record player.  I even miss Stella, the yorkie that is known as my mothers shadow.  I miss a lot of things today. But then I look around the room to see a room full of children that I would miss. 

My thoughts are scattered this morning I think about my life and what I would be doing if I were home, how I would have handled the phone call at 4am about my dad. I would have panicked, put on my rain boots (but would have settled for my uggs) I get in the car with my momma and we ahead to the site, I hug my daddy with tears that he is okay, then I cancel my day (classes and lunch with a friend) to ride to Vero Beach with him-- I call TJ during the process to tell him all about it. Then I sleep in the car, wake up talk to my daddy, we have lunch and I post a picture on Instagram about our day. 

But my actual day is this:

I woke up to my African drum ringtone, snoozed 3 times, woke up the girls (Concy & Brenda N.) I washed Brenda's eye from the blood built up (from a style), I get dressed quick, bring laundry upstairs, rushed the girls, wash my face, eat breakfast with strangers, rush the girls again, load the car, get excited about knowing I have a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch vs. a PB&J. & of course I have the pictures of my dads accident on my mind all morning. I show up at the church say "good morning," get 18 hugs, take Rebecca to get her shoes out of the blue van, tell Darya about my dad, check on Brendas eye and now I am laying on the floor during devotion. 

Its wild to think how differently my days would be. I am still happy here, I am just wanting to be home today. I want to hug my daddy. 

I am here, partially."

As we went into the devotion, I thought for sure that I was okay. The verse was John 16: 20-23

Basically, the verse talks about sorrow turning into joy. After the verse was read, Wendy talked about why she chose that verse and the she asked if anything needed to be added. I told the chaperones about my dad and cried as I told them that I felt so alone this morning, but then during the choir singing Amazing Grace-- I saw the children. I saw them praising Jesus for their life, for their opportunity to be here. They do not know what their family does everyday. They have no idea if their family has been in car accidents or if their parents won the lottery. But, they are here living life and being obedient. 

They amaze me daily. My daddy is okay. His truck my not be, but he is okay.  I am thankful for that, I am thankful for his safety and that Jesus chose him to be my daddy. I couldn't ask for a better one. 

catching up

This past week has been so busy that I am sorry that I have not posted. I have had the dilemma of trying to figure out if I should sleep or write. Tonight I should be sleeping, but I have to catch everyone up.

Columbus was nice, Samson's sponsor is from there so he decided to take us on a tour of Callaway Gardens. We got to see how water is bottled, the spring where it comes from and we watched a bird show at the end of the day. It was a cold day, but watching the children enjoy the outdoors was so worth it. During the bird show I sat between Asia and Wilber. Wilber would literally duck into my lap when the bird would fly over. They loved leaning about the birds, Wilber told me all about the bird facts he knew from school. We had dinner at the host homes that night, which consisted of us having a dance party while the sweet lady we were staying with finished cooking dinner. My shower was cold there, freezing actually, like so cold that I was waiting for Ashton Kutcher to jump out and scream 'You've been Punk'd" -- however, he didn't. It was a real moment. A moment that I literally still laugh when I think about how cold that shower was. It was another 'welcome to tour moment' -- the next morning we packed up to head to the next city, 3 hours away.

Covington reminded me of home. When we arrived you could tell it was a little country town. Nothing too fancy, just good people who understood southern hospitality. This one was a very good host home. The family was a simple little family, they lived on plenty of land and it was in the middle of nowhere. It was great. The girls actually had a friend that was about their age at this house. There was a little boy who was 6 and another little girl who was 3. The oldest little girl was a dancer so she taught the girls some dance moves on her ballet bar. I have learned that when you stay with the girls-- there will be dancing involved. Matter of fact I have taught most of them the q'tip, shopping cart and plenty more. There will be videos of these coming soon. This family was sweet, the church members were sweet and where I hammocked was sweet. It was a great time. While Lindsay and I tucked the girls in one night, I felt like I was doing something with my life. We were all giggling and jumping around on the air mattress. I felt like our giggles and white girl dance moves were making us grow closer. Everytime Asia sees me now she starts doing the macarena. Its pretty perfect if I do say so myself. That house had many memories.

Tonight we are in North Georgia.

I have found myself getting nervous before Misty calls the house assignments for the host homes, simply because I am not sure if I am ready to go to a home by myself with the kids, yet. I think I am still in training. Jesus just laughed. I know He did. There is no training for this. Sure there are rules but training on how to have a relationship with the host homes and the children. Nope. You just go with the flow, you speak from your heart and you learn their names. My goodness, learn their names. I am terrible at this part. I actually know this host homes names, praise. But, many others I have forgotten.  Misty called the names, I had all Ugandans. No Americans. My heart dropped. I walked to the car with the two little girls and two Ugandan chaperones. My mind was going 100 miles an hour. I got into the car and conversation started immediately. The nanny was a couple years older than me and knew people from my hometown. We arrived at the house and it was beautiful, big and on a farm. The girls got to feed horses, swing and ride the gator around the farm. Auntie Wendy and Auntie Elizabeth are a floor below the rest of us. The girls are right down the hallway. This has meant that I tuck the girls in, I wake them up and I rush them when needed. This has been my favorite job ever. Last night, we went to bed right on time. Well, we tried to. The girls had to shower-- this is where the rushing part came in. The girls went to sleep and I came to my room to watch Netflix on my computer. This was a terrible idea. It made me miss home, miss my cat and miss knowing that my family was in the next house.

I woke up this morning knowing that it would be a good day and that Netflix couldn't be watched anymore on tour. I woke the girls up and then went downstairs to check on the other aunties.  I let the girls start their showers, had a 'good morning' text and got dressed myself. It was a great morning. Sidenote: to my dad who use to have to pick me up out of the bed and guide me my bathroom when I was growing up, you would be so proud. We arrived at the church on time and the kids started worship and devotion.  The day got started, kids went to class. The chaperones went to Target. Then had Chick Fil A at a park away from the church. The kids loved the nuggets. I loved having something besides a peanut butter sandwich. After we ate, I walked around the playground to find the kids,  but instead I found a tire swing that was low to the ground-- what else was I supposed to do?  I sat on the tire swing in front of the soccer moms and all. Three minutes later, I had Loyce sitting on top of me and for fifteen minutes my insides were squished, she was in charge of the selfies and we just enjoyed laughing.

I am learning how to fashion a bed out of church chairs. Give me 5 chairs and you can have a good bed, give me 6 you will have the best bed ever. Marissa (another America chaperone) and myself found a good room with lots of chairs and knew that it was nap time. I am still unashamed that we napped for 2 hours and that members of the church walked in twice. It felt great to be asleep while the children were asleep. A little while after nap was sound check, this was time for me to get ready for the show. I washed my hair in the sink and forgot a towel, this only leaving me to dry my hair with paper towels.

Dinner was pasta and salad. The entire choir sat at a really long table, it reminded me of my first trip to Uganda. While we ate I turned around to see my sweet, little momma standing behind me to surprise me (its her favorite thing and on this tour its my favorite thing to see familiar faces).  She brought along my sweet Aunt Susan and Uncle Bill. They got to see the show, while mom and I caught up in the foryer of the church. We laughed as we sent out snapchats, laughed and took selfies (because its another one of her favorite things to do). We talked about all of the kids. I told her about each of them, I told her about my new friends, I told her about my funny moments and my not so funny moments. It was a short visit, but such a good one. After the show, my mom went to say 'bye' to the children. As a joke, I started telling them that I was leaving with my mom and it was like I was telling them that the tour was cancelled. They opened their eyes so wide and looked scared. Some didn't say words, they just walked away. Some immediately said 'No, please,' others looked at me then looked at my mom and didn't use their words. When I told them it was a joke they nearly knocked me over with hugs so big. I find self wondering what the goodbyes will be like, but I have to turn that away quick because it is dangerous territory. Our host home this time had been great. They have awesome stories. He was the founder of WebMD, she is a photographer, their family helped bring the olympics to Atlanta-- I think after the late trip to the pool accompanied by ice cream, the girls wouldn't mind staying for a few more day. However, tomorrow we say 'goodbye' to this family and we move onto the next.

This tour is tiring, but in a good way. When I was saying my fake byes to the children tonight, I imagined what it would be like in 3 months when the real 'byes' come. I seriously have learned so much about myself in the past couple of weeks. Jesus, you are teaching me new things everyday. I love not knowing what the next host home will be like or who I will be rooming with. Its a great adventure. I am learning new things everyday, learning new things with every person I meet. I love watching them learn about Uganda. I love knowing the answer to the questions and I love that Jesus allowed me to be on this journey.