Uganda: Day 1

Today I learned that leading isn't an easy job, but a fun one. Today I rode a boda boda to the city to exchange money, and at one point I was so close to a pedestrian that I could have touch his face. Today I used a restroom that didn't have a toilet seat. Today I cooked eggs on a gas stove for breakfast. Today I watched two girls hearts break over a little boy who was getting jiggers removed from his feet. Last night I got shocked while I showered. Tonight someone else got shocked while getting ice out of the freezer. Tonight I sat with a team of 10 girls and 1 guy who's hearts were heavy after the first day on the field. 

Uganda has a way of doing that to people, of making them question every American Dream, of questioning where they belong in the world and why they were born in such a 'safe' country. Today while on the boda boda (motorcycle) I looked around at the people. I watched them greet with such bright smiles, there was so much love in their eyes- so much joy in the moment of feeling red dust hit my face and horns honking all the way to town. However, on the other side of the sheer joy there are moments of complete brokenness. Thoughts of why I was so blessed to be born in a county that has anything at my fingertips. I can literally pick up my phone, order food online and expect it delivered to my front door and hot within 25 mins. I live in a world where if the internet isn't fast enough I call and complain. If I want to watch a sad movie to cry, then I watch a sad movie and cry. Let's compare those things to the things I saw today: I had lunch delivered to where we were working, Moses (our awesome helper) had to go pick it up-- it took 2 hours and we had room temp water to drink. We had 12 people fighting over wifi about two hours ago, not really fighting but we figured out a system. I watched babies get jiggers pulled out of their feet with razor blades and safety pins while they wanted to cry they couldn't because they are "strong"-- of course there were some tears because some of the cases today had 80+

Tonight as I sit in the living room with dirty feet, a face covered in dirt, and clothes that smell I am grateful. Tonight as I hear bugs outside, music blaring from down the street and the bonfire smell coming through the windows, I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Tonight my heart is thankful for a team who loves a lot, who grew together fast and who is ready to serve tomorrow.