June 22, 2013 8:22pm
This morning we packed our bags, loaded the van, and headed into Jinja. The drive had some beautiful scenery. It also had some new glimpses into living conditions here. I saw people living on the 2nd floor of a building whose top (3rd) floor was completely collapsed on one side. I saw round huts as well as adults and children working fields, market stands, ditch clean-up, and all manner of other business. The trees were surprisingly tall. You know that classic silhouette of an African tree? I saw trees like that, and they were at least as tall as 3 story buildings, some closer to 5 stories I think. We saw fields of tea and fields of sugar cane stretched across the hillsides. As we crossed the bridge over the Nile, I even saw a crocodile swimming!
We finally arrived at Hesed after 3.5 hours of driving. The returning team members were clearly thrilled and relaxed upon arriving. I didn't honestly think it looked that thrilling on the outside. However, I saw the appeal when we got inside. The red brick-shaped tile floor, beige walls, white ceilings, dark wood on doors and windows, and simple wooden furniture reminded me of a lovely Mexican hacienda -- very homey and inviting with an elegant and comfortable simplicity.
We had lunch outside on the patio at a lovely Chinese restaurant before hitting the shops for souvenirs to take back home. At the end of this, I had a few extra minutes at an internet cafe, so I got to get on Facebook to update my status and into gmail to email Philip. He got on gmail chat as soon as he saw my email, so we got to exchange some lines before I had to leave with my team. I was teary-eyed as I left after having such a sweet connection to home, but I was reminded again of God's goodness when I realized He had provided this connection on the day I'd decided was the right day to go without opening a note from my loved ones (Family members had sent nearly a dozen notes with me to open while I was there, but I had to pick 1 day not to open a note.).
Back at Hesed, I had a good time of connecting and praying with my roommates here. It was an "off day" in terms of planned ministry work. However, it was by no means an "off day" in terms of seeing God work in and through the team. I am so thankful that God gives us good gifts like connection time and rest and that God doesn't take a break from His work in and through and for and among us. God is good all the time. All the time God is good.
This morning we packed our bags, loaded the van, and headed into Jinja. The drive had some beautiful scenery. It also had some new glimpses into living conditions here. I saw people living on the 2nd floor of a building whose top (3rd) floor was completely collapsed on one side. I saw round huts as well as adults and children working fields, market stands, ditch clean-up, and all manner of other business. The trees were surprisingly tall. You know that classic silhouette of an African tree? I saw trees like that, and they were at least as tall as 3 story buildings, some closer to 5 stories I think. We saw fields of tea and fields of sugar cane stretched across the hillsides. As we crossed the bridge over the Nile, I even saw a crocodile swimming!
We finally arrived at Hesed after 3.5 hours of driving. The returning team members were clearly thrilled and relaxed upon arriving. I didn't honestly think it looked that thrilling on the outside. However, I saw the appeal when we got inside. The red brick-shaped tile floor, beige walls, white ceilings, dark wood on doors and windows, and simple wooden furniture reminded me of a lovely Mexican hacienda -- very homey and inviting with an elegant and comfortable simplicity.
We had lunch outside on the patio at a lovely Chinese restaurant before hitting the shops for souvenirs to take back home. At the end of this, I had a few extra minutes at an internet cafe, so I got to get on Facebook to update my status and into gmail to email Philip. He got on gmail chat as soon as he saw my email, so we got to exchange some lines before I had to leave with my team. I was teary-eyed as I left after having such a sweet connection to home, but I was reminded again of God's goodness when I realized He had provided this connection on the day I'd decided was the right day to go without opening a note from my loved ones (Family members had sent nearly a dozen notes with me to open while I was there, but I had to pick 1 day not to open a note.). 
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