This blog is my best shot at explaining to you my last and final month of my radical, life changing Uganda experience.
As I typed up this blog, I was going through journal trying to figure out what I wanted to share with all of you. There are so many moments and stories that I wish I could go into full detail about, but there just aren’t enough words for me to explain all I witnessed and experienced while I was there.
At this point in my internship all of the YWAMers and short term teams had left and the only people on the Field of Dreams base were us six interns and the two long term missionaries. At first, it was weirdly quiet and lonely at Field of Dreams but after a while the “ghost-town” feel faded and we all found our routines again.
A few memorable moments are the day that Baby Gabriel came to our clinic and received treatment for malaria and severe malnourishment. Or the day that the Lord used me to lead 10+ village kids to everlasting life with the Lord. The day my Jaja Suddi got saved and felt the physical presence of God for the first time. And I can’t forget the day that I got to preach at Sentema Prison about how I was on a mission to love Jesus more so I could be more like him. With only a few weeks left in beautiful Uganda, us interns decided to take a mini vacation to Jijna where we were able to swim in the Nile River, eat good American food, and spend time away from the village resting and relaxing.
During this month I was able to solidify the relationships I developed while I was there. I spent so much time with Mama Florence and the family that I literally felt like my day wasn’t complete if I didn’t go visit them. I got to know a lot of the staff members and spent time with them just talking, hearing their testimonies and walking in the village with them. During this last and final month, I was also on the verge of a serious, life threatening heartbreak thinking about what my life would be like without this place and these people.
As I depart Uganda I think about all that I am leaving behind; all my dear friends, all the kids that yell my name in the village, all my students at Blessing school, those adorable village kids in Bakka, all those kids in our Say No To Hunger program and sweet little Sarah who I sponsor each month. When I think about all of the things I leave behind, it’s easy for me to find myself upset or in a state of momentary depression but then I realize that the Lord has just as many plans for me back home as He had for me here. As much as I’d love to stay in this place, I know it is just as important for me to go back to my American home and bring to the people of American what Jesus does for the people of Uganda.
On a journey to make Him famous,
Nakalema
The video below is a video I made of all my Ugandan moments caught on camera! Check it out if you have a few minutes.