What Uganda taught me...

I know that I have been silent since my last post on December 22, 2020. I had planned to post about the party we had on the 23rd of December and Christmas Day but never got around to it. I arrived back home on January 4, 2021. It felt good to be back home! I wasn't ready for the cold weather though! lol I have been getting back into the swing of online classes and Massage Therapy as well as looking for a nursing job.

I would say that Uganda was an adventurous, challenging, wonderful, thrilling trip! One that I will forever remember and cherish. Looking back over my time in Uganda, it is hard to believe that it actually happened! But I have pictures, souvenirs, and new friends to confirm that it indeed happened. :)

When I was getting ready for my trip to Uganda, I wondered if it was really a good idea to go at that time because I had been dealing with a lot of anxiety and I knew that such a trip would cause some anxiety (especially because I was undertaking the adventure mainly by myself). Now on the end side of the trip, I realize that it was just what I needed for my anxiety! Okay, it was definitely not easy and there were some really difficult moments that I had to work through, but nevertheless, it turned out to be such a blessing. In other words, Uganda taught me how to be less anxious and less clingy of those closest to me.

I think one of the hardest things about being in Uganda was seeing all the needs of the people and having such a desire to help them all but the inability to do so! It made me appreciate what I have more and realize how blessed I really am! Furthermore, I learned more deeply what it means to be content with such things as I have because there are many people who go without a lot of things I am blessed to have. We are so rich in the United States, we have so much to be thankful for!

The simple life is a blessed life. We don't need much to be happy, healthy, and safe but yet we like to keep adding things to our lives that so many others go without. Therefore, Uganda taught me how to live a simpler life even more so. I already had a giving heart before going to Uganda, but being in Uganda, surrounded by such a need, I have become more conscious of the importance of sharing what God has blessed me with and not worrying so much about what tomorrow holds.

I know that my trip to Uganda taught me way more things then I could possibly articulate into words. I am thankful for all the support, encouragement, and prayers that you gave to me while I was in Uganda. I must admit, this trip was not easy. I know that if it wasn't for the OurGanda team, it would had been much harder. It was a good growing experience for me and I am so thankful that God carried me to and from the beautiful Pearl of Africa!

Left to right: Malikewa (nurse), Oscar (clinical officer), Joseph, (driver), me (nurse), Frank (nurse), Jocelyn (midwife), Vincent (clinical officer and coordinator for OurGanda), Judith (midwife), Joe (driver), and Doreen (clinical officer). Benard (OurGanda accountant), Doreen's husband who is not present.

Always a fun group to be around!

In closing for now, I want to share some pictures from the party on December 23, 2020. :) On a later post, I will share pictures of the events on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Even though I am not in Uganda anymore, there are still more pictures and experiences I hope to share.

It was at a lovely garden that I didn't know even was there until we arrived!

Jocelyn (OurGanda midwife) and her husband...

Me and Brenda...

Me and Frank (OurGanda Nurse)...he was such a help and blessing to me!

Some children fascinated by the Muzungu (it means "a white") woman. :D

Waiting for the food to arrive...

Two hours later...Oh yes, another thing I learned while in Uganda was to be even more flexible than I already was. Just let things flow as they will!

Joe (OurGanda driver) enjoying his food.

Oscar (OurGanda clinical officers).

There was always lots of laughter! Here Joe has emptied the plastic water bottle to pour his coke into it. Everyone had a good laugh...lol

Me and Oscar...He was a blessing to me, especially when I had Malaria...Always checking in on me to make sure I was taking my medications and that I was okay.

I definitely would not had made it as well as I did without these two! The whole team was great but Joe and Frank took it upon themselves to makes sure that I was okay, took me places I needed to go, and reminded me to eat, even if I didn't want to!

All of us together! Some were missing though--Doreen, Joseph, Judith, Malikewa, and Joe's wife and son.

"Day is dying in the west."