"Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown". I would say I have taken the biggest step of my life. This adventure has been indescribable, though I have tried to explain some of it to you here. Living in Africa have been the most difficult, frustrating, rewarding, amazing time of my life. The people I have met, daily activities, roadblocks, and my own reflections have taught me so much. I have definitely taken a huge risk and because of that, I believe I have grown immensely. Many of you will want me to tell you what the best part of my last 3 months have been. I simply cannot answer what the best part is. How can I possibly pick "the best" part of a life-changing experience? I will share with you though, just a few of the most memorable times: making friendships with some of the girls- being able to joke around and laugh with them, teaching the children songs, holding a child in my arms, going on the safari, sitting on the veranda surrounded by children at sunset with the welcoming cool breeze after a stifling hot day. You will notice that most of them involve the children. Thus, I think it is fitting to share a quote that sums up my time with them: "The soul is healed by being with children". One little girl expecially, named Patience, has completely captured my heart. When I look into her big, deep brown eyes, it is so hard to think of leaving. If I could, I would take her back with me in a heartbeat.
In addition to the good, happy times, I have also come to know a world that includes lots of suffering. I have learned that there is a lot of suffering, war, and poverty in the world. At times, it is hard to think about going back to my life, knowing that I am leaving all of it behind to be surrounded be my comfortable, cushioned life. I have seen that the world is full of need and it feel like there will always be more. It makes me think of another quote from the missionary Amy Carmichael: "Missionary work is a grain of sand, the work untouched is a pyramid". ChildVoice International is doing so much and has impacted so many lives, but there are so many more in Gulu, in Uganda, in Africa, in the world. Knowing this makes me torn between feeling helpless and wanting to do more.
I want to just thank you for all your thoughts and prayers and I hope you have enjoyed reading my random thoughts in this blog. If I have inspired you at all by introducing to you a new group of people and my new friends in Uganda, I ask for your continual prayers for them. If you would also like, please ask me how you can help with the scholarship fund. as I plan to make this a part of my life. Now, with this adventure coming to an end, I would like to challenge you, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one and precious life?"- Mary Oliver.
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