Belonging

As we prepared to visit Uganda last month many people asked what I was looking forward to experiencing while there. With curiosity some asked which unique-to-Uganda food I hoped to eat. Some wondered if my strongest desire was to be in “my” house again, soaking up the sense of home. Some asked who I was looking forward to visiting. Others wanted to know what I hoped Acacia and Kevin would experience while there.

Before we boarded the airplane I offered each person who asked definitive answers to their questions. But, as I sat in the Easter Sunday church gathering in Uganda a profound sense of why I had looked forward to being at New Hope Uganda washed over me, filling me with warmth and tears. 

As I sat near others whom I loved and lived with for 13 years I realized I belonged. Truly belonged. My friends at New Hope Uganda know me. We’ve walked together through joyful and distressing times! We understand each other’s heart’s desires. The culture in which we lived and moved and “had our being” for the past many years is familiar. The people we served alongside treasure and value a future for children and staff of the ministry and our foci converge in what should be done to bring Jesus Christ to the forefront of lives and ministry. 

Belonging. A sense of being understood, valued, loved, and accepted. We never outgrow these desires though how we understand and process what each one means to us changes over time.

I’m thankful for the belonging I’ve been privileged to experience due to the years we’ve spent living and working with dear friends. It is not my “home culture”, but it is where I feel at home. 

For my family and friends in the U.S. it may be difficult to understand how I can feel at home in a “foreign” place. Even I wonder how to explain it. The sharing of daily life and walking together through both positive and negative aspects of life over the course of many years, forges a deeply felt connection. My sense of belonging there doesn’t negate my love and appreciation for those in my life who are not involved with New hope Uganda.

When I was young my family moved often, and not just to different houses, but to different states and multiple cities within states. I always wondered what it would have been like to have grown up in one place with the same people through many years. 

Some of what we experienced at New Hope Uganda satisfies such a longing. We arrived to work with the ministry when our children were ages 2, 3, and 4. We were young and as we advanced through the stages of life from “toddlerdom” to high school graduates we did so alongside friends who saw our flaws, celebrated our victories, cried with us through loss, and encouraged us in multiple ways. 

Knowing that we are soon entering the next stage of life in which our kids are moving into their own adult transition was highlighted strongly while we were on the ground at New Hope Uganda last month. Many of their friends have also “moved on” or are soon to be off-site, away from their family homes pursuing what God has next for them. In being present with our long-time friends we were thankful to have the opportunity to again feel at home at a time when so much is in flux.

We don’t know what exactly the future holds, but we know that our hearts will forever be intertwined with those of New Hope Uganda with whom we have shared life at different points throughout these past 15 years.

We are grateful to God for the richness of relationship we enjoy. We are grateful for memories of iron sharpening iron, treasured interactions, the value and reward of deep, enduring friendships, and we hold in our hearts the hope of future in-person visits. 

These are but a few of the dear people we had the privilege to see and share smiles with!

Grand babies of the New Hope Uganda family!!

Kevin enjoys his many friends of David Family

Our first neighbors and dear friends

 

A sweet newly married couple who are dear to our hearts

The joy of seeing a young man who lives honorably

A quick impromptu visit on the veranda with a dear young man who is also Toby's best friend

Our sweet Ugandan family

Lunch in the city at my favorite restaurant, with Sam and Nabukeera

A tradition--special visit with the Katabazi clan

With my friend whom I've known for 28 years

Geoff and the young man whose wedding we attended in Oct 2019. He is now a vital leader in the New Hope Uganda community.

The sweet and simple smiles of Kakande!

While we got our Covid test one of the daughters of the ministry, who now works as a nurse in Kampala, happened to see us when she arrived at the clinic on official business. She made sure she greeted us once her tasks were complete.

Our first lunch in Uganda was spent with special friends who traveled across town especially to see us.

While in the grocery store I heard my name called! It was my long time friend whom I had wanted to see, but didn't think I would get to. God makes great things happen!

One of my very favorite people in the whole world!

Tea time with friends who work at Musana Camps. We also didn't think we would get to see them, but God worked it out.

Fun times with the parents of David Family

A young girl from David Family stopped by for 5 minutes on her way by.

Two young men who grew up in David Family. They blessed us by going out of their way to see us.

Acacia's best friend whom we were able to see, even though she is far away in nursing school these days.

Jackfruit is a truly social snack!!!

Another dear staff member who surprised us with a visit one afternoon!

I sought out this dear lady. She is a treasure to me, and a business woman in the community who blesses many with her well-reared chickens!!!

Geoff and Sam!

These two were just walking by our house and we squeezed in a hug!

At David Family there are always new people to love on. We receive a warm welcome, even though these girls had not been a part of the family when we left in 2019.

Our three kids!!!!!