Top 'o the morning! Yesterday was amazing! I was installed as a pastor at a wonderful church. My hubby and youngest daughter created and performed a hilarious skit. Great pastors, wonderful friends, and two of my most esteemed professors were present. I was so honored! Afterwards we celebrated and were entertained by bagpipers and an Irish band. Ah..such a great day!
I'm part Irish, so the Celtic celebration reminded me of my Dad's family. He was the youngest of 14 children and he died this past year. When he was just three years old, his mother died of tuberculosis and his father, a manual laborer, injured his hand - making it hard to work. The children were visibly hungry and when my Dad's arm was broken, there was no treatment for the first week.
I imagine that life in rural parts of Uganda may be a bit like what my father experienced as a child: preventable illnesses taking the lives of loved ones; inadequate access to medical treatments; hunger; working hard just to get by; and yet, simple pleasures and moments of treasured joy.
In just over one month, I will be in northern Uganda, and I expect that my preconceptions will prove inaccurate. Through AidAfrica.net, I will be working alongside Ugandans attempting to reclaim and improve village conditions. I hope to learn and maybe, if I am lucky, be transformed. I fear that my pilgrimage outside of middle class America won't have a lasting effect on me.
My prayer is that God will allow me to get to know someone I work beside so that I may carry him or her in my heart.
Uganda and Ireland forever!
