Sunburned & Sweating

Three almost over the weight limit suitcases. One stamped passport. One shrimp po-boy. Three precious friends to hug before boarding. Three plane rides. Four disastrous meals on board. An entire row on the plane just for me from Belgium to Uganda. Four movies to watch on the way over. One unexpected hour delay in Rwanda. Three almost over the weight limit bags to find at baggage claim. Three friends with open arms to welcome me home. One crazy tired traveler. And just like that I’m back in Uganda.

These few days of transition have felt warmly familiar. There were plenty of hugs waiting for me when I arrived at Christopher House Friday morning. And soon after that we got right to work, preparing for our first classes which began Tuesday, June 2. At least four classes out of the ten schools are new to me. Preparing and planning for new students is always an exhausting and yet exciting task. My prayer is that these students, like our other school groups, will find Christopher House to be a safe place to explore their talents, to build their self esteem and to be spiritually formed.

Settling in has been somewhat of a challenge. While I feel so at home here, I’m also feeling anxious to unpack in my new apartment. I’m still living out of suitcases until my apartment is ready for me—we’re hoping it will be done in a week. I think it lacks a toilet and a bathroom sink. Still, the place is so much more than I imagined. I am so excited about having a space to call home and a place to offer hospitality to visitors and friends. As soon as I move in and get things put in their places I’ll be sure to take pictures for you.

While I don’t start teaching at the International School of Missions until September, I did have a chance to pop in and say hello to several of the pastors during their break time on Tuesday. Two of the pastors asked in advance that I be patient with their limited English. Because they are from the Congo, they primarily speak French. I made an attempt to spout out whatever French I could remember from the French Candlestick character in Beauty and the Beast. It was pathetic. Still, I couldn’t help but to get excited about the work ahead and the wisdom I will learn from the faithful work these pastors do in their parishes. Of course, they insist that it is I who holds the wisdom—little do they know I’m faking it until I make it. Shh! Let’s keep that to ourselves.

Ok, I’ve got to run. Cooking dinner tonight with friends and creating a few more lesson plans with my co-teacher Sylivia before the week gets too busy.
You’ll definitely hear more from me soon.
Love from UG,
Namubiru Alisha