Nearing the End

It’s a cruel truth that you don’t really appreciate a place until you leave it. I never loved California so much as when I moved to Boston. I always forget how unique Boston is until I leave for the summer. Likewise, as I think about leaving this place, the beauty of Gulu becomes more vivid; the people seem more friendly; and I look back on my experience here with rose-tinted glasses. I often forget that I'm living in Africa. Everything seems so normal. Thinking about visiting Africa as a child, I pictured a vastly different world that would be near impossible to live in. On the contrary, I feel I've been a bit spoiled. I've had access to the internet, good food to eat, a clean and safe house, and many new friends.

As I think about heading home, the question of 'adjusting back to 1st world culture' inevitably comes up. While definitely a valid concern and one that I've faced before, I believe I've grown accustomed to the transition. All the moving around that I've done has made me realize the similarities between us all as humans. It no longer feels like I’m stepping into a completely different world when I go to Africa or return to the US or travel elsewhere. It is merely a new experience in the continuous spectrum of humanity. I've been blessed to travel to many different countries and cultures. I have seen the best and I have seen the worst—figuratively speaking, of course. Sometimes what I expect to be the worst turns out to be the best and vice versa. I think we underrate ourselves and our ability to adapt. We often think 'If I don't have this or have to spend more than a week without that, I won't survive!' Melodramatic as it is, we sometimes genuinely feel that our happiness is tied to things and places. We don't realize that we were made much stronger than we realize. It isn't until we step out of our comfort zone that we realize the masterpiece that is us. Our Creator knew what He was doing. He doesn't make mistakes. We are "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14) He made us strong, flexible, and resilient. It's merely by exercising these qualities that we realize them in ourselves.

The past week was full of amazing experiences.

Believe it or not,
that's the moon.

I spent the night at the center on Tuesday. After we usually leave for the day, the girls get to work—drawing water from the well, bathing their children, and cleaning the grounds and their huts. After dinner, we came together for prayers, singing, and dancing. As the insects continued buzzing in the background, the girls lifted their beautiful voices to God. The drums played as the universe opened up above us. The glow worms (fireflies) flashed in the bushes, and the stars above were like nothing I've ever seen before. Absolute beauty. How could you not see God in this place? After a few songs, they brought out the callabash and began dancing. Even after a long day, they were full of energy and joy. Their feet never stop moving! I just sat there and took it all in, marveling at my Creator, who loves me enough to make stars and dance and fireflies for me to enjoy. He delights in His creation, and He delights in delighting us! In the morning, the girls brought me chapatti, hard-boiled eggs, and tea. Then I had the first hot shower since I've been here! Well… hot water in a bucket. But still, it felt incredible!

My hut room

Blessing, trying to read
my book

On Friday, I taught Contemporary at TAKS. Eric had asked me to teach some contemp or modern to his hip hop dancers, so I made an easy combo for them to have fun with. They were too good though! They picked up the choreography quickly and were eager to learn first position, chaînés  and rond de jambes. It felt amazing to dance again and even better to see the kids finding joy through dance as well. Most of the class was male, but that didn't matter. They tried to get the “feel” of the piece and didn't hold anything back. Immediately after class, they switched gears and began practicing their dance hall set.

I also started a new test this week that I will continue with the girls who have graduated the center on Friday. Again, usually computerized in the modern day, I used a block of wood, funnels, and clothes hangers to make this one (with the help of Gary). It's called the Tower of Hanoi, a century-old mathematical problem based on an ancient legend... and a convenient test of problem solving abilities. It can be quite difficult, depending on how many disks are used. Most of the staff even wanted to try, adding more disks when they mastered the previous level. I didn't have enough disks of different sizes, so Winnie poked a hole in a bottle cap to add to the challenge. You can try the online version here.

As I come to the end of my trip, my blog is also nearing an end. If you have any questions that you would like me to answer in my last couple posts, feel free to post them in the comments, FB message me, or email me.

Finally, I heard that some people are having trouble posting comments on my blog. If you would like to comment, click on the title of the blog if you’re on the home page, type your comment at the bottom, select ‘Anonymous’ if you don’t have one of the available IDs, and click ‘Publish’.