Last day in Gulu

November 1, 2009

Today was the last full day for me in Gulu. Breakfast at Larem sounded like a great idea, so once we were all up and around, the girls and I headed there. We were later joined by Sean and Jared, and had a great breakfast. We talked a bit about the Halloween party the night before and asked the guys what they had thought. “We were going for ‘epic,’ how do you think we did?” “There is a word beyond epic...” YES!!! That made it all worth it! The hair dye came out very easily, actually. Though a few remnants are still there, over all, it came out. 

Packing was a difficult thing to do. I find that I really try to find everything else possible to do, instead of packing. I hate leaving, is what I’ve realized. I love the adventure of arriving, but hate the pain of leaving, and since I equate packing with leaving, I hate packing. So after about a half an hour of it, Alli and I went to the pool. Yes, there is a pool in Gulu! Only one, and its small, but sometimes its worth the 7000 UGX entry fee. Just sitting by the pool, reading, and conversing with friends was a perfect way for me to spend my Sunday afternoon. I don’t think I could have thought of a better way to spend the afternoon, actually. 

As a final dinner we all went to the Ethiopian restaurant. Its one of my favorite places in Gulu, and I’ll miss it a lot. The company was a blessing, also. Being there made me realize just how much I’d miss that community of people. There has been a really great group of people I’ve been able to get to know here in Gulu, and we all get along as we all have a common heart link. We all are in Africa, want to be here, and want to serve here. Though I have wonderful friends and a beautiful family in Oregon, not all of our lives are after the same things. Passions are different. Which is not bad, but there is something about being within a group of people who all share the same passion that is freeing and incredible. It makes it easy to feel at home here and that much more difficult to leave. Yet, I believe that home can be found when I chase after God’s heart. Though my geographic location may change, as I seek God’s heart, there I’m at home. It is hard to be here because the color of my skin gets me different treatment than is normal, but I still love being here. I don’t enjoy the preferential treatment. I’m not any different than the local people. And I hate being treated as though I am.

When we left Ethiopian, the girls and I headed home and met Eric on the way. He wanted to say goodbye and even sang to me. He is great! I said my last ‘good night girls’ tonight, and then tried to sleep. At 1:20 am, I am still awake and should be sleeping. I’m getting up in something like 4 hours to board a bus for Kampala. For some reason, the night before going anywhere, I can never sleep. I suppose maybe its the excitement of what is coming that inhibits me? Or maybe trying to remember everything, I’m not sure.

I’ll board the Post Bus in a few hours and make my way out of Gulu, and to Kampala. And as I contemplate leaving, there is sadness. Once again I find myself leaving a place that has ministered to me in more than one way, and I find myself reflecting on the time spent. All of the hardship or trials pass away in this time as I remember the fun, joy and growth that occurred. Its not easy, but its a blessing, nonetheless.