My goodness, what is there to say after such an incredible 3 month journey? We left Karamoja 4 days ago, and I don't think it has quite sunk in for me yet. We've been pretty busy...a game drive with giraffes and elephants, boating on the Nile seeing crocs and hippos. Made it to the city of Kampala..buying souvenirs, getting ready to return to US. But when I lay down at night, there are faces stuck in my mind, in my heart. It's my new African grandmother, Tataa. I wonder if she's had any food today. It's the sweet child, Nachuke, from the village. I'm wondering if anyone has loved on her today, given her hugs and kisses. Dangit, even as I'm writing this my heart is breaking. It's the faces and voices of my new friends yelling, "Nanya", my Karamajong name, as I walk through the village. It's even those stubborn children that sometimes I'd want to spank, and probably would if I could catch them!
You see, I didn't really know what I was getting myself into in going to Karamoja. I didn't know they were a culture of beggars, aggressive and demanding. But the Lord just gave me a love for the people. I know it's from the Lord because the love supply from within myself ran short a long time ago. He renewed it within me day by day, and even moment by moment at times. I didn't know it would be so hard. And now, i never thought it would be so hard to leave.
But now it is time for me to head back to ole Louisiana for a season. I don't know where I'll work, or even live for that matter. Home to meet babies that have been born, to congratulate friends who've gotten engaged and married.Home to hug my family and prove to them that I'm still alive, haha. But I know there is not a day that will go by that I will not be thinking of Karamoja.
"I'll come back when he calls me, no need to say good-bye." -Regina Spector
