Familiar Faces, Familiar Places

Greetings from Uganda! We arrived safely here on Wednesday evening and had a happy and boisterous reunion at the airport. Stephen, one of our St. Kizito staff/family, as well as Sr. Rosemary and her sister were there to welcome us with flowers, open arms, and lots of hugs and joyful noises! We’ve been here only a few days, but it seems as if we have already done so much – it has been a very busy schedule so far. In order to catch up, I am writing several short blogs rather than one overly long one. Please look through them all. In a short time, there is much to tell.
It is amazing just how much this country feels like home away from home. Not that it is anything like Ohio! And there are so many things that are just so different and so very critical (like not sticking your toothbrush under the faucet instinctively….). Still, it feels so very familiar, and it is easy to fall into the rhythm of life here. The unique smell of Uganda (not a bad odor, but different); the tastes of foods that are fresher, simpler, but still good; walking nearly everywhere and the always frightening boda boda rides (motorcycle taxis).
Most important, though, are the familiar faces. It is an amazing blessing to have good friends here, on the opposite side of the world from our home. It makes the world truly feel small, yet so big because we can’t connect the two “homes” and bring everyone together. Our many friends – family really – send their greetings and love to all of you, as well as their gratitude for sharing us.
And it is really these friends who make the ministry of the St. Kizito Foundation so strong. We have often said that the people of Uganda are wonderful, amazing, loving, welcoming, resilient and joyful. But I will say it again because it stands out boldly again as we spend time with our St. Kizito scholars and friends here in Uganda. Today we had a celebration with many of our students – but I will tell you more about that later. This evening, we had a wonderful Chinese meal (go figure) with Stephen and two long-time students who have become more like a son and a daughter. Henry is a quiet, crafty, and very endearing young man who had us roaring with laughter most of the evening. And Teddy is a very poised, intelligent, expressive and loving young woman who brings joy wherever she is. And of course Stephen is a former student who now administers the southern region of Uganda for St. Kizito. He is very intelligent as well, and very organized – he is most helpful in making things happen and getting us where we need or want to go, but he can also be just a big kid when we are relaxing and having fun.
Even more amazing are the familiar faces that we don’t really know. It seems that Ugandans really remember people well. Everywhere we go there are people who remember us and are very happy to see us again. It is really something special – or more accurately the people really, truly are special. It is good to be in Uganda.