THE SPECIAL JOY OF RETURNING

Home always looks good after being away, even though the body wants to rebel against frigid January temps and the need for bulky, warm clothes.  Sunshine, amazing experiences and new sights are logged along with the 24+hours it took to return from Africa.  I’ll admit that I welcomed hot showers from an overhead source, my own bed and pillow (!), complete bathroom niceties and accessible food in my own refrig—even though I rarely thought about them while away.  Driving my car over mostly smooth roads (no spring thaw yet) with predictable road-rules is always a pleasure after entrusting my life to good drivers, albeit on scary roads.  Kampala, Uganda is the worst with more people, bota-bota taxis (motor bikes), and cars cramming the roads than you’d think possible.  I’ll miss our gracious hosts in remote villages, the curious and clamoring children, the local cuisine and waking up to unique birdcalls.

Yesterday at church the contrast was stark.  The furnace boiler in our old church building gave up just before the service began so we were reminded to keep our coats on and sit close together.  Last week we were seated on wood benches in a thatched roofed church with open space above the walls and some small openings for ventilation.  In 90-degree heat we were amazingly cool as we watch eager adults in a literacy class followed by a drama about the importance of being able to read. 

I thank God not only for chances to leave for far away places but also the special joy of returning. 

Thatched Roof Church - Uganda