2020, a time of reflection

 

A time of reflection

To Gulu, 

As the year comes to a close, I find myself looking at my social media pages and comparing this year to last. I seem to be looking for the comparison between Uganda and Canadian life.

2019 was a life-changing adventure. 

I flew to Uganda and spent 10 months in Gulu, and a few weeks in Kampala. I dealt with culture-shock, climate adjustments and a few strange illnesses. I made friends who became family, met kids that I wanted to give a better life but couldn't. I heard stories about the civil war and awful things Kony has done to my friends and their families. My heart broke but then filled with what could only be God's joy. I saw hope in the children's eyes as I handed out sweets and stickers. There was a handful of outreaches and connecting with pastors and Children workers. I had the privilege to make multiple village visits and to share lots of laughter. 

Even writing this brings tears to my eyes. 2019 was the best and   worst year of my life. Somedays I would call my family in tears   wanting to come home, I was homesick and wanted to pack everything up. It wasn't that simple. 

In reflection, it was the worst year of my life because I felt defeated. I would walk down to a cafe, not far from the compound, and would observe grown men competing with stray dogs to find food for their children in the garbage piles. I saw children walking around with no clothes  because their family didn't make enough to give them both food   and clothes. I saw young girls leaving school early to care for their little brothers and sisters. It broke me. 

By the end of the year I learned to carry sweets and stickers in my bag to give to the children who were working hard, I would buy an extra african spice tea and a cookie to give the man I saw most days at that garbage pile. As I was on boda's or walking I would listen to worship music praying over everyone I saw. That feeling of defeat faded and I saw the joy through the children's eyes when I gave them a hug. I do wish I could do more, but that is not my calling, that someone else's. That gave me peace.

2020, a time of reflection.

In 2020, I had a lot of adjusting to do. The weather and time change would be the most obvious. I was jet-lagged for 2 weeks and then a massive cold for about a month as my body became Canadian again. My family helped me out with the big re-entry culture shock by taking me downtown, to the big malls and even just driving around town. I was so used to the Ugandan culture I was overwhelmed with Canadian social gatherings. Along with the culture shock, it was a lot of "firsts" that I am still having to this day! The first thing I did in the airport ( other than hugging my family), I got Starbucks. Last week I had McDonalds for the first time in almost 2 years... that was a mistake LOL!! Some other firsts was seeing a mosquito and having a thought of " did I take my anti-malarial today" then a quick, "right there is no malaria here."

With dealing with everything above, Covid-19 hit the world. I was 2 months of being back and just getting into a normal routine and Lockdown. I actually became so thankful.  I was going to stay in Uganda until April. That was the original plan - God had other plans and I came back early as some visa issues arose. I'm glad I did. 

Good things have come this year... I became a children's pastor at GateWay Community Church in Niagara On The Lake. I've been able to spend so much time with my baby nephew. I got to enjoy being outside in the summer and fall. I've enjoyed family time, seeing friends and learning more about myself. 

2019 was the year of growth and 2020 was the year of immeasurably more. When in the middle of this year I asked God why immeasurably more, and now I know. God has shown me that He can do immeasurably more in our lives if we let Him. For 2021 my word that God gave me is faith. 

I cannot wait to see what is in-store 

with Love, 

Shelre 

IG: shel_Prankard 

FB: To Gulu With Love