Thank you, come again

I usually hate goodbyes. I usually try to protect myself from the inevitable sadness of goodbyes. I tried it and it didn’t work. The Lighthouse/SFBC team has left, and despite probably what they think, I am sad and really miss partnering with them at Good Shepherd’s Fold.

After dropping them off at the airport and heading back to GSF it was hard for me to return alone (well technically not alone because Katie, another missionary came with me) to GSF knowing that they weren’t there at GSF’s guesthouse or on the bus coming back with me.  

To console myself I went and did my nursing rounds and stole hugs and cuddles from the kids. THANKFULLY one baby was having a HARD day and wanted to be held and hugged!

I wrote and shared this on the team’s blog (I think they have yet to put it up...not sure) but I wanted to post my blog post here as well—so here’s a repeat:

It’s been a blessing having Amy Ho.  I am so thankful she came even when she knew it would be uncomfortable for her. She’s a trooper…even if she said she screamed when bugs and bats flew at her. Talking to her late into the night to verbal process (late as in 930pm) was a blessing and encouragement. It was a blessing seeing her teach my Sunday school class the Two Ways to Live and taking goofy pictures with them. It was a blessing seeing her take selfies with the kiddos and babies even when one had snot coming out of his nose. It was a blessing being with her even though she made me discontent because being around Amy made me crave Korean BBQ and sushi. She was like a walking piece of sushi or bulgolgi on legs (I don’t know why…)!

It’s been a blessing having Helen here.  I watched her (not in a creepy way) hold hands and love on Lily and Cathy (2 of our children with special needs) and they were so so happy. It was encouraging seeing her do last minute teaching with different Sunday school classes as well! It was also so refreshing seeing how Helen willingly immersed herself in the Ugandan culture (eating with her hands when she didn’t have to, wanting to try all different kinds of food and even talking with a slight Ugandan accent the other day (I heard it Helen when you were talking to some of the kids)! It was also really…interesting listening to her about her love for taxidermy.

It’s been a blessing having Charissa here.  It was a joy spending time with her even if it meant her riding on a boda with me in the rain into town (she gladly accompanied me to get more groceries).  She even tried to save our lives (or maybe hers...) by smashing the TseTse flies (aka VAMPIRE flies) in the car with her water bottle but instead she whacked me in the eye with the water bottle. It was encouraging to hear her preach the Gospel to my Sunday school class—making sure she articulated it well to help them understand the Gospel and look into their lives. But most of all it was a blessing having family and one of my closets friends here who was willing to serve and encourage me by listening to me share my crazy thoughts and stories anytime and lending me a listening ear as she bore some of my burdens and also bore bringing my 5lbs of salami from my parents and some chau siu bao and bolo bao!

It’s been a blessing having James here. It was encouraging to see him take time off of his summer plans to serve on this trip. It was encouraging seeing his willingness to serve in any way—when it meant joyfully enduring the toddlers saying “you talk like a woman” (FYI he DOESN’T talk like a woman) and when it meant sharing/preaching his first message to a room full of teachers he didn’t know (I would’ve been intimidated)!  It was also a blessing playing Speed with him….even though he won 5 times (in a row) but he was so gracious he tried to let me win once (until I realized he was holding back)! He’s a cool guy….the younger GSF girls think so too!

It’s been a blessing having Alton here. It was a blessing having Alton preach the Word of God to the missionaries during our Monday morning devotion, to the GSF men workers Tuesday morning (a missionary who was there told me what a great job Alton did), to the local pastors on Tuesday evening, to the missionaries on Wednesday evening, to the villagers on Wednesday morning, and to the local church Sunday school Sunday morning. Alton was constantly serving us by proclaiming the Word of God and I thank him for that. I was deeply encouraged by our Wednesday message on Isaiah 6:1-8 from Alton and I know all the other missionaries were refreshed and encouraged as well. It was also encouraging seeing Alton’s intentionality. His intentionality with sharing with our driver the gospel, his intentionality with talking with one of our older kids on our day out in town even when he could’ve done other things—that was a blessing. I’m glad he gave up milk tea and those HK cafes and chick fil-a for a week!

It’s been a blessing having Brian here. Like Alton, it was a blessing having Brian preach the Word of God to the local village church during Sunday service, to the GSF children during their Monday devotions, to the local pastors on Tuesday evening, the villagers on Wednesday morning. Like Alton, Brian was constantly on his toes preparing messages and encouraging us through the Word of God too! It was encouraging when a guard from GSF came up to me to tell me, “That young boy, that young boy can preach! I can listen to him preach every Sunday for a year!” (Guess they want you to stay!). It’s also been encouraging seeing the respect some of our GSF boys had for Brian (I could tell they adored him) and seeing Brian serve with these boys by playing worship on the drums with them during their house devotions. It’s also been a blessing seeing him lead the team here in Uganda in such an awesome God centered FLEXIBLE way and even in the midst of leading a team, encouraging me---even if it meant him telling me to “chill”. 

trying to carry brian

SO THANK YOU and COME AGAIN! The children LOVED LOVED the team and the missionaries were very thankful they came! 

You can read more about their trip on their TUMBLR here. I just wanted to share on here what a blessing they have been to me. They have been a blessing here at GSF. ALSO, thank you for all the goodies, supplies, encouragement, and LOVE. THANKS THANKS THANKS! (times a Million!)

Sorry! This was my September partial blog update! I’ll try to share more blessings and highlights from September soon!!