I Could Write a Book, Part 1

The past six weeks or so have been something like a roller coaster ride - with ups and downs and throttling forward at full speed!

There have been times of mourning, sadness and deep loss; times of peace, refreshment, and fellowship; times of joyous occasions and fun adventures; periods of fast-paced activity and then a gentle, slower amble of life.

I am not sure how so much got packed into these past weeks, but it is only by God's grace that I've come out the other side, with joy and gratitude.

Saying Goodbye

There are just some people who you assume will be there, well, forever. I dearly love the secondary teachers whom I serve alongside and am blessed to call friends. Our secondary English teacher, Mr. Beyanga, better known as "Professor" was no exception. After a battle with cancer, he left this earth for his heavenly home on June 20.

I have fond memories of Professor. Interestingly enough, we first arrived on the island about the same time - fall 2006, though I really don't remember him at that point. Our friendship officially kicked off when I returned to Uganda in January 2010.

The oldest and most experienced of our teachers, he had a wealth of knowledge from a full life, as well as knowledge gained from reading many, many books. He enjoyed long conversations, telling stories, and having a good laugh. Inevitably if I heard laughter from a classroom, I knew Professor was teaching a lesson by telling a good yarn.

The day after his death, I found myself with about 30 others from the islands, on a small bus for an eight-hour journey to the very southwestern portion of Uganda, near Kabale. After traveling through the night, we arrived at about 6 a.m. in a mountains area draped in thick fog and chilly temperatures. I realized we weren't in Kansas the island anymore.

The forests, rolling hills and fog of Kabale, western Uganda. (Reminded me of the Pacific Northwest.)

We were graciously hosted and given hot tea and food for breakfast. Various ones from the islands assisted the family as they prepared for the afternoon's burial - to take place in a nearby banana plantation. As we waited some of us ventured a few kilometers away to Katuna, a town which borders Rwanda. With permission, and after being checked for Ebola, we walked across the small river which separates the two countries. It was my first time to step foot on Rwandan soil since on all other previous visits I was confined to an airplane.

"Welcome to the Republic of Rwanda" - the border between Uganda and Rwanda.

Yes, there are four people in the front of this car which took us to the border, including two in the driver's seat, a total of 8 of us in a small sedan. :)

Our tour guide treated us to sodas after taking us across the border. What a sign of hospitality! (From left, me, Teacher Fred, Headmaster Okello, Pastor Robert, Teacher Menya, SHIM Base Manager Richard, Boat Pilot Lubega, Builder Richard, and a new friend. :)

The small river that separates southwest Uganda and Rwanda

Once the simple outdoor burial service began, I was so thankful for the island contingency. Professor had not been back in his home area for many years and aside from close family, few in the community actually knew him. We were able to speak of his 9 years on the island and the blessing he had been to the the school, church and community.

The funeral service for Professor, Mr. Beyanga. Headmaster Okello is shown at left giving remarks, with Teacher Menya standing next to him. Teacher Fred is shown taking photos.

After the service and quickly eating lunch we boarded our bus again around 5 p.m. and headed home, arriving in Jinja about 1:30 a.m.

I know I am not alone in that I don't "enjoy" attending funerals (who does?), but honoring a great man and his legacy, as well as visiting his homeland was important for us, his family and his communities.

Professor having fun with Sarah, one of last year's seniors. 

Farewell, Professor, we will meet again one day.

More to come about the past week's adventures...

Preparing to Say Goodbye

This evening's sunset. Just think - without the sunsets today we would have no sunrises tomorrow.

When I volunteered to teach at the island school four years ago, I didn't count on something.

Having to say goodbye. When I was younger, I hated change and I hated goodbyes. I have changed some since then, but they're still not my favorites. Why should a good thing come to an end?

Now, as the secondary school enters its third term and the days march toward the end of another year, our graduating class has reached the beginning of the end of their studies here. Today they started their final exams and by early November, they will have finished and will begin leaving the school.

Many of these graduates joined the school four years ago, as I was starting my second year of teaching and serving on the island. I have watched them grow and feel as if I have grown with them. They are no longer the small boys and girls of 2011 - they have become beautiful, handsome, smart and wise young men and women.

Because of the nature of the islands and how far away the students' homes are, it is unlikely I will see many of them again. I will have to rely on an occasional phone call to hear about how they are doing.

It is hard to let go. I didn't bargain for this as a teacher, a mentor, and as a friend.

Separation has been a hard lesson for me while here in Uganda. But lessons are for learning and God has taught me that this world is truly not my home, and He is preparing a much better place for His dear children.

That special place, better known as Heaven, will be a place free of separation. No more goodbyes, farewells, or "see you laters." Sometimes my heart aches for that time and that place. And, with the more goodbyes I have to say the ache seems to deepen.

In the meantime, part of my heart goes with each of these amazing students. I wish I had more time with them, but I am thankful for the time God gave me, and I hope that someday we will have all of the time, not in the world, but in eternity.

Would you join me in praying for these young men and women as they do their exams? I really want God's grace, courage and peace to be upon them. Thank you.

Some of the amazing young people I get to work with! Back row, from left: Zaitun, Suzan, Celestine, Benjamin, Michael, Dick; front row, Petra, Scovia, Derick and Joshua. (I usually tell them to smile, so am not sure why they are so serious here.) Celestine, Benjamin, Petra, Derick and Joshua are among this year's "graduates."

Lovin' Lingira Living Hope

This afternoon as I walked through the grounds of our island secondary school, I felt as if in a ghost town. The classrooms and dorms were virtually empty, the noise of chattering voices had ceased, and the familiar sight of students dressed in blue and white uniforms had vanished.

Just a short time before I had waved goodbye to the last boatload of students, who were headed home for the holiday - to an island about four hours further into the lake.

Lingira Living Hope's recently-completed classroom block

Friday marked the end of the first term of 2011 for Lingira Living Hope Secondary School. And, I miss the students already. I said and heard "I will miss you" many times during the last few days. And, it is with bittersweet sadness that I think about leaving the island in little more than a week.

The two and half months of this term have been some of the busiest and most challenging during my 15 months in Uganda, but those weeks have also been among the most fulfilling for me. God has grown and deepened my love for the school and the students during this time. I have so enjoyed these young people as I have taught computer classes, led Bible studies with the girls, smiled proudly as I watched them perform in the choir and lead in praise and worship, chatted after classes and had meaningful one-on-one conversations with different ones.

A few of the Lingira Living Hope girls, from left, Christine, Marion, Rose, Anna and Esther

God has given me a passion for young people and I feel so blessed and privileged to be working with the school and the students here.

The school is improving as new buildings are going up and the enrollment increases. But, it is the students who really bring life to Lingira Living Hope. They contribute so much to the school, to Shepherd's Heart, to the church, to the community and to this island. And, that is so obvious when they go on holiday (breaks between terms) and the campus is quiet and empty.

I wholeheartedly believe that these young men and women are the future of this island and the communities throughout Uganda from which they come. I also believe God will use them in a mighty way to fulfill the school's mission of "Hope for Transformation," through Christ, our "Living Hope."

I will miss the students very much, but I look forward to when we meet again.

Morning Star ladies after our last gathering of the term

Saying Farewell from Afar

I don't remember how I met Carol, but I know it was some years back, most likely as my family volunteered at the library or the senior center, or participated in community events and gatherings. I do know that Carol was one of those people that once you met, she never forgot you, and you never forgot her.

Whenever she happened to see me or my mom, she always took the time to ask about us, what we were doing, how we were, etc. It was if we were the most important people to her at that moment. Even after I left for Uganda, Carol faithfully asked about me, as well as my sister Leah, who has been away from home for several years.

My mom told me of Carol's declining health in December and how she had to leave her hometown of Clatskanie, to be cared for by family elsewhere. I was surprised and saddened to hear this news as Carol seemed full of life and the near picture of health the last time I saw her. But, that was more than a year ago.

Because mail is so sporadic here, all of what I send to the states I ask folks going back to the U.S. to carry with them and mail from there. A missionary friend left here on Jan. 18th, and with her three cards, one of which was for Carol.

The card arrived Jan. 24th, the day Carol died. She never had the chance to read it. But, her daughter mentioned its arrival when she hugged my mom at Carol's memorial service last Friday. I hope that its message was a blessing to the family as I spoke of what a blessing Carol had been to me. It was as if I was saying goodbye as I wrote the card, though I hoped I would see Carol again.

I had similar feelings when, Jerry, a dear lady from church was promoted to heaven last May. I loved Jerry's ever-ready hugs, smiles, encouragement and humor that greeted me each Sunday morning and whenever else we happened to meet. She was one of my faithful cheerleaders as I prepared for Uganda. When I learned Jerry was in hospice, I sent an e-mail message hoping it would be read to her. I am not sure she ever heard it.

I had only known Jerry for a few years and she wasn't someone I always chatted with, but she was someone I always imagined would be there. I thought the same of Carol, too.

It is hard to think of going home and not seeing these two precious women around town and at church.

I asked my hometown newspaper to send me Carol's obituary, which was a beautifully-written tribute to a beautiful woman. Carol was not known for being famous or exceptionally talented. She was known for her care, her ever-present interest in others, and her love for friends and family. I can only imagine that the church was packed for her service - filled with people who had been touched by Carol and her care.

Here is a portion of her obituary:

"Carol not only enjoyed a career in nursing, but carried the ‘caregiver' personality into everything she did and to everyone she met. She had a sharp eye for the needs of others and could make anyone she met feel at ease and important...Family and friends were everything to her.

"She was a mother who combined great strength along with warmth and compassion. She raised five boys and one girl - all of whom adored her and counted their blessings regularly for being born to her. Her favorite saying was, 'If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.' She not only quoted it, but lived by it.

"She also lived her faith and relied upon her Christian belief to get her over the speed bumps in life as well as to celebrate the many joys. Carol may not have been rich or famous, and she lived what could be seen as an ordinary life, but in a very extraordinary way. She has touched all those who had the good fortune to know her. She had a true zest for life and she will be missed greatly."

I have learned that one of the drawbacks of living halfway around the world is the inability to quickly be at home when dear ones like Carol and Jerry pass away. It is hard to say goodbye from afar.

Even as I do miss these women, I am so thankful that they were a part of my life, and I benefitted by their love, care and examples.

In tough times like these, I look to Jesus, whose presence is not hindered by time or distance. I wrap myself in His comfort and pray the same for those closest to those who say goodbye to this life.