The End---Mount Elgon

Here is my last week and a half in Uganda…

Debrief: We stayed in a convent in Entebbe for debrief and spent a lot of time processing the semester and what it is going to be like adjusting back to life in the States. To be honest, I’m kind of nervous to see how the whole ‘reverse culture shock’ is going to effect me, or if it will effect me at all. It’s going to be a challenge, but I think I am more nervous about not experiencing any problems adjusting back. I’d like to think I’ve changed…and if I don’t feel that, I think it makes my semester a little less valid in my mind. I don’t know if that makes sense…but things are already starting to seem like fuzzy memories and that scares me more than anything!

While staying in the convent, I found a 4 in centipede, or millipede, or whatever in my bed…it was HUGE! Then the next night I found a lizard in there too. I’m a little nervous to see what might have crawled in my open suitcase while we were there…I guess we will find out soon! =) The entire city of Entebbe ran out of water for the week. How does that happen? It’s funny how things like that aren’t necessarily surprising anymore…just kind of funny.

Goodbyes were HARD! The last day everyone was here, some of our UCU friends came and visited us. We went to the zoo and beach (someone remind me to take my bilharzia medicine in 5 weeks) and then watched everyone drive away. That was the hardest part. Since I stayed to hike Mount Elgon, I was left behind. I didn’t realize the extent of how precious my community was this semester. Never have I spent 4 entire months with the same group of people day in and day out. I miss them already!

Okay now let me tell you about Mount Elgon. YIKES! Well, we hiked for 4 days in the cold rain and mud. Each night we got maybe two hours of sleep because we would wake up shaking we were so cold!! Each day I thought, “This is definitely the most miserable I’ve ever been in my whole life,” but then the next day would top the level of misery from the previous day. On the third day we reached the summit at 14,000 feet, and on the hike down it started ice raining when we had about 10 miles to go…we made it in like 3 hours! Okay but now you are probably thinking this was the worst experience of my life…it wasn’t! I can honestly say it was probably one of the most physically and emotionally challenging things I have ever done…but it was SO rewarding! To say the scenery was beautiful is an extreme understatement, and the community was really great too! I got so much joy out of sitting around the fire with the porters drinking tea and just hanging out with people. I am so so thankful for the experience, and even though our trails were rivers most of the time, it was definitely worth it. I will say though, I definitely wouldn’t do it during the rainy season again.

On the last day I had to hike down early because I was flying out that night. So Rachel and I hiked down with our guide. That was definitely the most miserable hike. It was a full body workout leaning on my bamboo stick and trying not to slide down the hills. All my toes have blisters the size of eyeballs on them. I’ve never walked more like an old woman in my whole life. Anyway, we reached the bottom by noon, then I jumped in the car with Vincent who drove me 5 hours to Mukono so I could shower for the first time in 5 days, and then I repacked and drove 2 ½ more hours to get to the airport, boarded a plane and flew to Amsterdam…ALL IN ONE DAY!! Boom. I’m pretty sure I’ve slept about 10 hours total in the past 5 days. I think I’m definitely pretty exhausted. While I’m writing this I’m on a plane somewhere between Amsterdam and Washington D.C.. One and a half airplanes down, 2 ½ to go. It’s such a weird feeling going home…or maybe it’s more weird not knowing when I’m going back to Uganda. One of the staff shared a quote with us…I’m not sure exactly how it goes, but it says something like “My heart will never fully be at home again, because home is in so many different places.” I should look up what it actually is…but I can definitely identify with what she was getting at. Have patience with me while I’m adjusting back. There’s a good chance I’ll be an emotional wreck…and a good chance I’ll be just fine. Just bear with me, please!

In conclusion to my semester, here are some bits and pieces of random thoughts and lessons learned…some being my own, and some stolen from other students who are better at articulating their thoughts than I am. This is where I’m at…

1. The past four months are no less real than the first 20 years of my life. To just write it off as a cool experience and memory seems almost disrespectful to the people who poured into me while being there. I need to find a way to integrate that community into my other communities as well.

2. Live IN the moment…emphasis on the IN. It’s about who you are IN it…not just who you are before or after.

3.Discomfort is where you grow. It’s when you’re terrified at the ledge with your hands on the rope swing when it’s make or break. JUMP! There is freedom.

4. Don’t worry about what’s next…live faithfully where you’re at, day to day.

5. Ordinary is okay.

See you all soon!