Hi all,
I know I know and I'm sorry. I should have posted before now. Just in case any of you don't know I made it home safely and had a great Christmas with my family.
It is very difficult to try to keep you updated once I get home because I find it hard to put into words. I've been trying to for weeks but can't really explain it; the joy and sorrow of coming home. I am so glad to be spending time with my family and in a lot of ways being in the states is comfortable and easy. I can take hot showers with running water, I can eat whenever I want and whatever I want, I can drive myself places, I can set the temperature to what I like, I have a bed to sleep on, and I can entertain myself however I choose.
The problem is that although I can do all this I can't do it blissfully. I have spent enough time in other countries and cultures that I know things now because I've seen them. I know that so many kids not only don't have running water they don't even have clean water and if they do so many don't know that they need to wash every day. I've seen them covered in scabies and open running sores because of that. I've washed them. I know that there are kids who get one meal a day...of tea. I've seen them so malnourished I could count the bones showing through their skin. I've held them. I know there are people who walk for miles and miles in the hopes of getting medical care. I've seen them lined up waiting patiently for their turn. I've walked with them. I know there are people who don't have adequate protection from the elements. I've seen their homes. I've sat shivering with them. I know there are orphans who have no beds or blankets. I've seen the cement floors they share. I've played games with them. I know there are teens who have such limited options they will have sex, get pregnant, contract HIV, join gangs, and get sent to prison because of boredom. I've seen teens who've done this. I've talked with them.
So as I hope you can see it is a difficult blessing; having double vision. I do however know that everything my Lord has shown me He will use. The passion He has placed in me would not be complete if I hadn't seen what I've seen. I look forward to His continued teaching. And now I'll be seeing you guys!
Isimbi Johanna
