525,600 minutes

...since I was on Ugandan soil. Or there about since I have no idea how to work out the time difference. Can it really have been a year already? The memories are still so fresh and vivid that it seems impossible to have been that long ago. The other week I had the opportunity to speak to my parents' small group about the trip and about the overall mission of PMI (www.palmettomedical.org). Having the chance to talk to anyone about the trip brings back a flood of memories and looking through the pictures and journal entries were a bittersweet journey. I felt overwhelmed with sadness seeing little Davis who is now looking down on us from heaven. Or the pictures of mothers whose desperation for their family seeps from their very being. Its the looks on the faces of children who didnt know to smile for a picture and sat hungrily on the sides of streets. It was the hundreds of sick people we saw, many suffering from diseases that could easily be treated or cured. But for every sad memory there were happy ones. I was reminded of the sweetness of our translator Isaac who laughed at the blatant difference of our skin tones. Or the kindness and indescirable friendships of Mr. Jimmy, Joel and Fred. Its the sweet faces of Danny and Precious at the orphange and the opportunity to simply shower them with love for a few hours. Its darling little Ivan and getting to "treat" him for 2 hours. It was seeing a lady walk upright after having a stroke or the joy of giving a woman the shoes off my feet.

In rememering that journey a year ago, I am reminded of a saying from the blog of the mother of one of the little girls I had the blessing to meet in Masindi. She calls her blog Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet and it is that saying that I think is sometimes the best way to describe the trip. Even in the bitterest moments, the sickness that just seems so unfair, the swollen, hungry bellies of children on the street, I am reminded still of the sweet memories I had there and the way that they still impact me even today. I am more aware even now how God uses these bitter moments to show us His sweet plan for our lives and how He is orchestrating it all for His glory. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to meet some of the people of Uganda who forever changed my life and my perspective on everything. Still my heart aches to be back, to ride in a 12 passenger van on dirt roads to different villages, to shower orphans with love and hugs, to give medical care to those desperately in need. And though I know it isnt right now, I can't wait until my feet touch Ugandan soil once again. 

These are the words...

I just can't get these lyrics out of my head.

My mom gave this song to me right before I left for Uganda, most likely because actually saying this would leave us both in tears. These lyrics are so sweet and powerful and how I feel so often about my dear friends. For some reason, song lyrics have always spoken to me and this song just sticks with you. Hopefully you all will find as much meaning and encouragement in them as I do.

These are the Words- Sidewalk Prophets

Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say