I’m Back. And It’s Official.

So—I’ve been back in Bundibugyo for 2 weeks now. Time is flying! It has been wonderful to be back; enjoying many reunions and being surprised by how familiar things feel. It has also been amazing to be back and to be healthy. While many things comfortable and familiar, this feels like an entirely different experience as I do things and feel well. It’s great!

The last 2 weeks, a lot of things have become normal again such as:

• praying for the electricity to return
• hearing the voltage stabilizer groaning
• having a continuous ring of dirt ground into my heel
• raising my eyebrows and saying “ehhh” instead of nodding my head and saying “yes”
• wondering if I’m getting the mzungu (white person) prices at the market or if it really does cost that much
• answering knocks at the door at least 5 times a day
• cooking from scratch

…and the list could go on and on. But of course, the Official Welcome Back came in the form of a rat. We had heard and seen this rat in our house multiple times. And it had eaten a bunch of Pamela’s ramen noodles—an unwelcome surprise. But it was fast and eluded our trap, complete with cheese and bacon on it.

Last night though, as I went to take a shower, I shut the bathroom door and felt some resistance. Strange. I looked down and something that looked like a tail was under the door. I’ve been “seeing” rat tails everywhere though as I’ve been paranoid about this one. But when I opened the door…I had squished the rat in it!

Talk about great timing. I think God knew I couldn’t stomach bludgeoning it with a bat so he baited it with poison and placed him in the perfect spot at the perfect time. Of course there were lots of exclamations when Anna tried to sweep it into the dustpan and it came back to life. And I’m thankful she was there to deliver the final blow. Gross.

So yes…after a run in with a rat, it’s official. I’m back.

It has been so wonderful to have many new team members here! This is us at  Josh’s birthday party last weekend.

Welcome 2012!

2012 has arrived! And so have I--to Kenya! I brought in the New Year by going to bed at 9:30--lame, right? But I knew when I got up on January 1st, I wouldn't be back in a bed for a good 36 hours :)

My trip here went well and I've been amazed at God's gentle nudges along the way. Just a few of the things that  reminded me that He's been with me:

• a rainbow popped up in the sky as I drove to the airport with my parents; a tangible sign of His faithfulness and promise-keeping
• the friends I made along the way--an adorable, older Asian woman that encouraged me in the Philly airport; my seatmate to London that was a teacher in Turkey; my seatmate to Nairobi that is a medic in Somalia.
• 3 trunks that all arrived intact!
• a smiling Kenyan face that greeted me at the airport and helped me lug the 3 trunks to the guesthouse
• a nauseating moment of anxiety as I realized I left my iPad on the plane; a panicked phone call to my Mom; sheer relief as I called the airline and they said they'd found it and I could pick it up tonight. S.O.S. prayers answered quickly at 1 a.m.--thank you, Jesus!

Currently, I'm in my own little paradise. Sitting in the shade, surrounded by tropical plants, listening to birds chirping, sipping coffee, and not sweating in the lack of humidity. I have been so blessed to have the next 2 weeks as a time of slow but steady transition back into life in Uganda.

Despite the huge differences between Nairobi and Bundibugyo, it is good to be "home" in Africa. Last night as we drove from the airport to the guesthouse, I felt a (sleepy) contentment and smiled to myself. I have missed hearing the African English, driving on the left, and seeing ads for African products. I am enjoying the smell of Imperial Leather soap on my hands and sleeping with a mosquito net again. I guess I thought after spending more time back in the States than I spent here in Africa, it would all feel alien and strange again when I returned. But I am happily surprised by just how at home I feel.