Oh Uganda, I Miss You

We experienced several "bumps" in our process while we were in Uganda. We were ONLY there six weeks, which in hindsight is not long at all, many people have had to stay MUCH longer. But when you are a picky eater and becoming a first time parent to a two year old, and expected to possibly be there only three weeks or so...all you want is to get to the closest McDonald's and your momma.

As I have written in all of our in-country updates on here, there was so much that was great about Uganda, but after week three, we were ready to get home and start our new life.

I remember the guard at the airport asking L when we would be back and him saying "A long, long, long time from now." (probably not the best answer at the time but really the truth of how we felt) I remember being on the phone with my friend who was stateside and telling her I would never understand why all these adoptive parents on the facebook groups talk about how they long for Uganda and just cannot wait to go back. I thought they were crazy. I even remember saying that a few weeks after being home.

I felt guilty. I felt like of course I was supposed to miss this wonderful place, my son's homeland, but I just did not at first.

But I do now. A little over four months removed and I am that crazy person now. I miss it all. So much. And I would go back today if I could. Africa and Uganda stole a piece of my heart they will have forever.

I miss the red dirt. The kind that would get between this "I hate my feet to be dirty" person's toes and drive me nuts...I miss it. I miss the food...the pizza and the chipati, the rolex. I miss sitting on the guesthouse lawn with my family of three.

I miss the beautiful people. Almost every person we encountered had a joy from the Lord like nothing I have seen before. Not because they were rich in money, or had all the health in the world, but because they love and trusted the Lord with their whole heart, no matter the circumstance.

I miss the person who drove us most, S. He became part of our family. In those first few days with D he helped us translate, cope, and understand. I miss his smile, genuine care for our family, and joy.

I miss any random person walking up to us and being able to speak D's native language. Oh what I would give for the hard rainstorms that would terrify me then.

More than anything, I miss being right smack dab in the middle, in the thick of it, and relying completely on my Lord. I miss being closer to Him than I ever have been in my life. I crave the closeness and reliance I felt then. Because when you are in the situation we were, and your hands are tied, all you can do is depend on the Lord and His plan, you have nothing else to hold you together. And that is beautiful.


I miss Uganda for how wonderful and beautiful of a place it is, and I miss it for the amazing ways God used it to teach and grow me so much. I cannot wait to go back someday.