diversion

The drive from Kampala to Ikoba revealed concrete evidence of a country attempting to become more developed. Among such reminders were red and white signs warning motorists and bypassers of a "diversion". Rerouted to avoid construction and infrastructure improvement, vehicles became trapped behind each other. A main reason for such diversion is to improve and create. Despite the temporary inconveniences, annoyances, frustrations, and waiting, a diversion will help this country develop efficient transportation routes.

My life has immediately encountered a diversion. I experience inconveniences, annoyances, frustrations, and waiting. Yet I am relieved that this temporary state will produce growth, efficiency, creation, improvement, and learning. Even throughout the diversion, hope and appreciation flourish. Hope for betterment, for learning, for refreshment. Appreciation of the past, present, and the future, of history, immediacy, and vision. I pray my life will continue to be filled with diversions: periods of necessary rerouting away from the familiar and comfortable filled with growth, challenge, learning, and beauty.

home

Enduring two long airplane rides, albeit with nutritious and satisfying meals and entertainment, a day touring London with other friends, and sleepless nights aboard the aircraft which allowed us no more than five hours of sleep in two days, Megan and I safely stepped on the soils of Uganda. Nonetheless, we have been blessed with traveling safeties, warm greetings, well wishes, and invaluable support. Thank you to those who have been praying for us, supporting us, and sending emails or other communications.

Tomorrow will be my initial encounter with what I will define my home for the next year. I continue to marvel that my dream of living in and embracing African culture will soon become reality. I patiently anticipate each opportunity to engage in Ugandan community, in Ugandan joy, in Ugandan struggles, in Ugandan laughter, and in Ugandan pain. Only God knows how the path of my life will be shaped, molded, straightened, cut, and softened by the experiences of which I choose to become part. Beginning with language training over the next couple of weeks, I will actively seek opportunities to develop and nurture relationships and friendships. Only upon these relationships and friendships can I begin to define my home.
HOME is Hope, Openness, Memories, and Experiences.

shoes

Just a few days remain before my shoes which are embedded with Canadian mud and American grass will mix with Ugandan dust. Although my running shoes have been in my possession less than one year, they are accompanied with memories, stories, experiences, pain, victory, and uncertainty. My shoes have supported my body running through suburban neighbourhoods, sprinting along gravel pathways, pedaling faster on my bicycle, tracking a football for a touchdown, jumping to block a spike, and various other endeavours. Through endurance, flexibility, movement, and willingness, my shoes have offered me comfort, protection, stability, and growth.

These same shoes will travel with me to Uganda. Additional memories, stories, experiences, pain, victory, and uncertainty will follow. With hope and and humility, I will learn to mold a new pair of shoes according to my life in Uganda. Yet unlike my current running shoes, these shoes will be uniquely Ugandan. They will not possess the Western assumptions, power, wealth, and values. While the wearer of these shoes will offer a Canadian perspective based on personal experiences and limited knowledge, the shoes will ultimately mold to the Ugandan landscape, the Ugandan pathways, the Ugandan mountains, and the Ugandan valleys. Through personal endurance, flexibility, movement, and willingness, these Ugandan shoes will offer me comfort, protection, stability, and growth.

beach

After a needed coffee stop at Timmy's for those who malfunction without their caffeine, we headed off to Point Franks to spend the day relaxing, playing football, volleyball, and building sand objects. We left the overcast and humid weather in Waterloo, opting instead for the somewhat cloudy but hot temperatures near Grand Bend. Unfortunately I cannot comment about the scenic drive there since I was sleeping in the backseat.

The water was clear, a pleasant temperature, and provided excellent opportunities for swimming, for throwing each other, for engaging in chicken fights (to which I can attest my friend and I proudly won), and for playing football.

Molded, dampened, and shaped from our hands, the neutral-coloured granular sand soon took the form of a sea turtle. Later, however, a family also seeking refuge at the beach strategically placed their belongings in the direct presence of the turtle. It appears this particular type of turtle has now become endangered. More sand later became the mode of transportation rarely adopted by my sister, namely a kayak. Standing waist-deep in sand, my sister was equipped with a branch-like paddle as she maneuvered her sand kayak which was complete with "bungee-wood".

The beach always seems to entice people to bring fresh fruit, candy, and snack foods. After indulging in sweet green grapes, we soon planted a grape forest. Unfortunately, the grape forest was deforested by loggers (also referred to as people's feet). Not to worry, though, I reforested the grape forest, but alas I fear the soils are not fertile enough at the beach to support my ambitious endeavours. Overall though, it certainly was a relaxing and fun adventure at the beach!!