Beautiful.

Africa is beautiful.

I woke up this morning and took a deep breath of fresh air. Breakfast was delicious, and one of my brothers in Christ made me toast and served me. Beautiful.

I sat on the porch of our hostel, taking in the blues and pinks of the sunrise sky. The warm steam from my coffee was a nice contrast to the cool breeze of Ugandan winter morning.  

I cracked my Bible open to Ezekiel and read about how God is able and willing to give us new hearts and new spirits, removing our hearts of stone and giving us hearts of flesh. God is the Rebuilder of our ruins  and the Replanter of our desolate lands. Yes. Beautiful.

Several school children started to assemble right in front of our gate. Some are orphans. The church across the street provides schooling for them. I closed my Bible and went over to hug on them. Picture my crazy hair in a side bun, my glasses, my sleepy, smiling face, a black t-shirt with a gray coat, basketball shorts, and flip flops. I looked a mess, yet these children looked at me as if I were a princess. “You are gorgeous,” my friend Esther said to me, in her beautiful accent, then presented me with a lovely necklace. Beautiful.

The kids lead me by the hand into the classroom. Their cold, tiny, dark hands holding me tightly, embracing me in 5 or 6 different directions. My little love huddle brings me into a small classroom. They barely fit. I stood there, feeling like a giant (never happens, I’m 5’1/2”) and surrounded by those little eyes and bright-white smiles. They lean their heads on me and squeeze my hands. Some vie for my attention by spelling out English words, “H O U S E, house!” and look up at me, beaming expectantly, waiting for praise. Beautiful.

I sit and talk to their teacher, Ja Ja Joy (grandmother Joy). She tells me of her 6 grown children, and their professions. She smiles wistfully, proudly, telling me how each one has a profession and how all insist in supporting her. They love her.  I can see why. It’s all so beautiful.

So I’m in love with Uganda. I pray I can return to Entebbe. Tomorrow we leave for Rwanda for a month. Pray for safe travels and for health.