I am overwhelmed by the warm responses and encouragement I have received in response to my last communication...thank you, dear friends. I have posted, anonymously, of course, a few excerpts from emails I received over the past few days and included only those which did not reveal too much personal info. ;-) Hope that those who I did include below do not mind; but your words communicate a warmth and love that I feel compelled to share with others.
Thank you, dear friends. Being a stranger in a strange land feels less so when I think of you!
p.s. I haven't gotten around to responding to everyone, but updates will keep coming and will try my best to respond when I can...
Love,
S.
***
Hey S! So glad to hear about your trip over, what you’ve seen, and that you are sobered but exhilarated at the same time – that’s exactly how I feel when I am in third world countries. I think some people just shut off and don’t want to deal with it, but it sounds like you’ve really taken everything to heart and are engaging with the people you are meeting. How exciting! I wish I were there with you. I’m so impressed you negotiated with the airline on behalf of everybody on the plane – way to go! You’re a born leader and activist! Heh heh.
***
How strange yet exciting that you me those guys who made the documentary!
Crazy. And I am so glad that God was able to provide you with those
missionaries who have taken good care of you. I guess it's true that Korean
missiories are EVERYWHERE.
Your description reminded me of my experiences in Romania and
Vietnam...gives you a whole different perspective on what it means to just
be human, doesn't it? I have a feeling there will be one humbling
experience after another awaiting you.
***
Wonderful to receive your email and I was so happy to read that you've found the silver lining in situations of chaos. That was what my life was like for nearly two years in Thailand & Burma--so many odd, unthinkable, crazy situations. And yes, experiecing and seeing poverty and how people live on so little is a very sobering and life-changing experience. It's indescribable. I'm so happy you are there and enriching your life by experiencing it first hand. I loved reading your email!
***
welcome to Africa!! Those are the contacts you need. Enjoy it all.
***
welcome to africa, huh?
talk about baptism by fire. at least you met some cool people though
:o) might prove useful at other junctures in your trip.
as you know, i am sick of being in NYC and miss africa dearly so it is
a welcome break from my desk-work-job at amnesty to receive this
email. and am thankful to be included on the recipient list because i
know just how precious internet time is there. not like in the US
when we fiddle around on the intenet 24/7!
i totally relate to what you were saying about how different life is
there... of course some of that is attributable to the fact that the
culture and life in uganda will, in many ways, be so different from
your life previous to this trip. but as you go deeper and deeper the
longer that you spend there, it will almost start to normalize and
that's really when you know you've changed!
***
i can't believe you're in uganda! well, i mean, i believe it, but i guess it just seemed like it was still a long way off, but there you are! i'm so glad you made it to uganda safely and that you even met some korean missionaries! that was the hand of God, huh? when i lived in switzerland, i found a chinese speaking church and ended up speaking chinese more than french! think your korean will be amazing by the end of this trip?
***
What an amazing story! Obviously your travels haven't been as easy
as I'm sure you hoped for, but isn't wonderful how God works! Who
would have believed that you would meet up with Korean missionaries
in Uganda- not to mention all of the other people you have met?
Definitely more than just "coincidence." :-) And I am so
impressed by the way you stood up for all of the stranded
passengers; I am sure that I would have been far too terrified to
do anything in such an intimidating and frightening situation.
...But I think God has already proven that He's in control in all of your
travels, and I know He'll continue to watch over you!
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3 comments:
hey S: thinking of you and hope your trip is going well! post if you have time, dying to hear what you're up to. when you get back we have to meet up, my friend albert is here from rwanda and i know you two would get along great! :o)
oh and the african hospitality thing is totally not in your imagination... i definitely felt like an instantaneous celebrity when i was there.
to contrast with the US, my friend albert is lonely here in NYC b/c everyone is so busy, and hectic and days go by sometimes without human contact outside of phone and email.. and he hates that! im learning how to be an actual good friend and human being again by having him here, and having to call him every day to see how his day was and visiting him at least once a day or every other day!!
anyway, hope you post again soon! take care of yourself
xx heddy
dearest heddy, yes, I totally understand your sentiments - people here are very kind, hospitable, and gentle - it's quite remarkable. and i remember feeling much more lonely in general in the US - not for a lack of friends, compared to Uganda - but because the culture is just not conducive to close friendship and kinship as it is here. how interesting. i would love to meet your friend, albert! and look forward to seeing you, too. what a dear soul you are. talk to you soon.
love,
s.
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