I once was blind, but now I see

So on our early morning ride to the airport Monday morning, Amazing Grace by Leann Rimes came on the radio. As I listened to the words, I realized that upon arriving in Uganda innocence shaded my gaze, but in that departing moment I realized that I was beginning to see. I wept as the flood of memories came back of the people and their impact on my life in just the short 6 weeks. I am not sure yet how to describe what it was I saw, but I know my heart has seen it. I wrote this post as the plane took off from Entebbe. I am pretty sure the flight attendants thought I was a baby, but I am so thankful for the other teachers as we came together during this emotional flight to London. Love you all!

I once was blind, but now I see.

I saw it in the gentle hands of Evelyn,

I saw it in the watch full eye of Michael,

I saw it in the early breakfast hours with Carol

I saw it in the love Denish has for his munu brother and sister,

I saw it in the hands and the feet of the hardworking people traveling the airfield road each morning,

I saw it in the beauty of the Acholi soil,

I saw it in porridge with Patrick Joska and the other students,

I saw it in the early morning sunrises on the road to Keyo,

I saw it in the village women both in the field hoe in hand and on their knees washing my hands before a meal,

I saw it in the loving embrace the Reverend Zachariah has for his family, school children and us,

I saw it in wisdom of knowledge of Alex and Silvio,

I saw it in the loving care Mzee has for his family members,

I saw it in the tears Angeline shed our last day,

I saw it in the son of Grace

I saw it in the welcoming greeting of each staff and faculty member of Keyo SS,

I saw it in the laughs and smiles of my students at Keyo SS,

I saw it in the strength of the men, women and children working in the rock quarry,

I saw it in the song and worship of the members of the Gulu branch,

I saw it in the smile and visage of Richard

I saw it in the longing anguish of Richard’s parents,

I saw it in the multitudes of boda drivers,

I saw it in the eyes of the war affected citizens of the Northern Uganda,

I saw it in the numberless children calling out “munu bye,”

I saw it in the faces of the hundreds of orphan children at Mama T’s and St. Judes,

I saw it in the employees of Invisible Children

I saw it in the caliber of the other North Americans I was able to teach with

I saw it in their homes,

I saw it in their markets,

I saw it in their streets,

Even though my mind does not quite understand what it is I saw, my heart is full and has complete understanding. I am changed. I have a renewed found-ness in my life. My testimony of God’s greatness has received new light in my gaze. I’ll forever be a bettered person because of my experiences with the Acholi people.

As I arrived in Uganda, innocence blinded by understanding of what lied ahead, but now leaving I see God’s love and grace embracing the Acholi people. May God bless them till we meet again.