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12. final thoughts.

I am home.
Is this real life?
 
Life feels incredibly normal again and Africa feels like a dream.
 
But I know, as much as it feels normal, I haven't fully begun to process the past 3 1/2 months of my life. People will ask me how was my "experience" or how was my "trip"? But it's not simply a trip, it was my life.

My first night at home I woke up at 3:30 am, fully awake and incredibly alone. Going from having 4 roommates, a bed digging into my back, sweating and being tucked in by a mosquito net to being alone, in a bed super comfy, tucked in by layers of blankets because I’m freezing cold. Normal. Yet so strange. I’ve been home for about 4 days and haven’t cried, until today. I was beginning to think something was wrong with me that I wasn’t feeling the emotions that I thought I was going to feel. But reality is starting to set in and the tears have started flowing.

My life will never be the same. When it comes down to it, Africa didn’t really need me. But I needed Africa. The things I experienced, the people I met, the things I learned… will be forever ingrained in my memory. I left a large chunk of my heart in Uganda. It sounds cliché, but it’s the truth.

I know that God has given me a heart of compassion for a reason. Leaving Uganda isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning. Coming home to “normal” life doesn’t mean I have to live a “normal American” life. Regardless if I am in Uganda or in Lancaster, God will still use me. 
 
To all of my supporters- thank you so much for everything. Or as they say in Lira… Apollo Matek (thank you so so much)! For every small prayer, every word of encouragement, every last dollar… you have no idea how much it means to me. I feel like God blessed me an incredible amount on this trip and I believe it was because I had such a strong support system here at home. Words can’t describe my gratitude to each and every one of you. 

With much love, Danielle

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