Well today has arrived.
Needless to say I have been an emotional wreck all day.
Goodbyes are so hard. Especially when they involve 12 of the most precious children in the world.
There really is no way to describe how I am feeling right now. So instead of making a really bad attempt at that, I will tell you about my last day in Uganda.
It started like any other day, I woke up. Except I didn’t really sleep last night, so I woke up from a hour and a half nap.
I went downstairs and chilled with the kids before breakfast. Annet and Carol were sitting inside instead of playing so they started asking me about when I was leaving and such. Then I started crying. I think it scared them a little that I just randomly started crying, but I explained to them that I was just really sad that I had to leave Uganda.
Naturally they gave me some advice. Little 5 year old Annet in her sassiest voice said, “Well just stay!”
And right then I wanted to just say okay and not go anywhere.
Later in the morning I read to the kids one last time and burned some CDs for my Ugandan friends.
Then I had my last Mama Monica prepared meal of posho, beans and cabbage for lunch. I don’t know if I’ve said this yet or not but Mama Monica is an awesome cook! There are only one or two things that I didn’t love eating the past 3 months.
Then during nap time I finished packing and got ready.
Once the kids woke up from nap time the real countdown was on. Only 2 hours before I had to leave. We had popcorn for snack and I taught Joel how to throw it up and catch it in his mouth (I’m sure the staff will thank me for that one). Then all the kids remembered that I had said I had sweets for them when I left so, every 5 minutes or so a different kids would ask me when they would get their sweets. Haha so cute!
Then I went upstairs, got my luggage, and brought it down to weigh it. Of course my big bag was 3 kg overweight, so then I had to move stuff around (which took way too much time and effort).
Then the goodbyes came. I wrote each kid a little note and gave them two sweets. I handed the first note to Brenda and immediately started crying… again! Which she thought it was hilarious that Auntie Cass was crying haha.
Then one by one I gave everyone my parting gift and then they all prayed for me.
After that, Mama Monica and Auntie Sara hugged me and told me goodbye. And then I had to get in the van and go.
It all happened so fast.
I still feel like this isn’t really happening. Like I’m just dreaming and I’m going to wake up or something.
But, I guess it is really happening because mothers with small children and people with disabilities can now board the plane.
Chao Uganda, it’s been real. You’ve changed my life.
in You the orphan finds mercy 