Dear African Woman, I first saw you as I stepped off the plane onto a dirt runway. You were outside the airport walking along the road in your dress with intricate designs and colors. Your baby was strapped to your back with a swath of cloth, and your younger child skipped along by your side. … Continue reading Dear African Woman
An Overview
The South Sudanese Refugee Teachers’ Conference was a success. There were approximately 35 teachers from four different schools. From my view, there were some standout moments. The first being the training on trauma. These teachers were not aware they have lived through trauma. They were not aware that their students have also lived through trauma. … Continue reading An Overview
Night and Day
The sweltering heat hung stagnant in the air. Except for the sometimes-oscillating fan, there was no relief. When the power was on, it was bearable. When it was not, it was suffocating. My best bet was to lie as still as possible, to avoid increasing my heartrate by tossing and turning to find relief. The … Continue reading Night and Day
Are We Together?
I found out at the teachers’ conference that even when you speak the same language there can still be barriers. Put two Californians, a Georgia peach, a Nigerian, several Ugandans, and a whole host of South Sudanese together and it is humorous to watch us all try to communicate…in English! The vowel sounds are not … Continue reading Are We Together?
Meet Anna
Meet Anna. She is a 10-year-old girl from South Sudan. She and her siblings came to the camp 2 years ago with her mom. She has never met her dad. Anna is a poet. Her chances of having her voice heard here are slim to non-existent, but she writes anyway. It is her way to … Continue reading Meet Anna
People of Purpose
This teachers’ conference had a theme of equipping and empowering, but I think more importantly, it imparted vision and purpose. Living in a refugee camp is like living in limbo. There is no telling when the return to your home will come. It might be a few months, or not in your lifetime. Being a … Continue reading People of Purpose
Greater Hope
People ask me all the time if my work in Uganda is part of my job. The answer to that question is complex and hard to explain. I work at AIM (Adventures in Missions) in Parent Ministry, which entails helping and supplying resources for parents, as their adult children travel around the world doing mission … Continue reading Greater Hope
Holy Moments
On our first day of teacher training an expert on trauma came to talk about PTSD. In a refugee camp such as the one we are in, most of the population has been traumatized, including the teachers. In a classroom with 100 traumatized students there are bound to be behavior issues. What the facilitator told … Continue reading Holy Moments
Mountain Movers
I met some Mountain Movers when I arrived in Arua. This group of amazing people were from different work backgrounds, cultures, and age groups. They are the other presenters, and each has a specific gifting and role for the conference. The group is a study in diversity. There are so many ways in which we … Continue reading Mountain Movers
Rainy Season
Rainy season greeted me with open arms upon my return to Uganda. I woke from my exhausted sleep to the sounds of Thunder. His voice here is deeper than at home, a bass to be sure. Instead of rolling around the mountains and echoing through the valley, his noise skipped across Lake Victoria like a … Continue reading Rainy Season
Michelle's Mosaic 