Humanitarian aid and African Politics...
As I was traveling home, a flight attendant asked me about the logo on my shirt, Northwest Medical Teams International, and asked where I had been. Another passenger was standing there in the galley and we began to speak about all of the ills affecting multiple African nations at the present. Civil unrest and war, the HIV/AIDs epidemic, corruption at all levels of government, tremendous national debt, and so on. There are no easy answers for Uganda, and Africa as a whole. There is so much politics involved that hope and help for them seems bleak at best. I am thankful, though, to have seen with my own eyes, organizations that are making a positive impact upon the lives of common people there.
It can be argued, "What difference does it make in the long run, it's all a drop in the bucket." Yes, while that is true, it does directly help to relieve human suffering for some, even for just a while. I am a common person, and I will die a common person, but I was blessed to be born an American and have access to opportunity that billions in the world will never have. I have also been privy to multiple acts of kindness by strangers that made a lasting impact in my life. I have long since subscribed to the theory "pay it forward", if someone does something nice for you the best thank you that can be given is to pass it on by doing something nice for someone else.
Added to all of this, I am a Christian, and I believe unwaveringly, that it is my duty and privilege to use the gifts and talents that God has given me to help others. By looking at the example of Jesus' life and what He instructed His disciples' it shows that when you have a personal relationship with God your life focus changes from one that is self serving, to one that is outwardly focused and serving others. I shake my head at North American Christianity because it is a far cry from what the Bible teaches.
I am thankful for organizations such as Northwest Medical Teams International, www.nwmti.org, and the way they responsibly use the donations given them. I am also impressed by the work of Samaritan's Purse and have seen their positive impact in Uganda.
I love to quote Mother Teresa of Calcutta because no one can argue that she was completely selfless and lived the faith she believed in: "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

Trying to spread love wherever I go, Brenda

At home in the States...

I have been home for less than twenty four hours, and I am still weary after a good night's sleep. The weather is absolutely gorgeous here and it feels like August in May!

There are piles of dirty laundry and a sundry of items that have been emptied out of my suitcases to be put away. I have already downloaded the pictures from my camera and have looked at each picture several times. It is hard to believe that I am so far away now. Life goes on here with hardly a care or knowledge of what other parts of the world are experiencing. I don't feel like seeing anyone right now, but my life here is trying to suck me back into the routine busyness.

I want time to reflect, time to digest, and time grieve all of the things I have seen. I miss the national staff that we worked with, their smiles and laughter were always so cheerful! I miss all of the new friends that remain there working for various humanitarian organizations, and as missionaries. What great people to associate with! I miss Uganda with all of its flaws, corruption, and frustrating bureaucracy. I miss the beauty of the countryside and its resilient people. I miss having such a simple purpose and direction.

I have more things than I had time to share while I was gone, so I will continue to blog for at least a few more days. You are welcome to email me at brenda2missions@yahoo.com if you have any questions. B

La la land...

I am writing from the lovely home of my friend Tony, who lives in the suburbs of London. I am enroute to the U.S. and had to overnight here. I said goodbye to my team mates, Sally and Elaine at London Heathrow Airport, yesterday afternoon, after our eight and a half hour flight from Entebbe.

I chuckled to myself when the pilot shared with us what our flight path would be. He said, "After we fly over Uganda we will be flying over Sudan, Lybia, the Mediterranean Sea..." I thought to myself that in the event of an emergency landing, I would rather go into the sea than to land in either Sudan or Lybia. It was amazing flying over the Sahara desert, it streched on and on, a vast wasteland for hours.

I feel as though I am in La la land, because I am still not in my reality. I am not at home and I am no longer in the field. It is nice, however, to be in a clean place. Tony's place has a delightful garden in the back and this morning I was awakened by the chirping of birds, not honking of horns, voices yelling, and bicycle bells ringing.

I will catch the last leg of my flight this afternoon and finally be home!

Looking forward to Home Sweet Home, Brenda