Stories

“There are no coincidences in life.” This quote by international motivational speaker, Nick Vujicic, has been heavy on my mind since I read it a few days ago leaving Village of Hope Uganda. Life’s intricate web, woven by the billions of people on this planet, leaves me somewhat perplexed. Is it just by chance or…

There is something about finding someone who shares your passion. Something about the non stop talking. The completing each others sentences. The “getting it” not because of hearing their words, but because you feel their spirit. I find that rare. I found that in Africa. In Jane. Her face comes alive when she talks about…

I am not dirty anymore. Not like I have been. Especially the last few weeks. There is no longer dirt under my nails that I can’t keep out and my feet aren’t covered with red dust from dancing in the dirt beside children orphaned by the LRA. I am not using a bucket of water…

Where do I begin? So much in my heart and only a few minutes to blog…. Do I begin with the baby orphanage? When asked their greatest need and mentioned clothes, Sister Francis laughed.  “You know – it is the belly. The babies do not care if they are naked. Theycare if they have nothing…

There is nothing quite like an African welcome. Whether it’s waking up in the morning to the loud noises of all the hustle and bustle that is an African city. Boda Bodas speeding down the road. Vans honking their horns at them to get out of their way. Music blasting from the shops along the…

It’s becoming old hat. I wonder where that phrase came from. I don’t know, but I hope it never applies to me. Driving down this Ugandan road to Gulu from Lira coming from Kampala after Entebee… and Amsterdam….and Detroit…. from Nashville. In three days. I have started coming up by myself a few days before…

There is a story of a little girl in Congo. Her name is Yvette. When she was two years old she was found in the bush bleeding. Her mother picked her up and placed her in the arms of a man who was visiting the country. She had been raped by rebel soldiers. I saw…

Sitting in quiet. Girls are in bed. Warm coffee to my side. Nothing but the music overhead putting them to sleep. I treasure time with them. I often wonder what normal life would look like for me had my path led me differently. Normal life could have easily led me into marriage again. Quickly. Years…

“How many rebel groups are there in Congo?” I asked. They all start laughing immediately. “There are many. In North Kivu there are many. In South Kivu there are many.” Looking at his bookshelf in search of something. We were at one of the few centers in town that work with former child soldiers. I…

She wouldn’t look at me. In fact, if she did look at me it was only for a split second and she would look away. She was around 16. Her eyes were Flat. Angry. Hidden. Harsh. It was as if she was tucked away inside of her Self. Her soul as broken as was her…