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After a wonderfully filled Christmas day yesterday, we slowed down today. I thought about Mary. After the birth of Jesus and all that was going on around her, it says, "all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke2:19). Today has been that kind of day for me.
This morning we went into the city for coffee at a local spot called "Flavours". It felt like an oasis in the middle of the city. There we savored time sipping our drinks over laughter and conversation on the back patio. We met a local Ugandan who shared a snapshot of his life from Uganda to going to school in Seattle to moving back to Uganda. We then strolled through the city stores and markets as a simple time of exposure to this culture.
From there some of us took boda rides (small motorcycles) back to the Sole Hope guesthouse and others walked back. Boda rides are common transportation around here and it was a great way to see parts of of the city from that perspective, maneuvering through traffic. Nothing compared to the traffic in the city of Kampala that we experienced upon arriving.
Our time here is short. We jumped into things on our full first day here and enjoyed this day of rest before our upcoming days fill up. I spent time sitting out on the porch reflecting on where we are, what we've been a part of, what we will be a part of, the Ugandans around us, the red dirt under our feet, being in a culture that is not our own, how to be most effective with our time here, and desiring to grow my heart for the nations as is the Lord's. I was so very thankful for this day as we often don't get time to stop and reflect on what we are a part of. Filled cups looking forward to the days ahead.
Ashley Brannon- Uganda Team, Sole Hope