Faith Journey

My newest faith journey has begun. I have arrived on the sacred soil of Uganda, Africa. My new home is located in the fertile mountains of Kabale. I am simply amazed at how green and productive the agriculture is here. All our food comes farm to table. The banana plantations are enormous. Lake Victoria is one of the great wonders of the world, and it produces many fish for the people. Cattle, goats, and chickens are free range raised. Watermelon, pineapple, cabbage and carrots are plentiful.

I walk the mountain roads each morning at day break. I am greeted by many people starting their daily journey.  They inspire me with their kind greetings and work ethic. Their job may be preparing the soil, carrying water back to the village, attending school or working in the city.  They do it with a spirit of gratitude.

Many of the faces are tired from the difficult journey of walking these mountains, yet all greet me.  We greet each other with gracious community and care. They are very present to each other in there communication; it is so genuine and warm. The smiles are so, so real.

Please picture this with me. I was walking the many steep roads this last Sunday morning.  The mountains were overcast and full of a very heavy fog.  I could only see 10-12 feet ahead of me and only two-to-three feet above me. The mountain roads have many trails and small paths that lead to other homes and villages.

I started my journey about 6:00 am.  After walking a few blocks, I saw an elderly woman appear in front of me, stepping out of the fog, dressed in traditional African attire. Her dress was bright yellow and looked amazing with her matching hat.  She greeted me with a warm Ugandan smile. 

My journey went on for an estimated four miles on this route. The same scenario repeated itself hundreds of times. Many people appearing out of the fog dressed to perfection, walking four miles, many much longer, going to Mass at the Cathedral. I was simply amazed to see the Cathedral full for the 7:30 am service.  

I thought I left the richest country in the world.  I was wrong; I landed in it. That Sunday morning, tears came to my eyes. I had seen Christ on the small trails in the mountains of Kabale, and for the first time, I walked along-side Him. God chooses the broken to walk with him. I am and was truly broken. Christ carried me to Kabale. I walked with him on the mountain trails; I will never be the same. I was called to Kabale, I thought, to help fix it. It is simply not broken. I was called to Kabale to fix me. Christ chooses the broken and scarred. He chose me for this mission.

Lake Bunyonyi

 I have been assigned six large projects by Bishop Callist to complete in the next three years. When I was broken I couldn't build a dog house or plant a garden.  Take a good look at these projects three years from now. If I get tired, my guess is, I will be carried, somehow.  I am no longer broken, I will not be broken again. 

Tea Plantation

Please stay tuned to my blog and faith journey. It is going to be a great ride.