Belonging.

I walk down the street and it already feels so normal to have two hands holding mine. Jason and Walter don’t let go as they jump over cracks in the sidewalk and hurl over curbs…and I somehow remember this feeling.

It’s what I feel when I realize they put Janey in a white t-shirt again, when she's the dirtiest of them all.

It’s what I feel when Walter jumps on my lap and doesn’t say a word.

It’s what I feel when Mweuru tackles me, and places his hand gently on my face before running away.

It’s what I feel when Jason kisses me goodnight on the hand.

It’s a sense of belonging. A sense of knowing that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I finally found where I belong. I really, truly did.

Jinja, Uganda is an exquisite place. Many call it “mini America” because you won’t walk down Main Street without seeing at least one other Muzungu. I’ve been here not even 3 weeks and I already never want to leave. The love and compassion that people have here is truly inspiring, and it makes me never want to stop moving.

But sometimes it is hard to move. After a long night of not sleeping, maybe I just want to sleep in. After the power is finally back on, maybe I just want to take a hot shower and confine myself to my room. But the purpose is bigger, and the anxiety really isn’t much. God takes it all anyway, so even if I wanted to complain, I know that I could just hand it all to my Father (He’s pretty awesome like that).

So as I am writing this, I challenge myself to continue to move and work for God in His glory. When days are long I will put my strength in Him, and when patience is short, I will give Him my time. I am here for His glory and not my own, and as Care and I continue to spread the love-I pray that you, my loved one’s, will join in this movement with me. This movement to live in urgency and to never stop loving because you are tired and worn out.

John 15:16 says,

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and I set you that you should go forth and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you.”

Brb, gunna go try and bear fruit now.


-Kelsey