Week 3...Part 3

This past week was a roller coaster.  I was sick for a couple of days with a running stomach.  I will let all of you figure out what a running stomach is.    Maama’s care and hospitality was incredible.  She would always hover over me and would be constantly giving me herbal medicines for healing.  With about 20 or so trips to the toilet I have become a master in the art of going to the bathroom.   But while I was sick I could not help but smile.  Taata said, “I don’t understand this.  You say you are sick, but yet you are smiling.”  I could not explain it to him.  The joy of the Lord has been so captivated in my heart that I could not help but smile. 

            This past weekend I went to Kampala with my Taata to see Trevor who was sick in the hospital.  When we got off of the Taxi, Taata had explained to me that his pants were torn.  We immediately found a tailor and then went to Mulago hospital.  Trevor was not well and was suffering.  We gave Trevor’s Mom some money and then left.  On our way home we stopped at my Aunt Miriam’s house.  To my surprise Rebecca, Joseph and Andrew were there.  It was great to see them all.  We headed back home and I rested.  Sunday I went to church with Robert.  Then I spent some time alone up at the top of a place called monkey hill.  I spent some time praying and meditating.  It was very peaceful.  I also met some great people up there, who will be good brothers and sisters in Christ in this journey.            

            This past Monday morning when I woke up Taata came in my room.  He started off by saying, “I did not sleep well last night.”  I said, “Why Taata?”  He said, “Trevor went on.”  I was shocked and did not know how to respond.  So I did not respond.  The rest of the day was filled with sorrow and weeping.  I had an 8AM class that morning.  I went, but I did not want to be there.  After class I went back up to monkey hill.  I finally had time to process what happened and I was able to mourn.  So I did.  I cried…And cried.  Afterwards I went home.  Maama was surprisingly smiling, she was glad to see me.  I gave her a hug and told her I was tired.  So then I went to bed.  I woke up a few hours later and my friend Jordan, an intern from USP, was there to see our family.  He gave his condolences and explained that if we wanted a vehicle for the funeral they would provide.  Maama was thrilled and gave Jordan a lot sugar cane and a live chicken before he left.  Jordan and I smirked at each other because of Maama’s amazing generosity.

              The next morning we had arranged for a vehicle to pick us up to go to Maama’s village for the funeral.  We left around 11AM.  When I got there I was able to meet the entire family.  There were about 200 people in all for the funeral.  Everyone gathered.  The funeral was filled with sadness and joy.  I spent most of my time playing with the children.  We had some head balancing competitions.  The saddest part of the funeral was the burial.  The kids were crying.  When I saw the tears from the children’s eyes I wanted to hug them all and cry with them. 

But I noticed that at this funeral everyone was there for each other in mourning, prayer, encouragement and most importantly love.  The abundance of love at this funeral was overwhelming.  On the ride back home I was crying with joy, because of the love.  I was reminded of the closeness I have with my family back home, but instead of few, there were hundreds.   Through the sadness, sorrows and tears I have been waiting for the Lord.  The end of Psalm 27 talks about this, “Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”  All of Psalm 27 talks about worshipping through difficult times.  But as for now, while I suffer I wait for the Lord.  I will persist through this time of hardship while I mourn the death of my cousin Trevor and will continue to be lead to times of worship.