Mweraba (Goodbyes)

A busy week has just passed with writing my essay, a second week in theatre, trying to learn more Luganda and trying to find time to take pictures and say goodbye to those I have met over the past six weeks. Its unbelievable how fast time has flown and that my time here at Kiwoko Hospital has come to an end. Although some of the theatre staff have ‘banned me’ from using that phrase and have asked to say my time has come to a temporary end. I have been challenged by their kindness to me over the last few weeks and how they have created the role of ‘Mzungu celebrity’ for me in theatre. The fact that I am the only Mzungu (white person) seems to be of little significance.

So we’ve had fun this week and it has been great having so much time in the operating theatres to really have good chat about what Ugandan life is really like. Also received another few proposals (which I refused) from various people in theatre. It seems to be completely acceptable to meet someone, ask their name and marital status and should they be single it’s apparently alright to propose. I think this is mainly just the white staff that have to participate in these conversations as some of the guys who are married would often comment on the long, drawn out process of getting married in their culture. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it ensures the decision is being well thought through whilst the guy saves up money to give the girls’ parents cows, maize, sugar etc. Anyhow, I’ve survived their interrogations on life in the UK and my views on almost every aspect imaginable of Ugandan life.

I also had the opportunity to return to the student Bible study on Wednesday night with Eilidh. It was an evening spent discussing the benefits of spending time in God’s Word. It was refreshing to think that we could spend 45minutes chatting through the many advantages to reading the Bible and definitely encouraging. Afterwards we bumped into a few members of a team over from Northern Ireland and after a few minutes of conversation figured out that one of the guys knows both of our brothers from his time at university in Edinburgh. So that was a surreal moment and a reminder of the small world we live in!

It has been such an amazing time here and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I have been so encouraged and incredibly blessed by those I have met. Many have challenged me in my faith and their openness to discuss has enabled many great conversations to take place. Please pray for friendships to continue through email/skype/letters. It would be such a shame to pass up on the opportunity to invest in the lives of a couple of these exceptionally loving people. They have such wisdom on certain aspects of life and I really do hope we can continue to grow in faith together. Claire and Roggers being two particular names of students I would like to stay in touch with.

So closing the chapter at Kiwoko Hospital and saying official goodbyes in morning prayers tomorrow. Then I have a weekend of relaxing in Jinja with everyone from the guest house. Hoping to go white water rafting and just spending time doing some relaxing activities after a hectic, emotion-filled week. Then I will be wide awake, alert and enthusiastic for arriving at the orphanage on Monday morning. Or so I hope.
Sarah