Strangely Normal

Life is full of oxymorons. We speak of deafening silence (not here) or old news. 

We find ourselves living an oxymoron here in Uganda as we often remark that things seem strangely normal. 

We are reminded every day that we are in a strange place as we strain to understand the thick Ugandan accents and never quite adjust to the high temperatures. 

Over all, though, our days are strangely normal as all five senses are bombarded by things we experience only in Uganda. 

Early each morning we hear the crowing of the roosters blending with the busy city traffic in the street below the guesthouse.

We see women walking down the street with babies tied onto their backs or confidently carrying items on their heads. 

We smell the diesel fumes mingled with the smoke from wood and charcoal fires.

We taste the delicious food at Cafe Java's, our favourite restaurant (really, it's the only restaurant we know how to get to on our own :). 

And then there is our favourite thing that feels strangely normal - the many children we touch and who touch us each day as we walk with them hand-in-hand, caress their curly heads or feel the weight of a sleepy head on our shoulder. 

Of course, they also touch us in a much deeper way as we realize each child is at Sanyu because of some unfortunate circumstance. In spite of that, we are touched by their smiles, their laughter, their singing, their longing to be loved and cared for.  This too has come to feel strangely normal and reminds us of what an amazing privilege God has given us to be in this place.