Hello, Goodbye

Hello Hello

I don't know why you say goodbye

I say hello

Hello Goodbye - The Beatles

I'm pretty sure these lyrics ring true for almost everyone I have seen since being back in Canada.  Folks, it has been officially one week that I have been out of Uganda.  To say it has been hard to adjust back would be an understatement.  Sometimes all I want to do is cry which I almost did as I was sitting in a Starbucks in Vancouver and other times, I am just too busy and distracted to even think about where I am and what I miss.

As I left the international gate at Vancouver airport, my best friend and old roommate Elizabeth came running toward me.. actually I'm not really sure what happened... maybe I blacked out because the whole situation was so overwhelming.  It was so great to have her greet me there.  We then took the skytrain back to her new home in Vancouver.  Liz lives in a community house with TWELVE other housemates.  I tell you that this house is an incredible community of crazy Jesus loving young adults and I had a lot of fun living with them for a few days.  A bunch of us from the house got all dressed up and headed to a live theatre downtown to watch the travelling Broadway show of "Les Miserables".  Being the emotional wreck that I was I almost bawled a few times watching it.  To me the characters were so real, their stories were so similar to those of some of the people I met in Uganda.  It was really hard being in Vancouver for those first few days.  My old roommate was not where I left her six months ago, and even though I was back in Canada, I didn't feel at home.

After Vancouver, I hopped on ferry back to my old stomping grounds of Victoria, where I have been living for the last five years.  As I got off the ferry, I ran into my friends that had got married while I was away.  Our conversation went like this "Did you just get back from Uganda?"... "Yes, and did you just get back from your honeymoon?"  Ya that was weird....  My dear old friends Sarah and Alastair Beddie then picked me up from the ferry terminal and took me for lunch on the beach by the ocean.  They both really helped me adjust and feel comforted as they listened to my a billion and one stories.  Funny part of the day was when we made a quick stop at my old university so we could see our friend Breanne at her grad ceremony and take a picture with her.  To think a year ago I was the one graduating and taking pictures next to the fountain at UVic with all of my classmates and now this year, I am fresh out of Africa, looking like a dirty hippie next to my two dolled up gorgeous friends as we take a picture together! WHO AM I?

That day continued its awesomeness with dinner on another beach with my friend Allyson (these people know the way to my heart is the ocean!!).  Again, she listened to my a billion and two stories about Uganda and then she drove me to pick up my car which is way out of town at my youth pastor's home.  They ever so kindly have been storing all of my things and my car for the last six months and it was so great to see their family.

As I drove back home, trying to get used to driving again on the other side of the road, it hit me.  In my first few days in Canada, I was devestated about leaving my friends in Uganda and my beautiful community there but then I realized something.  I actually have an equally wonderful community of caring and loving friends here in Victoria.  I am so thankful for this community as well but wait a minute, I AM LEAVING THEM TOO!!!  Oh crap!  Another week of goodbyes!  This sucks!

The next day, after the fiasco of having to install a new battery in my car, I went to visit my friends Matt and Jill at their home, and see how much their little boy has grown up.  I tell you Jasper is the cutest kid on earth and it was neat to see him developing his own little personality.  My friend Nicole and I then went for coffee, climbed up Mount Doug (well actually we drove to the top this time) and then heading to the Mustard Seed Street Church to help serve and visit old friends at the Saturday night street dinner.  In my time away from Victoria, I think I missed the Mustard Seed the most.  I was also quite worried that by me being away, some of the friends that I have made there might no longer remember me.  It was a great night as an older woman played the piano as myself and this little old French man, who always kisses the top of my head when he greets me, sang hymns and songs from My Fair Lady together, or when I got a tour of the place after the big renovations, or when I heard Alex's usual safety speech, and listened to Joker's new comedic routine.  It was a bitter sweet time having everyone so excited and welcoming to me upon my return but then at the end of the night, it was back to the farewells.

Sunday was yet another day of hello goodbyes as I visited my church in Victoria.  This community has been so faithful to me in prayer and partnership as I ventured to Uganda.  I seriously owe a lot of credit to their faithfulness in praying for me.  Because it was the one and only Sunday I would be able to attend at church, I shared a bit about my experience in Uganda and then what my next plans would be during the service.  It was so nice to be back there having Buck smack me on the back while saying "HEYA TEACH", have little six year old Natalie hold my hand during worship, having Edna tell me about her grandsons up in my hometown, and listening to the worship team singing the song I introduced as a worship leader right before I left.  It was very hard to say goodbye to them but I felt so supported and encouraged from my church community about my next steps.  My friend Kristan goes "Emily we are excited for you.  You are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing."  The affirmation really helped!  After the service and then after many conversations with different church members, the young adults group and myself went for our traditional burritos after church.  Again, it was so nice to get a chance to catch up with some more incredible individuals that I so happen to be priviledged to call friends.

This morning I had a great skype conversation with my old roommate and amazing friend Hannah who is still in Uganda doing an internship with Watoto.  It was nice to hear from someone who I have been so close to over the last six months and it was comforting to hear about the familiar people and places as she filled me in with her life.  Today Nicole and I planned an adventure day.  I don't know if I ever will be living in Victoria ever again and there are some things I have yet to go see there.  For instance, I have never been to the huge tourist attraction of Butchart Gardens.  It was absolutely stunning with all the bursts of colour and perfectly manicured gardens.  We then headed out to Thetis Lake for a picnic, some sun-bathing, swimming and cliff-jumping.  It was so nice to be back at Thetis Lake.  I have spent a lot of time there hiking through the trails or swimming in the lake.

Exploring through Butchart Gardens

 Cliff-jumping at Thetis Lake!!

So all and all, I have experienced some change, found comfort in old familiar things, found it hard to be away from Uganda, and hated bidding adieu as soon as I was welcomed back.   However, I know things have changed and that my life in Victoria would be very different if I were to stay.  I know I'm called to bigger and better things in a new season.  It's just hard, that's all.

Peace and love