Hello Hello
I don't know why you say goodbye
I say hello
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.

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!
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
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
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