By Shayla
I woke up Monday morning to the streaming sun through my mosquito net and I realized that today was the day, camp begins after all of our planning and preparation. To be honest I was still hesitant about campers arriving, something in me felt unprepared for the week, I just wanted to spend more time with my staff brothers. We had already broken the ice with the staff and not only that we had grown close, we were a team. A team of fun, God loving, determined, kind, and exuberant people. I felt so close knit...I didn't want to face unfamiliarity again, or for the team to unravel because of all the campers around. As campers started showing up, I stayed close to my brothers, observing these new faces as they arrived in clumps. Little did I know, God had a plan for me. The first two people I met, two brothers named Daniel and Joel, were the campers Trevor and I would grow closest to.
Kindri welcomed everyone and stated our two goals: 1) to grow a generation of young leaders for camp, and for Uganda, and 2) to have fun (of course!). Looking around the room, I was struck by the fact that Trevor and I were the youngest here at camp (even though we didn't always look it). And so we got thrown into "camper" groups...and we were off! No time to think, just to make friends. I became a part of the Blue Team, and Alan, Julius, and Lydia led us to the field looking out at sparkling Lake Victoria and launched into introduction games. Looking around the circle at unfamiliar faces, I wondered what this week would be like. Who would I get to know? What experiences would we share? It wasn't long before we were laughing and learning names over boisterous singing and shouting.
The first day was a flurry of activity: Tie dye, trust games, lunch, challenge course, free time where I learned to play net ball, and worship time at night. Sometimes I felt excluded especially when my team would joke around, speaking Luganda, erupting in laughter, and I was the only one left out of the joke. I soon got very used to and tolerant of this.
By evening I already felt a part of this community.Trevor had ended up on the Green Team with Joel and I with Daniel, all of us sat at a table together for meals, along with Andru and Shallom. We were lively, our chatter mixing with that of the other tables, enjoying each other's company and the meal before us. My heart had already latched on to this community, "I love camp" etched upon it.
Worship time was beyond incredible. Cathy led us in praise songs and it was obvious she has a gift. 3 of the guys took their places behind an African drum, creating a pounding beat.
We soon caught on to their songs, some in English and others in Luganda. I was so taken by the way that these people worship, joyful hands clapping, arms raised, swaying, and moving in step together. This is how the Lord should be praised, this is how his people should rejoice in his name. Not merely standing and reading the words off a screen. Cathy got us jumping, dancing, twirling, and hugging, with all the beautiful voices harmonizing like easily woven thread. It was an honor to be worshipping with all these people, my heart felt so overjoyed. A row of boys in the back had formed a line and were stepping in sync, getting into the music that circled through the room. The only way I can describe this feeling is FULL.
Kindri spoke that first night, and she shared with such passion, and she was able to connect with us very easily. I am so grateful that Kindri has found her calling here in Africa. This is what she is made to do. She has such a gift to love on and speak life into these youth, and they are so very blessed because of it.
The days are long at camp, and I found myself up late in the fluorescent bathed dining hall, teaching Spanish to Micheal. He was so curious to learn another language so I slowly taught and quizzed him on new words as Shallom strummed guitar in the background. I was overjoyed to get to know him more and hear about his love of art. I hadn't had to worry so much, I was still getting plenty of time with my big brothers. In fact, throughout the day Andru had checked in on "his Nangobi" (the Ugandan name they had given me, meaning kind) :) I went to bed that 1st night feeling perfectly exhausted from a great day. I have always loved the phrase, "God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good." Well here in Uganda, they add on another part at the end: "...and that's his nature, WOW." There is so much truth in that, and as I settled to sleep, I was amazed at his nature, and how much he provides for us.
The next few days were about each of us finding our niches. I grew to know my blue team, Trev latched on to his green gang, and Mom found friends in the orange team.
Dad was a floater, encouraging campers and staff alike as they learned to lead others, and of course pulling out his endless supply of silly games whenever there was the chance.
It is really fun watching members of my group go out of their comfort zone, contributing their own ideas, and taking risks to help the team complete a challenge.
Often times I had no idea what they were saying, but I got to observe as an outsider and the way people were flourishing was amazing to watch. It really was a strange balance for me, because technically I was a camper with the rest of my team, but I'd also been at the staff weekend and I was in the loop, and had been trained up as well. I would sometimes find myself holding back--I knew I could lead like the other staff members and bring more insight and clarity, but I was the youngest and I felt it wasn't my place to step in. It was definitely a learning experience for me, since I tend to want to lead, but I challenged myself to be a follower to let others grow. There was one activity in the challenge course where I was left in the dark. They all began plotting together in Luganda, unknown clips and phrases of the conversation bounced around me, and all I could do was follow their occasional instructions to me. Kindri was there and saw my dilemma and laughed at what we muzungus go through.
Free time was never enough. I played net ball (a popular game that is like a mixture between basketball and ultimate Frisbee), taught guitar or Spanish, learned Luganda, or bumped a volleyball around with a few others in the great field expanse behind the dining hall. Joel loves music and he loves borrowing my iPod each night. Part of me felt guilty because it meant he was off alone, isolating himself, but when I watched him with those ear buds in, he looked so happy and at peace. I remembered that many teenagers around here may not have a way to escape from the world and get lost in music, so I left him to it, happy to give him a gift that seemed so simple to me but might have meant the world to him.
During one of our morning small group times, we did an activity on the topic of our our morning speaker: Encouraging the Heart. Each of us had a slip of paper taped to our back, and forming meandering behind one another, we wrote an encouraging note to every person. I have done many exercises like this at other camps and I love the simplicity of it, but also how powerful it can be. You never know what a kind word will mean to someone. Well in the African culture, there is not a lot of emphasis on encouraging one another, so it was especially impactful for each of the campers to physically hold a piece of paper covered in words by others, affirming their unique character qualities, passions and strengths.
Kindri recounted later that so many youth came to her excitedly to show her their sheet of encouragement. One girl in mom's orange team told the group that no one in her family had ever said any of these things to her. After only 4 days, she said she felt like her camp "family" truly knew her. Wow. What an amazing experience for a 17 year old who has never been affirmed and told that she is of tremendous worth, that she is special. I take that for granted. I am sure this activity was a priceless gift to the campers, it was clear by how they "glowed" and said things like, "I am so full of happiness!" afterward, and wanted to show others their page. I know that that thin beige piece of paper will be something they treasure for many years to come.
Way too soon, the last day of camp arrived. Our time had been more incredible than words can describe. That somber tone was already seeping in, but I didn't want to allow it, I wanted to soak up every last moment of joy and friendship. Tonight's worship was unforgettable. I felt so surrounded by lifted voices, so wrapped by love and praise. I think we could all feel it was our last chance and so we all sang more passionately and wholeheartedly than usual and you could feel it in the room, it came straight from the pit of our souls. Then Kindri spoke on forgiveness and opened up a time for all of us to let go of bitterness that we may be holding on to. The room was filled with sobs and there was no denying that the holy spirit was in that place, and that hearts were being moved. The staff washed the campers' feet as a symbol of servant leadership, and others placed hands of prayer on those who were in tears...it was all so powerful.
Afterwards in a turn of events, we held a traditional dance showcase. This afternoon, the 10 staff had taught us muzungu a tribal dance that would regularly be performed at a young boy's circumcision. We ran downstairs just before our turn and tied fresh banana leaves around one another, getting all fired up, and hurried into our positions.
The whole crowd was eager to watch us 5 muzungu (me, Trevor, mom, mad and Kindri) take on an African dance and most likely make great fools of ourselves (which is always the goal). 
The African drums started pounding, and all the men jumped and high stepped to the beat, the banana leaves flapping. Kathy and Lydia stood on either side of mom and I, demonstrating for us how to step and move our hips. I smiled big as I attempted to follow their lead and listened to the hoots and hollers calling out, "Nangobi!" It was such fun to end the night with a bang with my staff family. Next, a group of campers performed a traditional tribal dance. They are so talented, and it is so evident that music and rhythm are hard wired into the Ugandan people!
Before the power went out (TIA--That Is Africa), we managed to watch most of the recap slideshow, reveling in all of our silly memories from the week. The energy was high and hearts fuller than ever. The guys started a huge bonfire and we gathered around the glowing flames lighting up the black night. I sat alone on the dirt and watched all my camp family, feeling somewhat detached, the firelight dancing on their faces, making the scene unreal. I wish it weren't real, I never want this to end. Memories of the week flashed through my mind. I listened to Andru pound the drum, I sat in Moureen's lap as Joel braided my hair, I laughed, I played, I sang. SO much happened today, and this week...and I am different, I am changed, I know that.
My eyes were heavy, but I wouldn't allow myself to go to bed when there was still time to be had with everyone. If I went to bed that would mean waking up to goodbyes, and I wanted to avoid facing that. So I sat under the stars and the bright moon laughing and playing games, with the pressing heat of the fire on my back. It was enjoyable in a melancholy kind of way because the reality of tomorrow pressed against us with the same intensity as the fire. By 2 am, I retreated to bed. I just don't want to leave...I fell asleep straight away feeling this in my heart.
With no alarm set the night before, we arose late and scurried to breakfast and I sat at the table bleary eyed, waking up slowly among great friends like family, wishing I weren't living the reality of this day. During our closing staff meeting, I broke into tears. Sarah, who I'd been with on the blue team this past week, took me in her arms. Each one of us expressed our gratitude for one another, and our Ugandan brothers and sisters continuously thanked our family for being here this week. I am so glad that we could be such a blessing to them, and that the tools Mom and Dad were able to teach them, were so deeply impacting. Shallom said in his passionate and excited way that he couldn't wait to go home and apply all that he had learned to be a great leader in his community. That is why we came, but we got so, so much more. I gained my trusted blue team friends, my staff big brothers and endless memories with them.
It was so neat to hear each one reflect on the week, but I just cried...it can't be over, it just can't. I leaned into Sarah and let my tears fall. I will be back, Uganda has made it's way into me.
And so came the time I dreaded most, we stood up to say goodbyes. I hugged each staff member, a tug on my heart every time we embraced and exchanged the word goodbye. I found Andru and sank into his comforting arms, and we sobbed. Andru has shown me so much love and care, and has found a place in my heart. I thank God for giving me the best big brother I could ask for.
I walked out and waved my new friends down the dusty red road on a boda boda (motorcycle) and watched them zoom from my view. Who knows when I will see them again? The worst goodbyes are long and staggered, it's easier to do it all at once like ripping off a Band-Aid. Even through we had waved most of the campers off by late morning and sent Kindri off to catch a flight at the airport, 4 of the staff guys stuck around since they were in no rush to get home.
We shared another lunch together in an all too empty dinning hall and talked quietly. But still, nothing felt right. It was nice to spend more time with them, but it also hurt. Finally they had to go, we walked them out the Discovery Center gates, soft conversation penetrating my ears. I felt broken. All my tears were gone, and I tried to put on a smile. All 4 of us in our family were feeling such a heavy sadness. We gave them one last hug, each in turn. It wasn't adequate, but then again goodbyes never are, nor will they ever be. There is just never enough time. We shouted goodbyes as they disappeared around the bend, and walked back into an empty camp.
This week has changed my life. God met us here, and we formed more than a team, we formed a family, and that is irreplaceable. This week is something that I'll never forget. My days will no longer be greeted by hugs and a "Wasuzotia" (good morning), spent laughing over meals at my favorite table, or filled with games and bonding with fellow campers, or spent with hands high in worship among my passionate, God-crazy Ugandan family.
Realizing that is so hard. And although this experience can never be re-created, I know somehow I'll be back, my heart is lodged here in a way that I cannot, nor do not want to change. God is good, all the time...and all the time, God is good. And that's his nature,
WOW.
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