Stories Told.

Once upon a time, a girl of 23 years traveled to a distant land (San Diego) to live with 63 strangers from strange backgrounds (Roadies). She learned about people she didn't know with heartbreaking stories (the Acholi people in Northern Uganda). These people had been forced from their home, mutilated, and abducted. They were child mothers, child heads of households, former child soldiers, and in general children without childhoods. These children were often unseen and unheard, but things were looking slightly better. The LRA had left Uganda, and organizations such as Invisible Children were helping to make a difference in the recovery and healing of the country.

There is still so much to be done. I realize this more and more as I'm here. What's crazy is that I've been here less than a week but I've already been so emerged in the events of the past 20 years, the current situation, and our hope for the future.

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Today was in many ways a break from the emotional strain of the last week. I went to the beach with a large group of us Roadie types and had time to relax, lay on the sand, jump in the freezing (seriously) pacific, browse through a couple of beachy shops, and walk around the outdoor market.

A Necklace I found in the market, fitting, eh?

Upon returning back, however, I watched a couple of IC's bracelet videos (short videos of about half an hour that tell the story of Ugandan students) and thus the emotional onslaught began again. I watched Roseline, followed by Grace, and those two alone left me in a reflective and kinda mentally messy mood (Woah, alliteration). It was in this mental state that I spoke with someone from home. I'm finding it difficult to keep in touch with everyone, seeing as I don't have much free time and so I value what time I do get to catch up with people. After said chat, I was able to tuck all my emotions and broodingish thoughts away for a bit and join in with a rousing game of CatchPhrase (particularly ridiculous with this group). Afterward, however, several of us watched Sunday, another bracelet video (so named because when you buy the dvd, you get two bracelets made by Ugandans in IDP camps, which are fortunately no longer necessary) which kinda put me back in my funk. What really did it was walking on our back balcony and looking over our neat little town and thinking just how fortunate we are to be where we are. I know I can't beat myself up for living in such an awesome situation, but it's just frustrating to feel like I could be doing more. Yes, I'm currently living in a very small shared space with 60 people, with a limited budget, but even here I'm still way better off than the majority of the world.

That said, my goal is to just live in the present moment, not thinking about anything I may be missing at home, and fully dedicate myself to this experience. I've already grown close to so many of these people in just the last 6 days (6 days, really?!!). As always ,however, I can't thank those of you at home who have supported me in any fashion, you all are the reason I am able to do this. Thank you especially for your thoughts and prayers.
Love and Peace.
Sarah