Grief continues but the weariness of the last week has been boosted by a glimpse of wonder. On Friday I had a sweet visit with our dying neighbor in which he and his two wives decided it was OK for us to go away for the weekend. He’s actually considerably improved on his new medicines and doses, so knowing we needed the break, we went ahead. Saturday morning I hiked with 18 others over the Bwamba pass, a footpath that connects Bundibugyo with Fort Portal through a nearly 9,000 foot high bamboo forest. It is a demanding 20 kilometers of steep rutted trail, loose stones, mud, occasional houses, gasping ascent and spectacular views. Julia, Caleb, and Jack all managed to keep up, as well as our 20 something interns and a few team members. The day was a welcome respite, a focus on breathing and walking, nothing more. Saturday night around the campfire we told stories with the interns and made smores, then Sunday morning I was one of the missionaries who agreed to give a talk on Sonship, their weekend discipleship seminar. Sunday we drove to Queen Elizabeth National Park where we then camped as a family, just the six of us an nothing but wild animals for miles around, until Tuesday. A day and a half, reading a good novel, driving through the park scanning for the antics of elephant families, preparing some amazingly gourmet fireside food, watching the stars come out with my kids while reading “Danny Champion of the World” aloud (a great Roald Dahl read I got for my Bday), listening for growls.
When Job’s comforters got him really down, God told him to go look at the hippos. I find that we need the removal from all things human to hear the voice of the Lord. The sorrows of the Fall seem fewer and further between out in the wildnerness.
1 comment:
Jennifer,
Your advise to me two years ago to "go look at the hippos" was a life saver in many ways, a faith strengthener and a great blessing from the Father. I pray it is the same for all of you.
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