After trying to sleep some in our tent, which could be described as a human-sized sardine can, we woke up and hiked toward some mountains in the distance. We eventually ran into a large river, which we later identified as the Nile, and could go no further. We began our hike back to the road and after about half an hour some dark clouds rolled to a halt above us before opening up into a powerful thunderstorm. In the midst of this downpour we came across an old farmer who directed us to a path that would lead to the road. After giving him a couple of our machetes as a thank you, we headed to the road. After waiting a little bit we landed a sweet ride that was headed all the way back to Kampala. Better yet, they were late so they would be driving pretty fast. We hopped in the back of the truck were greeted by three more smiling Africans who were also riding in the back. They were quite suprised that we would be their new traveling companions. The ride home is something that words cannot fully describe and photographs cannot entirely illustrate. However we will give our best attempt at trying to convey what we feel were glimpses of the kingdom of heaven.
The truck took off and began driving down the bumpy dirt road. For about 30 minutes we sat on the floor of the flatbed, getting pounded by every bump in the road. A few times we hit a pot-hole or jut in the road going 40 or 50 mph resulting in a foot or two of air before landing back on our rear-ends on the truck. Felt like what I imagined being body slammed by a full-grown man would feel like. After a couple of those brutal instances we transitioned to sitting on our packs. This too was pretty brutal so Andrew decided to stand up and hold onto the side. We saw that while unorthodox, this may in fact be the best and most comfortable way to ride back. So we stood for the next few hours. At this point the blank canvas that was the sky before the storm was stained with a plethora of colors originating from the sun setting behind the mountains in the distance. This scene screamed Romans 1 where it says “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (v.20) This was something in this world but too vivid and majestic to be of this world. A glimpse of something greater.
As we traveled on we watched as African children would run out of their huts to the side of the road and frantically wave at us. Men and women walking down the road and see us standing on the back of this speeding truck and initially be quite puzzled. As we drive by we would flash a quick smile or wave and their face would completely light up, leaving us smiling more than before. It was crazy to think of how different these rural village people were, half a world away, different language, but a smile is universal. A realization of how complex yet simple humanity is. Another one of those glimpses.
We live in a broken and imperfect world where we dont have all the answers. We werent designed to be able to know everything. Thats what these little pieces or realizations, however complete or incomplete, of something greater than ourselves are so important.
Because while these may be only glimpses, sometimes a glimpse is all thats needed to remind you who deserves all the glory.
Africa Team
-L4L
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