So this is my first post to this blog, better late than never I guess.  I went into this trip with the mindset that I wanted to disconnect and truely take in the experience and Uganda as a whole, which is why there has been a lack of posts and updates from myself.  I'm not real sure where to start so here goes my ramble, lol. 
     If I had to describe my experience to you all in one sentence I'd tell you, "I traveled from Kampala to Gulu without reservations, and was humbled by the experience."  I know what you're all thinking and I'm not referring to Hotel reservations, or rental car reservations, etc.  I mean I got to experience Uganda, the people, Sports Outreach Institute, and my own faith for that matter in a way I had never imagined.  The people of Kampala, Uganda stirred something in me that I wasn't even aware was present.  If I had to try and pinpoint the moment it happened, itwas while listening to Pastord Richard speak to us at the Sports Outreach Resource Center about being intentional and being there for one another in our walk of faith.  As he spoke to us, its almost as if he was speaking directly to me, and then the other members of the group began contributing.  These men and women of God, were quoting scripture like it was second nature to them, and not only quoting it, but KNOWING it, I mean truely understanding it, applying it, and living by it.  We left our devotional meeting and headed out to tour the Resource center where you could just sense that God is present, he is truely blessing and multiplying what these individuals are pouring into the surrounding villages.  We left that day and I had mixed emotions, there was a sense of sheer joy being in that place but also something I'd never experience before but I couldnt place my finger on it.  I'll apologize in advance bc I'm terrible with names (people and places) so there wont be many going forward. In the following days, possibly the most impactful place we visited for me personally was the village of Katwe.  I would love to tell you about how I was so enthralled with the story of how Phiona started her chess career there, which is amazing by the way, or how I hung on every word of the speakers from that day, but I can't.  I couldnt recall anything that our speakers said to us that day, but what I do remember and what I'll never forget is the people and more specifically the children of Katwe.  They were innocent, they were genuine, they were curious, and they were PURE.  There was no sense of entitlement, they werent spoiled, they were zombies due to cell phones and tv's.  These were little kids in the purest forms, seeking the one thing I knew I could provide to this trip.  Love, affection and attention, and thats what I did, or atleast I hope I did.  The comment I've gotten most since returning is poeple telling me that in the pictures of me and this kids playing that I have a look of genuine happiness, and its because in those moments, those kids were all that mattered to me.  Those kids didnt know that they were going to be teachers that day, but they taught me to focus on whats important, which on that given day was them, and let go of all the other worldly problems.   Once we left Katwe, we visited another local slum where we visited the school and had the honor of talking to some of the older children that had overcome trememdous adversity, attended school and were preparing for University.  You can have all the book smarts in the world, but in the world they live in it's not enough, it takes an amazing amount of heart, determination and most importantly faith to get through.  We discussed with them, their goals, their dreams, what they had been through, and it was then.  That was the moment.  I realized what the stirring feeling in me was.  It was a sense of shame, it was realizing that we have everything at our fingertips, we have access to the world, and we choose to be laxidasical and do nothing with it, yet these amazing people of Uganda have NOTHING, and are changing the world with it.  They approach life differently than we do, they approach everyday like its the last, the go at the day like they want to make a difference, and wether they knew it or not on that day, they made a huge difference in me.   
Fast forward through our 7 hr bus trip to Gulu......there was a lot of singing......lol.
    Through a lot of self reflecting our last night in Kampala, and on our lovely bus trip, I decided when I reach Gulu, I dont want to have reservations, I want to try my best to finish this trip like I belong here, like I've known these people all my life, and thats what I set out to do.  
    I'm not going to spend a great deal of time talking about individuals because I'd never get to the end.  But our time in Gulu, was like an experience I'd never had before.  In a span of 5 days, I went from a euphoric state of bliss, to heart break, to ugly crying with Alex outside my room one night (Alex thank you so much for being there for me brother!) back to awe of how amazing these people are as a whole.  For anyone that has every wondered what heaven might be like I urge you to visit Kora Farm, I truly believe its the earthly embodiement of heaven.  Its peace, tranquility, learning, loving, and healing all rolled in to one.  The staff was the most welcoming, caring group of individuals I've eve had the pleasure of knowing.  I can't help but think that when the volunteers and staff at Kora farm wake up each morning and put there feet on the ground, the devil shutters because he knows their bringing the fight.  
    I've been sitting with this above typed for days now and I keep thinking on how to elaborate and what else to say but I can't find the words, or atleast words that are worthy to describe the experience.  So I'll leave you with this,  my big take away from the trip.  BE INTENTIONAL, in everything that you do.  Don't look at your neighbor and think how bad he has it, help your brother/sister up.  Don't go through the motions becasue the routine has gotten old, there are people fighting and praying for the opportunities we have.  Don't take any of this for granted, God put us here to be sheppards and fisher of men, we're here to go make disciples of the nations.  Spread the gospel, share your story, no matter how embarassing it may be, if one person relates thats a life you can help save!