A year and a half ago I stayed with a family in
rural Uganda. The experience was amazing and I have 80 pages written in
my journal to testify to that fact. After my time with them, I left knowing
that I may never see them again. I remember writing in my journal about
the hope of heaven and being excited that at least on the far side of the grave
I could see them again.
A year and a half later, I find myself again in
rural Uganda, working as the program assistant for the Uganda Studies Program.
The second morning of rural homestays we dropped our students off and I
got to go to my family's compound --I got to visit where I thought I might
never be able to visit again. I wore the same clothes as I did a year and
a half ago hoping perhaps that would help Toto (momma) remember me. Toto
Helen has hosted many students over the years --many white
girls with strange names and so I was careful not to have my hopes too high.
I decided that it was fine even if she didn't remember me at all.
Jenna, the student who
stayed with Toto Helen this semester (pictured in blue below) got out of the
bus first. Toto greeted her warmly with a huge hug and a beautiful,
genuine smile. Jenna told her that a surprise was coming. I got out
of the bus nervous and excited and knelt, with both knees in the dust, to greet
her. She looked in my face and said, "Anna?!" pulled me up off
the ground and hugged and kissed me not too unlike the Father hugged and kissed
the prodigal son, I would imagine.
Toto called my
brother Sam over and we all stood and hugged and hugged and proclaimed words
and sounds of thanksgiving, disbelief and joy. I wept and laughed and
Toto just hugged me some more.
Reunion is
one of the most beautiful things in all the world and this day I tasted,
however slight, what the heavenly reunion may be like. We will be reunited with
those we love and most of all, reunited with our Savior. What a glorious
day that will be.
