Well, here I am. 3 days back into school and already I have stories to share.

I have to say that my 6th graders are phenomenal. They have been a little stir-crazy being back in the classroom, but overall, they have been great. EVERY single one of them has done their homework this week, they all remember what we had learned about polygons from before break, and I couldn't be happier as their teacher! :)

On Monday, I had received a package slip from Mr. Godfrey, our maintenance guy at school who pretty much does everything. (Where would schools be without the support staff who help out behind the scenes? They are truly the crew that makes schools run.) I was ecstatic. I have been waiting for this package from the Wallaces (a couple who lives up the street from us in Simi). My mom had asked Judy to put my bathing suit into it for Cairo (who would have thought it would take 3 months to get here??) Alas, even though it didn't come in time for Egypt, I was still incredibly excited when I got that note! Unfortunately, I have soccer on Mondays and didn't get finished till around 4:30 and Posta Uganda closes at 5... sometimes earlier depending on how they're feeling. And since you never know how long it'll take to find the package you've come for, (once, Jill and I waited for 2 hours for a package, but they found it!!) so I decided to go down on Tuesday after school.

Also unfortunately, this story has actually turned into one of the scariest ones I've had so far in Uganda. Now, I'm tempted to not blog about it at all, except for the fact that I came out of it unscathed, and what a testament to God's protection that is. He was truly watching over me, sending His angels around me. Because this could've had a very different ending.

I hopped on a boda to go into town. Traffic is really bad in the afternoons everywhere, so driving would have taken forever! We got into the city without too many close calls :) As we got over the train tracks, there were a ton of cars at a dead stop. It all happened really quickly. My boda driver looked over his shoulder and looked a little concerned. He scooted the boda up really close to the car in front of us, and kept looking back.

I'm going to interrupt myself right here and say that I've drawn these Paint sketches to illustrate what happened, since I really don't think I can explain it succinctly in words. However, these drawings are so childish. Drawing them kind of made me laugh about the whole situation, because now it's kind of 'cartoonized' in a way.

So, Drawing #1: Me and my boda driver next the cars and just past the railroad tracks.

I honestly didn't even realize that a train was coming. They don't usually honk to warn anyone to get out of the way, since so many people are always on the tracks. As I turned around to see why my boda driver kept turning around, I realized that the big produce truck next to us was about 2 feet on the train tracks. And truly, before I could put two and two together, the train horn sounded and there was a huge crash, in fact, several crashes. The white truck had been hit. It swiveled and bumped into us, then continued with the motion of the train and plowed into the two cars on its right.

Drawing #2: The train came and hit the truck next to us.

I know that when car accidents happen, they happen in both a blur and in slow-motion. (Believe me - I've been in the car in a lot of accidents and I remember every single one.) This one was the same way. I remember getting knocked over to my left, looking around, hearing the sounds of crunching metal and all... but I'll tell you, I was so confused as to what had hit me. I didn't realize that my boda was jammed together with the boda next to us, until we tried to move and were stuck.

Drawing #3: The three cars scrunched together.

Now, not that I am thankful that someone else's car was totaled, but I am so thankful that the Lord was watching over me. If that produce truck had spun at us instead of simply tilted our way, it would have absolutely smashed into my leg, at the very least. I am also thankful that trains here in Uganda don't travel at the high speeds that they do in the States... I wish for many, many reasons that trains didn't travel so fast (or have engineers who text message, etc.) in California, but I'll talk about my dad in the second story I'm going to share down below.

Thankfully, no one seemed to be severely hurt. The two people in the little black car, though stuck in there for quite some time, I'm sure, were moving and yelling (which I assumed meant they were ok :) ) We actually didn't hang around for long, one of the reasons being mob justice. When something bad happens, it is not at all uncommon for lots of people to crowd around and for justice to be served right then and there. It's also not very safe as a mzungu to be in mob justice kind of situation for a few reasons too... the mob mentality could simply to be looking to blame anyone, and a white person could be a target; also, if I were to be there and see something, I'd become a witness, which is never good to be in Uganda - you don't really know how the tables will turn... But regardless of all that, I am so thankful that I walked / boda-ed away from that accident with only a hurt arm. All I could say as we drove was, "Thank you Lord, thank you." I made it to the post office, got my package, and made it back home without incident :)

And while this is pretty long already, I am going to tell you another update about one of my students. A few months ago, I posted a picture of him and I from one of the youth group events. He's a fun kid and we have a good time bantering in computer class. His name is Kahan and he's in 12th grade. He just recently decided to become a Christian, maybe a little over a month ago now.

My heart has been breaking for him this week, and I ask you to keep him and his family in your prayers. On Wednesday of last week, his dad had a heart attack and died at their home. His dad wasn't a Christian, as far as we know, which makes me mourn his loss rather than rejoice over it. Oh, I wish I could just take away his pain. He and I had a long time to talk today during his study hall and my prep period. I love this kid. He and I have laughed and joked with each other so many times, but it was so good today to open up and let him know I'm there. I've been there. I am here.

We talked about how well-intentioned friends don't know what to say to comfort or be there for us since most haven't ever experienced something like it...

He brought up how the question, "How are you?" is a dumb one. I told him I knew exactly what he meant. All you want to respond with is, "Life sucks. My dad just died. I've been crying for a week and there's no end in sight," but instead, you say, "I'm fine." and get on with it.

We talked about how memories are such a wonderful gift. Talking with friends and family who knew your dad, looking through old pictures... it's good to remember, even when it hurts.

I thank my Father that I was able to go through the fires, that I've been refined through learning how to lose someone I love. I still weep over losing my dad. But in situations like this, I know that I went through it for a reason. I am also HERE for a reason.

And if you could please keep Kahan and his mom in your prayers, I know that they would appreciate it. Thanks all. Love you.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flame will not set you ablaze; For I am the LORD your GOD the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!"

~ Isaiah 43:2-3