A Renewed Sense of Gratitude
“Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace within difficulties.” C. S. Lewis
I am so thankful to be back at the James Place after being away for so long. I was here in Jinja at the beginning of the pandemic, and due to the lockdown, I had to go back to America. Weeks turned into months, and before I knew it, I had been away from the James Place for ten months. I missed the simplicity of the James Place and all of the time spent with friends. Transitioning back to life at the James Place has been incredible. There is so much peace here despite all of the crazy things happening around the world. It truly feels like a peace that passes all understanding.
Coming back to work has been a new beginning for so many staff members. Everyone is so thankful to be here and be able to spend time together again. The children in childcare are excited to be able to have a safe place to play while their mommas are at work. The teachers are grateful to be able to attend training during the day. The artisans are focused on learning new designs. The kitchen staff are enjoying cooking in their brand new kitchen space. Before the pandemic, everyone was thankful for their jobs. However, since returning, there has been a renewed sense of gratefulness to be able to come to work.
Beyond all of this, there is a new opportunity to learn from each other again. I am learning that we are all so much more the same than different. We are all so much better when we are able to spend time together. I am so thankful for new friendships and for the chance to strengthen the old ones. We are all able to relate to the hard circumstances that this past year has brought. We can also all relate to the fact that God was there with us through it all. He often uses the hardest challenges in life to mold us into who He wants us to be. He creates something new in us with every tough situation He helps us through. Without the hard times, we would not be able to experience joy in the good times. God has used our hardships to teach us, to work in us, to bring us closer to Him, and to bring us closer to each other. I am grateful for this new beginning here in Uganda, and I am so ready to be able to call this place home.
