A Hug From Home

As much as I enjoy my life and purpose here in Uganda, the other day I found myself wishing for the comforting hug of someone from home. Though I talk to my family and friends regularly on Skype, it simply cannot connect me to the physical comfort of their presence. God must have heard my prayer, because he answered it in such a timely way, from an unexpected direction.

Today, I got a call from a worker on campus saying someone wanted to talk to me. Then I heard the familiar voice of one of my coworkers from the hospital I worked at in the US! She had come to visit her sister in Uganda and remembered that I was going to be here at UCU. So, her niece guided her to the campus and she asked around until she found someone with my phone number! I quickly went to meet her and be embraced by a comforting hug from home. We talked for a little bit, discussing the familiar things from my US life as well as my life here in Uganda. Her visit was short, but her hug went beyond her and her visit. Truly, I felt the embrace of God -- a God who heard my little cry and answered it in an unforeseen way. That kind of loving care is quite humbling.

Later, as I contemplated this experience, the song, “Home”, by Philip Philips came on. I could not help but think of how applicable these words are to my life and relationship with God right now. While I would prefer to hold onto the comforts of home, God keeps reminding me to hold on to him, to not be distracted by sadness or discomfort, and, most importantly, he reminds me that I am not alone. He hears my whispered longings and is ready to embrace me in his everlasting love the moment I find my home in him.