Back

As my taxi sped on the Ugandan roads from Kampala to the airport in Entebbe, my heart pumped with anticipation, not for the adventure that Congo brings, but an anticipation of a homecoming. As I surveyed the Ugandan road and life, I could not evade the contrast. I began to mentally prepare for the realities discovered, even if expected, in the first two and a half months in Congo, My mind then drifted into recollection of the beauty found in the land and the people; the good cheer on the faces of UCBC students; the passion and devotion that fuels the initiative and University; and the absolute grace of living in the unknown.

From Entebbe to Bunia, DR Congo, I took an old Russian twin engine charter flight, packed with cargo and maybe 8 passengers. The air injected into the cabin was filled with the stench of fuel. I’ve always appreciated the smell of gasoline, so I didn’t mind. As the remaining passengers worked through immigration in Bunia, I had the chance to catch a glimpse of the peace talks in Goma on a local news channel. After more than 10 years of severe conflict and approximately 5.4 million related deaths and rising (data from IRC), a heavy step towards peace was taken. Yet, the hope felt from these talks is clouded by the news from Kenya; outburst of ethnic violence in a country that has been considered stable, successful, and an example to the rest of East Africa. A few friends and students here fled Congo in the 1990s to Kenya. They now exhibit ghost-like faces as the news of clashes invades the radio waves. And for many here, I wonder if it unsettles their spirits with memories of their own recent past.

Before visiting the school and students, we dropped my bags at the house and greeted my Congolese family. Awaiting there was fresh passion fruit and pineapple juice…the next best thing to my grandmother’s egg nog (if I can compare the two). Jet lagged, but adrenaline running, we headed over to UCBC with waves and nods to those I recognized on the way. After 90 some greetings, some dancing, and drilled with questions of my trip and why I didn’t inform them of my departure before break, I relaxed and thought…it’s good to be back.

(Note: The first question almost everyone asked me about my trip was: “How is your family?” )