French Bread vs Molten Lava Cake

The thing with French bread is that I always think I will really like it. I mean, it looks scrumptious, smells delicious and it goes with all sorts of cheeses. What’s not to like? But when it actually comes down to it, the hard outer shell kinda ruins it for me. I mean, I really like the inside – all soft and tasty. But sometimes, that exterior is too hard to cut or tear or chew, even. And thus it ruins the soft, yummy inside. (for me, anyway!).

The thing is, I am French bread. Or at least I try to be. My new friend Missy left today for her home after being here in Uganda for 5+ weeks. It was nice having a Mzungu friend at the home, I must admit. And I got used to her being here. But today was “good-bye” day.

And now you must be thinking, what on earth does that have to do with French bread? Well, most anyone who knows me knows that I do NOT like to cry. Especially in front of people. I’m not really sure where this came from or why I’m like that, but that’s not important right now. The point is, I do cry. I’m what you call a sympathetic crier. You cry, I cry. It’s inevitable. Which makes it all the harder to cover up at church when a certain Pastor preaches (can you guess who, Neighborhood Church friends!) But I sure do put up a good front! Hard as rocks. No crying here. Just keep walking. Nothing to see here, folks. So, you see … I’m French bread. Hard exterior, nothing but a softy on the inside. And that includes saying good-bye to friends, whether that be for a year or a “I-don’t-know-when-I’ll-see-you-again”.

But as I got to thinking about this French bread thing, I realized, I’d rather be Molten Lava Cake. Still soft and gooey on the inside, but a lot more appetizing on the outside too! And the drizzle of hot fudge and caramel sauce … okay, so maybe I’m not talking about myself anymore and just really want to eat some cake. Bygones …

So, my dear Missy. Cry all you want. I will cry too. I’m just hiding it behind my shades. Hee hee. And I hope you enjoy this laugh! It was just for you! From one Molten Lava Cake to another :).

And to all my other French breads or Molten Lava Cakes, keep crying … it’s a soul-cleansing good time.

(Ahhh … blogging, what are you doing to me. Revealing all my little secrets!)

Juliet’s Big Day – Part Two

Today’s the BIG day. I mean the actual BIG day (technically, it was Wednesday, but you get the picture). For a girl who has never gone to school, who has been spending her days on the floor of an elderly home and not been outside it’s gates in 3 years … this IS the day! Juliet is going to school!

As we pull up, we are met with a ready Juliet who still squeals with delight at the prospects of her future. She begins waving and calling out “Mwelaba, Mwelaba!” (Good-bye, good-bye) to the other residents and Catholic sisters who have been her steady friends. The determination written on her face as she makes steady progress towards the van, all the while shouting to her friends and waving.

I have to wonder if she knows what’s coming. That she’s truly leaving behind the world she knows and entering a new one. But that’s the glory of seeing a new life. Of seeing the potential and chasing after it. Leaving the old behind and forging into what can be. Only the courageous can do it. And Juliet is certainly that.

At the school, I see the first hints of nervousness. It’s okay to be nervous. It’s okay to have doubts. As long as you trust that God has you here for a reason and with Him, you keep going. And she does. We begin to show her all the things that we got for her to begin school. Things that now have her name printed on them with permanent marker. We give her a new baby doll and place it on her newly made bed. Again more squeals of delight.

I’m excited by what she is going to learn, who she is going to become and what God has in store for her. I think back to my own school days. I never had reason to worry about never going to school. But here in Uganda, that is the fate of many children. I am thankful to Juliet’s sponsors who are willing to sacrifice a little so that Juliet may gain a lot. I see her potential and know that God has special plans for her.

As we say good-bye, I see no marks of sadness. I see joy. Joy for what is to come. I wish I faced all my days like Juliet. Smiling. Joyful. I know the saying is “out of the mouths of babes”, but in this case, I think it’s appropriate to say “out of the lives of babes.” Lessons for us all to learn.