I have been really enjoying my time here in
Uganda and I am so glad I encouraged Melissa to apply to ACTS as one of their
engineering interns. With her working, we
agreed that while we are in Africa I would be the primary care giver for our
son Theo. So for the last 5 months my main job has been to care for my little
guy. Back home I was working and Melissa was the stay at home mom, so this
whole role reversal thing took a little bit of getting used to. For all you men
out there that are tired when you get home from work and just need a break, I
am going to let you in on a little secret…your wife needs one too, probably even
more than you!
As I said, getting used to my new role was
not easy. Before we came to Africa often times I would only have to change one
diaper a day. Sometimes if I was lucky I could even see a few days pass without
having to change a single diaper. My wife was so good to me! Now I do the dirty…literally.
On top of that when we first arrived here in camp we did not have our helper Winnie
around to do our laundry. The first couple weeks I was not only changing stinky
diapers, but also hand washing them. I was not thrilled about cloth diapers at
that time; however I have to say I did feel a sense of accomplishment every
time I finished a load. On a side note I just want to say thank you Jesus for
Winnie!
Though I have just devoted a whole
paragraph to diapers, among the many things I had to get used to, diapers was
actually one of the easier ones. I learned very quickly that caring for a child
full time requires an incredible amount of patience (I assure you I am still
praying for more of it every day). Tasks that appear so small sometimes turn
into Mission Impossible. I did not know
changing Theo’s clothes could be such a battle at times. Probably one of the
toughest things for me to get used to was waking up in the night with Theo. You
see, back home I never had to. Theo was a nursing baby and Melissa always
covered that (again, my wife is so awesome!). However, my lack of reciprocation
in this department originally when we arrived in Uganda lead to an unhappy wife
some nights…I was in the dog house a few times on that one.
I will admit with any change comes some
challenge, but I feel like I am really getting the hang of being a full-time
dad and husband. In fact at one point I felt that my job here was not quite as
important as Melissa’s, but now I realize how entirely untrue that is. Raising
a child is one of the most important jobs anyone could have. Like in any
particular job you have your ups and downs, but on those good days, when you
experience your child learn something new or do something amazing, it is such a
life giving feeling and so rewarding. Theo and I are having a blast together
and I am so proud of what Melissa is doing over here. It has been a dream come true
for all of us.
As much fun as it has been hanging out with
Theo, God has placed a few people in my path over here that I have been able to
help, and develop friendships with. There are so many needs over here and I
understand that I can’t help everybody, but it is encouraging when God works
through you to touch one person’s life at a time.
Overall, I have really enjoyed just being a
full time dad. I might not ever get an opportunity like this and I am thankful
that God has given us the faith to pursue our dreams according to His will.
I love and miss everyone back home, can’t
wait to be back!
Andrew
