The Trip Up North

The trip North to visit the village where Victoria lived prior to coming to Beacon House we knew would be a lot of things. Difficult, emotional, joyful, memorable, pick an adjective it was all that and more.

We started by arriving at the bus station in time for a NOON departure. We boarded the bus at 2 and left at 3pm. The trip was full of adventure, awful movies blaring in your ears, a fan belt that needed to be replaced and lots and lots of bumps and dirt. We arrived in Bolga at 5am (14hrs later). Along the way we stopped several times, nearly each time there were vendors selling many many things, most not recognizable to me. One treat was the bananas. They were small but very flavorful, different than the ones in Washington (better in my opinion). We caught a bit of sleep (2hrs) and had breakfast at the lodge and were off to the village.

As we traveled we again saw many vendors, children selling many items. Children and adults walking with anything and everything you can imagine on their heads or walking with carts, many had donkeys pulling carts into town from their villages.

As we drove Victoria was getting more and more excited. We kept driving further and further....everywhere you look there was dirt, every once in a while you would then come up on a group of mud huts with thatched roofs and some with no roofs. These were the beginning of the villages. There were school buildings and people walking to the fields.

Victoria kept saying look for the BIG WATER. Soon we came to the BIG WATER. It was like an ocean. Its a man made watering hole that she remembers getting water from. We drove for another 10-15 minutes and we came to Vea. Victoria was so excited and looking for people she knew....the night before and all morning she talked about seeing baby Helen, Olivia, Martha, Timothy, Joe, Esther, Mary, Jennifer, Uncle John and Patricia (Johns wife). We initially went to the wrong families area, right village, wrong group of mud huts, this was okay though because we got to see Victoria's friend Philip's family. Philip is also at Beacon House. We met Philip's brother and father and some other relatives while there.

Finally we arrived. We parked and began the walk into Victoria's family grouping. It was hot, smoggy and dirty but all we could notice was little Victoria's joy as she ran ahead and met her friends on the trail who knew she was coming, we couldn't keep up or video except from way behind. It was a moment that will be etched forever in our minds.

We arrived at the village and were greeted by Uncle John (Pastor John). He is the man that against strong cultural guidelines/traditions took Victoria in and did his best to raise her until he just couldn't any longer. Words can't explain how our hearts are bound to Uncle John's. He is an amayzing man that loves the Lord Jesus Christ.

After greeting Uncle John we proceeded into the center of the group of huts where the women had gathered (lots of them of all ages) and were already dancing traditional dances to the Lord and in honor of us coming. Very humbling as we didn't expect this and just wanted to meet them and see where Victoria had spent most of her life. Dancing went on and on, lots of stomping, clapping.


They would all clap a rhythmic beat and sing and then one by one they would come to the center and stomp and dance their hearts out. From an older lady to teenagers to Victoria and even a young 5 or 6 year old. Very neat. In case you were wondering yes they did call Carrie and I out at different times to dance as well....yes we have video but these portions of the white people dancing will likely never be seen by anyone but us... as lets just say our dancing was not the same!!!

We handed out toy cars made by several gentlemen in our church, a few beanies and of course toffee (candy). One of the funny moments was watching the older grandmothers in the village look at and play with Victoria's (cabbage patch) doll she had brought. The kids played and played with the cars and some raced the beanies around on the cars.


After awhile Victoria took us to see the large Mango Tree. While there Victoria impromptu style began to lead the children in worship songs. Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord, Father Abraham and Jesus Loves the Little children...all of them with motions. Reminded me of her Big Sister Ashlie!!

As it became time to leave we were able to pray and receive a blessing from Uncle John and Patricia...what was even more unexpected was the gifts Victorias family gave to us. A live guinea fowl and some ground nuts. This was a HUGE sacrifice for them to do (They don't have much and this is not the time of year where they are harvesting and making more! Very moving!


As we began to leave I could not believe what we had just been thru. It was all very surreal. On the drive out of the village Carrie and I talked about the definition of happiness. In the western world we would look at these people and see sadness and even say we couldn't imagine living like that. I can say that these people were happy, do they live a hard life by our definition of hard...I suppose but the point is they live a happy life the one that God has given them.

To be honest I am still overwhelmed by it all as it was ALOT to take in.
Pictures, stories, can never compare to what is etched in my mind. I will forever remember this experience God knitted together so perfectly for many many reasons. I know He will continue to teach me and remind of his faithfulness and provision thru the images I witnessed this day.

As we drive out the joy on Victoria's face was one to be cherished forever. Victoria God has a perfect plan for you and it is going to be one of amayzing proportions.

Was it worth two 14hr bus rides each way, complete with potholes, dust, the backaches, lack of sleep etc?

ABSOLUTELY!