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And so it begins...

There could be nothing more annoying than finding yourself stuck next to a 26-year old female who sobs uncontrollably for the first half hour of a 14 hour flight from Sydney to Dubai. On that note, I would like to apologise to the girl who sat in seat 84J for any inconvenience my wailing may have caused, but when you are sent off at the airport with a myriad of letters containing endless amounts of love, encouragement and support, from some of the most incredible friends anyone could ask for, it is all too easy to let the emotions take over and get the better of you. That, or quite simply the fact that I cry in ‘Casper the Friendly Ghost’ every time I watch it, may be a general indication of my emotional state… I essentially had no hope of keeping it together!

Following on from my overly dramatised departure from Sydney, I arrived in Dubai only to find my connecting flight to Entebbe was delayed by approximately 2 hours. This gave me more than enough time to spend pondering my own thoughts and analysing the unusual and slightly unnerving situation I am currently in.

The concept of travel is not one that is new to me, in fact, last year I travelled overseas on six separate occasions and spent 3-4 months outside of Australia. Nor is it the idea of relocating for a short period of time that scares me given I spent two years studying in France from 2010. Rather, I think it’s the built up feeling of anticipation that comes with knowing you are right on the cusp of achieving your life’s dream, and that all your hard work and efforts to date have led to this opportunity right here in front of you that is both incredibly surreal and, to be honest, a little overwhelming.

Ten years ago exactly, back when I worshiped Brittany Spears and wore hoop earrings on a daily basis, I randomly felt a call on my life to one day move to Africa and serve the people the Lord had so strongly placed on my heart. At the time, I had never been to this great continent and had absolutely no idea how or when such an opportunity might arise. All I was sure of was that it would one day happen and it would happen in God’s time.

Looking back now, I can see how every course I studied, every job I took, every trip I embarked on, was somehow preparing me for the task I have set about to do. It is no coincidence that I am now in Uganda - exactly where I should be.

This is now my fifth time to ‘the Pearl of Africa’ and I can honestly say that the feeling I get each and every time I step off the plane is the same as the first time I arrived. It can only be described as the feeling of finally coming home.

I feel so honoured to have been trusted with this work, especially knowing that I do it in the name of the One who sent me, and I’m so excited to be sharing this experience with those who believe in the purpose and vision of Love Mercy. It’s going to be one heck of an adventure but I’m ready! It’s only been a lifetime coming.

- Cassi.

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