I left my heart in Uganda

Part of me doesn't want to write about what just happened in Africa. Part of me wants to keep it locked up inside and let it be a secret love there.

But I also want people to understand what happened to me. Why I'm different.

I won't lie. There weren't any gigantic shocks about the living conditions. This sounds so mean, ug. I have seen so many pictures and documentaries and things, it was hard to be shocked, even though the living conditions were so poor.

There was one thing that did shock me though. Joyfulness. The unhappiest time for me there was leaving. You can't help but be joyful in this place. People wave at you on the street and smile. Any child will laugh when you tickle them, and a piece of candy is the greatest gift they've ever received. Even though there is 9 kids shoved into one hospital room, if you paint their nails....

When people hug you there they mean it. They look at you right in the eyes and then embrace you into themselves. Some of the kids I hugged had never been hugged before, so when you hugged them, they didn't let go.

People have always told me that these are the most joyful people you will ever meet. But I know some pretty joyful people here at home. I thought maybe people just weren't looking for joy in the right places here in the states.

Theses are the most joyful people you will ever meet.