Planes, Busses and a Boda Boda

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 29, 2017

 

Well, as you know we made it safely out of the U.S. to Amsterdam, Rwanda, and finally to Entebbe, Uganda. Two full days of travel can leave you tired and sore, but the team bonded well encouraging each other to power through. Both bed and shower in the Entebbe hotel felt great.

 

All to get up Thursday morning and begin the road trip north to Gulu. Usually this trip takes around 8 to 10 hours.  The road has improved

since we last drove on it two years ago. We made it in just over six hours. Not bad! I’d still venture to say the team is not ready to travel long distances for a few days! Grace, our driver of Rosa the bus was fantastic once again and took great care of us!

 

Now to catch you up on yesterday's adventures....

 

When we were clearing customs they held one medical bag. Apparently, there is a new law in the country (unknown to us or our hosts... it is that new) that prohibits anyone from bringing medicines into the country without written approval from the Drug Authority. When he pulled my team bag to inspect it I began to pray. We had eight total team bags; all filled with medicine. Every trip we have carried medicine to help in the medical clinics. When they pulled my bag, my fear was that they would hold all medical bags. But God was with us. The guard was so focused on the one bag the other seven went through with no issues! Miracle!

 

Dr. Moses and I stayed with customs to figure out what the process would entail before heading to the hotel last night. This morning Dr. Moses went back to the Drug Authority to explain our situation and retrieve the last bag. The team had been praying for God to watch over us and let His will be done.  We knew if they had taken all the bags we would not be able to hold the three medical clinics as planned.  We were grateful for the bags that made it through.

  

While Dr. Moses went to the Drug Authority, the team had breakfast and a devotional.  We wanted to center ourselves and focus making sure we were ready to serve. We also exchanged  American money for Ugandan currency and had the opportunity to meet the assistant to the Kyabazinga of Busoga.

 

Edward and I have been trying to meet with the Kyabazinga to invite him to the school in Mayuge. The Kyabazinga is the cultural leader of Busoga which includes the tribes of Jinja, Mayuge, Iganga, and others. Back before the British colonized Uganda the country was ruled by tribal kingdoms. When the British came in they did away with the tribal system stripping all executive power from the kings. They did leave the kings in place, though to lead their kingdoms from a cultural stance. The king has to come from one family within the tribe; they promote the area they oversee and work to help with development. It is very similar to the Queen of England - no powers but the face, if you will, of the tribe. I have always wanted to meet the Kyabazinga and get him to the school. Today, sadly, we did not meet the King. His assistant was basically vetting us to make sure we were legit. Hopefully, we will get a chance to visit him next week at his palace in Jinja town. I personally am stoked! More updates as it happens.

 

Meanwhile.... back at Drug Authority… Dr. Moses called to ask for Greg or me to come to the Drug Authority to try and help get the bag

released. The Drug Authority wanted to meet with the leaders of the team. So Greg and Alex, an elder in Pastor Edwards church who is traveling with us to Gulu, hopped a boda boda (Ugandan motorcycle) and drove through Kampala. Greg said it was one of the craziest adventures he has been on. Weaving in and out of traffic at breaking speeds... riding 3 men to one motorcycle! (Wish I had a picture!)

 

The team stopped and prayed again for God's will to be done and ask for the bag to be released. Sadly, the Drug Authority refused to release the bag.  However, the non-medical items were released.  Alas, Flat John Wesley is safe with the team. In a week, after they review and provide formal approval, our hope is the bag to be released to Dr. Moses who will use the medicines to treat others. We can still hold the clinics with the seven bags and have already begun to purchase the additional supplies needed. God works in mysterious ways.

 

As our team discussed, we really feel God was at work hardening the hearts of the Drug Authority. Last night at the airport, they were so focused on the one bag they forgot (or neglected) the other seven. One bag delayed in its use to be a blessing to the people to save the other seven to be used immediately. The other bag hopefully, will be still used to bless after we are gone. That is a God thing. Dr. Moses believes the disaster was avoided by the distraction of the one bag. How awesome is our God!

 

Tomorrow we head out to a new village we have never been to called Gonycugu. The Methodist church is planting a new church in this village. The medical clinic is being set up to support and draw people into their ministry. There are no buildings, so we will be holding the clinic in tents. Never done that before! (Prayer coverage, please.) God has a plan; it may be different than the last but still an incredible opportunity to serve.

 

The team has eaten dinner and are getting ready for bed. Tomorrow we meet for breakfast at 7:45 a.m. and head out at 9 a.m. for the first day of ministry.

 

I cannot wait to see my brothers and sisters again. We are partnered with some amazing people who love God and their people. I am honored to know them, serve with them, and call them family.

 

So far Greg and I have not lost anyone!  Looks like our leadership is starting on a strong foot. We have an amazing team. I have loved getting to know Carly, the great story teller. Angela, the quiet and always “cold!” (That will change tomorrow.)  I’m going to enjoy serving with her in warm Uganda. Leigh, Sara, and Katie are themselves as usual -encouraging and eager to get to work. Mike, our diplomat and ambassador, is ready with an abundance of information. Kariel, the youngest at sixteen, fits right into the adults. She is always ready for whatever comes our way. I can't wait to see everyone in action tomorrow loving on people!

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your prayers as we traveled and through customs with the bag ordeal. We, as a team, do not see the bag being a negative. We see it as God going before us. He is with us. He will not leave us nor forsake us. So we will not fear or get discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8- thank you to my wife’s Bible study group for this verse yesterday).

 

Good night. On to rest and refresh and then to serve.

 

Chris

(Future Diplomatic Liaison of Busoga to the U.S. - hopefully in a week!)

Sent from my iPad