Uganda has been a symbol of a promise kept.
The Lord put Uganda on my heart a long time ago – before Haiti even. In fact, it’s the reason I went to Haiti! I couldn’t afford the trip to Africa, or take the vacation time off needed to go. Someone told me Haiti was much like Africa, and as it was much closer and easier to get to, I went there instead. And fell in love.
But now here I am, working with a ministry I have followed for years – Sole Hope. Sort of surreal in a way, but that’s how God works. When He puts something on your heart, He’ll be faithful to see it through. And now, I can’t believe Uganda is my seventh African country to visit! I first spent time in South Africa, Botswana, Madagascar, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Swaziland, as part of my World Race and also when I went back out on the field.
My first view of Africa was a reflection of the starry black night sky: civilizations sprinkled through the countryside sparkling white lights contrast the dark – all through the tiny window of the airplane. I thought it was Uganda before I realized we had one last layover in Rwanda. Oops!
The jet lag brain continued that night when I mistakenly washed my hair with body wash and lotion instead of shampoo and conditioner. Word to the wise traveler: if you repurpose little tiny bottles for toiletries, be sure to mark on the outside what’s what.
I’ve missed the simplicity of African life. I wake up in the morning and make avocado toast and maybe some eggs and take my coffee and breakfast outside to sit in the quiet. Yesterday we went to a Farmer’s Market and it was lovely – ex-pat children with Jinja locals – running in the red dirt with bare feet. There’s not enough bare feet and dirt in the US.
We’re back on African time. We know if it rains in the morning, our 9am leave time gets pushed to 11. Or later. And that’s just the way it is.
So far, we’ve been hanging out at the Sole Hope Guest House and have traveled to the Outreach House each day. The Outreach House is run by Ugandans and medically trained local staff. They take in patients and treat them for foot parasites called jiggers, while also treating them holistically. We’re more or less cheerleaders as opposed to the heroes of the story. We’re here to support the locals and come alongside them in the work they are doing. It’s a great way to do ministry.
I met a leather worksman at the market named Yonnah yesterday. Today we’ll meet at the Tannery and pick out leather to make bracelets and small purses or bags. I’ll bring some back to sell to help fund more mission work! My heart is full being around artisans again.
At the guest house, we met a wonderful couple named Jane and Nathan. They are counselors for married missionaries and are traveling around to minister to several living in Africa. Imagine my surprise when I found out they live in Rome, GA – and helped start Rahab’s Rope – a Gainesville organization doing something similar to what I want to do in Haiti! After hugs this morning and while they were leaving – Jane said, “You’ll be sitting around my kitchen table in Georgia!”
Last night we went to the Source of the Nile (which is a fancy name for Lake Victoria) – a dream come true! It felt like a bird safari of sorts – colorful and exotic birds weaving nests and fishing all around us. And monkeys. And we saw the spot where a python killed a 7 year old boy a few weeks ago. Apparently they still haven’t caught the snake. Yikes! As the guide was telling us the story and we were engrossed looking at the spot where it happened, we ran into some branches on the other side. One branch clipped Melody and the guide’s hair, and they both jumped up and screamed, thinking it was the snake. We had a great laugh.
While here, we’ve eaten some local food – posho (which is almost like grits for my southern friends), matoke (made from plantains), beans and chipati. We keep hearing about something called g-nuts but haven’t had a chance to try it yet.
I’ll keep you guys posted on the rest of the week! Just wanted to let you know all of the things I’m experiencing while it’s still fresh. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to my ongoing mission work and who have helped me get here!
