A small act of kindness
It's was a Friday night and our team made plans to head to the Little Donkey, the muzungu (white people) hot spot for Mexican food in Uganda. It was across town, so the only way to get there was by boda (dirt bike taxi). We all really dislike them because we have heard several horror stories (drunken or high drivers and American deaths in the past few weeks). But Mexican food was calling, so Jenni and I hopped on the boda, prayed for safety, then proceeded to hold on for dear life.
It was rush hour so our driver was even crazier than usual and was cutting in and out of traffic, making squiggles of the straight road.
As the ride continued, much longer than we expected, we found ourselves in a slum area. I was praying for safety because i knew if anyone grabbed my backpack, which was strapped to me, I would come right off the back of the boda with it. Meanwhile Jenni was trying to muster up the courage to get off and find a different ride.
And that's when Sarah Mae, our contact came into view flagging us down, waiving us to the finish line that was the Little Donkey.
Relieve.
We all sat down and quickly realized there was a problem. Visa was in fact not everywhere I wanted to be. We were even more disappointed to hear the nearest ATM was another boda ride away.
Jenni and I stood up ready to go face our doom on another boda. We walked to the street and waited about 5 minutes, not a boda in sight, when jenni noticed a large passenger van full of muzungus pulling out of the parking lot. She voiced aloud, I wonder if they're headed the direction of the ATM?
Two seconds later jenni was at the passenger window inquiring. And about 5 seconds after that, I found myself sitting on the floor of a van with about 6 children, muzungus and Ugandans, wide eyed and offering me their seats.
Michelle, the passenger seat wife who had welcomed us for the ride, began to ask us who we were and what we were doing.
Kindness, love and generosity oozed from her. I felt instantly at ease, safe and cared for. Talking with Michelle was like talking with one of my moms friends, full of respect yet friendly.
We swapped stories and reasons for being in Uganda when Chris, her chipper husband then jumped in, "I am going to have to charge you for this ride: what has been your favorite memory of your travels?"
We got to share a glimpse of our journey before we pulled up to the ATM and had to say our sincere thanks and goodbyes.
Jenni and I had showed up to the Little Donkey, flustered, scared and on edge and after a 5 minute ride up the road, we felt loved, protected, and at ease.
Those five minutes were probably my most treasured of the Race. Not only were jenni and I saved from another boda ride, but we were blessed to be treated so kindly. I truly felt like Jesus picked us up and gave us a "pick me up."
I dont know if you will ever see this, but thank you Michelle and Chris for being so Christ like. Your small act of kindness meant the world to two needy missionaries.
