I have thought hard on what makes Uganda so unforgettable? It's a land stuck in times past. Its people still living in the 1970's or 1980's standards. Yet it offers visitors a peaceful and familiar existence.
It's dust filled, unpaved roads rise to welcome my feet on my morning runs and afternoon strolls around Lira town.
It's strange mish mash of fashion featuring popular African mumus, 80's wear and floral prints.
It's mothers' nonchalant way of carrying their babies by cloth-wrapping them on their backs so they can be hands-free to do their errands.
It's village children running bare feet behind us and yelling out "Muzungu" (Ugandan jargon for a Western person) until we turn around and wave back.
This month, I got to meet unforgettable characters that would fill up pages of a biography.
People like Pamela, a woman in her late 20's who has been a prayer warrior since she was young.
Pamela spent a few years working for World Vision as a field coordinator, where she met her husband. After they were married, she went on a 28 day liquid only fast to pray faithfully for God to allow her to become pregnant by April of 2010. Her prayer request was bold and specific. "Lord, let me become pregnant by April and let it by twins, a boy and a girl." You guessed right, God answered her prayers and she became pregnant by May of that year and then gave birth to a beautiful set of twins – a boy Osca and a girl, Becky. Tho' now a stay-at-home mom, Pamela is a woman who is still passionate about building the local church and praying for BIG things to happen. Please pray for her family, her husband to get a promotion and for her babies to be healthy and malaria free.
Pamela and I with her adorable twins, now 2 years olds. (Lira Town)
People like Esther, a 60-something retired social worker we met while walking on the road one scorching afternoon.
Esther still keeps busy by going around villages to help counsel young couples, settle family disputes. Her granddaughter, Mercy, is in college studying to be a physician's assistant. Her brother, who died from the LRA (Lord's Reistance Army) left her to raise his son Enoch, a smart 16 year old who welcomed us in when we visited their house by the roadside. Both Mercy and Enoch diligently memorized Creation to Christ, the 12 part evangelism stories we told to them on our first visit to their house. Please pray that Esther, Enoch and Mercy become people of peace at their community, schools and homes and make a difference by bringing God's love.
Myself with Mercy, Esther, Enoch and Boni. (Lira Town)
People like Lilian, the head nurse of the maternity clinic Moriah and I visited one day.
After explaining to her we just wanted to help expectant mothers or mothers during/after childbirth, she quickly put us to work by letting us observe the prenatal exams and care for newborns and praying for the mothers who are resting in the back after a difficult labor. I remember the first time I held a newborn in my arms, I was nervous that I'd crush the baby or drop the baby upon carrying him, but I did just fine. Looking at his tiny finger nails and intricate little face. I felt this sense of awe. Is it how it feels to be a mother- marveling at the life created by God, that's all mine. Lilian showed me how to cut the embellical cord without squirting blood everywhere. I thought I'd faint but I was actually okay. I surprise myself. The day before we left Lira town, Moriah and i went to the clinic for the last time, Lilian was glad to see us. She let me hold the babies while she gave them shots, and she let me perform a general exam on an expectant mother. I felt like a nurse. Here in Uganda, the expectant mothers are required to take a HIV test every few months.
Many people my parents generation and my generation have died of HIV/AIDS, leaving their kids as orphans and at risk of HIV themselves.It's a reality that many of us are not in touch with. Lilian is a strong woman who handles each labor with ease. Please pray that she will continue to have the strength to be an effective healthcare professional that transforms her sphere of the world.
Moriah, myself, and Lilian at the pharmacy next to the maternity clinic she works at.
Uganda, you are unforgettable because your people are unforgettable. It's my prayer that Uganda will be a land that has God's love and redemptive healing on her. Please join me in praying 2 Chronicles for Uganda.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Uganda, I will never forget you!
