Uganda trip, Fall 2021 – Volume 10

Sunday, 31 October 2021

I changed my plans so I could attend church this morning. I will head out to Masaka tomorrow. Today, I had breakfast with Kizza Robert at The Tick Hotel and then rode out to Rock Ministries Church Kibanga (pronounced Chē-BÄNG-ga), pastored by my new friend, Kasozi Roy. I knew him and his wife, Caitlin, because they had sat near me at Gitta’s introduction. When we arrived at the ministry compound, I saw a boarding school, a health center, a worship center, and a newly cleared lot that will house the new, bigger worship center. As we entered for church, there were only a few in attendance, but as we got started, the room quickly filled to standing room only. One of the school teachers led an informal “Sunday school,” then the worship and preaching began. Caitlin did the announcements in her Glasgow, Scotland accent, and a Luganda interpreter echoed everything. The worship was sincere, and even the smallest of children participated in what appeared to be great earnest.

Roy preached on not being afraid, and Robert kicked me when the sermon topic touched exactly what the two of us had been discussing in our travels. It was great to hear the Spirit confirm in the mouth of our musumba (pastor), what He had already been saying to and through us to one another.

After church, Roy and Caitlin took us on a tour of the Kibanga Health Center, which is staffed by Naomi, the only nurse. She was a familiar face, since she was the English - Luganda interpreter for Roy during the service. Her face beamed with pride as she showed us the facility and described for me her plans to continue her education. We spoke of the clinical capabilities of the center and the doctor that visits two days a week. While there were beds for four males and four females, she said they mainly only see outpatients.

After our tour, we were treated to a fine Ugandan meal there in the health center. We were joined by the other first-time visitors to the church, and had a fine time sharing with all.

At the conclusion, Roy and Caitlin invited me to stay in their home. Robert delivered me safely to their amazing house tucked on the side of a hill that would not easily be found, but which shared a neighborhood with political and music celebrity Bobi Wine, who recently ran for president of Uganda.

Roy and Caitlin have a large guest house, a recording studio, and a fine house for themselves. They welcomed me into their own home and had guests enough to fill their guest house as well. We sat together all afternoon, getting to know one another and enjoying each other’s company. As evening came, Robert returned with Pastor Gitta, and we all had pizza and played games. It was a great time of Christian fellowship!

Even the guest room in Roy and Caitlin’s main house had private shower and toilet facilities. I was really impressed with the place and slept comfortably.

Monday, 1 November 2021

My arranged ride to Masaka had to cancel and refer me to a friend, who had to cancel and refer me to a third friend, who had to cancel and refer me to a fourth. I cancelled him and called my own friend, Jeremiah, who was the travel savior of my previous trip to Uganda. He was more than pleased to fetch me from Roy’s and take me to Masaka, where I would stay in a guest house and visit my friend, Kelsey Linduff, of Willow Resource Foundation (https://www.willowresource.com), and maybe even see my other friends, Tyler and Liv Workman at Okoa Refuge (https://www.okoarefuge.org).

The trip was more like fellowship with a friend than riding with a taxi driver. I am familiar with Jeremiah, and we talked the whole way. We passed by a major tourist attraction — the equator. I snapped a quick photo over my shoulder, but we kept going. Cindy and I made a big deal the first time we came through, but now it seems like just part of the journey. Even more significant to me was a few miles later, when, in the middle of a cattle ranch, we spotted a whole flock of at least a hundred Crested Cranes, the national bird and symbol of Uganda. I had hoped to spot one on this trip, but I had never dreamed of seeing so many. We stopped for lunch at a place called “Gators Cafe.” The wait staff even dressed in orange. I felt right at home. The waiter, however, could not understand why I ordered off the local menu rather than the Western one. We were on our way as soon as my g-nut and mushroom soup, matooke, posho, and greens with pumpkin were gone.

Half way to Masaka, I got an email notification that my hotel reservation had been cancelled and the place was full. Kelsey directed me to the Banda Lodge in Masaka, where I found a lovely traditional looking lodge with grass thatch huts for lodges. I got a shower and then let Kelsey know I was there. She told me we would meet for a tour of Willow tomorrow, and I would facilitate a Bible discussion at 3pm.

I spent the evening relaxing in the shade under a sort of cabana picnic table outside my hut. I wish all my friends could experience Uganda and all the beauty and hospitality it offers!

On the American side of my life, I got word that our house is finally on the market. I saw the online photos and hardly recognize the place. Clearly Cindy and her associates have been busy making the house presentable for the market. Please pray it sells quickly and for the full asking price.

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

I woke up to the sounds of nature singing for the dawn and a nearby Masjid speaker reminding everyone to pray. The man prayed in Arabic and addressed the public in Luganda, and it reminded me to pray for all who will be saved, especially those converting from Muslim backgrounds, who stand to lose all their associations and inheritance when they accept and publicly profess Jesus.

I went for breakfast and was invited to join the hotel owner, Carsten Jespersen, and his party at their breakfast table. Carsten and his friend, Joan, are Danish, and They even shared some Danish cheese with me, which I politely finished, though I do not recommend to anyone who has not acquired a taste for loud cheeses. I enjoyed their company, and shared some of my story while I tried to drown the flavor of Danish cheese with my Danish pancakes and pineapple.

Afterward, Kelsey Linduff arrived and took me to Willow Resource Foundation (https://www.willowresource.com), a new mission she began last December. Willow has a tidy little campus very near town, with a new pavilion for meeting outdoors, and a well-furnished meeting house with office and facilities. Inside the meeting room was a budding library of Christian books and a computer, which many use for studies and devotional reading.

Today was “staff day” at Willow, which is used for organization, planning, and staff devotions. I attended the morning staff devotion and got to meet Kelsey’s closest circle. I tried very hard to use everyone’s name, and it served well later in the day.

One young man, Emma (short for Emanuel), who was celebrating a birthday, is from the North and speaks Acholi Lwo, so he was especially blessed to hear me speak his native language while he was so sorely missing home and his mother on this special day. I was not aware of any such tradition, but I was told the “birthday baby” had to be doused with water to commemorate his birth. The boys were ruthless, splashing bucket after bucket of water on Emma, who was such a good sport about it he even waited for the next bucket standing in the pouring rain. Even though I thought he had enough, each member of the group took turns pouring on this birthday baptism until even I joined in at Emma’s invitation.

After Emma dried off and changed clothes, we all enjoyed a traditional Ugandan lunch and separated for reflection and a few items of business. At 3:00, we came together again in a circle of chairs in the courtyard, and started the weekly Bible study with worship, introductions, and a round robin of thanksgiving. After about a half hour, I was asked to lead the Bible lesson, in discussion format.

I have taught a lot of Bible studies, but I have never had an audience so attentive, so engaged, and so perceptively adherent to the talk. As I addressed the participants by name and actively engaged with them, we had a great time of fellowship and sharing. We used the following as discussion points:

• Matthew 6:34 Do not worry (The Bible repeats 365 times, the message “do not fear”)

• 2 Corinthians 10:5 Take every thought captive

• Romans 12:2 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind

• Philippians 4:8 If anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things

The day was well spent and it wasn’t even over. I returned to the Banda Lodge for some rest, writing, and freshening up, and then rode a Boda (motorcycle taxi) to the home of styler and Liv Workman. Their home sits on the side of a hill nearly at the top, with a breathtaking view of much of Masaka. Their residential level sits above their livestock barns, home to several goats. I was made welcome at family dinner at a table for a dozen or so. The Workman eight are usually joined by others, but I was the stranger at the table, but was welcome nonetheless.

The Workman eight just returned from an RV tour across America, and were still re-acclimating to their home environment while preparing for a grand opening of a new project at Okoa Refuge (https://www.okoarefuge.org/), so it was a privilege to be welcomed at this hectic time. They shared about their recent developments and expanded vision in the inspiring manner I’ve grown to expect from Tyler and Liv. At some point, Liv, a nurse with ICU experience at Mayo Clinic, and I began talking nursing, and I realized quickly that we had left Tyler out. He later confessed he was happy Liv had someone to speak “nursing” with because that was part of her life that remained a mystery to him. I remembered how left out I feel when people speak Luganda or talk about the intricacies of football (soccer), and tried to interpret for him as best I could. Still my dialect of nursing is ER and Liv speaks ICU, so our even our shared experiences suffer from cultural differences. Nurses reading this will understand.

Liv administers Okoa Refuge with all the diligent determination and precision of an ICU nurse, but with all the management skills and patience of the nursing home supervisory nurse of her previous experience. It is clear God made her for just such an assignment as this, and paired the quiet, capable, and resourceful Tyler, who is like a real live MacGyver, for His kingdom and glory.

Wednesday, 3 November 2021

I began the day with a grand treat of breakfast for six. My friend, Kelsey Linduff, and her four girls joined me at the Banda Hotel breakfast bar. What a joy it was to start the day with such lovely ladies! The girls age 13, 12, 12, and 6, and each has her own special personality easily distinguished from the other. We had a great time getting to know each other.

After breakfast, Tyler Workman picked me up and took me on a quick tour of the new developments at Okoa. First, we stopped by the Philippi Project (https://www.okoarefuge.org/the-philippi-project) for women escaping the sex trade. I was amazed to see all that they were able to do with the right funding. God provides! Next, we toured the new Health Centre next door to Okoa Refuge. It was still under construction, but scheduled for a tour by the donors and dedication later tonight. What an amazing resource for building abundant life this will be! Then, we toured the new baby house and dormitories of Okoa Refuge. I could not believe how much has changed in the last seven years since I was last here. There is room for twice as many as the 105 kids who live at this child rescue center. Last, we visited the church and new community center. It was lovely to see how active things were even on a weekday. Neither God nor His kingdom ever sleep. I ruined Tyler’s schedule with my tour, so we said a quick goodbye and he dropped me at Banda.

After a quick freshening up, I called Kelsey’s favorite Bodaman, Simon, and rode off to Willow. There, everyone was busily preparing for the next day’s CrossRoad Church sponsored simulcast of the Global Leadership Summit. It is amazing to see all Kelsey and her staff have done since this place opened last December! I got to share my time there with Kelsey’s girls and some of the children of the staff. Afterward, I was asked by Director Julius if I had ever had training in dealing with kids, because it seemed it was my speciality. I confessed that the best training I ever received in dealing with kids was having been one and raising two. My greatest contribution to the day may have been the Badminton lessons for the younger girls. When we talked of favorite TV shows, the girls compared me to Little House on the Prairie’s Isaiah Edwards. I guess I will have to teach them to whistle and spit. 😁

When everything was ready for Thursday’s Summit, we packed up and went to Kelsey’s home. It was a fantastic house with two gardens, a raised pavilion the girls use as a play base, a tree swing, and climbing ropes, which the girls were only too happy to show me. While Kelsey readied things inside for her guests, the girls and I played outside. After a while, Willow Directors Julius and Martha arrived, and we all went inside. The girls served as a team of hostesses, each very eager to show me their quarters and entertain me with their latest video productions. Kelsey’s youngest developed a strong attachment to Uncle Todd, and hung close to me the whole night. She even served as my videographer when the older girls serenaded me with their violins. It was a great night, which concluded with only the youngest shedding the tears even I was holding back.

Julius and Martha drove me back to the Banda Lodge, and complimented my Bible teaching and skill with kids the whole trip. They slowed on the way to point out their bridal shop in town, a beautiful shop with amazing wedding dresses in the enormous window. When I told Martha of my recent dress-shopping endeavor, she commended my effort and the stunning selections the girls made as we perused the photos of the recent shopping day.

The night was leisurely, with no football on and BBC’s coverage of the Global Warming Summit, I talked on the phone and chatted on WhatsApp with friends. Apparently, Cindy has sold our house for well over the asking price. Now we have to pray it appraises for that amount.

The only setback was that the hotel has had my laundry for three days and I need to pack it for tomorrow’s departure.

Thursday, 4 November 2021

I found my laundry hanging wet on the line behind my hut this morning. When I inquired about it, I was informed there was a problem with the machine, so my laundry was done the night before, precisely when I inquired after it. A quick call to my driver delayed him a couple hours for the sun to come up. I prayed that Gideon’s dryer of fleece would also quickly dry my clothes, but ended up stowing the damp items in my mesh laundry bag to carry them to Kampala.

My driver used to be a tax collector, and he was trying to advise me about car buying practices here in Uganda, but none of what he said matched what others tell me about the process. One other thing that didn’t match was his fare, which was 25% higher than what Jeremiah charged me to get to Masaka. It pays to negotiate first.

We safely reached the Tick Hotel, and even without a reservation, I was welcomed back as “Mr. Mucungua” and offered my “regular” room. How about that? I’m a regular now! Owen, my steward, took my bags, which he knows I cannot manage three flights without an elevator, while I filled out another registry card. Before it was even half done, the clerk said it was more than enough once it had my name on it. Nice right?

I spent the rest of the day making the most of the comforts of The Tick Hotel, watching Liverpool win their football match, chatting with folks on two continents, and researching all-wheel-drive vehicles available in this market for when I return.

To everyone’s amazement, I did venture off on my own, first to the nearby pharmacy, and then the other way to a nearby market. After I got he few things, I returned unharmed toting all my acquisitions. The security guard applauded my resourcefulness. Apparently, they don’t see many mzungus (whites) doing for themselves.

Friday, 5 November 2021

I enjoyed breakfast of Irish potatoes, fried sweet banana, pineapple, watermelon, sausage, boiled egg, passion fruit juice, and Ugandan tea. I dare you to try to find a better breakfast anywhere.

Today is a day of leisure, since I have no plan at all except wait for tomorrow’s wedding. It was a divinely timed rest at a hotel where facilities are always available, since my stomach is not enjoying the new medicine I got at the pharmacy yesterday.

I reached out to Roy and Caitlin, but they were too busy with guests of their own to be my guests at the hotel restaurant. I finally heard from Kizza Robert, who accepted my invitation. So now I won’t dine alone tonight.

Downstairs, Regina, the beautiful and friendly hostess at the desk, greeted me by all three of my names: Mr. Lemmon, Mucungua, and Kasirye. I am still learning that third one, so the fact that she knew it was pretty impressive. She laughed at me and said it was a fairly common Baganda name. Regina helped me to schedule Covid-19 testing before my flight Sunday. She arranged for a local doctor to come straight to the hotel, so I don’t have to travel anywhere. This doctor was cheaper, even coming to me than Test-and-Fly, where most travelers go, and promised results in 12 hours. She will be here tomorrow morning before 8:00 am. I like this hotel! Regina and Owen have taken great care of me. I hope I am able to remember them as well as they have remembered me.

On the American front, Cindy has accepted an offer on the house, so we are praying it appraises for full value and that closing goes off without a hitch. There were competing offers within days of marketing the house, so I’m confident God will work out whatever happens and hopefully throw open a window of blessing in the house sale.