We load up into the ROSA and head out to Busia. We are sitting 4 across, 21 of us in all. Driving in Uganda is an adventure. I think the rule is 'he who has the biggest vehicle has the right of way'. It is not for the faint of heart. Fred 'aka Hollywood' is a GREAT driver. Like Europe, you drive on the left. Uganda has special modifications - you mainly drive on the left except when it is more convenient to drive on the right to avoid the potholes.
After several hours of driving, we stop at a hotel to eat and use the facilities. There is a house next door and the children are very curious to see the MZUNGUS (white people). Notice the barb wire. It is pretty standard around Uganda. The really nice places use razor wire and armed guards. Along the way, we cross the Nile river. It is forbidden to take photographs. They have people watching the bridge with binoculars and radios. There are checkpoints on either side of the bridge. You will just have to take my word for it, it is very beautiful.
After MANY hours, we arrive in Busia at the local office for Global Family Rescue (GFR). The women of the families come out to greet us. Most of these people live within 5 miles of Busia. They have walked to the office and been waiting for hours. They are dressed in their best dresses. The lady on the right with the purse is Idah. She is the national director in Uganda for GFR. The women on the left is the daughter of a special lady you will see more of later. The walk to the village is too far but she is at home waiting for us to arrive. This lady is sponsored by Mark Anderson’s Sunday School class.
The children are so special. We have many more photos but not all can be shown here. They love to have their picture taken and then look at the image in the camera. They catch on very quickly about posing and are natural hams.
This was a special moment for Debbie and me. I had the privilege of presenting a care pack to Immaculate (the daughter of Dorotia - the lady sponsored by Mark Anderson’s Sunday School class). Dorotia could not walk the 5 kilometers (she is 75) to the GFR office. It included a photo of the class.
We passed out care packs to all the people present. It was a little like the feeding of the five thousand. You did not think that we had enough but in the end, everyone who came got one of the care packs. This picture shows a lady holding one of the many care packs supplied and prepared by the residents of the Good Samaritan Care Home. Thanks so much for all your efforts.
This was a really special moment. JJ the entertainer is leading a very spirited time of singing and laughing. JJ is a very special person. She has a gift. The energy she possesses is amazing and it is contagious. She made the bus rides bearable. There is never a dull moment around her. To see her interact with the children is truly amazing.
Speaking of amazing, Taylor continues to make me proud to know her. I have been blessed to know her as she has grown and matured. Debbie and I taught her in Kindergarten Sunday School (yes – that makes me feel old). She will be a freshman at Liberal High School next fall. This is the third mission trip that I have been on with her. The children are attracted to her like a magnet. In this case, they are all boys (relax Mom and Dad – we are watching closely).
After we said our good-byes at the GFR office, we set out to go see Dorotia Nabwire. She is sponsored by Mark Anderson’s Sunday School class at First Baptist Church in Liberal, KS (http://www.fbcliberal.org/). Dorita cares for her daughter (Immuculate - shown in earlier pictures) and 5 grandchildren (ages 15 to 2). We cannot drive the entire way so we set out on foot. The story behind this woman and her family is that she had lost her sponsorship. GFR has built her a house but ran out of money due to rising fuel costs. Gas is 2650 schillings per LITER or about $6.80 a gallon. Doesn’t make those $4/gallon prices we pay seem so bad – does it? They need about $800 to finish the inside of the house.
We arrive at the house and are greeted enthusiastically (an understatement). Dorotia jumps up and down and hugs everyone and thanks them for coming. She has put on her best dress. It is very beautiful.
It is tradition to give honored visitors a gift of a chicken. If there is time, the chicken is killed and prepared. Otherwise it is given live and it is up to the guests to take the chicken. Either way, the goose (or chicken) is cooked. You cannot refuse the gift as that would be an insult. We are not real sure what happened to the chicken but it is suspected that it was supper for our drivers.
You can see the inside of the house. The unfinished part is the plastering. Without this, the life of the house is greatly reduced.
Tears of joy – a picture worth a thousand words. This was after we had given Dorotia the care pack with the picture of Mark Anderson’s Sunday School class. She grabbed me and hugged me and we both wept. She called me her son because we were providing for her and her family. It was a moment I will long remember.
These are her grandchildren that she takes care of and provides for. Those of you who have children or your children are grown – could you imagine doing what she is doing?
After we left, it was getting dark. We came across several people carrying water. Three small boys were pushing this bicycle loaded with five gallon containers of water. Gene and I pushed the bike up to the crest of the hill. The smiles we received were ample reward.
OK – how many of you adults can carry a five gallon jug on your head? This was a small girl.
This is the water supply for the area. This is a depression that collects run off. There is no fresh water coming in. It was almost too dark to get a picture so you cannot really see the color of the water but I guarantee you that you would not use it to wash your car, let alone drink it or use it for cooking. This brings us to the end of day 1. We drive back to a hotel (nothing like you would imagine) for the a late supper and SLEEP!
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