Uganda: Week One
Uganda: Week 1
What can I say about this first week? It has been unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It began with 40+ hours of travel through 13 time zones over a two day span. Christmas Eve was spent in the airport and Christmas Day on long plane rides. We arrived to Entebbe in the middle of the night, and 5 or so hours later, on the 26th, after yellow fever shots, COVID tests, immigration, exchanging money, customs, and a 2 hour drive, we got to where we are staying. We sorted out sleeping arrangements, made our beds, and laid down just in time for the rooster to crow, the sun to come up, and to resign that a good night’s sleep would finally come later that night.
Most of our first day was slow moving - we unpacked, had meals, some of the team napped, and we all took it easy. Because of our low energy, our worship time that first day looked pathetic from the outside, but God counted the tiny yeses of our hearts to worship Him as beautiful and transformed us in the process.
Our second day, everything was a bit brighter as we enjoyed delicious meals, good weather, and singing and dancing with our Ugandan brothers and sisters. Currently we are staying in a two bedroom home (13 of us!) in a nice little compound of a few houses in Mityana. Next door on one side we have another team of 13 YWAMers, and on the other side, our new friend Miti, who grew up in Kampala and has lived in Mityana for the past 3 years. Across from us there is a family with two boys, ages 6 and 2, with whom Ellis has instantly bonded. We all share a courtyard and spend most of our time outside (cooking and eating meals included!)
On day 3 we were able to venture into town! It was delightful to get out and we got to see a bit of Mityana. It was hot and we waited around a long time (traveling in a large group has its ups and downs). But the conversations around town, pure mango juice and everyone’s first boda-boda ride made it totally worth it! (A boda-boda is a motorbike taxi where the driver can take two riders).
Even better than our adventure in town was our worship and prayer time back at home afterward. When it began, the 3 of us were hanging back in our room as the rest of the group sang in the living room (aka our 7 girls’ bedroom) - because though the morning ended up well, it had been quite stressful waiting around in the hot sun for so long in an unfamiliar place. But as I heard the songs, and the rest of the team began praying for one another, we were drawn out. One of the girls asked for prayer to overcome doubts about being here that were overwhelming her. Ellis then said, “Satan says the opposite of God.” So I asked him, “What does God say about her?” He responded so naturally with 3 specific affirmations. After this the time became one of the most sweet times of prayer and ministering to one another that I’ve ever been a part of.
Day 4 brought more surprises when I learned the hard way not to take my malaria medicine on an empty stomach. Instead of waiting until after eating, I took it right before eating, thinking I’d be fine. The fact that I lost my breakfast and spent the rest of the morning laying down would beg to say those few minutes actually make a difference. But I learned a valuable lesson and we all had a good laugh. It was also a funny bonding experience with our team leader AnnaGrace, who made sure I made it to the bathroom and held my hair back! After all that, feeling sick wasn’t too bad. In fact, I’ve noticed that each time I am sick, I long for and seek deeper closeness with the Lord. I’ve begun to relish in my times of laying down in weakness, because they are such sweet times of just the two of us.
But it got even better! In the afternoon we began a Bible study that turned into more than 3 hours of indescribable worship that felt like a few minutes. We sang, we danced, we prayed, we sat, we stood. Greg got a glimpse of the Lord’s eyes and our hearts were yet again marked for the gospel and missions.
On day 5 we had the pleasure of venturing out again - this time to a nearby hotel to play soccer on the field next to their enormous and beautiful gardens. Greg enjoyed some conversation (always the talker!) with a new Ugandan friend and Ellis and I played defense on the winning team! He did well and I am happy to say I’ve retained a few skills from when I played soccer years ago. After this weekend we will start ministry. Stay tuned for further updates!
