God Loves Patience

The First 24 Hours- 2 perspectives

1.) Our arrival in Entebbe, Uganda came after a ‘short’ 8-hour plane ride from London. We have to admit we felt quite blessed with the emergency row/bulk head seats…but even with the extra room it was hard to sleep. Perhaps it was the anticipation, but I think our combined total hours of sleep for Sunday evening was about 8 hours – between 5 of us! And so began our first day in Uganda…

The drive into the capital of Uganda – Kampala – was complete with a beautiful sunrise over Lake Victoria, lush green hills, and a few African bottle-neck traffic jams! Having loaded some of our bags into the bed of one of our trucks while at the airport, we realized they were easy prey in the midst of the traffic. Jared offered to be their guard & took up his post with the bags - he’ll have to tell you more about that adventure himself.

The plan was to spend a few minutes in Kampala to drop Holly & Kellen off at the bus with some of the luggage since it wouldn’t all fit into one truck. The few minutes turned into a few hours (see Kellen’s perspective below) as the banks had some pretty specific requirements for our exchanging money. But, we finally got it all worked out & the other 5 of us headed to Lira via a truck the Concerned Parents’ Association so kindly allowed us to use.

The drive was long, about 5 hours, through beautiful green hills, gradually flattening out and providing us with the ability to see for miles. Even those of us who have been to Africa before still cannot get over how big the sky seems – there’s just something expansive & elusive to it that awes you. And we crossed the Nile along the way…wow it’s hard to describe the beauty! Lush green foliage all around, class 5 rapids & some waterfalls – we weren’t able to stop, but we did meet some baboons on the road just after crossing – ah yes, we’re in Africa!

There’s much more to tell, but for now know that we are safe, settled, and loving every second! The next few days we’ll be oriented to the city & introduced to the staff at Concerned Parents’ Association who Ben & Holly work with. And we’ll head to the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps to do some planned crafts/games/activities with the children & play fooball (soccer)!

We’re feeling tired, excited, blessed, and inspired – thanks for your prayers and thoughts! (Jennie)

2.) Overjoyed, I walked out of the airport to see one of my best friends, Holly. I nearly cried to hug them again. How natural it felt to be here with them. As we packed the vehicle (they don’t call them cars here), we realized that all seven of us and our ten bags, filled with soccer balls, candy and loads of stickers, would not fit. Holly had decided that she would ride the bus with a few bags. With joy and excitement, I volunteered to go with her, longing to spend a few hours on a bus with my dear friend.

We arrived to the Bus park in Kampala minutes after the 8AM bus left and had to wait for the next bus. It was scheduled to leave at 10AM. We decided to make use of the extra time by exchanging money and running to a local Italian bakery for pastries and a cappuccino. We never made it to the pastry shop. When we went to exchange the team money, the bank wouldn’t take any American bills made before 2000. After a fun time sorting old vs. new bills, exchanging the current dollars and creative problem solving on “how to get the older dollars taken” it was 9:55 so we had to run to the bus park. When we got back to the bus park they informed us that the bus would be leaving at 11AM.

Reluctant to wait, Holly and I got on the bus while Jared, Kimbal, Alyssa, Jennie, and Ben left in the vehicle toward Lira. The hour wait in the bus went by quickly as we caught up on life. We noticed it was 11:45AM and the bus was still in the station. Our friend, Edward who worked for the bus, then told us that the bus would leave closer to 1PM. You see there aren’t “official” departure times in Uganda. Holy explained that here a bus leaves when the driver decided it is full. Out if the corner of my eye I noticed a bus with the name “God Likes Patience” parked across the street. I laughed with Holly and told here that I am not sure my American form of patience is true patience.

Finally, at 3:30PM our 10AM bus left the parking lot. We made it four whole blocks before the engine began to smoke. Everyone exited the bus, gathered their luggage and waited for a new bus to come pick us up. The second bus picked us up. Holly made sure our bags got on, while I fought through the crowd to get a good seat on the bus. At 4PM the bus left, again, and broke down nearly 100 meters in front of the first bus. We once again left the bus, sat on our bags, as it started to rain. Around the corner came our third bus. “God Likes Patience” was its name. Holly and I laughed, got on the bus and finally left for Lira, on the 4:51PM bus.

The ride was quick, one that normally takes five hours, made it to Lira in three and a half. The scenery was beautiful, and lush while I could keep my eyes open to see it. We crossed over the Nile in the dark and made it to our destination, Lira. Coming home, with Ben and Holly was so good. We chatted over a cup of tea, and then Kimbal and I crashed under the mosquito net. It was good day! I am eager for many more; I just pray that I can remember to fill them all with the patience that God likes! May you all as well… (Kellen)