“We were like those who dream…”

“We were like those who dream…”

   ... says Psalm 126. We still feel like we are dreaming. Could we really be planning to go back and live in Africa? Were we really there; in a place so removed from our Missouri home?

   “Then our mouth was filled with Laughter!…” the Psalm continues.  Yes.  We were there and it was good!  So, what was this place like?  Some may think, “Oh my, what a poor, rough place.”  However, for us, it had the familiar look of the slums of Brazil, just more spread out.  It was no big shock.  Streets were dirt and littered, most homes were without doors or windows, and we used pit latrines and had no hot running water.  We felt oddly at home.

   “… And our tongues with singing!” Psalm 126 continues.  We had hearts that were bursting with song; so full, so amazed we were there.  We felt we belonged.

   We stepped off the plane into the hot Ugandan night thankful to be on the ground after 4 flights and very little sleep.  We were excited!  The heat felt good after freezing on the plane and in St. Louis.  Thank you God!

   It was midnight and though it was easy to get through the airport and get our visas, our check-in luggage did not come with us.  A very sleepy customer service attendant gave us sketchy details as to how we were to get our suitcase.  Although we were skeptical, we blessed her and entrusted it to God as we went in search of our driver Godfrey. He popped out of the mob of taxi drivers with our names on a sign and we were off.  Godfrey, a nice Christian man, helped us a lot in the next couple of days and we were so glad to have him at our disposal.

Andrew and Theresa

   We stayed at Bethany House, a Christian retreat center in Entebbe, where we were met by old Mother Theresa. Really! Tiny Theresa, our hostess, was so sweet.  After our short night’s sleep, she made breakfast for us and helped us try to call the airlines throughout the day.  We knew if the bag was not delivered by dark, there was little chance that we would see our clothes for ½ a week or more.  (No one ever answered all day.)  Theresa let us use her personal computer to let Gabriel know we were there.  She kindly made us a special meal I knew I could eat so we did not have to hunt for my special food in town. We had fun with Andrew, the gardener, learning his story.  Theresa, Andrew, and Godfrey all made us feel so welcome with their big beautiful smiles, friendly conversation and laughter. 

   It turned out that no one with the airlines is in the airport until just before a flight is scheduled.  It was crazy to us to think they would close; and this is the only major airport in Uganda!  Godfrey got a tip that we could try going up late that night and took us there to try.  At the airport, we went through a crazy conversation with the baggage man.  He said there was no way that the suitcase would come until the next day after our final flight out to Arua.  Since that small airline only flew 3 times a week and their next flight was on Tuesday, we might get our luggage then.  We were very friendly and positive though we were not following each other’s line of thinking.  We tried to tell him where we were traveling so they could deliver it once we left Entebbe, but he said it was not important.  (Why?  It wasn’t important to him maybe, but it was to us.)  We joked, laughed, and talked in circles.  He finally got the idea to check the code number on our bag and check the flight coming in.  A good idea!  Surprise!  It was due in on the next flight in two hours.  Would we wait?  Sure, it would only be midnight again and we had a trip back to the guesthouse to get a few hours sleep before we were to be back there for our early morning flight to Arua.  No problem!  J

   Our baggage man said our bag was tagged RUSH.  However, the African idea of Rush is something different from ours.  It was last off and the place cleared out before a man sloooowly brought it to us.  Thanks!  God gave us the ability to peacefully wait!

We were reminded God was in control.  We could wait and be at peace!

   Our next day started at five thirty.  Theresa had a meal for us and then Godfrey showed up.  Then…we had a fun time at the airport security gate.  We had to get out of the taxi and the woman guard fluffed all of Sheree’s hair.  What a good place to hide something! That was a first!  We laughed and said “God bless you. Have a great day! ”

   Everyone seemed so somber, but as we said, “Hello, Good morning! How are you?” with a big smile, they would often startle, then return the smile, a Big smile.  So… we greeted everyone…. What fun we had… bringing joy to others.  Do we think about doing that everywhere we go?

   In each airport, God had helped us identify with someone.  In Brussels’s airport we met Dave from Maryland.  He was reading a book I had just seen in a mission magazine so I asked him why he was reading it.  Boldness just seemed so natural the whole trip.  What a great time!  He was on his way to Uganda to help put in a well for a ministry there.

   On the plane later, we met Brad, a Christian from Montana, whose girls were lambing while he left.  He was going to help with the set up of a vocational school for an orphanage.  We were able to hang out with both of these men, even on our return home and hear what God had done while they were there.

   Kayumba Polepole was born in a refuge camp during the Rwandan genocide.  He was so excited to tell us about his faith in God.  He is now a bank manager in southern Rwanda and so proud of the reforms his country has made.

   Ramona is a German community development student we met on our Brussels flight. She was actually headed to the same small town of Arua as us.  She too was fun to talk to and we plan on writing.

   God was blessing us with special friends, people who encouraged us every step of the way; people we could share with about Jesus and the hope we have in Him!

  

   Psalm 126 ends with the words, “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He who continually goes forth weeping bearing seed for sowing shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him.”  May the tears we have cried through the years and the seeds we’ve sown and continue to sow; be used by God, to bear fruit in the lives we’ve touched.  One day will bring the rejoicing of the harvest…..

   We go out bearing seed ….. Today with a smile!….