The Beginning of the Adventure

Editors note: This post should have been at the beginning, but because of some technical difficulties is appearing here. Mom has had problems getting on gmail so Lora and I (Anne's daughter and granddaughter) are posting for her. I've encouraged her to write weekly as she has many stories to tell and loves to tell them. I hope you enjoy reading this blog and when you do remember to pray for Mom and Dad. While they feel called to this 'adventure,' it's also a great challenge, especially at their age. Theresa

Ugandan Year!

Official starting time, October 21, 2009.

Leaving Marysville at 2 pm, Steven has all of our luggage, 7 pieces, in his car; we are in Harmen’s car.

Arriving at SeaTac shortly after 3, I’m glad to see the British Air counter open but few customers. We have all that luggage to check in and I’m nervous about the weigh in. Sam weighed each piece at home but seemed skeptical about the accuracy.

Steve has to be home by 4 so we bid him goodbye while Harmen makes sure we check in. We were so surprised, and relieved, when each piece of luggage weighed in at just a few ounces below the limit. Hopefully we’ll meet up with them in Entebbe.

We said goodbye to Harmen and headed for the security check-in, another dreaded part of this travel. Both of us had a small carry on and a purse, though my “purse” probably weighed as much as some suitcases. I also carried a laptop and each of us wore a safari jacket, which had the many pockets filled to capacity. I felt like a stuffed pig.

Security people were kind and helpful, I’m sure it helped that we were early. They did require my “so called purse” to be opened and checked it out but nothing was taken and the weight was not questioned. I was happy, Sam just shook his head; the bag must have weighed 40 lbs. By 4:15 we were enjoying a cup of coffee, waiting for our flight; leaving in 3 hours for London.

Right after we were airborne we were served a meal and after that our tired bodies just relaxed, sleep made it seem like a short flight.

Arrival in London was at 12:15 pm, weather was great. As we were leaving the aircraft I asked a young girl where she was going. Her surprising answer was, “Uganda.” Wow, that family of 6, the Andersens, was also going to Uganda. We’ll meet up with them on the next leg of our travel.

Our plans were to go to a day stay at a hotel but discovered that we’d been directed to the wrong area of the airport for that. We were told to get back to where we entered the building, fill out customs forms and wait for a bus. BA officials advised against the plan, saying we would have a very tight schedule. Both of us had had it with tight schedules so we nixed the hotel and decided to stay in terminal 5.

The surprise there was that before we could enter we had to go through security. And they found 2 bottles of lotion that were not allowed; odd, because in Seattle that never was questioned. One of carry on cases was also said to be too large. We’ve had that one for at least 6 years with never a question. I guess all airports and countries have their own rules.

We were not required to check that case in but my lotions are gone. Now we are just passing the time with naps, walks and coffee snack till the 9 pm flight to Entebbe. It also is fun to talk with people of different countries. Many wonder what these grey haired people are doing here.

The above was written on what we are calling “Our lost day”, in London. We just hung around in terminal 5, making ourselves comfortable on extra chairs and napping. Our next flight left there at 9:15 pm and brought us to Entebbe by 6:30 the next morning. And, oh wonders, so did all the luggage we’d brought. Going through customs was a breeze since those with visas already in place were told to go to another line, show the visa and go to the waiting crowd outside.

We’d been wondering who’d be there to greet us and scanned all the signs being lifted for us to see. One young man was so excited, he ran toward me and gave me a big hug before he realized I was the wrong person. Funny!

And then I saw the familiar CRWRC sign of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. When I waved at the 3 people holding it they gave big smiles, immediately stepping forward to help and welcoming us to Uganda. The 3 gentlemen looked at all our luggage and began a big discussion on how many cars it would take to bring us to our destination. One of them, a taxi driver with an SUV, held out that he had plenty of room for the entire luggage; the trunks could go on top of the car. We admired the way he planned everything and secured the trunks. Then we were off to the CRWRC office.

Our arrival was on a beautiful morning during the rainy season. The greens were washed and shiny, the colors of the flowers deep and bright and the sun was just beginning to send its warming rays. Hovering over all that beauty was the pungent odor of charcoal fires, the black exhaust of cars and the abundant ever present motor cycles. Welcome to Uganda! We did note an improvement of the highway between Entebbe and Kampala. Our driver told us that the improvement was done because of Queen Elizabeth’s visit a few years earlier.

At the office we were greeted by the office manager and an intern from Toronto, Canada. the rest of the staff was in a conference. It was decided that we’d store our large trunks at the office and quickly proceed to the hotel they had reserved for us. We were in need of some major sleep time.

The Fressy Hotel in Munyonyo District is a nice looking building with beautifully kept lawns and gardens and the staff was happy to greet us; assisting us with carrying our luggage up the stairs to the 3^rd floor suite. The beautifully made bed and the soft breeze from the open windows was an inviting and very welcome sight.

It was 10 am but before long we were fast asleep. We did manage to eat something that evening but most of the day is a blur, sleep was more important. By morning we expected to be ready to start the day but sleep won out once again.

The phone startled us awake just before noon, friend Helen Mutono had tracked us down. Her message was, “Your family is worried about you and want me to take you shopping for a phone and get your computer up and running.”

It was so good to hear her voice and before long we were on our way to go shopping in Kampala.

The $ exchange rate is down by 15-20 cents so the budget needs correcting. I’d been wondering how to get on the internet and Helen had the answer. “You need an Edge USB Modem and you’ll be able to connect to the world. The modem is connected to the cell phone.” Sure enough, that very expensive rectangular little stick worked and put us on the internet; I’m so grateful. We also did some needed household shopping for items not available in Mbale; Helen’s very practical advice was so welcome.

During the night we were awakened by a heavy thunderstorm, which lasted almost an hour. We had not experienced such a storm for many years, it reminded us of God’s power in creation.

Sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful. The birds start their morning ritual about 5:30 and they are loud. I don’t know how many species there are in this vicinity but they sure do their best to let people know its time to get up. I loved sitting on the balcony and be reminded of the children’s song, “The birds upon the tree tops, sing their song; the angels join their chorus, all day long; so why shouldn’t I, why shouldn’t you, Praise Him too?”

At breakfast we met a young man who was mourning the death of his mother. He had come back from England, for the funeral, and was staying at the hotel. I asked if his mom was a Christian. “Yes, she was, and a very important member of the Anglican Church here; but why did she have to die so soon?” I asked if he was a believer and from his response I could tell he was struggling with faith. That started a discussion about what the Bible teaches about God, Jesus, and faith. At one point the young man said, “What you say is what my mom always used to teach me. I listen to you because you are the age of my mom. I want my son to learn these things also.” I then asked if I could give him some literature to take back to his son in England. He happily said yes and waited till I went to our room for some Child Evangelism tracts, which he eagerly received. Thanks to Rita Zurschmiede (CEF) I had those tracts available.

We then had to hurry to meet the Mutono family who were picking us up to take us to the University Christian Fellowship church. It was a joy to see all the Mutono family again, this time with the addition of 3 year old adopted twins, Peace and Joy. At the church we met pastor Micah and wife Grace, also dear Barbra Tumwebaze, whomwe first met in 2003 and who has blossomed into a much more confident young woman. Also sweet Susan, who works for CEF in Uganda and who traveled a long distance that morning to meet us and receive the package I’d brought her from Rita Z. What a joy to see them all again and to worship in this very large tent that can seat well over 1000. The place was packed and that was their second service that morning. We wondered if God was trying to tell us something when, during communion, all human sound was drowned out by a heavy thunder storm.

After the service we enjoyed pizza at Garden City Mall. I had my laptop with me so I could also visit the computer people again since I was still not able to get a letter out. They worked on it and assured me that now it was fixed. Great! However, I could not test their confidence that evening for the area was without power, nothing worked.

Monday afternoon was scheduled for visiting the US Embassy. That was a fun time as a number of the staff were expecting us, having been told of our coming by son, Albert. The new RSO also came to welcome us and each one asked how Albert was doing. They also told us that we could expect some visits in Mbale by a few security people of the Embassy. We told them that all would be welcome.

From the Embassy we went back to Garden City Mall to once again visit the computer store and to get more $$$$ changed to Shillings as Tuesday would be the BIG shopping day. This time there was a different person to help me with the computer. He very patiently listened to what I had to say about my problem with the lap top. He then tried it for himself and when that didn’t work went to the telephone for help. Before long he was pushing all kinds of buttons and I heard him say, “Take the cookies out.” Whatever that means, but it worked. And now I can use the laptop.

Want to become a quick millionaire? Take a couple thousand $ to Uganda and trade them for Ugandan Shillings and you’ll be a millionaire. Staggering to think about.

Today, Tuesday, was our big shopping day for appliances, etc., all things we’d need for setting up our housekeeping. Oh my, we now have 3 big stores to choose from; the last one just opened in July. Harriet, from the CRWRC office will accompany us in this venture, for which we’re very thankful. She recommends the new store.

We started with by finding a small gas stove with 4 burners, 3 gas and 1 electric. The oven is also electric. The next isle had washing machines, all very complicated and not that reliable with all the power outages. Then I saw this small machine that reminded me of one my mother-in-law in Holland had in 1971. It washes the clothes but you have to put it in the spinner to get the water out and it only uses cold water. ((How about that girls? You’ve been trying to get me to cold wash for a long time already and now, here it is.)) After the spinner finishes, it doesn’t take long on the line and the clothes are dry. We wondered about the size of refrigerator we’d find, College dorm? Thankfully a bit bigger, it will serve us for the year. We also found a microwave, cooking pans, a toaster, hand mixer, brooms, mops and buckets. What fun, starting over for sure. We couldn’t find a fly swatter and are still looking for one.

Now the interesting part; Harriet decided that the appliance warranties needed to be registered, before I paid for them. There was a special desk in the store to take care of all that so she and Sam left me at the register to wait, and wait. I was surprised that the clerk didn’t mind. “That’s service, maam.” was the reply.

So we started talking; the store is new to this area from Kenya, and open 24 hrs/day. Had I been to Kenya? Only to the airport but I hear it is beautiful. I also know of a Christian Boarding school in the Riff Valley area.

Why are we in Uganda? And why are you staying a long time. Working for a Pentecostal College? Are you Pentecostal? No, I do not belong to the Pentecostal Church, I am Reformed. The clerk looked at me and said, “I am Catholic”, and the next clerk who chimed in was Salvation Army. I wondered if they attended any church and learned that it was hard to attend a church because of their work schedule. I also asked if our faiths had anything, or anyone in common. They looked very puzzled so I asked who they prayed to. Well, God, of course. What about His son? What is the only way to get to Heaven?

Then the light went on for both of them as they discovered our common connection. We worship differently but we believe that our salvation is in Jesus Christ alone. They looked at each other and had the biggest smile on their faces, as did some of the bystanders. It was a great time.

Do you ever buy an appliance and later wonder how to get it home? We finally asked if the store would deliver all the items to the CRWRC office by that evening as we were scheduled to be picked up from there by 10 am the next day. This time I was hoping that meant Ugandan time, usually 2 hours late, as we had many more things to accomplish before that time and I was dead tired.

Wed. October, 28, one week after leaving Marysville, we leave Kampala for Mbale. Rev. Patrick Ouke, from the Pentecostal College arrived at the CRWRC office by noon time. He came in a taxi bus, from which 2 seats had been removed, and 2 drivers because it was a long way to go and he needed strong bodies to get all of our luggage and purchases inside the vehicle.

Those drivers were good, after some consultation they managed to get everything, including washing machine, stove and frig., inside that taxi, with the 5 trunks once again on top. In one hour everything was packed up and we were off, insisting that they could make that long drive in 3 hours. The weather had been great all morning and they could do it again. Before we got out of the city, it was raining and continued to do so much of the way, at times so severe that we wondered if the driver could see where he was going.

I asked, why the hurry? “Because when we get this stuff unloaded at your home we have to go and buy a mattress, bedding, chairs, etc. so you’ll be able to sleep tonight.” Oh my, and here we’d been told we’d be able to stay at the college dorm for a few days to help us get settled. As we neared Mbale Sam and I both yelled out at the same moment as we saw a bus come barreling toward us, in our lane of the road. Thank God, there was a berm alongside the road at that spot or we’d have been in big trouble. Our driver kept the vehicle upright, unlike another taxi that we’d passed sometime earlier.

By 4:45 we were at the house and everyone got busy unloading, no time to look around. I had no answer as to where things should be placed, all I saw was large bugs scurrying around in the rooms and huge ant hills as well, plus many bees in the windows. I didn’t want any trunks to be opened until the ants were disposed of. But no time for that, we needed to get to a store. There was a bed and small table already in the house so we needed a mattress, queen size, here called double. The lady also had sheets and someone else brought chairs, blue plastic; like you use outside. This was going fast and while Sam took care of getting the items in the taxi, I slipped to the grocer next door for some food items for the next day. I’d already noticed we’d be living farther from town then we originally were told, and not having transportation might present a problem.

Back at the house by 6, trying to make some sense of things. As people were leaving, I heard Mr Ouke say that he and his wife would take us to dinner at 7:30. Fine, we had to get a bed made and find some clean clothes, besides the bugs seemed to be winning. Sweeping just seemed to produce more and I was so tired. Then I heard Sam exclaim, this is nuts, we’re not doing this tonight. There’s a hotel within walking distance, we can sleep there.

That is just what we did. After dinner we went to the hotel for a shower and a good night’s sleep so we could start refreshed the next day.

This is Africa, Welcome to Mbale!