Sabbatical Adventures

Since I still find myself behind in posting and I could write for hours about these adventures I think I will just settle for listing some fun and refreshing happenings on my 2 week journey away from Tumaini:

Ate Ox testicles at the Carnivore in Nairobi… I thought the server said ostrich meat balls so I said sure… it was not until it was on my plate that he rephrased Ox testicles…. What was a girl to do, but enjoy the savory taste with my dear friend Bellar.

Experienced God’s creation at Maasai Mara… we stayed in a tented camp and learned more about the traditional Maasai warriors. We also saw a lion walk right in front of our safari van as well as the migrating buffalo and one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen.

Spent a few days in Mombasa with Rose and SaraBeth. Our business there was to buy a car but it was also refreshing to see the Indian Ocean, camels on the beach, and to relax for a spa day including a much wanted pedicure! We also had some time with Rose to discuss the future of Tumaini… and I must say God is doing some amazing things in and thru Rose.

Traveled to Uganda (against my mother’s wishes) we walked across the border and looked into some other possible places of ministry. We met with a pastor named Geoffrey and he took us to several places.

Tororo: our first stop of many and there was something really unsettling about the place we stayed…. It was almost as if my spirit sensed that something really bad had taken place in our room…. I couldn’t wait to get out of there the next morning. We walked to the bus stop and I stood for 45 minutes until there was a vacant seat. I was so tired and sick, so it was a tough 45 minutes but I slept the remainder of the 6-hour bus ride.

Lira: Met Geoffrey’s pastor friend Joel for lunch and then he took us around the city. We toured his church and a hospital with a maternity ward. I’ve never seen anything like it… women laying on the floor on a mat in labor, other women with their newborns laying right beside another woman struggling thru labor… the most disturbing part…..There were no men in sight, the women go thru this process on their own, some even walking or riding a motorbike to the hospital. There were no families waiting with video cameras or gifts, no fathers, no coaches, no private rooms, no beds. Just women bringing life into this world… ALONE!

Lira to Gulu: Rode in a taxi car and ran out of gas, then when we arrived at the gas station the driver only put 1 liter of gas in the tank… enough to get us to the next station. Later I noticed the driver dropping money out the window along our way… come to find out he was bribing people to help him thru police checkpoints b/c he was carrying too many passengers. We finally came to a checkpoint where the police could not be bribed and our driver was fined for having 2 people and a chicken in the trunk. When we arrived in Gulu we met Geoffrey’s pastor friend Michael. Gulu is the site of the original Invisible Children documentary. We learned a lot about the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) from Michael firsthand. He was abducted and held captive for 5 excruciating days by the Rebels before he escaped. The army looked for him for 3 years after that and God spared his life and always helped him escape recapture. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a more captivating story of God rescuing one of his faithful servants…. This ranks right up there with the fiery furnace.

Gulu to Nebbi: At first this was an exciting drive. Alex, another pastor friend of Geoffrey picked us up and we found out we would get to cross the Nile River today. I actually put my feet in the Nile… very cool! My excitement was replaced with a somber spirit as we learned of the great massacres that took place as recent as 2007 along the short stretch of road we were traveling. All I could think about was the fear in the hearts of the people as they traveled that way. I can’t even imagine the blood shed and in such a beautiful place nestled between the Nile. Geoffrey would point out to us the remnants of camps where those from the bush would gather for safety and told us his own stories of fear becoming a reality as he was shot in one of the Rebel’s ambushes.

Nebbi: This was my favorite city on the Uganda tour and it was the place where Geoffrey currently resides. There the Lord allowed me to speak to the children of his church. I shared with them a short sermon from 1 Timothy 4:12. Many of these children are orphans and have been left behind because of AIDS or war. My heart broke as I raised my hand to give one of the children a high five and he shuttered at my hand in fear…. I really don’t know what to say to that, other than the scars of war remain… and they are DEEP!!!!! Here we met one of Geoffrey’s best friends named Stanley. He has the joy of the Lord all over him and we enjoyed visiting with him and his family. Both of these men are a true testimony to what it means to live by faith.

Nebbi to Arua: The following morning we left for Arua and on our way we stopped to visit a plot of land where Geoffrey hopes to establish a community that takes care of orphans and widows, referred to by Geoffrey as Acres of Hope. These kids from nearby followed us and taught us to play this really cool game with a top made of wood and a stick with twine on it.. It was fun and the kids were impressed that I caught on so quickly. I also taught them how to make a whistle out of grass. Stanley commented on the sign from God that all the children were drawn to this place. When we arrived in Arua we went to the market and then to a very good restaurant called White Castle for a burger and pizza…. Ummmm good!!!!! After that we drove to the Congo border (again don’t tell mom) but I did stand in the Congo just long enough to snap a quick photo! After that adventure we went to the place where Geoffrey was raised and met his brother’s family. He then showed us the house that he is building little by little so that he can rent it and generate income for his family and ministry. At sunset we went for a walk in the market and then we were off to board the night bus to Kampala.

Night bus to Kampala: This was an adventure! First the guy outside the bus was screaming instructions about how to board the bus in Kiswahili. Then they search all your things (which is a good thing). Then we hear from Geoffrey that we will arrive at 4am but we are not allowed off the bus until 6am because it’s too dangerous. Just as we were getting settled on the bus the conductor boards and says Welcome to the night bus. If you need to vomit we will provide you a bag. Only vomit in the bag and when you are finished please throw the bag out the window. If you do not the whole bus will smell like vomit, which will whereby cause others to vomit. Please do not throw any other rubbish out the window… only vomit. Now, would anyone like to pray for us? The highlight of this ride was when I woke up just in time to see the reflection of the full moon in the Nile River below…. Awesome!

Kampala to the Border: Man am I glad God did not call me to the city. Give me the rural areas any day. I did not like the city but we were only there a couple of hours before it was time to board a matatu for the border city of Malaba. I prayed for people of peace along the way and the Lord provided. As we approached the border we began to inquire about the best route back to Tumaini. There was a lady named Lydia who was from Kakamega but she was traveling to eldoret and she said we could go with her and she would make sure we arrived at our next stop. When we arrived at the border her brother in law was waiting with a SUV and instead of traveling by matatu, they gave us a free ride to our stop. We even stopped along the way for a soda and snack.

Back at Tumaini: It was so good to be back at Tumaini. The adventure was a blast and I love to travel, but there’ s just something nice about being in your own bed… even if it is still thousands of miles from home. To see the kids, to see Rose, and to have fresh eyes gazing upon all God is doing here… IT’s good to be back at Tumaini!