The Journey Has Begun 1-230717

Day 1

Overwhelming and discouraging is the only way to describe the beginning of our journey. Just a day before traveling, I learned that my credit card had been flagged for fraud and that it was being cancelled. There had never been any fraudulent activity and after multiple calls to the bank, I was told that a new card would be delivered in 5-10 business days but, I didn’t have that many days to wait. So, we took off anyway and began our Faith Journey.  Knowing that all things will work together is completely different from expecting all things to work out and having to wait and watch it happen.

The flight from San Francisco to Dubai was 15 hours and we were blessed to have received a seat change – one where Michael could actually sit without the need to fold himself up. We were completely comfortable the entire way. Once in Dubai, we went directly to our hotel to get proper sleep because our layover was 14 hours and no one had time or a credit card for shopping.

The flight from Dubai to Entebbe, Uganda was a 5 hours. The plane was full of young Ugandan-Brits traveling to visit relatives and a large group of American teens from New York going to do mission work.  Upon landing in Uganda, the reality of what Michael and I had just done; moved from our US comfort zone to a foreign country hit us both all at once and exhaustion began to settle in and we still had a 20 mile drive to Kampala before we could rest.

We waited for an hour to receive our luggage, bought a SIM card so we can keep in touch with loved ones, and were able to skip right past customs. And then we took a taxi to Kampala: a 20 mile drive that took over 2 hours with a persistent rainbow that seemed to follow us toward the last 30 minutes of the ride. The trip took so long because I had given the driver directions to a guesthouse I’d found online and he couldn’t find it because the given address was not for the guesthouse.

When we finally arrived at the guesthouse (sometime after 7pm when we had been in the country since 3pm), it turned out to be an extremely simple set up that was substandard. Needless to say, I was sorely disappointed with myself, the driver, and now the guesthouse owner. Oh, and did I mention how exhausted I was? Well if I didn’t, I was so exhausted that I turned into LC (for those of you who don’t know, that‘s short for Little Cora and not a very nice Saree).

The blessing in all of it was that the guesthouse a short walk around the corner from the same hotel I’d stayed in back in May and for $20 per night, we were able to set up shop for a full week…breakfast included! The staff remembered me and immediately welcomed us and made us feel comfortable.

The first day of our journey was full of stress and disappointment. We were overwhelmed and discouraged by it but just as it looked like the sun would not shine; God put a rainbow in the sky.

Day 2

After a good night’s sleep and a clear mind, I began to think about that rainbow that seemed to follow us and I began to reach back and remember old teachings and scriptures: “Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” Thus I began to simply say, “Thank you.”

Thank you Lord for the safe flight

 Thank you Lord for my husband’s patience

Thank you Lord for the love and support of family and friends

Thank you Lord for providing all that we need to be successful on this journey

When I sat down to write out the To Do list we needed to follow, the last thing on the list was this:

“Wait on the Lord and be of good courage”

Sometimes one must minister to self…so this one time while sitting in a very low place, I did just that and by the end of the day, I was feeling much better.

I was able to make phone calls to the bank for an emergency card to be delivered here, to Michael’s nephew to set up a visit, to Anei’s wife Elizabeth, and of course to my Cora for a little more encouragement. Overall, it was a productive day and we were back in good spirits.

Day 3

Visiting family will always make one feel better about any situation and so we set out on our journey to visit Michael’s niece and nephew. It had been 10 years since Michael last saw his niece Angelina Akwac (pronounced uh-kwatch). Also, Chol had never seen his uncle in the flesh so, it was a true blessing to spend time with his niece and nephew. Oh…and I ate like a pig!!

The ride out to the home of Akwac was precarious to say the least. After getting off the main roads, it turns out that she lives on a hill (actually Uganda looks a lot like the Bay Area’s Belmont & San Carlos hills). The way up the hill was not paved and very narrow. There were extremely deep potholes and I’m sure Michael thought that we were going to die but, the Ugandan drivers are AMAZINGLY skillful drivers and we made it up the hill unscathed.

Akwac greeted us in a very formal and traditional way – kneeling on the floor and shaking our hands as did every young lady in the home.  I was uncomfortable with such formalities so, I made her stand up and give me hug. We then sat for a long time and she shared how life was treating her since she left the village of Mayen Abun, South Sudan for Kampala, Uganda and how things were going as the 2^nd wife…a whole story on that to come later.

Later on, I was able to pig out on traditional food – kombo, asida, and deep fried Nile perch! Eating Southern Sudanese food always blesses my soul and Akwac had completely outdone herself. And just think, they thought that I would not like traditional food! She was so happy to see me eat and I was so happy to eat so, it was a win-win.

Day 4

Visiting Emmanuel Anei’s family meant a lot to me; Anei is one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan” that we met back in 2001. Over the years, we’ve spent lots of time with him and have been able to watch him develop into a mature man, loving father, and responsible husband. Meeting his wife and children brought us joy.

The kids attend a good school and are fluent in English and Dinka. I was able to look at their second-term grades and was totally impressed with their academic development. When it was time to leave them (not before eating hardily more Nile Perch and some beef stew), I almost cried when baby girl said, “It was nice meeting you auntie and may God bless you.” She’s only 7 years old!

 Day 5

Visiting the many wives of a South Sudanese Big Man and Michael’s great nephews – so much to say and so little head space right now but definitely more to come on this topic.

Uganda v South Sudan soccer match – lots of time spent driving in the car but well worth the site seeing and visit to the stadium for a pro match.

Spending time with Emma Wamala – always good to have family friends with family in the country you visit. Our time with Emma was short but very fun and encouraging. Emma can talk business all night and he really likes to have a good time. Nightlife in Kampala is EVERYTHING!!!

Day 6

We’ve been passing the same African clothing store since we’ve been here so, we took a walk to go see it. It was closed because today is Sunday but, we’ll take the walk again tomorrow. It’s fair to say that we’ve caught up on all the lost sleep by staying indoors and taking a 3 hour nap.

Day 7

Because we are a day ahead, below is the first week in pictures. I’ll be working on the format of a weekly update and appreciate your prayers of support. There will also be more pictures to come. Enjoy!

Michael with his niece Angelina Akwac 

Michael's great nephew Kiir 

Two fan flag bearers during the friendly match between Uganda and South Sudan 

Little Anei and Me 

Gai & Kiir - Michael's great nephews 

Michael, Akwac and Me 

Post game selfie with Chol 

Children of Anei 

Anei's sweet daughter

Uganda -vs- South Sudan soccer match at Lugogo Stadium