Day Trip to Kagadi

After waking this morning at the Ebby’s, I had to pinch myself to see if this has all been an amazing dream. It seems surreal that we are actually in Uganda. It is so pleasant: the temperature is about 78 to 80 degrees with no humidity and the landscape is gorgeously green with banana trees, varying-sized lush hills, and gardens scattered along the countryside. After prayer time we loaded our two SUVs and headed to Kagadi. Even though today was mainly a travel day, I have learned much today from my teammates and the people and precious children of Uganda.
This team is comprised of God-seeking, humble-hearted, others-first people. No doubt, God has hand-picked each member of our group to join as one body as we spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. For months we have talked and prayed about not complaining. Today I have seen this lived out by our team and Ugandans. First, we put a lot of people in some tight squeezes and no one complained for the grueling six hour drive to Kagadi. (Except for me now by even telling you this.) For example, Jeremy selflessly volunteered to sit in the back and during some hot vehicle moments just sitting contently.
For lunch, we stopped in a town called Hoima, where we met up with Edward (Pastor in Hoima/student of the Ebby’s) and Christine (his wife) and their children who will be joining us as interpreters in Kagadi. He took us to his lovely new church building where we met young men whom he discipled that are helping plant another church nearby. As we were coming out, three children who had seen us arrive from a good distance away had just run all the way to meet us. They were so eager to meet us. This was our first chance to get our arms around Ugandan children. Kendall, Abby, KK and I were so excited to finally touch and hug them. We then proceeded on our journey down a pretty rough road for the next three hours. Let’s just say it’s really only big enough for one car and the county does NOT maintain that road. This road has huge pot holes and a peaked center so at times our SUV had to almost drive on two wheels and lean very close to the shoulder of the road while passing people on motor bikes and regular bicycles. Our driver just continues going at a high speed while honking. Pedestrians do not have the right of way.
Okay, so how did I see contentment in the faces of the Ugandans? Well, water is scarcely available and far, far away from their homes. They walk or bicycle for miles to the nearest creek and scoop up water into a big jug that looks somewhat like a large gas can. Then they proceed to make the return trip home with approximately 20 to 30 pounds of water in each container. Older adults, young adults, little children, all ages helped in carrying water. Ladies carried baskets with vegetables on their head and knapsacks on their back filled with maize flour and sugar cane. There are so many people that live here and lots of children. It is not mandatory for children to go to school so some are walking around the numerous hut-like shops along the roads. There are also lots of schools on the sides of the roads with students dressed in colorful uniforms playing soccer out in the school yards. How do I see contentment in these people of Uganda? They seem to be so complacent in their lot that God has given them. It is obvious they are not caught up, like many of us, in material things like clothes or houses or cars. Kendall and I waved the entire six hours (minus her 30 minute nap) as we passed by these people. And most of the time we received the warmest, refreshing smiles in return. That’s really what made us keep waving; it was their response; especially the children’s. As our vehicles would pass and the children spotted us “muzungos” (means traveler in Lugandan, but usually refers to white people since they are more often the travelers), they would cheerfully wave and sometimes yell, “hey muzungo!” How could we not keep waving after being blessed with such a warm welcomes from the people of Uganda. Would American children welcome foreigners in such a vivacious way? Once arriving in Kagadi we met up with Francis and Topi at their church, New Life Presbyterian Church, where we were again warmly welcomed with hugs and handshakes from other their church members and other Ugandan pastors and wives. The children, oh the children, are so precious. When they greet you they say how glad they are to meet you and bow in honor of you. We are so humbled by their reception. We are staying at a University camp in huts with real thatched roofs and mosquito nets over the beds. Much nicer than camping and yet still the feeling of rural Uganda. After dinner we discussed plans for the upcoming week.
Aaron, Chris and Jeremy have been helping those of us less confident in sharing the Gospel. Tomorrow, we hit the ground walking sharing Christ door-to-door with whoever opens the door. Pray for us that God would not only open doors, but open the hearts of these people that they may repent, receive Him and believe that He is Lord. It is almost twelve o’clock in the evening so I must rest now. We miss you all and so need your prayers: pray for discernment and direction in who exactly to share with, boldness, confidence in Christ alone to do what we are here about, and right words and recall of Scripture. We love you and love being here. We are all well. Love you Owen family and church family. Brenda, KK is doing great.
One other thing, I have personally realized how vain I am. I love leaving the world and it’s vanity behind. Very freeing! You were right David Morrison.

---Beth Owen