[the africa diaries] day nine: headed to kampala

Leaving Kenya and flying to Uganda was the biggest thing on our agenda for this day. I have to admit that it was tough leaving my new friends in Kenya. Because of the great distance, I knew that it wasn’t likely that I’d see most (if any) of them again. Yet, their impact on my life is etched on my heart BIG TIME.

But we were on a mission, and our next objective was the work in Uganda.

I had heard from others on our team about how different Uganda was going to be. They talked about how friendly the Ugandan people are, but I really had a hard time grasping what they meant by that. I mean, how different could they be?

Meeting us at the airport in Kampala were two people that I’ll never forget… Reverend Jonathan and our driver Chintu (pronounced kin-too). Not only was Chintu our driver, but he was the owner of the transport company that he represented. What I thought was really cool about him is that he was also someone who had benefited from the same microfinance work that we were there to support!

At first they both seemed friendly enough, but I still didn’t see the BIG difference. That is until we made our way into downtown Kampala.

When I was in Kenya I had seen extreme poverty, but driving through Kampala allowed me to see it in mass proportions. As we drove deeper into the heart of the city, I saw lots of people who obviously had very little. I saw (lots of) trash on the streets. I saw kids without shoes.

I saw the face of extreme poverty.

Then all of the sudden we heard a rattling noise under the van. The rattling quickly turned into metal dragging on asphalt. So Chintu quickly pulled into an alley to inspect the vehicle. As soon as he stopped, there were no less than five men from the street who surrounded the van and started looking underneath with Chintu.

As it turned out a bracket broke and the spare tire had come loose underneath the van, causing it  to drag on the ground. So these street men helped remove the hanging spare. Then out of concern for our time, Chintu left the spare time with them men on the street so that he could get us to our lodging destination. He informed us that these men would hold the spare tire for him until he returned later to pick it up when he had time to fix it.

I wondered how often things like this happen back in the States. Typically when someone is broken down on the side of the road, most people (including myself) simply drive by and avoid helping the one in need. But our van was practically mobbed by people coming to help.

Then I started to understand what my teammates meant when they told me that the Ugandan people were some of the most friendly that they’ve ever encountered.

They had so little but yet gave so much of themselves to another in need. I remember thinking that I was really going to like Uganda.

Check out more from this series in the africa diaries.

[photo journal] everyday life in kenya

For more from this mission trip to Kenya and Uganda, check out [the africa diaries]. You can also check out the complete set of everyday life in Kenya on Flickr.

[the africa diaries] day eight: a retreat to remember

Good morning Mount Kenya!

The picture above was the view through the front door of my tent as I woke up in the morning. As the sun was rising enough to light up the sky, it still had not risen enough to creep over the top of Africa’s second highest peak.

We got up early so that we could go out on another safari drive, which was our first daytime drive. I didn’t think that I would see very much would be able to top our experience last night, but I knew that it would be good to finally see everything in the light. But nonetheless, I was ready to enjoy our day off. No work. No travel. Only rest, and enjoying God’s creation.

Our morning safari drive was fantastic!

I could not believe how many animals we encountered as we drove through the plains. We saw lots of zebras, giraffes, gazelles, warthogs, and yes… we lucked out by coming across some more lions!

These big cats are simply magnificent when roaming their natural habitat. However, what was most amazing to me was the respect that all of nature seemed to have for the lions.

We first came to a mud pit where a giraffe and some warthogs were getting some much needed refreshment. But well before we noticed what was about to happen, all of these animals came to attention and began to scatter as a beautiful lioness approached the area.

It was obvious to us that something must be going on, but we had no idea what it was. Then she emerged from bush…

I think that each one of us was just in awe over this creature as we crossed paths. Then just when I thought that the moment couldn’t get any better, a male lion came into view walking the same path as the female that we were just admiring.

When I looked at these magnificent lions, I could not help but to think of the Biblical references to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. When Jesus is referred to as a Lion like this, it reveals things like His majesty, and His power and might. But I also started to realize a few other things about the presence of Christ as we sat the the presence of these lions…

• First of all, His presence demands attention. Even before he actually arrives, others in the area notice that He is coming.
• His presence also impacts the environment. Even the atmosphere seems to change when He is around. There is an electricity in the air.
• And finally, it is clear that He is the leader, and everyone else either leaves or follows.

This is a revelation that I will never forget, and I never cease to be amazed at how much we can learn about God through His creation like this.

We saw many other animals that day, and every moment of this retreat was simply breathtaking. It was great way to get some much needed rest, but it also recharged my faith. You cannot be in a place like this and not notice two important things…

1. The balance required for all life. Creation (or Intelligent Design, or whatever you want to call it) never seemed more clear to me. Any other explanation just fails to explain both the complexity and balance that exists for all life. Random chance also never seemed so improbable.
2. The beauty of God’s creation. Everything from the sunrise over Mount Kenya to the sunset over the African plain sang the praises of our Creator! I also better understand how Jesus could make a statement like “even the rocks will cry out!”

God certainly revealed Himself to us on this trip, particularly on this incredible weekend retreat! He is amazing, and I am now even more amazed with His creation! Amen!

 

To view the entire set of photos from this retreat check out the safari retreat set on Flickr.
Check out more from this series in the africa diaries.

[photo journal] children of africa

For more from this mission trip to Kenya and Uganda, check out [the africa diaries]. You can also check out the complete set of children of Kenya and Uganda on Flickr.

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