Friday afternoon Vivian asked if I would like to join her as she had been invited to a funeral service to be held at an Anglican church in Kampala’s biggest University. It would be an opportunity to look around the campus. Henry drove us in and dropped us near the church which was packed to overflowing with seats and a speaker set up for the overflow under a tree. I wandered around for about an hour before finding the vehicle and Henry then waiting with the others under the tree for the service to end.
The next day we were up early and on the road at 7:30am as Vivian was attending a continuation of the funeral service this time held in a village an hour or so out of Kampala. Actually it was nearly two hours before we arrived as we went about half an hour further than we should have. It was an interesting drive for me, we saw a lot of the country as well as the turn off to the rhino reserve where I took some photos with the rhino figures. While I was in White River we had been meaning to take a photo with the rhino’s at the roundabout but had run out of time.
We also stopped in a village, at an Anglican Bishop’s homes, for a quick toilet beak before continuing our journey. When we finally arrived at our destination there were many cars parked around the property and three large pavilions set up for guests. We were ushered to one at the far end and took seats near the middle to avoid the sun. It was an all-day affair with speakers, songs and prayers most of which were not in English so I had no idea what was going on. I was amazed to find out later that three people had given their lives to Christ as a result of the preaching. The man being buried had been a very godly man of 43yrs old with a young family. It was very sad, he had cancer of the spine which had travelled quickly to his brain. During the service, typically African style, we were also all served a meal. I am always amazed at the size of the meals that are served I usually ask for much less.
Towards the end the sun was heating up and we had to keep moving so that the row behind us could move out of its scorching rays. I eventually got up and walked behind everyone to take a few photos and then behind the buildings to a more sheltered spot under some large trees to wait for Vivian.
Around 4pm thing were winding up and Vivian and her friend made their way to the car so that we could leave before the rush. It was a pleasant drive back to Kampala. As we approached Kampala we realised how much cooler it was, it hadn’t seem we were climbing to a higher altitude but I’m sure we had been. It all looked very much the same to me with flat farming land between rolling hills. Along the way I stop to take a photo of a village home and cooking hut as well as the local African cattle. I was fascinated by the size of their horns which look way out of proportion to the size of their heads! We even passed a small truck full of long horned cattle which I presumed were going to market. It must have been quite a task getting those horns on the truck! It occurred to me that surely these horns could substituted for the horns from rhino as well as elephant tusks which would save the wildlife and prevent poaching! Then again I think there is a difference in texture between the cattle horns and the poached ivory and rhino horns.
Before entering Kampala we stopped at roadside markets to buy fruit and veggies, it was now dusk. We eventually arrived home exhausted after a very long day out.
Sunday I think my body clock had finally updated to Ugandan time as I was awake just after 6am. This gave me plenty of time to do all I needed before joining Vivian at 11:15am. She was visiting the All Saints Cathedral, Kampala. It was a typical formal Anglican Church service with cardinals, bishops and priests in gowns and sashes. Here we heard a relevant message on repentance bought to us by a visiting American minister who lived in Israel. I find it interesting visiting other denominations and experiencing the many different forms of worship and order of service. Although I have found in Africa no matter what denomination they are fond of gowns, sashes and title such as cardinals, deacons, bishops and apostles where as in Australia we commonly use the title of priests, pastors and elders. Most of the titles are of course very biblical titles it’s just that having come from an Australian background I’m just not use to them.
We had to rush home as Vivian wanted to spend time with family before rushing off to her next appointment at 2:30pm. We then took the short cut through her back garden to attend a combined fundraising dinner also put on by the Anglican Church of Uganda. Their special guest speaker was Rev. Eze from Nigeria who had a strong message on prayer. This function was held under marquees in the gardens of the Ugandan Arch Bishop’s home or palace as it is called here in Uganda. There were several special guests including the Minister of Defence who was sitting with his wife at the table in front of us.
At one point I needed to find the toilet and wandered up to the ‘palace’ where we had previously been directed. I was alone at the time but when I exited there was a large entourage of armed police! I was a little concerned and thought I had triggered off the house alarm system! They all looked very official and rather frightening! It was only as we were leaving when these armed men were once again milling around as a police cars with flashing lights pulled up. That’s when I realised …. Oh of course! They were all there for the Minister of Defence! Silly me! He had been the man waiting outside the little room of convenience while I occupied it! I then wondered if it had been one of these armed policemen who had tried to open the door which fortunately I had locked when I had entered. Vivian and I had a good laugh at my story. Her night guard was waiting to accompany us home so we too had an armed (with a torch) escort.
Monday I was happy to be back on an early rising routine and able to take a lift into Wakisa with Vivian to be ready to take the girl’s exercise class at 9am. A team from World Share Australia also arrived. They were a medical team led by Kate Munns and had just come back from running a clinic in the north of Uganda. With them came a load of supplies for the girls as well as some of my baby wraps which I had donated from my business. The team soon got to work cleaning and restocking cupboards, making and buying new shelves as well as giving personal prayer and medical consultation to the girls.
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uring this time I was also very busy. Wakisa is celebrating their 10th year of ministry on Saturday so there was lots to do. I had suggested making a 2016 calendar, which could be on sale to help raise funds, so was put to work collating pictures and arranging the calendar’s dates. It was lots of fun. If anyone would like to order a calendar ($12 Aust) please email Wakisa. All moneys (except the postage) will be donated to the Wakisa Ministries. Baby’s bottles were also purchased and labelled “By filling this bottle with a free will offering you are saving lives both physically and spiritually.” On the day many of the calendars were sold and all bottles given out and more ordered by those wanting to support the ministry.
Tuesday morning, I had been in Uganda one week and what an amazing week that had been! Arriving early at Wakisa Ministries, Dorcas asked if I wanted to join her and Aunt Gloria, one of Wakisa Ministry workers, to collect Dorcas’ school results. 
Everyone is called Aunt or Aunty here, there are just so any aunties and of course I am now one too! Then I was shouted lunch by the visiting Aussie World Share team and asked if I would like to join them on a picnic with the girls on Wednesday. What a treat!
That night before I went to bed, I was ready to post the latest blog ‘Wakisa Ministries Uganda’ when my internet was cut off! I usually try to post the updates just before I go to bed so that it will be posted for my US readers as well as for my friends rising early in Sydney. Instead I received a message on line saying “Your bundle has been used up or has expired!” WHAT! I had paid for a month and know I had only used just over half of the 1GB in the week I had been here! Surly I hadn’t used up all the date so quickly in one night! Just this morning it had just over 500 GB.
Now it will be a day later and I had hoped to 
have it up early as I had already started to prepare this one! Vivian tried to help me out but her iPad didn’t have a hotspot so I couldn’t link my tablet which had all the work ready to be posted! grrrrrrr …. and what’s more I wanted to join the team taking the girls on a picnic the following day! Now I would need to return to the store where I purchased it to see what had happened.
Fortunately I did join the team and returned in time to visit the mobile store. It was a lovely day without rain. The Aussies weren’t sure that we would all fit on the bus as there were only a certain amount of seats but in true African style everyone was squeezed in. Seats were folded down filling the isle so no one was left standing. We had four babies and a bus load of pregnant teens singing at the top of their voices all heading south to the botanical gardens. It took us about 45mins to reach the gates where we had to pay not only for the bus but everyone on it excluding the babies of course. The bus then took us to a spot where we all clambered out to explore. There were tables and chairs and swings 
to play on. We had no sooner made ourselves comfortable when a lady came to say if we wanted to stay there we must either buy something or pay for the convenience. Being a little out of pocket we decided to move to the next grassy area where we spread out a mat for the mothers with babies and the girls and many of visiting team started playing Frisbee or soccer.
I had forgotten how much energy young people had, these girls were 15-19yrs old with lots to spare even when some of them were nine months pregnant in fact one girl went into labour the next morning! I wondered if the exercise had brought it on!
Around midday we hauled the pots of hot food out of the back of the bus which were brought from Wakisa and served the girls before we too ate. What was left over the girls finished off giving the bones to the dogs who had joined us on our arrival. The dogs had been very well behaved dogs actually ignoring us as we ate, sleeping in the sun till of course the girls started feeding them but even then they didn’t seem too perturbed.
When they were finished the girls asked me if they could see 
the monkeys we had seem as we entered the park. We wondered off and finally found a family of Vervet Monkeys under a tree with their babies playing, as if it were a children’s playground, swinging and jumping from the branches which were touching the ground. Some of the girls found berries to feed the monkeys were eager to take them.
From here we wandered down to Lake Victoria which bordered one side of the botanical gardens. Soon exhausted from their energetic day the girls headed back to the bus many sleeping on the way home. It had been a fun days outing.
Henry, was waiting for me when I return so together we visited the shop where I had bought my SIM card. They couldn’t help me but suggested I go to another shop where they could read my account on line. We did this and I was told I had used all the data. I questioned them about the usage but they insisted their reading was correct. I had indeed used up the 1GB in seven days! That’s about $16.00 per week! What should I do I need the internet, it’
s my main form of keeping in touch with friends and family overseas and back home. I bought another 1GB so I could upload my blog that evening and call my mother on Skype credits the following morning.
I’m starting to find Uganda is more expensive than I expected. Even a cappuccino is equivalent to $3.80 where as in SA it was only $1.80. Still some luxuries we can do without – but not internet! I think I will have to go for a bigger plan per month which will in the end be cheaper and I will not have to worry about being cut off for what I use.
Another thing I’ve had to learn is to buy my milk in smaller amounts as after I had bought two one litre packets the electricity went off for nearly 12 hours and so did my milk! Vivian suggested I buy 500ml packets and keep one in the freezer. They will then last longer if the power goes off for a length of time. I had wondered why there had been a packet in the freezer when I arrived! Thanks Vivian J
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hursday 10 December we were still busily preparing for Saturdays celebrations but Henry was also determined to get me to the Nigerian Consulate as we still hadn’t managed it till now. He had a list of things to do before we got there and once again we ran out of time. Oh well there is another week to try and I know Dorcas is praying I will be here for Christmas so it must be her prayers hindering me 😉 LOL
I was out all day Thursday, missing lunch and running around trying to get things done. We arrived home late but just in time to join the team at Vivian’s home having afternoon tea in the garden. Yum! Samosa’s and I was hungry! Later that evening the team prayed for Vivian that the Lord would continue to bless and strengthen her in the ministry. Then Dorcas and I walked them back to the guest house.
Friday was hectic! All the finalising for Saturday’s celebration needed to be done and the place scrubbed clean, the Australian team did a marvellous job with the girls of decorating the hall. They also left me with their leftover paracetamol and a packet of muesli. I nearly cried as it has been so difficult finding any
thing resembling muesli here. In fact I had only just bought plain rolled oats to try to make some from scratch! The Lord has truly blessed me!
All the furniture in the hall was cleared of the sewing machines, chairs stacked at one end and tables along one side were laid with serving trays to be filled the next day with hot food. It really looked very festive decked out with pink and purple butterflies, purple balloons and yellow streamers and ribbons.
Now all that was needed now the arrival of the marquees. I’m not sure what time they finally arrived because I had gone home but I do know Vivian didn’t arrive back till after 8pm! Mean while amongst all the scurrying and fussing Patricia, the young girl who had gone into labour had delivered a lovely baby girl with no complications! Thank you Jesus!
Wakisa Ministries: http://www.wakisaministries.com/
Photos: 1. Trees at Botanical Gardens 2. Driving north 3. Me with rhinos 4. Women in cultural costumes 5. Longhorn cattle 6. Market’s along the road 7. Wakisa Calendar 8. Fundraiser 9. Singing on bus to Botanical Gardens 10. Mother and baby 11. Babies mat 12. Girls having lunch 13. Streets of Kampala 14. Vivian with my baby wraps
Prayer & Praise Points:
Thank you Lord for bringing me to Wakisa. Thank you that I have felt part of the work that You are doing here. Lord you are truly gracious.
Praise Him for His continual provision, protection and health.
Praise the Lord for Wakisa Ministries 10 years of ministry and pray that there are many more wonderful years to come as He expands the work to include a birthing unit.
Praise Him for the visiting team, volunteers, supporters and all the workers who contribute to this much needed ministry.
Praise Him for souls being won into His Kingdom, pray also for revival and renewed hearts towards God, here in Uganda.
Please continue to keep Vivian in your prayers as she and the Wakisa Ministries have been falsely accused by officers from the Ministry for Gender for selling babies for adoption. Pray also that all the official papers that are needed for officially registering the organization will be completed without complications or penalty.
Please continue to pray for my safety and health.
Thank you for your continual pray for my mother’s health and wellbeing. She sounded very bright and cheerful last time I spoke to her.