It was Friday, one week before leaving, I was going though thing in my mind what to give away to friends. I needed to lighten my load before packing my bag. I wanted to leave behind some of my clothes which although were well worn could be warn around the house. Other things I bundled up to give to Luke, Pam and Jordan House to be used for the children there. Helen came around that evening with our favourite mango juice. We had planned to catch up today just in case we were unable to see each other again in the coming week as she was planning to stay home from Tuesday to the following Monday owing to possible unrest due to the elections.
My plans for Saturday were foiled good and proper. I had planned to visit Acacia Mall for a cappuccino and to meet Pam and Luke. Early that morning, Pam sends me a message to say she is busy with book work and was unable to contact Luke as his and his mum’s phone were switched off. 
I was in no hurry so I waited. In the meantime I had a chat to Vivian about transport to the airport on Friday. She was unwilling for Henry to take me due to the potential risk which I understood so we rang around to find another driver. I knew Sisson who brought me in was charging a lot more than others and Natalie and Rob had said their driver was cheaper so they called him to see if he was free.
In the interim, Vivian had contacted friends who had a home near the airport. Unfortunately they were out of town and it wasn’t vacant but it gave me an idea to contact a few people to see if they knew anyone closer to the airport who might be able to put me up for a night before I left. 
I also contacted some of the Couchsurfing hosts to see if I could get a response from them. I then left the rest to God. His faithfulness has brought me this far and I know it will carry me home.
Through it all I had the Lord’s peace. I knew that God who had brought me here, closed the door for me to go to Nigeria and hadn’t permitted my ticket to be changed when I sought to go earlier, was able to sustain me and keep me during this time. I’m reading John Piper’s book ‘Faith in Future Grace’ which has strengthened my faith and walk with the Lord to trust Him more.
Meanwhile having counted my cash I didn’t have enough to splurge on a coffee at Acacia and only enough to get me around this week and to the airport.
During this time of waiting on the Lord to show me His hand, I started to think of all the things He has brought me through and His faithfulness and blessing over the past year of traveling. I thought even if things went really wrong before I left Uganda I knew He would be there with me and His strength would sustain me even if the very worst thing were to happen. Then I thought how would I like to be remembered if I was to leave this earth? I think it would be as one who had imparted faith in a faithful God.
By 6pm Saturday night Vivian, who had been busy on the phone to friends, came to say she had good news. One of her prayer partners owns a guest house near the airport and had offered me two nights, Wednesday and Thursday. That is truly the work of a faithful God. Thank you so much Lord and thank you Vivian and ……..
My last Sunday I wanted to visit Watoto Church. I invited Luke, Pam and her son to meet me there for the 10am service. I arrived early to get seats in the main auditorium as it is always packed. They arrived African time, half an hour late and were directed to the overflow room. It was a good service with the pastor encouraging the people to pray for the peace of Uganda during the elections and not to get carried away with all the negative social media comments but to instead speak positively.
After the service we found one another then took a local taxi bus to Acacia Mall where I shouted them all ice creams while I had a cappuccino. The two young guys wandered around the mall exploring and going up and down the escalators while the ladies sat and chatted. 
I tried to change some money afterwards but all the money exchange places were closed being a Sunday so we headed towards the road, said our goodbyes and headed home. I hadn’t realise this would be the last time I saw them before leaving for Entebbe on Wednesday. I had planned one more trip to the Mall but it wasn’t to be.
Monday the storm clouds were brewing both in the natural and the physical. It had been hot and humid for a few days and it was now threatening to rain. I walked down to Wakisa for the last time to teach the girls. The electricity was off so I couldn’t print out my notes but all was well as we went over what they had learnt during the previous classes. I was pleasantly surprised at all the things they remembered. Just before lunch the class was interrupted by Mary, a Wakisa supporter, who had brought in a valentines cake for the girls. She wanted to show them God had not forgotten them and that they were much loved by Him and all the staff at Wakisa.
Then just before lunch I said my goodbyes with the girls getting up to say what they had learnt during the time I was there. I gave many of them hugs before leaving. My plan had been to visit Mally and her family to say goodbye but just before leaving Wakisa some of the staff were saying there had been an arrest of one of the party leaders and there were rioting and teargas in the city and it was best I didn’t go. This was not a good start to the elections!
I contacted Mally to apologise and caught a lift back to the house with Henry who was going that way. The rest of the afternoon I packed, cleaned up and arranged things I was leaving and giving away.
All three of the Couchsurfers had contacted me to say they would love for me to stay with them in Entebbe. I wrote back that something had already been arranged but I would still love to catch up with them, God willing, depending on the political atmosphere.
Monday night things had gone haywire again! If I didn’t trust the Lord I would have been falling apart with anxiety. Vivian had a meeting early Wednesday morning which meant Henry was not free to take me to Entebbe on Wednesday either. I was hoping to use my bank card to pay for the petrol along the way which I couldn’t do now that I needed to hire a car to take me there. Hiring is no problem but is very expensive and Sisson who picked me up from the airport charges $35US which with the exchange rate is over 100,000 Ugandan shillings were as the other drivers charge only 80,000 shillings. Still my trust is in the Lord’s faithfulness. With my cash flow running critically low I needed to venture out to see if I could change some Australian dollars.
In the meantime, Vivian would talk to Sisson to see if he would bring down the fare to match the local price.
Tuesday morning I headed off 
through town on the back of a Boda Boda to Garden City where Henry had first taken me to change money. As we manoeuvred the streets I noticed the army out in force. Every street corner and along the main streets into town were armed soldiers. Then on the way back in a large park there were armed police lounging on the grass and seated in the many armoured police vehicles. It was quite a foreboding feeling to see so many armed patrols. I was glad to be moving out of Kampala the following day.
My Boda Boda stopped opposite the shopping centre and waited for me. I went straight to the Western Union exchange. It was closed! Hmmmm public holiday! Never mind while I was there I was able to use my bank card to buy more airtime, which desperately needing topping up. I then explained my predicament to the Boda Boda driver who asked, where to next? I suggested we try changing money at a hotel. He drove back a quieter route to the Imperial Hotel where, praise the Lord, the money exchange was open. It wasn’t the best price but who cares when you are in a desperate situation. Now with, God willing, enough cash I headed back to the house.
Vivian had returned from her meeting and let me know that Sisson had agreed to give me a local price. Thank you Jesus! I was so relieved, he knew Vivian and where to pick me up and to drop me and now had the money to cover the cost. Vivian also suggested if I wanted to buy some things from Wakisa I could pay her later when I returned to Australia. Another relief. I apologised that things had been so difficult and for bothering her with all my concerns especially at this difficult time.
I then walked to Wakisa to buy some things from their shop and to say bye to the girls, Harriet and Winnie one more time. It was hot but the walk did me good. On the way back I stopped for a mango juice, it was cold, thick and delicious. For the remainder of the day I tidied up and packed my things ready for the early start in the morning. Even with giving away half of my wardrobe I still had too much luggage!
Photos: 1. Flower on vine at back lane 2. Boda Boda station 3. Nakato braiding my hair 4. Luke outside Acacia Mall 5. Luke and me inside Mall 6. Pam and her son 7. Faith, Wakisa’s Agricultural teacher 8. My farewell photo 9. Winnie, Mally, Harriot and Lisa one of the girls 10. Florence looking smart in the dress I gave her
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for His faithfulness, protection and provision. I have truly been blessed during my time in Uganda in many ways.
Praise the Lord for all the time I have had to getting to know Luke. Please pray he does well in school as he enters his final years at high school.
Please continue to pray for sponsors for the children being helped through Operation Uganda and for all the work at Wakisa Ministries.
Praise Him for the dedicated staff, volunteers, supporters and sponsor parents who bring hope in practical and spiritual ways to these communities.
Please consider also supporting the Wakisa Ministries birthing centre/clinic which God willing will be built this year. Donations can be sent through World Share.
Please continue to praise Him for my general good health, provision and protection especially during these past days in Uganda.
Please pray that I have a safe journey to South Africa and that I maybe a blessings to my lovely family with whom I will be staying with again till I fly back to Perth on 27th Feb.
Please continue to pray for the peace of Uganda. May there be peace and may God provide an upright man who will bring positive change to Uganda.
God has answered prayer re house sitting on my return to Perth. Mum’s friend Jane is going away in April and May. She lives within walking distance from mum which is wonderful.
Mum’s health is stable praise the Lord although her memory has deteriorated since the stress of having to put her dog down. Please keep her in your prayers as she grieves the loss of his companionship.