My March 2015 Mission to Uganda, day by day
Wednesday, March 4
My welcome to Uganda was somewhat ominous. As we filed off the airplane and into to terminal in Entebbe, we were met by a long row of women wearing nurses' scrubs and facemasks, waiting to check the temperature of everyone coming off the plane – a rather unnerving reminder of the Ebola problem in Western Africa. The nurses used an infrared temperature gun, so at least it didn't take long.
I went through passport control and retrieved my three pieces of luggage – one with my clothes, and two with class supplies and books. It was great to see Henry again, and we arrived at his house just in time to go to sleep.
Thursday, March 5
After breakfast, Henry and I went to Kampala so I could change some money and get my phone situation set up. Later that afternoon we went to his church for a weekly youth meeting, and had a very interesting discussion with them about love and marriage.
Late Thursday night – Friday morning really – Maureen asked Henry to take her to the hospital as she thought she was in labor.
Friday, March 6
Henry drove me to Kireka where I taught about Christian baptism at the Church of God. This is the church pastored by Mary Kyaligamba where I presented my teaching series in 2013 and 2014. Since Henry was not staying, Edith Kalule served as my interpreter for that meeting and did a fine job. It was very nice to be with her family again. Henry picked me up in the early evening. No baby yet!
Saturday, March 7
I taught an abbreviated version of my seminar, "If Ye Do These Things, Ye Shall Never Fall" at Henry's church. It was well recieved. Still no baby.
Sunday, March 8
Henry went to the hospital with Maureen, and I taught the Sunday sermon at his church. I was very impressed with the way the youth ministers conducted the service. After church we waited at Henry's house, and around 4 PM we got the call that Donovan Best Musana had been born. Later I went with a group of people and the Musana children to the hospital to see the newborn son. Sadly for the kids, they weren't allowed in the maternity area to see their mother or new brother.
Around 8 PM, Henry and I started off on the five-hour drive to Mbale in eastern Uganda. It was late when we arrived at the hotel, but the shower was hot and the bed sufficiently comfortable. But the small electric fan could not stir the clammy air, and the mosquitos folded their nasty little hands in a prayer of thanks expecting to feast on me. I thanked God for my mosquito-proof tent that I bring on every mission.
Monday, March 9
After breakfast Henry and I made the first of many 40-minute drives on dusty dirt roads to the class location at the St Edwards Private School in Bubulo, in Mwanafa District. My adrenaline was running high in anticipation of starting a new class. The number of students was still uncertain. When I accepted the invitation to make this mission, I had asked Pastor Elijah to find 20 faithful students, but he told me 30 were ready to go. Later that number grew to 50, then 100. It was like Abraham's negotiation with God, but in reverse. I ended up bringing class materials for 50 students (thus the two suitcases). You can imagine my chagrin when there were only 12 people in the classroom. The others, I was told, were on their way.
When I teach my Ministers' Training Series, I have a policy that no one can miss any session and still continue the course. This isn't because of some control issue I have; it is because all my lessons are built precept upon precept, each one building on the one before. Yes, someone can get something out of the third lesson without hearing the first two, but that is not the way I want to conduct the class. Hearing that people were traveling from far away to join the class, I decided to delay the start of the class one day. For the people who were there, I taught sermons that were not part of the regular class.
I planned to teach from 9:00 to 1:00 or 2:00 everyday, depending on the stamina of the students. Personally, I think it is more difficult to sit and listen for several hours than it is to teach. When I see that the students are present in body only, I stop teaching.
Tuesday, March 10 to Thursday, March 19
Really, I should have seen it coming. The still-absent students had lied to us, and they were nowhere to be found. They would come, I was told, if I paid for their transportation.
So I began the class with the same people who were there on Monday, with one addition. Knowing that he would need to return to Kampala on Wednesday to check Maureen out of the hospital, Henry arranged for his friend Yekolams Wamanga to fill in as my interpreter. An added bonus was that Yeko was fluent in the local language called Lugisu. Even though I had prepared the syllabus using Luganda, that language was not well known to the students. Of course this made for more work for Yeko since the Bible has not yet been translated into Lugisu. But he is a skilled interpreter and we worked very well together. Yeko was so pleased with the lessons that he decided to stay for the entire two weeks, and frankly, his participation alone made the whole mission worthwhile.
For ten straight days I taught my Ministers' Training Series to this group of students. Yes, I awarded fewer graduation certificates than expected, but I am more pleased with the outcome of this class than any other seminar I have taught, the one exception being my work with the Maasai of Matebete Village in Tanzania.
Wednesday night, March 18
I first taught in eastern Uganda in March 2004, at the Pearl Haven Christian Center in Mbale, pastored by Reverend Wilberforce Okumu. The last time I'd had the chance to visit with Pastor Okumu was in 2008, when I was teaching in nearby Nakaloke. So I was very happy when we were able to get together for a tea one evening. It was then that he invited me to teach at his church on Wednesday night.
I admire this man and his work very much. I have met very few people who have maintained their integrity and humility once the work they founded really started to grow. I am sure Pastor Okumu could have used his charisma, good looks, and western contacts to become a gospel celebrity. Instead he has stayed true to his calling. I believe the young ministers who come under his tutelage are truly fortunate. He is a good example to his fellow ministers in Uganda, and to all of us around the world.
Here is a link to the websites for Pearl Haven Ministries, (the US partner of Pearl Haven Christian Center) and Living Water Ministries.
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