This picture shows myself with a young African man in the bush outside of Kampala. He was willing to show me his mud/stick home, his wife, and new baby. It is my favorite picture of my February trip, since he is Islamic, and was not real outgoing with our Team. However, he was thankful when we prayed for him and his family.
I was able to visit God Cares Primary and High Schools, and to serve with Pastor Dongo and his wife, Florence,....who are the directors of the schools and orphanage. What a thrill to deliver letters, clothing, and "Live for Him" bracelets to over 700 kids! Two American manufacturers sent clothing, bookmarks, and jewelry for me to give to the kids. (They are Kerusso, Inc., and Universal Designs,Inc.,-whom I had worked for earlier in my sales career). Also, our Team from California did painting on the new Girl's Dormitory, provided by my church at home in Texas,...Cross Timbers Community Church. Another part of our Team provided school items from The Met Church, also in Texas.
Later, we spent a day visiting people in the huge slums of Kampala, getting to know them, and praying with them as well. What thrill to feel like we were making a difference, one person at a time,.....
Still later, our Team visited the city of Jinja, on the shores of Lake Victoria,....the biggest fresh water lake in the world. There we met with some 200 ladies who make beads from discarded/used paper,...like magazines, papers, etc. These ladies are 'outcasts' in their own land, due to the scourge of HIV and AIDS. They are THRILLED to have what I call "a thimble full of hope",..represented by having a job and their ensuing feelings of self respect. Because of the goodness of a major California shoe maker, these beads are then sent to China,-where they are attached to shoes for shipping to the USA, and other markets. (The 'Buyamba Soles' are available thru all Target stores in the US, on their Website, and in stores).
At the end of the February trip, I had made up my mind to return to Uganda for the Summer Mission School Camp. In addition, I made the decision to contact an old friend, Tom Lindquist, who still works in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Thankfully, throughout the Summer months plans came together for me to travel alone through Uganda and Rwanda, and then meet Tom at the border of the Congo. It is necessary to have what they call a 'protocol', (local person), to assist with EVERYTHING in the Congo,..from Immigration to Passports, Permits, Shots, and Visas; and, from travel to personal safety. The Congo is on the US State Dept. 'watch list', which means things are quite unpredictable. In fact, just one week before my scheduled visit, fighting broke out in Congo just 80 miles from my destination! With the full blessing and prayers of my kids, friends, and families,..the trip was made anyway!
I'd come to call my trip(s) Journey of a Lifetime: Africa Revisited. The Summer trip began from Dallas, TX, with 18 members of a short term mission team,...on August 9th, 2012.
But,..that's a blog for another day,.....so, see ya later,
Rogers (as the Africans call me)
So happy and proud you were able to have these amazing adventures.Even happier you are home safe.
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