July 21, 2009, Tuesday
This morning Susan and I left Phil’s house at 8 a.m. We stopped to buy some school supplies and get some gas in the car. We had a very low tire which had to be fixed. It had a nail in it so I paid to have a new tube put in instead of using the spare. Then we put air in another tire before we were ready to go to Kabeywa Baptist Church in the mountains below Kapchorwa. Susan drove for 2.5 hours from Iganga, through Mbale and on to the mountains. Along the way ladies and children place kernals of corn on the edge of the pavement to let them dry in the sun. The dried corn is ground into maize flour used in making porridge and posho to eat. I watched as the cows walked alongside the road and defecated in the drying corn. Yuck! In the evenings when we are driving back the owners are gathering up the dried corn to take home for grinding. We met Pastor Solomon at the turn off (branch) before Sipi Falls. He rode with us to take us to his church and the school that he started there. I had visited this church a couple of weeks ago with the team for the dedication of the church and taught them the song, “I’m a friend of God.” They were so happy to see us. The teacher and children and lots of adults were already waiting for us in the church when we arrived at noon. We set up and played music for about 30 minutes before I started teaching. The small church was packed as I taught the Ten Commandments and salvation using the ponchos. The LC, local chairman was present also. I don’t remember his name but we met him last time we came. I presented the pastor and teacher with the box of school supplies, small writing tablets and pencils, and they were very happy. The children sang for us as they had done before. After the teaching, we showed the film as it sprinkled rain outside. Rain is a blessing so when it rains when we come they say we brought them blessings of rain with out visit. I sat with Susan in the car and rested during the film as the ground was a bit wet. However, it didn’t rain much which we were grateful for because the soil is slippery when wet and the roads are rough and steep in this area of the mountainside. Pastor Solomon brought us cokes and some food (potatoes & beans). We were thankful because we hadn’t had time for much breakfast this morning and we were hungry. After the film, I also gave the teacher and pastor a box of the Book of Hope magazines. They were so happy. They gave me a new name because my name Nabirye is for the Busoga tribal area not this mountain area. My new name is Nambozo which means dearly beloved, favorite one. I love this new name and when they told me what it meant, I felt like my Heavenly Father was giving me the new name. I will treasure it!
We said goodbye to our sisters and brothers in Christ about 4:30 and started out 1.25 hour trip to Mt. Elgon Hotel in Mbale Town. We checked into our room and rested for a while before going to the Sunrise Hotel for supper. The Sunrise Hotel prices for food are much cheaper than at Mt. Elgon Hotel. However, both charge the same price for a room with two beds for two people (67,000 shillings = $33.50). Mt. Elgon is a nicer hotel with wireless internet and even a swimming pool! We ate fish fillet and chips and sodas for supper for the price of 19,000 shillings or $9.50. At Mt. Elgon the same food would have been $15.50!
Pastor Solomon called to be sure we arrived safely. Shortly afterwards, Peter called to check on us too. Susan and I sharing cultural information before she talked on the phone and I went to the lobby to do internet. We are safe, clean, comfortable and have full stomachs. Katonda mulungi! God is good!
