A Trip With Incidents

It was important for me to make yet another journey to Kampala.  The work permit in my passport was going to expire on November 14^th and I needed to make sure that Immigration had seen and approved my file.  Two years ago, my file went missing for three weeks, and I knew I didn’t have that kind of time.

Since the journey to Kampala is fairly long by bus, I decided that it was time for me to meet some new team-mates and split up the journey. I called Gert Jan and Stephanie Vroege, who live in Jinja, and I asked them if they would like to meet up for a time of acquaintance and fellowship.  They readily agreed, so Sunday morning, I boarded the bus at 10 am, hoping to make it in time for lunch.

Of course, TIA (This is Africa), the bus didn’t pull out of Soroti until almost 11.  Stopping in Mbale we wasted about another hour.  It was pouring rain and the exit to the park was closed, so all buses and taxis were trying to come and go through the same narrow entrance.  I have no idea what our driver was waiting for, but for a long time the bus was parked over the chain fence that should block vehicles from entering or exiting.  The chain was down, and at least four times the bus had to maneuver backwards to allow another bus into the park, before it would go forward again and park over the chain.  Leaving Mbale close to 2pm, there was no way I was going to make it in time for lunch.

Finally, around 4pm, I got off at the second round-about in Jinja and took a boda (motorcycle taxi) to their house.  Wow, what a sweet couple!  They have a beautiful property overlooking the Nile, but their hearts for the Lord are even more inspiring.  I had a slight headache, so I took a Tylenol and continued to enjoy the fellowship.  I was surprised to hear that they hadn’t eaten lunch yet.  They were waiting for me.  So together we sat down and supped on yummy sweet and sour chicken, with rice. 

My headache was getting worse and I started feeling nauseous, so I took a second Tylenol.  Not a fun way to meet new people.  Deciding to take a walk outside and sit on the verandah, I thought the fresh air would do me good.  Sipping tea, I knew it was too late.  Without saying anything, I slipped back into the house and quickly ran to the bathroom.  I lost my dinner.  A migraine had come.  Cleaning up, I went back outside and quietly announced that I wasn’t feeling well.  I asked them if I could lie down on their couch until my friend Beckie could pick me up for the night.  The two young boys were so sweet.  The whole family prayed over me, and then the boys went and got a blanket for me and toys for themselves, so that they could sit beside me.  We talked for a little while and then I feel asleep.  I woke up to Beckie’s call, saying she was on her way. 

I felt ten times better.  I wish that I could have met my new GOM team-mates under better circumstances, but I was grateful for the love, care, and yummy dinner.  Driving over to Beckie’s house I was once again full of energy, so we talked until late in the evening.

The next morning, I hopped in a van taxi and took another 2 hour journey to reach Kampala.  Seconds before exiting the van, the girl beside me threw up on my feet.  O ya, this is the trip! I climbed over the sick girl and got out of the taxi.  Wiping my shoes and toes on the grass, I marched over to Immigration.  The line-up was huge to enter inside, but when I went to the passport window, I was the only person.  Showing my “Receiving Slip”, the lady kindly told me to look in the top file.  If I found my file there, then we could proceed.  Four pages in, I found – “Karen Michelle Lubbers.  Approved for 36 months”!! I rejoiced and pulled out the paper.  I was given a bank slip.  The work permit is $250/year.  In total $750 US. I jumped on a boda again and went to the bank.  There I paid 2,540,000 UGX. I still find those figures shocking even though I have been here for 5 years.  Back at Immigration I submitted the bank slip with my passport and I was told to come back in 5 working days, my visa will be ready!!

Taking another boda into the heart of the city, we found our way to the bus park.  I like it that I now know which buses head to Soroti.  I jumped on the YY Coach and sat for the long journey home.  8 hours on the bus again was totally worth the joy of knowing that I can legally stay longer in Uganda!!