Nov. 10 - I have arrived in Uganda

 Ministry Partners,

The last leg of my trip from Amsterdam went well but from sitting so long my right hip became so very painful even using my Tens unit I ended up take some pain medication, which I have not had to do for a very long time. I left My house at 9 am yesterday, flew out at 1:30, 12hours in the plane, 2 hr layover, 12 hrs. to Entebbe and 2:12 hrs at Immigration Office. I'm exhausted with only a doze or two and no real sleep.

 

About two months before every trip we ALWAYS are aware that because Satan hates what we do he brings interruptions of varying types to try and get the team or me to focus on the issue and getting upset thereby our focus would be diverted. We learned years ago that when that happens to ask for the Lord's help, leave the issue with him and give Him praise for how He will resolve whatever is needed, then stay focused on what God has called us to do.  I had a huge interruption about two weeks ago and the Lord has faithfully been walking me through that and keeping me focused on this trip.

I obtained my visa for Uganda in Sept and printed out a copy that "just fit" in my passport, like I have done every year. PDX and Amsterdam airports checked my visa card when I checked in with no issue. But last after passing through Immigration on 19 previous trips with no hassles #20 was one for the books. They said my print out was too small but they would have no problem that they would look it up on the Uganda Gov. site. Well go figure, the gov. site showed my previous 2023 visa but nothing for 2024. The radiation damage to my memory banks and comprehension are considerably worse, for some reason, when I fly. I pilled up the iVisa email where I received confirmation that I had purchased the visa but it would only open my most recent visa which was for Tanzania. So, all I could say after some considerable time had passed was, "Please go and get my son who is waiting for me. " To which they responded," He  is not allowed back here." I was close to tears but then there was God's provision He changed their hearts and they went and got Alfred. Alfred said we could just buy another visa which they agreed to so. Visitors are advised to get their visa before arriving!

Alfred gave them the credit card for our bank here to pay for a 2nd visa but after waiting for some time they said they still had not received the payment so Alfred pulled up our account on his phone and showed them that the amount had been sent from our account. We waited ........waited .......and waited some more when they finally said something was wrong with their system and the ONLY thing we could now do was purchase a 3rd visa with cash, which Alfred did. I really think the reason they could not find my visa was do to their system from the beginning. 

I had arrived at 10:30 and as we left the airport it was 2 1/2 hours later and I had a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Alfred in my hands. Alfred and I were both exhausted but agreed that the whole kerfuffle was just proof of Satan's hassling work to try and get us angry and distracted but we saw it as PROOF that we were going to watch God pour out his power on this trip like never before! 

I had each suitcase strapped with two straps that I had embroidered my name on, one strap was missing but as we drove away from the airport I asked the Lord to bless the person who took it. I was determined not to let Satan get me upset over that.

Falling into bed after 2am left me sleeping until almost 11, goodness I really was tired. It was a joy hearing Alfred wake me from outside my door saying, "Wake up Mama, it's time to get up." Today after eating my favorite pineapple, roll-up ( scrambled egg rolled up in a chapati) and  African tea. Alfred and I worked on the finances and then went to look at the supplies we will be delivering to the prisons as required. 

I am also sorting the suitcases of supplies we had stored at Alfred's to add them to those I brought. I would have liked to have taken a nap but I know that would end up taking longer to get over jet-lag. 

Such a huge 'Welcome Home" from all the locals here including the man who washes our van, the ladies who clean our room and the man who brings our meals.

That's it for today.

That none would be lost,

Arlene