Sickness

We have been here since August 2012 and have had our fair share of sickness. Even while I write this, I am dealing with sickness. When you come into a new environment, you seem to get a lot of things. I had to go through 3 weeks of treatment back in October for an infection. When we are sick, it stops us from the work God has brought us to do. Sometimes it is very discouraging.

I will tell you a little about the process here in Africa. I go to a local hospital that is considered one of the best in the city. It happens to be not to far from my house. When you arrive, you check into a desk. They give you a slip of paper and you go and pay the bill. Some do have accounts, but they have to have their index finger scanned for verification. When I see the doctors at the clinic, I pay about $8-9. If I see a specialist, then I pay about $20-$25.

I then go back with my paid receipt and then I am put on the list for the nurse to take my vitals. Once I have my vitals taken, I then wait for the doctor. Each part of the process, you sit and wait on wooden benches outside. It is a covered waiting area, but it is outside. When you see the doctor, they bring you in to sit in office chairs, next to the doctor’s desk. I never laid down on a bed or was offered the bed, unless it was necessary. It is not being mean - I think being a efficient. The doctor checked my ears for infection, but that does not need a bed. It is funny, how we seem to think we always need a bed when we go to the doctors.

I was asked to go get blood drawn and urine checked. We then have to go and pay the cashier first. Which I will say is usually another long line, since a lot of people pay cash. It is ok - it is just a part of the process. The positive is that I have gotten to know the cashier Ronnie by showing patience and kindness. That is the key to everything you do in Uganda. Smile, greet, and be patience. The workers remember you and will treat you nicely when you do. So after I get the test done I wait somewhere else and then I am called to see the doctor when they get the results.

The difference in the states, you usually stay in one room, lay on a bed and they take blood, and you wait in that same room. Here you just transfer to different places, so they can see the next patient. I kind of like it. They also have a pharmacy right on sight. No traveling is needed. This is very nice to have one right there.

They have a cafeteria, but the difference is that it is outside. You can sit down and be served or can get things to go. There is hard working people that want to help in every area of the hospital. Not much different than the states. The bonus is I don't have to pay a huge amount of money. I am trying to still be a light to the people, even when I am sick.

 

We raise our white flags

Passion Conference came to Uganda at the end of September. We thought we were just going to a concert, but we did not realize we were going to a life changing experience. A group of us from Heritage International School went together in two buses. There was in the group older adults, parents, singles, and teens. So many of us were transformed by the concert that night. Most of us were from America or Europe going to our first concert in Uganda. When we arrived at the University where it was being held, we were greeted by a line of people welcoming us to the event.

The Passion Team started the concert with a declaration to the Lord. A woman read Isaiah 61 - The Year of Jubilee.  Uganda celebrated 50 years of independence on October 9^th, 2012.  Isaiah 61 was given to me over 3 years ago as I was preparing to become a missionary.  I opened my bible and found that scripture marked with an “x”.  I have read the scripture many times before this day happened.    When the woman began quoting scripture, I knew God was going to show me something that night.  The rest of the night was in many ways indescribable, just like the song, Chris Tomlin sings.  We were near the stage in a sea of Ugandans, but we were celebrating as brothers and sisters in Christ.  We did not know until after wards that we were in a sea of 20 to 30 thousand people.  We were declaring victory over this country.  God’s victory!  “We all raised our white flags, we surrendered all for Christ.”

This picture is from the Passion group.

We spent time in prayer with those around us, for our nation, for the people, for the pastors, for our leaders.  We also prayed for the next city on the tour.  Louie Giglio gave the message and even showed us how the universe is constantly in worship to its creator.  He joined the music of stars in the galaxy and whales to make a beautiful chorus to God.

Dancing with all the sea of African brothers and sisters was the most exhilarating experience of my life.  May we always have the passion of Christ, to proclaim the good news to all the nations!