July 24
Today began with a leisurely breakfast while we waited for some work to be done on the van. Morning turned into afternoon before we headed off to Gulu, a village in the northern part of Uganda. The eight hour trip was filled with the smells of smoke, dust and exhaust. Some of the sights along the way included a variety of small stores and markets, goats and long-horned steers, stereotypical huts and people carrying anything and everything on their heads. It's incredible to observe how many things can be strategically balanced on a bicycle or motorcycle! The severe rattles of the van were headache-inducing and the bouncing has the potential to shake any loose! : ) We took a little snack and bathroom break (oh the joys of the "squatty potty"!) about halfway into our trip. The most famous landmark that we witnessed was the Nile River! It was gorgeous and majestic, powerful and wide.
The journey was long, especially the second half, because the road was so treacherous. I kept pretending we were off-roading:) just imagine traveling down the worst dirt road in Pennsylvania - now add large potholes, numerous trucks, motorcycles and people! As darkness descended the intensity of the driving increased. We are so thankful for our trusted and experienced drivers, who were able to negotiate the road with great skill. We finally pulled in to our hostel (mini hotel) where we would be spending the next three nights. I can't tell you the relief and excitement we felt when we saw that we had nice rooms with their own bathrooms with a REAL toilet!
We dropped off our things and headed to the Gulu Church of GOD where we would be conducting the workshops. The ladies there had prepared supper for us, which we ate right in the church building by the light of a kerosene lamp. I am reminded that life can be like this ride: full of adventure, bumps, beautiful sights and not-so-beautiful smells. Sometimes the road is smooth, pleasant and easy. Sometimes it's so rough you feel like you've been beat up. But whatever the case my job as passenger is to embrace and enjoy the ride, and trust the driver. In our case it was our drivers, Sunde and Moses, but in life it is GOD. The journey isn't always easy. It may feel out-of-control, and even frightening sometimes. But in the end there is a great reward.
- Melissa McEntire
The journey was long, especially the second half, because the road was so treacherous. I kept pretending we were off-roading:) just imagine traveling down the worst dirt road in Pennsylvania - now add large potholes, numerous trucks, motorcycles and people! As darkness descended the intensity of the driving increased. We are so thankful for our trusted and experienced drivers, who were able to negotiate the road with great skill. We finally pulled in to our hostel (mini hotel) where we would be spending the next three nights. I can't tell you the relief and excitement we felt when we saw that we had nice rooms with their own bathrooms with a REAL toilet!
We dropped off our things and headed to the Gulu Church of GOD where we would be conducting the workshops. The ladies there had prepared supper for us, which we ate right in the church building by the light of a kerosene lamp. I am reminded that life can be like this ride: full of adventure, bumps, beautiful sights and not-so-beautiful smells. Sometimes the road is smooth, pleasant and easy. Sometimes it's so rough you feel like you've been beat up. But whatever the case my job as passenger is to embrace and enjoy the ride, and trust the driver. In our case it was our drivers, Sunde and Moses, but in life it is GOD. The journey isn't always easy. It may feel out-of-control, and even frightening sometimes. But in the end there is a great reward.
- Melissa McEntire
Comments
Post a Comment