Journeys and Arrivals

It has been a long and tiring journey. As I write it is nearly midnight and we have just spent two hours counting and sorting the multitude of Ugandan shillings that we got for our pounds. Sadly the sacking of the Chancellor of the Exchequer the day before sliced £300 off the value of our money. A reminder that it is in God we trust not the vagaries of economics.

After a very smooth flight we arrived in Entebbe with all our luggage and a little ahead of schedule. A tense moment arose (unnoticed by most of the party) when Chris was pulled aside by a customs officer wanting to charge import duties on the 14 donated Baritone Trumpets. Having no idea of their value, who knows how long it might have taken to calculate, let alone find the funds. However in an answer to arrow prayers, some sweet talking and much gratitude she allowed them to pass as we explained they were a gift for the Church of Uganda.

A late arrival at the Banana Village, a too short sleep brought a day brightening with sunshine and a troop of vervet monkeys to entertain us before breakfast. Quraish, John and Francis appeared on time and by 10.00 am we began the 8 hour journey to Guru. Claire Eade commented that everything is so much brighter and more vibrant here. Those here for the first time were fascinated by the unfolding tapestry of life around us as we drove and not a little anxious for the passengers on motorcycle taxis. There was the rider carrying a plank of wood secured only by sitting on it! The farmer taking his pig home, but it had got loose and as he struggled to get it back on his motorbike the huge great thing was not inclined to agree. Then there was the little boy sitting on sacks of grain on the seat, it wasn't until we passed we saw another smaller boy squashed down between the bags and the back of the driver. A brief stop to view the Nile and we arrived at the Churchill Courts Hotel in Gulu to a warm welcome from Bishop Godfrey Loum and long time friend Malcolm Pritchard.

Over dinner we met the animal of the day - a giant African land snail - and handed over the first four of the Baritone Trumpets to Bishop Godfrey.

And now it is past midnight and so all that is left is to share a few pictures. Thank you for your prayers - especially for Janet Lee preaching tomorrow at Christ Church, Gulu.