Wednesday 26 August 2015

Multiply Trip East Africa 2015 Day 12 August 22

Today was cooler (i.e. not heading straight into the 30sC).  I noticed that the early morning sunshine that lit up the guest lodge gardens clouded over by the time we set off for Wakiso and our conference venue.  We planned a varied day: Janet giving her testimony about celibacy in response to yesterday's questions and conversations, Rukundo giving his, and an introduction to Kingdom businesses as a taster for Hilary's full workshop session tomorrow afternoon.  We also negotiated that we'd stay at the church for lunch, to simplify things.

Gregory was anxious to get the three Kenya guys moving towards home as soon as possible, but not at the expense of doing a proper job of things here in Kampala.  He talked through some options, and having them all leave after breakfast tomorrw (Sunday) seemed best.  We could be confident in Chris's administration and care.  Rukundo' too, would need to plan his return to Kigali - he didn't need to hang around for flights, as there are daily coach services.

Len wandered by.  "Did you find where the toilets are?"  "Round that side - some plywood sheet and gravel on the ground.  It just drains into the swamp." I added.  "I couldn't find it," Len continued, "so I went to the bushes.  Then I thought 'crumbs, snakes'!  Pastor Asua's seen black and green mambas and a viper or cobra, which he tried to hit with a rock."

A few spits and spots of rain fell, and folks got restive.  Really, only 4x4s could really make a decent job of reaching the Church, and everyone had an eye on the journey home.  We did finish promptly and were guided round to Ps Asua's home again for the postponed something-a-bit-more-special.  Meanwhile Gregory sat down with the expanded interim team that he'd assembled and introduced, to give them a thorough briefing.

'Buffalo' Charles had been miffed because he didn't get a chance to give greetings from the platform.  For over two hours he wrestled with his native Kikuyu pride while we teased and jostled him to get the matter in perspective.  'Iron sharpening iron' some of the guys had glibly quoted, but the reality was proving tough to process.  Earlier in the week, I'd gently instructed him in the foremost need for passenger consideration when driving a minibus.  Len had explained across the table at Cafe Roma that this is a most touchy sensitivity for a man.  'Buffalo'  had taken it well, and his driving - which he already saw as a serving ministry, had indeed improved.

George had blossomed, too.  First, unaware of the history, his brief contribution to last evening's 'introductions' at Cornelius's had been perceptive and timely.  Although to accompany Hilary and Janet from Nairobi, he'd left his two sons, wife and two-week-old baby, plus a stack of University work, he saw the whole deal as a privilege.  Gregory was keen to find men of this calibre for Uganda.

Our fellowship was jarred by a loud crack and sharp burst of white light.  Ps Asua was smiling, electronic wand in hand, having zapped a mosquito.  Ah, an object of desire.  Time for us all to move on.  A few final exchanges about the arrangement for tomorrow's church services and the afternoon Business seminar, and we were on our way.

I was more relaxed, feeling that the day's format had worked well.  In the back of the minibus, Gregory turned to me and confessed, "I gave them a hard time.  They should have done several things better,"  he stated.  "But we have made good progress."


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