Friday March 14

Well, today was embassy day.  We were set to obtain some documents from the MKBI Uganda country manager but she was in Rwanda with the UN on a project. So we set off for the American Embassy destined to stand for our brother in Christ.  

We arrived at the American Embassy.  Quite impressive structure.  Fort Knox type security for sure.  We had no appointment but managed to get an appointment to talk to the counselor manager .   Emmy and Sarah had to wait outside on a bench.  We had his information, passport plus his stamped letter from the minister/ governor of Mbarara district.  When we arrived at the interview area we were sent to a small room with thick glass.  It felt like we trying to make a withdrawal from the bank.  Except all we were asking for was to borrow one of Uganda's best sons for a few weeks.  I could tell from the body language that the manager was being very defensive.  He basically said each case is based primary and almost exclusively on the individual merits of the applicant.  They have to show there is no intent to immigrate.  We shared our frustration in the past and the fact that the previous officers didn't even look at what Emmy had brought to show them. The manager said they dont look at land titles (since most are disputed in Uganda) or marriage papers or letters of reference too closely.  We asked him what they do look at?  He refused to say but then could tell we were disappointed with no information and he said they look at his job,  his income (for Emmy it is $120 USD a month), and travel history.

They want to see stability to his finances by looking at his bank statements for 3 months.  The cost of applying has gone up to $131 .  Amazing......more than your months salary and you dont even know if they will fairly consider your application.   He said letters of reference help but he has seen many from the Vice President of the US that have been denied.  The manager  was holding his ground and being firm but i think we pulled out some helpful information.  There just was no way we were going to get anything done without an application, an appointment, and all the requirements fulfilled.  We didnt fail really because we didn't really formally try. I am sure we would have so i am glad we didn't apply today.So we left the room and went to talk to EMmy.  He was so anxious to hear as you can imagine.  He took it extremely well.  He said,  "this must be the Lord's timing."  I wish i could respond like this to things i am praying for hard.  Emmy then  said something  even more profound:  "even if i am not coming to America right away,  I know that my story is going to be told and for that i am so very grateful. " We have work to do for a voice for so many.   

Anyway,  we all left the embassy grounds and headed to town. We started to do a little shopping.  First though we would have to negociate the roads of Kampala.  Not an easy task.  A city of 4 million with about 4 traffic lights.  Lots of police around but they seem to just stand around and blow their whistle because i think they can.  Next we went to look at a few car dealers.  Well you see here in Kampala there arent any new cars,  just old ones.  Emmy desparately needs a vehicle to minister to his school, orphanage and the many remote churches he travels to.   The vans like the one we have been driving come as a shell.  You walk up to the lot and they say....."dis is a 99.......it is good."  Well the engine might be running or like the one we looked at it had no battery in it.  Its kinda like how can we strip everything of value off this van and then sell it like it is just the same.  I was starting to get the picture.  You get a car, but it is basically just an engine and a shell.  No seats or nothing inside.  They are 15 passenger vans but you dont get a chance to carry anybody yet.  You go get those somewhere else. Amazing.  Well that was enough for me.  We went back to the hotel and then took off for some Chinese food nearby.  Sarah stayed and rested.  It was us 4 and Emmy and "the playmaker".  This was a very nice resturant.  I could tell our guests were a bit uncomfortable.  They were given a hot wash cloth prior to the meal and both of them were a little unsure of what to do with it.  Often they are using their hands much like the other Ugandans.  This would be a new experience.   They had never been to a chinese resturant. Better yet, they haven't been to hardly any resturants ever.  They both felt more at ease holding the live chicken than flipping through a huge menu of choices.  We had a nice time and watched as our guests enjoyed playing with the lazy susan.  I told them leave it up for us Americans to find a way not to have to expend some energy. 

Next we did some other shopping. Walking around town on the most crowded of sidewalks as the only white people and seeing hardly any other childen  is quite the event.  We got a stare from EVERYONE who saw us. They would look at us and then follow us with there eyes like what in the world are you doing here.  You might describe it like this:  we were swimming upstream.  We were a blue Dora fish and all the striking beautiful nemos were going the the other way.  Its something my family shall never forget. 

 When you purchase something of decent size in the city, it comes complete with a Ugandan to carry it from the store to your hotel on his head.  Its a different world for sure. We went back to the hotel and rested but Emmy wanted to find the two small items i had been unable to find.  His servant heart went walking deep into the city to find a videotape for my camcorder while i sat down.  I could tell he was not going to let me go.  He has been such the perfect host. 

Next up was dinner. We decided to follow Dov's recommendation and do an italian resturant near the international part of town where many of the embassies were located.  It was a very nice place.  No one was hardly there so it was a good chance to talk.  We all shared what a special time this has been.  Emmy at one point got up and walked in the nearest restroom to us which was the female restroom.  There was no label, just the sign with the stick person in a dress.  I am not sure if he has ever seen that sign before.  What we were to find out next really made us cry.  We are setting there cramming bread in our mouths with this lovely special butter and Sarah starts talking about the orphans.  The orphans  had  fasted for THREE days prior to our arrival!!!!!    She said that they had mobilized themselves and had done it without her involvement.   Note to self........that is unbelievable.  Someone with hardly any provision would fast for me.  Its probably the most powerful thing we have heard all week.  I dont know what else to say except...........i am blessed to know these kids.  

We got back  to the hotel and knew this was our last night.  We went up to our room and prayed  together, just EMmy , Sarah, Monica and I. It was deep and heart felt.  Monica shared 2 Cor 6: 3-9.  Its basically Emmy summarized in one paragraph.  "We put no stumbling block  in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.  Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in troubles, in hardships and distresses; in beatings , imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepness nights and hunger; in purtiy , understanding, patience and kindness;  in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left ; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report: genuine yet regarded as imposters;  known yet regarded as unknown; dying yet we live on; beaten yet not killed; sorrowful yet always rejoicing; poor yet making many rich; having nothing yet possessing everything.  We were all crying at the end as you can imagine. Emmy's being the loudest........There was nothing else to say.  Except he tried.  He said "we have nothing to give you"..........I said "you have everything to give me as friend. " It was and is the only thing we seem to never have enough of ......true meaningful deep friendships.  We have found one.............and of course its on the other side of the world.  Oceans may divide us but nothing can separate the love that was felt in that room that night.

Finally it was nearing midnight.  I heard the Lord tell me i need to tape Emmy's stories for all of you so you could see and hear with your own ears this man's testimony.  We got the camcorder and pushed start and 1 hour later........we were out of disk space.  I shall not share what he said but i will give any of you who are interested an opportunity to hear every word very soon.  All i can tell you it was AWESOME.  The edit button was never touched.  It was completely one take of a man sharing his heart.  Oh what a story. 

As you can tell by this time we have made it to London.  We are here but i think we left our hearts in the Ugandan villages.  It shall be a good few days together,  but it wont be the same. 

My girls are all asleep.  I am anxiously awaiting my first real shower in a week. 

Scrub a dub,

Bub