Uganda 2025 Day 3

Uganda 2025 day 3

We landed in Kigali, Rwanda, for another layover. This is a different kind of layover.  For this one, we just stay on the plane while people get off if it is their final destination. Then they clean the plane,  make sure all the carry on bags belong to people still on the plane, and board more people for Uganda or Turkey. This seemed like it took longer than usual. When everyone was loaded and almost all were seated we got bad news. Someone had boarded the wrong plane. They had to get him off and double check all the bags again. We made it to Uganda around 5:3am. Also  and it was scheduled to come it at 3:50am. Customs and baggage went smooth, but we put our bags through another X-ray machine on the way out and some were pulled and searched. I think the only bag we had everything taken from was Chelsea’s team bag. It was the bag that had all the syringe supplies and wound care along with a couple other items. It is always sad when our supplies are taken, but God will provide everything we need for clinic. When we walked out our friends were there! Both John Bascos, Martin, Sam, Henry and a few others were there waiting for us. The reunion each time I see a friend for the first time back is one of my favorite things! 

When we arrived at the house, we had some break time to shower or just get settled into our rooms before we started “doing drugs”. This is when we take the meds from our team bags and package them is small ziplocks that are easy to had out during clinic. I think we usually put 6-7 pills per bag. This year I did not help with medication. JoAnn had Chelsea and I divide and the reusable feminine menstrual hygiene kits into two instead of one so more young and older ladies will have one. We also added a small bar of soap to each. I brought 101 that the ladies in my church sewed. We also purchased a few in Uganda to help support ladies in the country, but it is expensive to buy them. This year we will be able to hand out so many more because of the ladies in my church.

We took a break right before lunch to go to quality. We exchanged our money there. Most of the group went to the coffee shop and got drinks. Because we had such a big order, some of us went into quality (the supermarket) to buy some items or look around. I got a banana smoothie for myself, a tropical fruit smoothie for Martin and a strawberry milkshake for Sam. When we arrived back at the house all of us continued our clinic prep jobs. This is such a good time to catch up or get to know team members.

Most of the team planned to go to bed between 7-7:30p. I knew I could not go to bed that early or I would be up at midnight. Instead I stayed in the living room until around 10p talking with Paul, David and both John Bascos.   All the doctors helping us, some interpreters, Sarah, and Mama Esther were leaving in the morning to drive our supplies to Karamoja. They would be loading our clinic supplies, food/kitchen supplies, and anything else needed in the morning before leaving. Paul said they would be leaving at 4a, so I set an alarm for 3:45a. I gave the David and the John Bascos each a paracord bracelet that I made and packed the rest to send to Karamoja. I also gave the three of them and Paul a mini black Jesus. John Basco set his on his knee. As I was walking out to go to my room John Basco said, “Baby Jesus is looking at me”. I silently laughed so hard at him the whole way to my room. He is so funny! I showered and attempted to write about the days events, but did not get far due to being so sleepy. In the end, I went to sleep around 10:30 or 11p.