As a side note, the internet at the hotel has not been working well. I have been having a difficult time getting any connection especially at night when I get back from the home. Willie, the hotel IT person has been trying the last few days to get it to work for me. So I apologize that the updates have been much slower in posting than I anticipated. I am also having difficulty posting to the blog. The GOOD NEWS is Godfrey came to the rescue! We purchased a small personal router that cost us only $42. The data for a month was only an additional $14! When he brought it to me, the result was almost instantaneous! IT WORKS! I was so happy I jumped up and gave him a hug! It is a “pocket personal router” so I can carry it with me so my phone is always connected to wifi as well. Praise the Lord! Little things we take for granted. Today, I am thankful for the little device called a “mifi”! Now I am catching up on updates and will post photos to the blog soon.
Thank you for waiting. Continue praying in between receiving the updates. God is doing exceedingly more than we can ask or think!!!
Even though the road to the hotel is very familiar, there were many new things along the way. The road from the Jinja Bridge has been upgraded. New hotels and restaurants have popped up. But there is nothing like when I see the sign to my hotel! At night, we are behind a closed gate with guards. I was glad to see familiar faces when we drove up. The ones behind the desk warmly greeted me with smiles and “Miskel”! Others know me by my African name, “Kisakye” (Grace of God).
The hotel is very simple and not fancy. But it is my home away from home when I am here. For the past 17 years I have been in Room 35 every time except two. When I started coming, I could look out the window and see the Nile River. Through the years, I have watched a tree planted outside my window grow bigger and taller. Last time I was here in 2019, the tree had become so big, that is all I could see out my window! Instead of the Nile, I was accustomed to seeing the occasional monkey that worked it’s way onto branches to get the fruit!
When we arrived it was dark outside. But I told Godfrey I needed to see how much bigger my tree had become. To my surprise…when I opened the window…the tree was GONE! They said the tree had gotten so big the roots were beginning to damage the foundation of the wall. They were concerned it would eventually damage the foundation of the whole building. They made the decision to take it down and convert the area into a new garden. The morning revealed another change to the landscape. The neighbors had built a two story building that continued to block the view!
This side of the hotel is the original “block” as they call it. They have another building that is the newer block. They have wanted for years to move me to that side! But Room 35 is like my home away from home. I have had significant quiet times with the Lord in this room. It is spiritually significant to me and I LOVE it!
We stayed just long enough to drop my bags off and go. I always feel bad for the staff that carry by bags to my room. Room 35 is on the 3rd floor. The hotel has no elevators so they carry my 50 pound bags up the three flights of stairs! They are always so gracious with the words of “no problem”.
I didn’t want to linger any longer. It was time to see the family. My excitement was almost inexplainable when Godfrey and I approached the gate to our compound, Godfrey “beeps” the horn and we began to hear the sweet voices arise with loud laughter and joy. You could tell they were busy doing something. Godfrey said, “I don’t know what they are doing but it must be something!” Ha! I jokingly said I should get out of the car and hide. They were taking so long that I went to the back seat and hid! When they finally opened the gate their voices had become even louder! It momentarily quieted when Godfrey said, “Mama Kisakye was tired and she is coming tomorrow.” Ha! They know me better than that! I think it was Maria that didn’t believe a word so she began looking in the car…and immediately saw me trying to video tape the whole thing! They began jumping up and down, cheering, smiling, laughing,..all while I was crying tears of joy! They ran alongside the car as we drove onto the compound, dancing for joy!
They will always “escort” me whenever we are going from one place to another. I had two of the students on each side of me, arm in arm to usher me into the house. As I looked up, I saw Vivian’s SMILING FACE holding a beautiful bouquet of roses. As they presented it to me their voices raised even higher! They had string of lights around the sitting room that were blinking. The praise music was high and celebratory! They broke out in a combination of dance and jumping for joy. Their words of “welcome back, welcome home” was so much to soak in! We went on for quite awhile like that!
When we finally settled down we were all amazed that the time had actually come for us to be together. Even though we have been in constant contact the last three years, nothing replaces being in each others presence. You can’t hug through an email or a text! I was amazed at how much they have all grown since I was last here! They truly have become young men and women of God who love the Lord and glow with His glory!
Because it was late and I had just come off of two days of travel, Godfrey wanted the time to be short. I always come to the house to greet no matter the time. As they greeted me, older Joan had a beautiful welcome on behalf of the whole family. She had a card she read that included everyone’s signature. With every word she spoke, my tears of joy flowed.
I had a time to greet them and share from my heart as well. I also gave my greetings from all of you our dear friends and sponsors. We spent time in worship and prayer. It was a powerful time of fellowship together.
When it came time to return to the hotel, it was hard to leave the atmosphere of love and joy. I am extremely grateful to be back here in this place. We anticipate the Lord doing great things the next few weeks. For now, we were just glad to be back together as a family.
Next update will be about the exciting and highly anticipated Send Off Celebration!
Kale,
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