Along highways and byways

 Arua 2012! On Friday, July 13th, Jean Komline arrived for a 6 week visit to Uganda. She has been a WGM Volunteer in the past and we adore her. Because she asked for a trip north to visit our missionaries in Arua (8-9 hrs. drive northwest), we all worked out a road trip which began on the 14th! 


Delight & Emilee Hopson, Kelly Hallahan, Anna Leon (volunteer), Jean & I piled into my Prado and headed north ''bright and early". Thankfully, we had a safe and uneventful drive, apart from seeing some elephants on the edge of Murchison Falls National Park. That was a nice break before we crossed the Nile into West Nile at Pakwatch, a town there. 


Upon reaching Arua, we all stayed with Scott & Meg Rambo, Kelly's brother. Those NJ folks are cool! (note: yes, I'm originally from Jersey too). ;) 


With so many guests at the Rambo home, we all took turns visiting, working, cooking, baby-holding. Emilee played with her "cousin" Missionary Kids. Since all MKs call the missionary adults "Aunt and Uncle", we also adopt each others' families and add non-relation "cousins" in the MKs. With close relationships which are so natural on the mission field, this support system is invaluable. Below: Emilee pushing Benjamin on the swing.

Rambo's have several animals at their home. Some for the family and/or security (dogs, a cat) and some for use, like this chicken. They've got about 14 chickens so far.

Below: Tim and his little brother Benja play together. 

Jean brought a Ukulele to Uganda! She has had a dream of learning unique instruments, and is succeeding so far! Here she is below teaching Emilee. 

Below: When a little boy walks up to you and asks you to read, do it. I found these moments sweet, and I learned how to become a knight!

Above: The Rambo's lemon tree was crazy-full with fruit while we were there. yes, we took some home. Lemon bars, here we come! 

Below: They also have some rabbits- which have probably had babies in the past week or so since momma was expecting at the time. 

Above: Manalive these homemade English muffins were AMAZING. Yes, I'm going to try to make some soon. YUM!!

A view from the Rambo's yard. Lovely!

On the way home to Kampala, we passed some typical but amazing village scenes. I thought you'd like to see how the countryside looks in Uganda.

A colorful church in a village

Pedestrians use the roadways for paths since they're often direct routes someplace. 

We came around a curve and found scraps of metal in the road at one point. They were not there by accident. This was (sadly) a method for thieves to pop someone's tires so they could get the car, items, people for whatever purposes they would choose. Thankfully the Lord showed them to me as I safely passed over them. Had we been travelling at night, the outcome could have been very bad. 

Homes in the north are square and often painted. 

Not pictured: We passed a lot of monkeys and baboons as we drove, as well as goats at times. All of these, plus pedestrians and other traffic, make for interesting driving which keeps you guessing/hopping! 

 Carrying items to/from market. The woman in red is also carrying her baby on her back. 

Besides foot traffic as "transport", there are a lot more bikes used in the north than in the city. These folks were walking up a hill so they hopped off to walk up. 

These pots are used for cooking. Delight & I bought some for plants, however. And in the background of this same photo are the rocks used for a base where grains are spread, and a smaller rock is used to pound/grind the grain.

 Countryside scenes. 

Abby, yes I was thinking of you when I saw this field. Love you bunches!

transporting your cattle to the city for slaughter/sale is tricky. Cattle here have super long and often curved horns. Imagine tying them into the truck but still needing a ride- these guys above had to sit very carefully!

And one more silly statue we passed on the road home (below).

Now I didn't get a chance to take photos of the mounds of fabric we bought while in Arua. We're all looking forward to having skirts and other items made. Smile!

We also had Sunday morning worship with Billy & Joanna Coppege and their 4 girls. However, all 4 girls were pretty sick while we were there, and then the Coppedges were expecting 8 South Sudanese pastors for some training on that Sunday night till Wed. So although we didn't get much of a chance to visit with them, it was still a blessed time. We arrived back in Kampala Tuesday night, safe and sound and only somewhat tired. We're all so thankful for a good and refreshing trip.