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Mama's Uganda Adventure!
JOY BOND reports on a humbling and inspiring summer trip to Africa...
Joy & Colin & Uganda's 1st Lady
Joy and Colin with the wife of
the Ugandan President

Aren't you brave?" friends asked me when they learned I was making my first flight to Africa on my own. I don't believe that I was brave. I just knew that God wanted me to go, and that I wasn't going to be alone because He was going to be on that flight with me. Also when I was transferring from one flight to another, that He was going to help me with this too. I needed His help with this as my plane was delayed by nearly two hours, which meant that I might miss my connecting flight. But again I proved God's goodness to me - I sat beside someone who knew the Brussels airport well and explained exactly where my terminal and departure gate was. I walked straight on to the plane and we left. Whew! Thank you, Lord! - one minute to midnight yet again!

At Entebbe I was met by an official holding a placard which said 'Joy Colin'! "I think it is me you are waiting for," I said. She had received an e-mail with information on it which included news of my arrival. Isn't God good? She then took me to the Visa Office to see the official there. "How many days?" he enquired. "Twelve" I replied. "Not long enough to preach God's word to our people. I will give you a visa for one month." I then saw Colin. It was great meet up with him again after four weeks.

It was a real privilege to visit Uganda and to meet some of the people there who Colin had previously met, and also to visit the hospitals that are now in use. The hospital staff, members of the government, the First Lady of Uganda and many others are so grateful for all the medical equipment and supplies which people have so generously donated.

Two babies were delivered in the maternity section of one hospital before it was officially opened. We giggled but were also humbled as they named the boy 'Colin' and the girl 'Joy' in our honour. It is very difficult to describe their gratitude for everything they have received.

Joy & Moza
Joy with Moza, who still rejoices in the all her trials

I met Moza, whose sad story we told in the last King's News. Her children are no longer with her because of safety reasons. I gave her gifts that others had given me to pass on. She was thrilled with the gift of soft toys. I also gave her a gift of money from a lady in the UK. She had read Moza's story and God touched her heart to send money to help her. Moza hugged me, kissed me, thanked me, and there in the restaurant raised her head and with tears rolling down her cheeks, she prayed and thanked God for these kind people. In spite of her difficulties Moza still has a grateful heart and gives thanks to God. I also met Viola who has a similar story. These ladies are not permitted to work and therefore rely on gifts from other people. There are many more ladies in similar circumstances.

We drove on roads which made travelling an adventure. One town, Fort Portal, we have renamed 'Fort Pothole' because of the state of the roads! God protected us yet again and we had no mishaps. And thank you to our friends who were praying for our safety while we were away.

I found the people I met in Uganda were very welcoming and welcomed me with opened arms. Again God was blessing me as I visited their homes. I was just a representative of all the dear people who have helped in so many ways - by donating money, gifts and equipment; by loading the equipment onto containers, and of course, by praying for goods to get to Africa. I wish you could all have been there to witness their gratitude.

There is much more to say - maybe another time. We have grown very fond of Evelyn's family and the friends she introduced to us. We know that we have homes to stay in when we visit Uganda again. God has really enlarged our family. I think Colin and I will have to be renamed Abraham and Sarah as so many people call us Papa and Mama!

Again, many thanks to everyone, God will reward you, and maybe you will be writing about YOUR visit to Africa next time.

Joy

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