Village Bible Church || Aurora | Indian Creek | Sugar Grove | IL

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July 2: Kampala to Mbarara

It's true, Hayley Roberts did manage to trip over the equator today... So no longer can anyone say that hasn't been done. Tim Calhoun was not, however, really eaten by a hyena - that rumor was the result of a bad telephone connection back home...

One BIG surprise happened today. 25 years ago, when I was 13 years old, I somehow decided to begin sponsoring a child through compassion. I was linked up with a young man named Francis Walugembe, from Uganda, who was 6 years old. I've been able to maintain a relationship with him for the past 25 years and by God's good grace and huge surprise, I was able to meet him today and then took the team to his auntie's house where he grew up and is currently living. It was a very poor area and rather challenging to get to, but his family welcomed us very warmly and served us a very nice lunch of bread, fruit and soda. Certainly will be a highlight of my trip - something I've wanted to do for at least 18 years but doubted I would ever have the opportunity.

We then headed west to meet up with our missionaries Matt & Crystal Kehn. It was a 5 hour drive west on a major road, but one that was very narrow with lots of people walking, riding bikes and motorbikes on each side and cars driving in all lanes. I don't know how our driver managed to make it the whole way without hitting a pedestrian and without getting hit ourselves by a large petro truck - but he did! It's crazy though. The streets are lined with shops and produce stands - almost the whole way. And always TONS of people on the streets, walking, riding, taking taxi buses, etc.

It was great to see our friends Matt & Crystal and to have dinner with them. Matt cooks up some mean Ugandan food - it was very good. We all agreed that we're used to Matt & Crystal coming to see us but it seemed surreal to be in their home this evening. It was a real blessing.

Tomorrow we will spend some time with the ABIDE students (Matt's ministry to post-high school students) and then head to the Kishanje Learning Advancement Center. From there we will have very limited (if any) communication options. There is no internet, very limited cell coverage and power only occasionally - so you probably won't hear from us for a while.

Thank you for your prayers and support for our ministry!