Laughter is the Best Medicine!

My fever would not leave. After 6 days of the fever and sweats, my legs and hands began swelling and everything hurt to move and my skin was mottled. Fr. Kevin and the YWAM team helped me to board the vehicle headed to Kampala Uganda…a lovely 12 hour drive at least.

“We’re just waiting for 1 more passenger then we’ll go.” Patience… Africans have a lot of time, not many watches. “Let’s go!” he said. The largest Indian man I’ve ever seen sat stooped over in the middle of the little 5-seater wagon, and I had already sat my bunch of sweet bananas on the outer seat I wanted. 3 people remained outside.

“We fit 4 in the backseat.” “How the heck are you going to fit 4 back here? This is a BIG man and I have BIG hips!” I said in my meek American tone. We argued so much that they gave me my money back and told me to wait for another car. UGH. The same problem arose in the next car until I forked up some more money to cover the ‘loss’.

After 30 minutes of driving, the little Muslim boy sitting next to me was holding his hat over his mouth. “”Inte cues?” No, definitely not, he nodded his head. “Stop! He’s going to vomit!” Just in time. I decided to take a pee break as the roads were more than bumpy. But… no privacy… and I couldn’t squat due to swollen painful joints. “What the heck… give them a show…swallow your pride.”’ I peed with a few people gawking… oh well, what else will they talk about at dinner?

Arriving in the transition point where I was to board a 30 seater bus, I stopped in a restaurant for chips and chicken. “Can I have chips and chicken?” “No”. Öh, what are those cooking outside?” ”Chips” “Can I have some?” ÖK”. “Chicken is there?” “No, no chicken.” Chips it is!
So, I ate my cold chips and watched Home Alone on the TV with a bunch of Sudanese and Ugandans laughing away… what a scene!

Boarded the bus. The conductor offers a prayer of protection. “God, please protect us and cover this car with your Precious Blood. Keep all the giraffes, elephants and rhinoceros’ and other large animals away from our path, O God. And keep all the bandits and thieves from boarding our car at any of the stops. And keep our driver awake…. In Jesus Name.” Now that’s a real traveling prayer!

I arrived safely, was taken the next morning to the clinic and attended to wonderfully and got on the right medicines, along with all of your prayers. By the next morning, I was noting a significant change and am on th road to recovery after having liver enzymes elevated to that of a person with hepatitis. They are now on their way down.

I’m now in transition back to the US for a long rest and with the intention of returning in early December to Sudan to work with leprosy patients and build up the YWAM clinic among other works.

Thanks for all your prayers and support! Keep them coming!
Katie