Final thoughts on Uganda

Today is my last day in Uganda. Tomorrow morning we leave and will be on vacation. I will 'go dark' and spare you vacation photos.

There are so many misconceptions about this country and the Church here. One recent web post referred to "Uganda as a garbage dump for extreme American christian (small “c” intentional) ideology".

I'm sure that there are some independent churches where some dangerous theology exists, but that has definitely not been the case in my experience with the Anglican Church of Uganda.

Epiphany's mission team served at the Chain Foundation--an Church sponsored
orphanage and school where sighted and blind children live and learn together. The blind children (one if whom we sponsor)


are particularly at risk.

Then we went to Bwindi in SW Uganda, the remotest place I have ever been to, where we assisted the COU (Church of Uganda) in its work with the Batwa Pygmies who were evicted from the forest without compensation or hope. It has been the Church, with the Diocese of Dallas assisting, who has been the party most responsible for the Batwa receiving medical care, health training, education--and hope for the future.


(Here is Melissa surrounded by curious Batwa women & children)

The COU is fiercely independent and committed to serving people's physical as well as spiritual needs. We should be proud and challenged by their example.

To be snarky, while one church spends its time and energy "reimagining" itself, suing fellow Christians and opining on Supreme Court decisions, this Church is actively involved serving the least fortunate in real ways.

I hope I will return to the US with a renewed focus on what is important--and what is not.


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The Wedding

The primary reason we traveled to Uganda was for me to be part of a wedding. On my first trip to this beautiful country two years ago, I met Denis Rubarema and his fiancée Evelyn. Denis & I hit it off, and on our last day, they invited me to officiate at their wedding. How could I say no?!

So two years later, I arrive. Denis and I first go to meet with Bishop Dan:


On the wedding day, the Rector, Canon Stephen, lends me his "American sized" Cassock (note the red buttons). Zack and Chris look very smart in their traditional garb:


At the wedding I am honored to preach, being translated by Rev. Hope, a very fine woman priest:


Then I participate in the Eucharist


At the end of the ceremony, with much pomp, came the signing of the registers:


I got to help Denis & Evelyn's beautiful daughter Jade watch the signing.


Then I got to sign too, assisted by Canon Stephen:


At the reception there was traditional dancing:


And like at receptions everywhere , the sharing of the wedding cake:


At the end of the reception, everyone came up, presented their gift, and greeted the couple. Here are Penny Lalanne and I thanking them for an amazing experience.


It was a great day!!


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Only We're not in Honduras!!

We began the second phase of our travels last Monday, traveling from DFW to London, meeting Alex who was on a different flight and Melissa's niece Rebecca, who just moved to the UK.

We spent a pleasant day in the town of Marlow:


And then got on another overnight flight (two red-eyes in two days...not recommended!) arriving in Uganda on Wednesday morning, very tired.

After a much appreciated nap, we met with the Epiphany Mission team who has already been serving in Uganda for a week.

We went to the Chain Foundation, an orphanage for blind and sighted children. The parish made lots of dresses for the children--here is one being proudly worn!!


The team painted a new pottery center building--a great medium that can be used by both blind and sighted children. Here is the pottery teacher giving Marissa Aten pointers.


We sponsor a young man named John, who Melissa met for the first time.


Then after a good night's sleep, we left early Thursday morning for Bwindi in southwest Uganda. We crossed the Equator, Melissa for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere:


And with the entire team:


Another long trip, but new adventures await!!

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