April 9, 2020 Update
Some Observations and Random Thoughts
There are many things that I could have included in this update but haven’t because it would have ended up a 20-page document. Here is a summary of what is NOT included:
· The utter magnificence of having loving support on both sides of the globe.
· Friends and family members who cheered us along using the internet.
· A church family who stepped up in tangible ways to help our transition back to the US. Thank you, Gibeault family, for allowing Andy to pick us up at LAX very late on a Saturday night; The Andersons for providing a luxurious yet homey place to stay the first few days while we took care of business and began to overcome jetlag; Bob and Cathy Adams for the offer of the use of your place in Lake Arrowhead (we regret that it was snowing so that arrangement did not work out); Susan Miller for providing a house to call home in Riverside; and the Grove for the use of a car.
· Friends in Uganda who supported our decision to abruptly leave: Pastor Martin and Hope Onen and others, who prayed for us and provided suggestions for smooth travel; Evelyn and family who are staying in our home until our return; Gabriel, our friend and guard, who is keeping the property in order; and the many pastors and their wives who texted us to encourage us during our difficult days there and as we are transitioning.
· A description of the 48-hour trip home from Gulu to Riverside. It was interesting. No lines in customs. Very few people in the airports. The lack of education regarding expectations of quarantine in the US.
· And, of course, a big good God who loves us. He provides. He knows our needs. He carries us through. He holds our future. We are blessed!
Here is the update:
We are safely back in Riverside.
We were not scheduled to be here for a visit until July. We had our tickets for the flight and were looking forward to visiting family and friends.
But our plans changed drastically, just as yours did, with the intrusion of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We will go back to Uganda when the airport reopens.
Now you know all of the important things. If you want details, keep reading.
*Let’s Get Together! *
I thought that it might be interesting and fun to have a chance to meet to ask questions, hear more, or just socialize with us. I am sorry that it cannot be in person with refreshments, but we have the next best thing – ZOOM!
I’ve scheduled a Zoom session for Saturday, April 11 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time. If you would like to join us, use this link:
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://zoom.us/j/9515006484?pwd=blJNUGo3QmJMbDJhUTdyc0I3aFIxUT09
Meeting ID: 951 500 6484
Password: w2u
April 9. 2020 UPDATE
Two weeks ago, we were following a happy routine. Ladies were arriving for sewing. Men were coming for fellowship and exercise. We had reached our stride. Then Ugandan President Museveni, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic around the world, took action to prevent the entry of the virus into Uganda. He closed all borders and the Entebbe Airport. He also prohibited the gathering of more than 5 people. The sewing and computer classes stopped. So did the sounds of young men enjoying sports.
It made me feel uncomfortable knowing that there was no way out of Uganda now.
At that time, there were no known cases of the virus in Uganda.
Just like in the USA, the mandate of no large gatherings had a profound impact on the ability of churches to meet. Unfortunately, the majority of Ugandans don’t have access to technology to allow them to attend services virtually. And there is no mechanism for online giving, so we worry about how our pastors will survive with no income.
A few days later, one case of COVID-19 was reported. A few days went by, and a few more cases were reported. Museveni announced that only stores selling food could remain open.
The US Embassy sent an email indicating they were working with the Ugandan government to allow one commercial flight out of the closed airport. Instructions on how to purchase tickets on the flight were included. Jeff and I talked about possibly flying back to Riverside. We considered how the US was being overcome with cases of COVID-19, and how there were so few cases in Uganda. We discussed the potential exposure to the virus while traveling versus staying in Uganda and restricting visitors to our home. Our adult children shared their concerns. Ultimately, we decided to remain in Uganda.
The days went by and the number of cases in Uganda rose. (Currently, there are 53 cases.)
As more and more restrictions were placed on the Ugandans, I became more and more concerned about what this would mean to our safety. It was well known that the place we rented was occupied by “wealthy Americans” and the concern was about the increased risk for break in because we had food available. We had one round-the-clock guard, Gabriel, who was on-duty during the night time hours and available during the day if a crisis arose. However, his only weapon was a bow and arrow which would be little deterrent for a large crowd. We discussed hiring a guard armed with a gun for nighttime. This would free up Gabriel for disturbances during the day. Even so, I remained unsettled about our safety. I had already experienced the stress caused by the break in when we had first moved in and did not feel completely secure when I heard sounds in the house at night time. Jeff, good husband that he is, reassured me that there was little cause for concern.
Things reached a tipping point for me with another Embassy’s email informing of the use of gunfire to force shopkeepers to close businesses. The email included a warning that due to food shortages there would be an increased potential for civil unrest and looting. The email indicated that they were going to work with the Ugandan government to allow one final flight out of the Entebbe airport to allow Americans to leave. Jeff began to reassure me that things would be fine, but I stopped his comforting pep talk. After a discussion, we agreed that leaving Uganda would be the best choice for us.
The Embassy was up front about the cost of tickets and that this was not a flight that would be paid for by the US government. Tickets were going to be approximately $2500 each one way, a hefty price but a low cost to pay for our safety. This expense was something not included in our monthly budget, and we know we will need to raise additional support.
We found out that there were only 3 ventilators to serve a region of 1.5 million people. Not good odds for adequate health care if we were to become ill. And at our “advanced” age we were very concerned about treatment options.
On Friday March 27, we submitted our information to the Embassy to be placed on a list to be allowed to purchase tickets. It was a weekend spent in prayer waiting to hear if we were accepted. Before noon on Monday, we were informed that we would be able to purchase tickets – when/if the flight was approved by the Ugandan government.
Of course, things did not go smoothly. That evening, President Museveni announced additional restrictions to the nation, most notably prohibiting travel by motor vehicle except for bodas (motorcycles) delivering food. How were we going to get from Gulu to Entebbe, normally a drive of 5/6 hours?
The next couple of days were spent reading Embassy emails with updates on negotiations to allow the flight and instructions on how to purchase tickets. There were some twists and turns including: our power going off in the middle of ticket purchase resulting in our internet going down, the airline’s website crashing which resulted in messages saying that all the tickets had been sold (boy, was I upset at this point), and rejection of our credit card. Ultimately, we were able to purchase the tickets on the flight which would leave on Friday April 3.
It was not until late Thursday afternoon that our friend and driver Robert was able to obtain the permit allowing us to be in a motor vehicle Friday. The uncertainty of how long it might take for inspection of our travel documents by police or military required an early start. Along the way, we were stopped 5 times; twice our paperwork was inspected and we were waved through, three times the officials called for further verification. Ultimately, we made it to the airport with several hours to spare.
Even with cancelled flights along the way and long layovers in the quiet airports, we made it home safely. And we are very happy to be home!
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| Sporting our masks made of Ugandan fabric, we arrived at LAX |
