Friends and a Wedding in Uganda

The poor blog has been sadly neglected once again! But I thought many of you, shared friends in particular, would love to see the joining of friends from across the world in Uganda! 

I had the wonderful privilege of travelling to Uganda to visit long-time friends in November. I don't remember the last time I went anywhere on my own just for fun and it felt a little strange and indulgent at first! But oh so fun!

I left home very early one morning to catch the 6am bus, appropriately named "Friends!" We crossed the Mwanza Gulf on the ferry and continued on through Geita and on past Bukoba. We crossed the border late afternoon and then arrived in Kampala at 10pm. It was so wonderful to see Karissa and Adrienne! Karissa, (a long time close friend going back to my class at school) was visiting her sister (also a dear friend) who is a missionary on assignment in Kampala with her family, and it was the perfect opportunity to have a lovely time all together again for the first time in years! Chatting in the dark on mattresses before going to sleep brought back many memories of childhood sleepovers … I don't think any of us could believe we are actually 20 years older than those days! It was such a lovely time of chatting over coffee and chocolate mousse out and making special cups of tea to have with butter tart bars at Adrienne's house! Time with Adrienne's family and meeting some of the Father's Heart Mobility team and hearing more about their fantastic ministry. It was lovely to worship at their church on Sunday and also meet Francis' (Adrienne's husband) family at their home outside Kampala. 

December 1st Christmas Tea

Out for Coffee!

Exploring beautiful gardens

The amazing thing was that Karissa's visit coincided with the wedding of another dear friend, Jennie! What a joy to also be able to share in celebrating her marriage to Denis at Kasana! I was able to travel from Kampala to Kasana with yet another wonderful friend, Laurena who flew in from BC for the occasion. It was such fun to be roomed together for the wedding weekend  … although in the whirlwind of wedding preparations amid her jet lag, we had loads of fun but not so much time to have proper chat! 

With Laurena

It was wonderful to catch up with all the Dangers family again! We were last with some of the family in Uganda five years ago, but memories go back a long time to school days in Langley, BC and early visits to Uganda as a teenager! It was also great to meet Jay's sister and husband and Jennie's bridesmaids! It was a very special Thanksgiving that Thursday evening, such a privilege to share with the family in thanks to God for so much! The thanksgiving continued on Friday morning with a precious time with Jennie and the "girls." Such a testimony to God's goodness! 

Bridesmaid dress alterations with Jay's sister, Joy

The wedding was on Saturday morning. It was an incredible day! An early start and bustle of activity with dresses, hair, flowers, breakfast … And then all was ready. The wedding was under a huge tent with 1500 people in attendance! So many who love and appreciate Denis and Jennie! And people from all over! It was great to catch up with people I haven't seen in many years, and people I knew of, but had never met in person! It was a fabulous celebration of marriage! 

Flower arranging

Before I knew it, the time had gone and I was back at the Kampala bus stand. We were supposed to leave at 10:30pm, but as the bus had broken down, we had to wait until past 1am to leave! It was fun to be with the same group of nuns who had arrived on the bus with me, to attend a retreat! But it was a long night and day! We arrived at the border at around 5am, rather wet as there was torrential rain and the windows didn't seal! The nun sitting next to me had a choking attack which was rather frightening … but was thankfully ok. And then eventually I was home at 7:30pm. Yes, I was very glad to get off!

And as I arrived home, Karissa set off on her journey from Kampala to Vancouver. On the way, she became seriously ill, landing in hospital on her arrival home with malaria and sepsis. A terrible and frightening end to an amazing trip, but we are just so very thankful that she is recovering now at home.

Sometimes the world feels so huge and places very far away. But then at times it seems a such a small world and even time seems to have hardly passed! Friendship is a lovely thing that so often seems to be able to forget great distance and time! Thankful for friends over time and all over the world!