Back to Africa #6--Home Again

Well, it's home sweet home once again and I'm back where I started, once again.
Africa is getting more and more of my heart each time I go.  Although I am still exploring all that God seems to be doing in my heart for this amazing land and it's people, I truly sense a thirst for more of what He is doing there.
Since I was unable to get the internet access that I had hoped for, I will give a quick overview of our trip:
I traveled with Tom Schlesselman, a friend and co-elder of Crossroads Community Church.  We were on a scouting trip for our church.
Friday July 1: Departed Chicago for overnight to London.
Saturday July 2: Arrived London in the morning, took Underground into the city to explore and see Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre.  Depart London for overnight to Johannesburg, SA.
Sunday July 3: Arrive Jo-burg and stayed in B&B. Very accommodating and hospitable hosts.  Great stories from man of the house who used to be a mercenary.
Monday July 4: Early departure for flight to Harare, Zimbabwe.  Began whirlwind tour with Danny Curle.  Danny has been in Africa for over 49.5 years.  Wonderful and powerful stories of a life of service and COMPLETE trust in an AMAZING God.  Lost wife in tragic car accident in early 80's, left with 4 small boys to raise.  Ends up adopting 19 Africa children no one wanted and raised them as his own.  We got a chance to meet some of these now adult children; some of which are layers, pastors, farmers who are changing their worlds because of the a Father's Love.  One son runs tranformational orphanage that is changing the future of the so many children by providing more that food and shelter for a couple years.
Tuesday July 5: Rode along with Danny as he delivered food to widows out in the bush.  Spent the day meeting and visiting with widows he feeds every week.  One widow he feeds has lead to the Chief of the village and his whole family coming to a personal relationship with Christ.  The chief observed Danny's faithfulness in loving the widow and asked why Danny did it.  When the Chief discovered the Love behind the service, he wanted the same relationship that would cause this kind of love.  Bwana Asifiwe!! (Praise the Lord)

Wednesday July 6:  Met some more pastors Danny shepherds from the 100 churches he has helped start.  Also met one of his adopted daughters who is an attorney in Harare.  Got to airport early for our flight, as usual, but ending up running through security and to gate when we  discovered that our flight was leaving over 30 minutes early.  Made our connecting flight through Nairobi and arrived in Entebbe, Uganda.  We made it to our hotel to discover power was out and no AC.  Power finally came on about 2AM so AC helped make warm night little more comfortable.
Thursday July 7: We were picked up by AOET (Africa Orphan Education Trust) Uganda Director James bright and early for our drive to Jinja.  After few minutes to freshen up at our hotel, we headed off to a remote village to experience their mobile medical clinic.  We saw HIV/AIDS testing, evaluations, treatments.  Learned a lot and was very encouraged by what we saw.

Friday July 8: We began the morning with a meeting with the Leadership Team of AOET Uganda.  We toured the Village that has 16 houses that have been built to provide housing for families that have adopted AIDS/HIV and High Risk orphans that do not have a house of their own.  They are provided a house and utilities for up to 3 years.  They are required to save money during this time to be able to build/purchase a home of their own while caring for up to 4 children along with their own.  We also got a chance to visit Rehoboth Secondary School and visit with student body of almost 300 kids.  Then it was off the the primary school where we were welcomed by almost 500 young and excited children.
Saturday July 9: Got a chance to catch our breath a little.  We visited Bujigali Falls and the Source of the Nile River.  Great day seeing some sights and getting to know James and AOET more in depth.
Sunday July 10: Travel day overland to Lira, Uganda in the northern part of the county.  Long day of rough travel.  Arrived Lira and checked into our hotel.
Monday July 11: Got to see more of AOET from another of their locations.  Same DNA from different perspective on more remote location.  Shared in another mobile medical clinic as over 180 children were tested for HIV/AIDS.  We also passed our mosquito nets for each child that got tested.
Tuesday July 12: Started journey home at 5:00AM with another overland ride back to Kampala to pick up Nancy Tushabe, wife of Executive Director of AOET and then to airport in Entebbe for flight to Nairobi.  Got to Nairobi to discover our flight to London was going to be over 2 hours late.  We finally got out of Nairobi about at about 2AM.
Wednesday July 13: Made connection in London and arrived safely in Chicago to be greeted by our wives and sons!  Great to be home...
I'll be sharing thoughts and lessons learned as I continue to process all that I'm learning about who God has created me to be.  Please let me know if you have any specific questions or would just like to talk about Africa.