How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1
Dear AMUKA friends!
Recently, we experienced how beautiful it can be when “brothers live together in unity” when Christian Dumke and Lars Offe visited Uganda and spent a lot of time with our team there. This was also a great enrichment for our Ugandan colleagues. Below is Lars’ report; Christian’s contribution will follow a little later to avoid too much information at once.
Our journey to Uganda to visit the Amuka project was a fascinating adventure full of new experiences and unforgettable encounters.
Arrival and First Impressions
The journey began at the end of May when I (Lars), together with Antje, the children Rosie and Harriet, and Christian Dumke, visited the country to explore the Amuka project. After a long flight via Brussels and Kigali, we landed late in the evening in Entebbe, where the tropical climate greeted us immediately.
Our arrival was marked by the warmth and high humidity. Sam and a friend picked us up with two cars to take us and our luggage to Sam and Monica’s apartment. The many unfiltered exhaust fumes from motorcycles and cars were noticeable.
In Sam’s apartment, we were greeted with a hearty dinner of local delicacies such as avocado and beetroot, prepared by Monica, Sam’s wife. Their little son Genesis also helped to welcome us.
We spent the night under mosquito nets in Sam’s cozy apartment on the upper floor.
The next day, we continued to Mbale in the east of the country. The reckless taxi ride took us through areas where a lot of poverty was visible.
On the way, we crossed the Nile, an impressive experience.
In the Mooni district of Mbale, we moved into a simple apartment that served as our base for the next few days. Near this apartment is also the school of Harriet and Rosie.
Showering was done with a 2-liter vessel, electricity was not always available, and the drinking water had a slight chlorine taste. Nevertheless, I quickly got used to these conditions.
Meanwhile, I had also gotten used to the tropical climate and found it very pleasant as long as I didn’t move too much.
Life in the Amuka Project
After a few days in Mbale, where we explored the city and the surroundings, we continued to the village of Bunamukheya to experience the Amuka project up close. Here we moved into the project house of the Balacks, which was much more spacious than our previous accommodation in Mbale and provided each of us with our own room. During a tour of the site, I got to know the staff and got a first impression of the work on site.
Our daily routine began early, often at 6:30 am with a delicious breakfast.
The daily routine included prayer groups, Bible studies, helping with Harriet and Rosie’s homework, playing football with the school children, and doing manual work, such as floating cement floors, sealing valves, or attempting to repair a toilet seat.
At lunchtime, we shared traditional dishes like Ugali, rice, beans, and avocado. On special occasions, there was even chicken and beef.
What was particularly impressive was the sense of community we experienced there. Everyone helped each other, whether it was preparing meals, looking after the children, or maintaining the grounds.
Community and Culture
An enriching experience was participating in the community life. On Sundays, we attended the Bethel Baptist Church in Mbale. The service was marked by loud, joyful worship – an impressive experience. The music and joyful singing of the congregation left a lasting impression.
In the project itself, I led an initial Bible study group with the staff, which had the character of a home group. I also participated in the weekly “Family Group.” Here, up to an estimated hundred visitors of all ages gathered, almost exclusively women.
The topics directly addressed the problems of the people in Uganda, giving us an interesting insight into the local culture.
Equally fascinating was the mother-child group at the Amuka project, which lovingly cared for the disabled children. At these moments, the warmth and solidarity of the Ugandan community became particularly evident to us.
Especially memorable were the dinners with the project staff. At Agnes, Simon Peter, and Mary’s homes, we were warmly welcomed and treated to traditional dishes. These encounters provided valuable insights into the family life and hospitality of Ugandans.
Overall, I was very impressed with how comprehensively the Amuka project has developed and how much the work areas are oriented to the needs on site.
We can be very grateful for the people who have contributed with donations. Without you donors, none of this would exist!
Everyday Experiences and Challenges
The simple living conditions presented us with minor challenges. Showering with a small water vessel, frequent power outages, and the fact that waste was simply burned in ground pits took some getting used to.
But over time, we learned to adapt to these circumstances. The work in the project was fulfilling, sometimes a little challenging. We helped with various tasks, played with the children, and supported the organization of
events.
Once, I took an adventurous ride on a bodaboda, a motorcycle taxi, to get a SIM card. Without a helmet or protective gear, we sped over bumpy roads at over 50 km/h – an experience I won’t forget anytime soon.
Excursions and Nature Experiences
A highlight of the trip was the excursion to the Sipi Falls, a series of breathtaking waterfalls in the mountains. Accompanied by a teacher of Rosie and Harriet, we drove a good hour from Mbale to this excursion destination. Together with a colourful group, including a high-ranking politician and a Dutch app developer, we explored the impressive waterfalls. We enjoyed a picnic on a meadow and filled our water bottles with fresh spring water.
In many other places, too, Uganda’s nature showed itself at its best: lush vegetation, impressive mountains, and fascinating wildlife. Particularly memorable were the delicious physalis fruits we picked directly from the bush in the garden in front of the Amuka project house.
At the end of our stay in Uganda, the visit to the Mount Elgon Hotel with its pool was a welcome change. After more than two weeks without a warm shower, it was a luxury to swim in the pool and shower under warm water.
Farewell and Return Journey
It was hard to say goodbye to the Amuka project, as we had had many heartfelt encounters and valuable experiences. We spent the last few days playing ball and talking with the project staff. The staff had taken us to their hearts and said they would miss us very much.
The return journey turned out to be more adventurous than planned. On the way from Kampala to the airport in Entebbe, we were stuck in traffic for three hours. Despite the fast drive Sam provided us, we missed our flight and had to book a more expensive flight via Istanbul at short notice. After almost 40 hours of travel without proper sleep, we finally arrived exhausted but full of impressions in Hamburg.
This trip to Uganda was not only an exploration of a foreign country but also a deep encounter with the culture, people, and challenges of everyday life in a development project. The experiences and the warmth of the people on site will remain with us for a long time.
We are very grateful that our heavenly Father protected us all the time and blessed us so richly.
Many greetings,
Lars
