Fear - And why I'm not afraid anymore (a story mostly through pictures)

Visiting in the Children's ward at Mulago Hospital.

When I found out a few years ago that my child, my beautiful daughter, was never going to be like the other little girls I was surrounded by, I was terrified.  The world was full of “What ifs” and “How comes” and, honestly, I grieved for her…  for moments that she’ll never experience, and hard lessons that will be harder for her..  for the rejection or the day when she notices what everyone else sees.  It’s hard.  And I’m scared.  

Charlee snuggling babies (what she does best) in a neglected area close to where we live.

The guy in the middle is scared of the "muzungu" or "white person".  Charlee couldn't figure out what was wrong ;)

BUT - She possesses something that not many people do.  She doesn’t see rich or poor, old or young, black or white.  She doesn't judge by the way you speak, or the clothes you wear, or if you have drool running down your face.  She sees people.  And people are all that matter to her.

Helping deliver Easter goodie bags to some disabled children - she's quite generous with the chips!  I think Derek appreciated it :)

Derek (above) is 18 and developed a type of Cerebral Palsy when he was 3, 

after contracting Cerebral Malaria.  He looooves sweets and visitors!

He, and another girl who can't speak are cared for by their grandfather.

Baby Melissa also has cerebral palsy and is epileptic.  Her and Charlee were fast friends!

Melissa's brothers were happy to have some treats.

So at our Palm Sunday special needs support group, I tried to look at these kids like Charlee does.  To love them without thinking.  And to embrace the differences in them.  Trina has a smile that lights up a room!  Whitney sings and dances and twirls like a princess.  Pudgy baby William has such a sweet demeanour that you couldn’t bear to be grumpy in his presence.  

Whitney leads the whole group in a song at our Palm Sunday Special Needs party - her grandma and sister are so proud!

Trina has the most beautiful smile.. and it's contagious! At almost 6 years and only 7 kilos, she can't sit up on her own and her mama carries her everywhere and has a blanket she lays her on so she can be near the other kids.  We are on the hunt for a wheelchair for her so she can sit up and see her friends.

Baby William gets a ride from his sister when he gets a bit restless inside...  it's amazing, he's half the size that she is, but after her mama helped get him on there, they walked around for about 20 minutes.

The sweetest face :)

I choose to look past their disabilities and see their hearts, the way that God made them.  Each and everyone one of them has a gift too, and if I only choose to see the things that make me sad, I miss out on the biggest blessings.  THAT is why I’m not afraid anymore.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

After the day we visited in the slum, Charlee was convinced she had to go see some more babies, so last Sunday we piled into the car with our friend Dina and headed to the children's ward at Mulago Hospital.  Mulago is the largest government hospital in Uganda and is very corrupt, over populated and under resourced.  I was afraid of what we might find there, but Charlee and Dina marched fearlessly in and started talking to mothers, praying for babies and fitting right in.  I was really just along for the ride:)

After holding baby Ruth, I assumed she was about a week old, but was completely shocked to find out she is 2 1/2 years!  She was very alert in taking everything in.

This mama has 3 month old preemie twins, and she was more than happy to let Charlee hold one for a bit.  She has been in the hospital alone sine their birth and specifically called Dina back to pray with her, even though she is a Muslim.  She just needed someone to care.

Charlee and Daniella visiting with a sick boy who was tucked away in the corner.  They stood there with him and held his hand, even after his dad said "It doesn't matter."  These little girls see the hope in the situation.

Dina praying for a baby and his mother.

This little guy, Matthew, was one of the only babies here alone - every time we walked away, he would cry, so she would go back and kiss him, and then we would move on and she would go back and kiss him.... 

The ward is so crowded, mothers or grandmothers sleep on mats between the cots just so they have a place to stay.

Not one baby was left out...  And not only did Charlee get her baby fix in, she cheered up the mothers while she was a it.  They all had a great time with her around.  She really was amazing.  

Charlee danced to cheer up some of the ladies before we left.

The Flying Scot - A Ferry Flight from Uganda to South Africa

I recently had a wonderful opportunity to fly one of our Caravans, 5X-SCO,  or more affectionately known as “Scotty”, from Kampala to Nelspruit, South Africa. Scotty earned this name as it was paid for by the funds raised by the Womens Guild of Scotland. The aircraft was scheduled for a re-paint in the new MAF paint scheme which had to be done in South Africa, and fellow pilot Simon Wunderli and I volunteered to fly the plane down.

Scotty delivering Mercy Corps staff on a recent flight.

Why all this trouble and expense for a paint job, you might ask? MAF takes our roles as good stewards of what God has provided us to heart. This airplane is the tool He has provided to do His work and we will take care of that tool as long as it is entrusted to us. 

The paint protects the aircraft surface from corrosion, which will increase it’s service life. Also, the smoother, freshly painted surfaces are more aerodynamic - this reduces fuel  consumption and increases airspeed - and although these changes are very small, given how much we fly it certainly adds up over time!  

Last, but definitely not least, the people we serve recognize the MAF name (and our intentions).  Simon Wunderli has experienced this on several occasions, especially in South Sudan when the arduous customs and immigration process has been expedited by the customs officer. One day, when Simon asked why, the officer said upon seeing the MAF name, “ We know you people are here to help.”

Simon and I departing Kajjansi Airfield, Uganda  (photo by Dallas Derksen)

Pre-flight checks before takeoff.

We left Kajjansi Airfield on March 21st with a quick stop in Entebbe to clear immigration - Simon flying the first leg of our 5 country, half continent journey!  Our first day was 5 1/2 hours into Lilongwe, Malawi. We flew across lake Victoria to Rwanda, staying close to shore as our aircraft is required to stay within gliding distance from land and then headed for Lilongwe, crossing over several islands on Lake Victoria before reaching mainland Tanzania. The weather was perfect.

Flying over Lake Victoria

Some of the Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria

We made our way south, contently watching large swaths of Tanzania and Malawi pass by underneath, and chatted about everything from parenting, settling in Uganda, and BBQing steaks, while frequently pausing to talk to Air Traffic Control and jot down checkpoint crossing times. Simon’s bladder was the first shrink but fortunately we had a large “washroom” in the back as all the seats had been removed  and he made good re-use of some empty water bottles. 

Huge mountain seen from above Mozambique.

Crossing a mountain range towards Mbea, Tanzania.

Beautiful Tanzania.

We arrived in Lilongwe at the same time as a couple of airliners but aside from that the airport was very quiet. We cleared customs without a hitch, refuelled and secured the aircraft for the night. Lilongwe is a quiet and laid-back city and was a wonderful break from bustling Kampala. At the hotel we discovered a single queen size bed in our room. I asked Simon how he felt about snuggling and his hesitation prompted me to ask for a second bed :)

Landing in Llilongwe, Malawi.

5X-SCO Safe and sound for a night in Malawi.

First thing the next morning, we departed for our final leg down to South Africa with me at the controls. It was a little cloudier this time so the countryside wasn’t as visible as it had been the day before. With our route with map in hand, we could identify various mountain ranges, lakes and rivers; such as the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers; before crossing into South Africa from Mozambique. This time it was my bladder that shrunk first and had to make use of our empty bottles. 

Next stop, South Africa!

Me at the controls.

We landed at the beautiful Kruger International Airport and cleared customs. It looked more like a safari lodge than an airport terminal with thatched roof, varnished wooden beams and gazelle lining the driveway.  Simon then flew the quick 5 minute flight over the hills to the other side of Nelspruit to land at the smaller Nelspruit airport as I drove the rental car there to pick him up.  We were met by Stephen, the son of the owner of Leading Edge Aviation. He helped us unload and push the plane into the paint hanger, all while we kept an eye on the opportunistic monkeys clambering around.

Outside of the beautiful Kruger International Airport.

Simon Wunderli and myself outside of Leading Edge Technologies - Scotty's home for the next 6 weeks!

After a good nights sleep we were on our way back to Kampala with South African Airways while Scotty stays in South Africa for the next 6 weeks. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to do this flight, it really was a once in a lifetime experience!

A video update on our time in Uganda so far... enjoy!