I left Lagos on the 27th of September, heading to South Sudan, en route Uganda. Strangely, I’m yet to arrived at my destination. Why? I’m suspected of having the dreaded Ebola virus.
The South Sudan Immigration office in Kampala told me they have a directive from their Home Office in Juba not to issue visas to visitors who have been to West Africa from July till date.
They need to be out of West Africa for at least 21days to be proven Ebola free before they can be issued visas to enter South Sudan.
At first, I was annoyed by this seemingly unreasonable order. But as I reflected on the situation, I imagined what the story would have been, had the authorities concerned in my country Nigeria, been more alert and somewhat stricter on immigration rules with respect to Ebola plagued countries.
I must applaud the health team and other involved agencies for rising to the occasion in Nigeria. WE ARE EBOLA FREE. Thanks to God!!
South Sudan cannot afford to add Ebola crisis in the already complex melee of issues troubling the nation. No. God forbid!
We are better shielded and secure from this deadly scourge, than struggling to purge it from the young and fragile nation, with very limited healthcare structures in place.
I’ve accepted my fate here in Uganda and joyfully, I’m deploying my grace and gifting into other useful purposes for the Kingdom.
Every trip has its own unique challenge and lessons. God has been speaking to me on patience for some weeks now. Is He summarizing with some practical illustrations here? It’s clear with Ebola, that quarantined people keep specific dates with the virtue called patience.
Thankfully for me, the fear of Ebola has suddenly created a platform for something new within our network in Yei. I’ll be looking forward to the results and the lessons.
The plans we have for this trip will go on. I’ll be absent at the Students’ Marathon scheduled for the 18th of October. Hopefully, I should be there for the training on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for teachers, from 22nd to 24th. Preparations for these will be good tests for the team.
They’ve asked for prayers.
I could sense their fears and concerns when we discussed. I wished they could see the smile on my face as I encouraged them over the phone. How will they learn if I can’t release them to try some things on their own? How would the meetings not be “Uche’s Program”, if I’m always there to organize them?
Organizing programs successfully will not prove spiritual growth or maturity but it will certainly provoke a measure of confidence and faith that aids the development we seek.
Someone said people of faith don’t need explanations. But for people without faith, explanations are never sufficient.
We’ve laid hold on the plow and will not look back. The distractions are many and the obstacles mountainous. But we are undaunted, knowing that He that has started this good work, is committed to its closure.
Your prayers are coveted; for us, the people we are sent to and what we are sent for. May Jesus get what He paid for, from you and I; and even Ebola.
Kingdom Exploits With Uche 