Day Trip to Gulu...Not quite

So talking to Dongo on the weekend, we went back and forth over whether it would be a good idea for me to accompany the upcoming team on their visit to Sudan. I was really unaware of the goals of this team from the get go. I guess they had someone coming to train leaders for children's ministry and were hoping that I would fill in. I wasn't really sure how since I had done youth minstry, but never children's ministry. In fact, I've never taught below 6th grade. In addition, I wasn't truly "raised" in the church so I can't really think of what goes on in children's programs. We finally decided that it was best that I stay behind, but that I could drive with them to Gulu and accompany Pastor Richard on the way back...a day trip right. I told Thanx that and he laughed telling me we would get back at the earliest 10 pm. I didn't really care, I was just going along for the ride.

So Dongo said he would be at the school around 7 and leave at 8 am from there. At about 7:50 am, I was getting my things together, went to go visit someone quickly before I left and what...Dongo was gone. He had already left for the hotel where the team was staying. Just the beginning of the journey...I had to walk to the hotel to meet them. We're on our way...right? Nope, Florence had to drive to the church where Richard was to switch cars. After more hustle and bustle...we're finally off. Dongo's car was loaded on the top with blankets. The only problem...the brackets kept falling off the luggage carrier thing (that's the best name I could come up with). With the potholes in the road, they just kept getting loose. That meant for many more stops as we, in Richard's car, saw them pop off. As we drove through the national forest or park, we crossed the Nile River...waterfalls...cool, but didn't stop there and then we saw some baboons walking along the side of the road. Actually the male was just sitting there staring at us. That's the first wildlife other than birds that I have seen since moving here. Finally, we arrive in Gulu.

We stop at a gas station there and wait for the Sudanese pastor that is escorting them into Sudan. In a nutshell, there are complications. A few of us are just standing by until a decision is made. Finally...nope...change of plans...nope...change back...nope... You get the idea. I don't know how many times plans changed before the team decided what to do, but it was getting late already (~4:30 pm) Richard and I decided to find a place to stay in Gulu. You might remember Gulu from the Invisible Children documentary. Well, life in Gulu has changed much from that time as the rebels are pretty much gone and it is peaceful there. Richard took me around showing me where the rebels would drive and where the children would sleep for safety from them. Crazy stuff. We stayed an a decent guest house that had a pretty nice breakfast (it's not the Speke, but what is?) and began our journey home...7 hours later, we arrive to the comfort of God Cares School...so much for the day trip to Gulu.