The Journey Home

By Mr. Dan and Fr. Dominic

14 Feb to 16 Feb 2018

Many thoughts ran across my mind as I stirred from my sleep, but the first one was that I woke up before the rooster crowed. Today was the day that I was leaving Rubanda. Walking out on the patio I looked over the valley for the last time. I could see the tiling of the roof of the school across the valley, the workers walking to their gardens with hoe on shoulder and the herders leading their goats to pasture.

With all the morning hellos as breakfast was being prepared I spotted Francis getting ready to take his cows out to pasture. I remembered that I had not taken a picture of Francis with his Knights of Columbus neck-tie, so I asked Louis, his grandson, to see if Francis could get the tie for the picture. Francis was very willing. Ten minutes went by and Francis was not coming out, so I asked Louis again to see what has taking him so long. He came out and said his grandfather was getting fully dressed because he did not want to have a picture taken without his Sunday best. With a smile Francis was ready to have his picture taken. Agnes, his wife, was looking on and I also invited her to join in. She disappeared for a bit just to come back out in her Sunday best. I wanted Fr. Dominic, their son, in the next pictures, but he was busy talking to family members, so I spent the time doing a photo shoot with all the family members available. When Fr. Dominic came out he was excited about what I was doing and started to stage everyone and taking pictures himself

The last few hours flew right by. We all gathered in the front of Fr. Dominic’s home, about 20 family members, and we all sang and prayed together to invoke God’s blessings and protection to those traveling and those left behind. I had always told myself that I would not get emotional on my departure but with all the love and friendship that was poured on me, I was not able to contain myself. It was a very hard farewell. With a heavy heart of faith and joy, hands filled with the work of the land and the beauty of the land that I saw, we bid farewell to all. Driving by the Rubanda Solidarity School intersection, I noticed the transportation vans and cars loading up to capacity for their own personal travels and, a little further, cattle and goats making their way to pasture.  Life continues.

Rodgers and Gladys, Fr. Dominic’s nephew and niece, came along for the ride for Rodgers was going to Mbarara so he could submit papers for his further education, and we then continued our travels to Kampala where Gladys was going for an interview at one of the city banks. It was a pleasant ride as we retraced the same road.  Father let me drive a good portion of the way. The newness of the land did not lie before me anymore but instead a very familiar landscape with memories as we passed them. When we re-crossed the equator, I knew we were nearing Kampala. In arriving, I enjoyed the sites of the city which were so different from the rural setting of Rubanda. We arrived late, and we settled at Cardinal Nsubuga’s guest house. Here we had all the comforts of home. I think the comfort I missed the most was a nice hot shower. We all settled in the outdoor lanai and reminisced about our memories and planned our future activities.

In waking up, something was missing, there was no rooster wake-up call. Life was going back to normal. Today was going to be a very busy day for it was Ash Wednesday. Leaving for the government section of the capital, we went to the church of Christ the King in Kampala. Arriving late, what I saw, to my amazement, was thousands upon thousands of people that were crowding the streets. Inching our way through the traffic, we were in a desperate situation trying to find a parking place. Fr. Dominic did not fail us. He found a gated compound that was full, but Father decided he would find a space. After repeatedly being told not to enter by an attendant, he inched his way into a spot with the attendant giving way to Father’s demand. This Mass was for all the government workers and all were participating. Communion and the placing of the ashes was distributed by about 12 priests going through the crowds.

Afterwards, Father met a friend and we all went to eat at a city restaurant with the traditional food of our choice. There, Fr. Dominic met a friend, Denis. We were given a private room for our meal.  Then we traveled to his farm about 25 miles north of the city. The landscape was more open with gentle rolling hills and dotted hamlets. Denis had about 10 acres of a gentle sloping field and an open concept barn. We shared thoughts about organic farming. The land next to him had about one acre of two-foot high raised beds with many varieties of vegetables. For the first time in Uganda, I saw cats, three little kittens. It seems like cats are feared by all. Everyone screamed at me not to pick the kittens up. They had no understanding that cats are a source of companionship for us. You should of have heard how loud the kittens where purring. Saying good bye to our host, we headed back.

The traffic was heavy, and darkness fell quickly. As we neared the center of Kampala, traffic came to a dead stop. For three hours, we inched forward the last five miles. I really saw the night life. Thousands of people all out enjoying the warm evening. Makeshift kitchens were set up all along the street, A to Z of food cooking and merchandise displayed for sale.  There were no street lights. We finally came to the source of the holdup and it was the rotary in the center of the capital. Street signs and lights are a rarity in Uganda. There was an officer in charge allowing the traffic in and out, but at this point he was busy talking to a co-worker. We were next in line to enter the rotary and had to wait half an hour before he let us in. We finally made it back and we all called it a day.  We were very tired.

The next day started with our routine, gathering at the breakfast table planning our day. Father was going to the bank with Gladys to take care of personal business.  Barbra and I went sightseeing and shopping in the city.  The first place we went was the U.S. embassy that was right next to where we were staying. I was very excited to see a piece of home. We took a back alley to get there. To my surprise and disappointment, I was not allowed to enter my own home due to the need to give a 24-hour notice. I did try to use my charm but that hit a wall that I could not climb. So, what do you do in times like this?  You go shopping. Barbra flagged down a couple of motorcycles and, with heavy negotiation, we went into that part of the city where all the shops were. The day was beautiful, the sun was out, and it was in the low 80’s. I bought several items as gifts. We stopped at a barber shop where Barbra had her hair done. This was quite the experience for me to see the techniques utilized in braiding hair. That evening, we gathered early for our night meal. We spent much time talking about the adventures we had gone through in the last month. We called it early for our departure the next day.

Father left early for his last business before his departure. Barbra and I went back to the barber shop to finish her hair. I decided to get a haircut which was quite the experience for me.  For $6, I was treated with a half hour facial message and pampering that my neck and head never expected. When I left the barbershop, I felt my head was floating in a state of perfection. Afterwards, we went out for our final meal before we left. This was the first American-style food I had the whole time I was there. I think I was preparing myself to regain the 36 lbs. I had lost, 12 which were lost in the last month. I truly enjoyed all the food in my time in Uganda. Arriving back at the hotel, Fr. Julius rejoined us as he was our driver to the airport. Loading up the car to capacity, we left for the airport.

The time had arrived for us to leave Uganda, a dream and adventure of a lifetime was coming to an end. We reminisced on our many adventures that we had. Through all this, I realized that I had not gone on a journey of adventure but on a journey of faith. We went through our last checkpoints at the airport, our last hugs of friendship and our last waves of good-bye, promising to stay in touch and never forget each other.  I went to Uganda with open eyes, open hands and an open heart to come back with a heart laden with all the love of a new family and community that accepted me, the memories of what I saw throughout Uganda and Rwanda and, most of all, the love of using my hands that did work that will last a lifetime. I was now ready to go home to my wife, Paula, my family and community.

Epilogue

The flight home was the moment where the inspiration of the Multi-Purpose Hall at the Rubanda Solidarity School first was formulated in my mind. We were crossing the English Channel when Fr. Dominic asked me if I could write a short write up on my experience in Uganda, so he could post it on the Yamba Abaana website. I quickly wrote a short piece and gave it to him and the thought of fundraising to build the Multi-Purpose Hall came to me.  I asked Father what he thought about fundraising for his school.  Father replied it was not for him to make that kind of decision but was very impressed with the notion of it. The continuation of the flight was filled with how this could possibly happen.

Upon arrival Fr. Dominic and I planned on doing individual presentations about our trip at each of the Good Shepherd Parish churches. The first presentation was to our Knights of Columbus Council.  I approached my Knights of Columbus Council #12941 with the idea to form a committee on doing a fundraising for the Multi-Purpose Hall at the Rubanda Solidarity School and the formation of Knights of Columbus Councils in Uganda. A committee was formed with 13 members joining. The committee met the following month and formed the “Dollar per Knight” fundraising campaign.

During this time, I had become a board member on the Yamba Abaana non-profit organization which supports the Rubanda Solidarity School. The East Coast team quickly developed with Bill Martel, another Board member, and George Hamilton, our webmaster.

The West and East Coast teams were now in place for the work to begin on the new project.  With consideration and planning, the Classroom and Multi-Purpose Hall project was merged together into one project.  This resulted in a two-story L-shaped building to replace the old existing five classrooms. The first floor is the five classrooms with the Multi-Purpose Hall on the second floor with a library and administration room.

With all the fundraising from the West Coast, a $25,000 donor from the East Coast team and the “Dollar per Knight” campaign, enough money was raised to start the project and bring the classrooms to completion for the children to use by the 1st of March 2019. The roof of the classroom will be ready to be the floor of the Multi-Purpose Hall and for this to be completed as the Knights of Columbus “Dollar per Knight” campaign goes nationwide.

The journey is continuing as a new team of 12 is assembling to make another trip back to Uganda in January 2020.

Much has happened to me and all whom I have met from this day (14 January 2017) when I asked Fr. Dominic what a person like me can do if I went to Africa with you.

All our earthly endeavors will succeed if we keep our eyes fixed on the prize, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,

Daniel C. Bedard

From an Adventure

To

A Journey of Faith