MISSION: Uganda Blog Update 08-09-2021

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Hiya, folks! There have been some small changes to the status of Uganda’s ongoing COVID lockdown. This is not a full prayer letter per se, but a status update to keep you all in the loop.

We have reached the end of the 42 day lockdown. President Museveni has relaxed the restrictions on private vehicles and crossing district lines. However, schools and churches remain closed for an additional 60 days. Private vehicles are limited to three passengers, so I guess my extra children would have to be smuggled in a hidden compartment or an ox cart filled with hay to reach Mbarara without issue.

At the moment, the Ugandan health department is observing cases for two weeks to see it the easing of travel restrictions will trigger a rise in cases. If there is a rise in cases, the government will probably restore all the lockdown protocols again. I hope this does not happen, but I am telling you about it so you can be ready for it if it does.

We are all, with the exception of Brennah who is too young, fully vaccinated and ready for travel. As of today, the country of Uganda is still under a Level 4 Travel Advisory, which means the U.S. Embassy and the CDC are telling travelers to stay away for now. I have no idea how long that will last.

I believe that waiting until October will allow the virus to run its course, and cause the government to further ease restrictions. They seem to be moving in that direction, which gives me hope we are heading towards some kind of conclusion to this whole debacle. It will also bring the cost of plane tickets way down for us. We have vouchers from KLM from our last aborted attempt to return to Uganda, but we still have to pay the difference. 

In the meantime, I have been sending money to the churches to buy food and medicine, and remain in communication with my deacons via WhatsApp.

Pray for our churches. Pray for our people, who are locked down in the refugee camp and not allowed to go to church. It is especially hard on them. Pray for their health and safety.

Pray the cases will diminish and this lockdown will end so we can go home.