Sabet’s Adventure – part 2

Kuel with the Ambulance

Hi all,

I wanted to thank you for praying, it was so good to see your messages and prayers for me, thank you!

Now I am in Kampala taking care of few things before I head into my journey, I am looking forward to the rest of the trip.

So Kuel and I left early in the morning yesterday from Nakuru, it was so easy to see the difference between Nakuru and Nairobi, there were no cars, made me feel like it’s a Sunday.  Nairobi is always so crowded even at that early hour of morning it could be busy.

Before 10 am we were in Eldoret, there we stopped to top up the fuel and use some of the kenyan shillings before we got to the border and crossed to the Ugandan side.

We reached the border around 12 noon time and clearing the Kenyan side was smooth and fast. There Kuel had to go back on the bus to Nairobi.

The Ugandan side was a bit interesting, it took about 3 hours to clear with Ugandan Revenue Authority, so it was good for me to lay at the grassy area they had and have a nap while waiting for the paperworks to be cleared. I had to say the Ugandan side was organized, clean and very green compared to the Kenyan side.

When all the papers were ready I didn’t want to waste any more time and decided to leave at once.  There was another checking point for goods that are in transit that everyone has to stop and get their papers stamped.  I went there thinking it was going to be a simple procedure, it turned out to be a problem, there was an issue with the paperwork and they wanted to send me back again.  I wasn’t really OK with that waiting again for a few more hours.  The clearance agent was kind enough to come down where the checking point was and talk to the officer and I think he had to pay them money in order to let the ambulance go, I wasn’t involved with that but this is the reality of  how things work here in Africa.

After leaving the border area I just cruised the Ugandan highway till I got to my favorite place in that route, a stop where they sell barbecued chicken on sticks!!  It’s always packed with cars and definately was a highlight, the barbecued chicken is so good, tasty and simple, just salt and barbecue.  Four of those whet down like nothing happened.  Yum!

Now when I got to Kampala I was glad that I got delayed, it was 8 pm and the outskirts of Kampala was hectic with traffic.  I was wondering what it would have been like if I’d arrived around 5 pm!! The Lord was good, I was able to go through it and even downtown without any husstle at all.

Early in the trip a friend from AID SUDAN contacted Suzy when he knew from the blog I was going to drive through Kampala and he invited me to stay with them before proceeding with the trip.  Man the Lord is good to provide me with such wonderful accommodation and with a person I know, so I spent the night with Bob and his family.  I tell you, I was so exhausted I was out solid during the night and next thing it was 7 am!

I am taking care of some business today in Kampala, and in the morning the journey continues…….

love to all

Sabet

Driving the Ambulance from Nairobi to Tonj

Hey Guys, this is Sabet.  I am sure you have got the news of us receiving the ambulance  at last, Hallelujah!!!

Thank  you for supporting us in getting it and praying for it  to come and now it’s on the way to Tonj.  I will be  blogging about how this trip is going.

I am at Nakuru tonight about 98 miles only from Nairobi. This is the first day in my little adventure driving an ambulance from Nairobi to Tonj.  I know what you are thinking; it will take a month to get to Tonj at that speed! And you are right, if I drive at 33 miles an hour.  The first day we started late at 5  pm in the evening  the aim was to stamp the Custom papers the same night at a certain custom checking point between Nairobi and Nakuru, other wise we would risk loosing the insurance bond on the ambulance.

I am hoping tomorrow I will put some serious hours on the road and stop in Kampala, Uganda for the night before taking the journey to the Sudan/Uganda border.

The ambulance is great fun driving a Toyota Land cruiser with only 600 km on it!  It felt so easy and light, I didn’t over speed or overtake.  I was tempted though many times but driving a left-hand drive vehicle in a country like Kenya where the rule keep left, was keeping me at bay all the time.

I have to say, I got respect from all the policemen on the road, one Kenyan Policeman told me, if it’s an ambulance I don’t have anything to ask from you, ambulance help people, “Aenda” GO!  I was really glad to hear that.

Well tomorrow I and Kuel will start early in the morning 6:30 am and hit the road. Kuel is a Sudanese brother living in Nairobi.  He helped us in the past with Matoch, staying in the hospital and helping the doctors translate.  He will go to the Uganda border with me and then return.  For now he is my co-pilot in the ambulance.

Pray for us tomorrow for the Nakuru – Kampala Leg, it’s a long one.

Prayer Walk & Fund Raiser 2011

Save The Date – October 22nd at 10am!

Join Sabet this year at Shelter Island for our 5th Annual Prayer Walk and Fund Raiser. This event raises much needed funds to support the medical clinic, evangelical training programs and ongoing gospel outreaches. There are two ways to register – right now online or by mail – a brochure will be on its way to those on our mailing list in early September. For those who register in advance, we’ll have a t-shirt and a catered lunch waiting for you on the day of the walk.

Memorial Service

Yesterday we attended the memorial service for Elizabeth’s son, Sebit.  It was comforting to see so many neighbors caring for her family.  We shared that many people across the globe were in prayer for the family.  One of our pastors shared from the bible and the local ECS pastor also shared some words of encouragement.  We were able to pray together and acknowledge our trust in the Lord as the body of Christ surrounding our brother and sister in their time of need.  Please continue to pray for this precious family.

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