Day 3 - Uganda, House of Worship

Ethiopia Trip – Day 3

Uganda

Wow. We are actually in Uganda. Brian and I have been talking all day about how very strange that seems. Who would have thought this of us? Certainly not us! But it is wonderous.

The flight was somewhat funny. We got through the airport in Addis just fine and then were bussed to the plane. There, it seems people just sat where they wanted to without regard to seat assignments. The flight attendants had quite a time trying to straighten that out! Fortunately, not too many people were disgruntled. The other really interesting part was that here we were, Baha’is, sitting with several beautifully dressed Muslims from Uganda (I saw their passports), and in the seats in front of and behind us were Italians – including a priest. What a nifty place to be.

The drive from the Entebbe airport was, well, interesting. Brian and I have both seen extreme poverty in third world countries, he more than I. Today’s sights went beyond our previous experiences. It isn’t that we are naïve enough to think this kind of poverty, and worse, exists in our world. But seeing it firsthand is quite a different thing. The smells were quite another matter, too. Almost constantly was the acrid scent of burning. The other thing was the AWEFUL condition of the roads! The road from the airport wasn’t so bad. When we went to the House of Worship, our driver drove half the time in the other lane to avoid potholes that would swallow a good-sized dog! On the road up to the House, there were humps intentionally placed in the road that caused our car to bottom out – almost every time. Craziness!



The African Baha’i House of Worship is another world altogether. We began our visit there by going inside to pray. The only sound was of the birds outside. Peaceful doesn’t even begin to describe it. The grounds are expansive, quiet and peaceful in a way that you forget you are in the city. Brian said it is reminiscent of Haifa in that way. One young man is doing a year of service there while he waits for results from his educational testing. He walked us all around the grounds so we could see the House from every angle and see the span of the grounds themselves. He said it is 70 acres. And it is on the top of a hill so the view is breathtaking.

After our guided tour, we met with Mehari, Aqsan, Ridvan and Mehret – the director (I think) of the House of Worship and his family. We did the Baha’i game of how many people can we name until we find mutual friends! Turns out that they know our Ethiopian Baha’i friends in Denver and Ridvan is dear friends with Luna. I don’t think I will ever cease to be amazed at how closely knit the worldwide Baha’i community is! The family treated us to wonderful treats – including some of the best tea and coffee we have ever had! – and terrific conversation.

A bit into our visit another Baha’i stopped by – “Auntie” Vi Walkup-Gilbert. What an interesting lady. She came from a Baha’i community in Alaska, but has lived in Africa for longer than I have been alive. And for more than 25 years she has been in Uganda. We talked about her family and her teaching nutrition – and trying to implement it in her own house! So, it seems that the admonition to “eat your vegetables” is heard by kids the world around!

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the House of Worship (which does also include the Ugandan National Center) and meeting so many wonderful people. It is very humbling to be a part of this community of such loving, giving people. Wow only tips the iceberg of how today made us feel.

Lori