Heading Home: Trip #9

Thursday, May 26th.

Today was time to say goodbye to South Sudan and make our way home! We left the Lui Cathedral at 7:00 am to start the 35.5 hour trip home. We drove to Mundri airport which was a bit busier than on Monday. There were about 75 UN peace keeping troops, as well as about 8 vehicles for their transport. Archbishop Dokolo sent us off with a prayer and a hug. Right before we were to take off with our two pilots and the seven of us, the troops pulled out near the runway, which gave me a little pause-is something wrong here? A few minutes later they pulled out and we were able to get on the runway and take off. 

Jim (one of our pilots) found out that a couple of government officials landed very shortly after our take off. One plane and two helicopters came. Jim explained what a gift it was that we took off first. If the copters had landed, he and Elisha would have to take some time to clean the intakes of the plane as the rotors would have sent dirt from the runway everywhere! The first leg from Lui to Yei was only half an hour.

When we landed in Yei, we went through immigration to be let out of the country (the pictures are of the “terminal” and going through immigration). The COVID test results that we took in Uganda on Monday in order to leave South Sudan (SS) on Thursday, came back negative, so we knew at least we could get to Uganda. That was a relief as there are a number of personal allies on the ground in case we got stuck there. Turns out the SS immigration folk didn’t even ask for the results…oh well. We were cleared for leg two our flight from Yei to Arua, a border town in northern Uganda in order to be cleared for what we (Mike Evans and me) hoped would be about an eight hour stay in Uganda. 

Arua had a cement air strip and something that felt more like a terminal. Mike and I would need to take a Rapid Antigen Test on departure day in order to be allowed to land in the US. While others went to pick up a “quick” breakfast for us, we were tested. Allen, the Four Corners based partner stayed back with us in case anything happened.

Turned out we needed him. When it came to pay for the tests ($35 USD each), they would not accept our money as it was old, or had marks on it. Allen came to the rescue with Ugandan Schillings and we got on with the tests. We were told the results would come in about fifteen minutes and the results would be emailed-which would be great IF you have wi-fi. We were swabbed and went wi-fi hunting which proved unsuccessful. About a half hour later (the “quick” breakfast run was not so quick), I went back in the office where they had already had a hard copy of the results for both of us. We both tested negative, so now we both are cleared to head home. That was a great relief as I tested positive in January and my stay was extended five days. A half hour later the “quick” breakfast was received and we hustled to the plane to begin leg number three of the journey. From Arua to Gulu, our home base in Uganda.

In Gulu, we were greeted by Kris Mobbs who was supposed to go with us to SS but tested positive. We got out, spoke five minutes, did a quick potty break and made our way back to the plane. We hugged Kris and our four other companions on this trip as they had another week in Gulu. Mike, Allen and I continued on the same small plane (a twelve seater) for the one and a half hour flight to Entebbe (which really beats the 7-9 hour drive over some less than ideal terrain), leaving us only flights to Nairobi, Amsterdam and MSP left! The plane was now spacious (I’m currently typing on the flight) and it is starting to feel we are heading home. 

Jim, the lead pilot, is giving us chances to sit in the front seat as he is in the first-row monitoring Elijah, who is still being trained in this craft (he’s been flying for six years-he’s simply new to this plane). Allen is occupying the co-pilot position and I am enjoying overlooking the Nile and the green scenery below. You haven’t heard from me in a number of days, since I have had no wi-fi access and I didn’t bring my laptop to SS due to a fifteen pound weight limit on our charter. There will be much more to come. I have some incredible stories of people I have met, what they have endured and some unshakeable faith that is a wonder to behold. Even after I land on Friday, I will send some reflections-depending on how my energy holds up. I’m quite tired.

Larry Szyman

Pastor for Missional Life