Author: David Grisanti

It is now Wednesday morning at 5:45, but Tuesday evening at 7:45 where I live.

First off, the hotel where the conference is being held is really very nice. It is the Hotel Paradise on the Nile in Jinja, Uganda. All the facilities are good and, unlike previous years, the rooms have A/C! However, the weather is mild and the surroundings are beautiful.

We began yesterday with the first session at 2 PM, with a worship team from one of the local churches. I love the African style of music, it is so energetic and joyful! There was then a time where each couple introduced themselves. They came mostly from around Uganda but there were couples from Kenya, Tanzania, and Burundi as well. I would say that there are probably close to 60 couples. I will take a photo of the group today when I teach. Yesterday I taught the session before the dinner break. I thought it went quite well.

It is so nice to reconnect with so many from years past, although I don’t remember all of the names nor the cities where they live (I couldn’t pronounce most of the cities anyway!). But one of the guys said that it is easier for many to remember one face than one person to remember all of the faces. Very true.

So, it was a good first day and I enjoyed the time with everyone. Still a bit jet-lagged, waking up around 4 in the morning. I’m sure i’ll be over it by the time I leave for home!

Oh, by the way, Debbie finally heard from the Uganda Immigration office regarding her visa application. Too little, too late but I had to chuckle. We accept the will of God and for whatever reason or reasons, Debbie was not meant to be here this year. But I sure do miss her, and so many ladies are disappointed that she isn’t here.

Well, thanks for the prayers. And, yes, leave a comment. It helps me know that these blogs are being read.

Blessings,

David

Hi everyone,

The flight from Qatar was nearly 6 hours in duration and landed in Entebbe, Uganda at 7:15 AM on Sunday morning. Getting through immigration was a breeze and within 20 minutes I was out with all the luggage and met by 2 men from Calvary Chapel Kampala. We drove to the church in the middle of the city where I went up 72 stairs in order to get to the church offices and sanctuary and was met by Pastor Zeddie. He took me downstairs and we went next door to a small, older hotel where they had rented a room for the day, and I had about 30 minutes to get ready for the morning services. So . . the VERY cold shower sure woke me up! Pastor Zeddie came for me and we walked back to the church, once again up the 72 steps and to his office. Mind you, I hadn’t slept since Thursday night, so I was zombie-like with rubber legs by that point. Anyway, the service began and the worship team really was talented and wonderful. After worship, Pastor Zeddie introduced me and I presented the sermon. There were some microphone issues at first but it all went well. The sermon was followed by communion. I would say that there were probably 120 in attendance. Afterwards, we went to the church office where there was a plate of freshly cut slices of mango and pineapple and some samosas. Delicious! By the way, besides being tired, I also was hungry. The protein bars Debbie packed came in handy while I was getting ready. So, after about 30 minutes, the second service began. As always, I felt like I was more clear-headed for the second service. I would say there were about 60 in attendance. It all was a very nice experience. Then Zeddie and I walked to lunch a few blocks from the church, and he then drove me to Entebbe where I checked into the Best Western hotel, took a short nap, Face-timed Debbie, had a light dinner and went to bed. I slept probably 6 hours and it is now Monday morning at 6:30. I will drive up to Jinja this morning with 3 others.

Thanks for the prayers and for reading this. The conference begins on Tuesday. I’ll write more later.

Blessings,

David

OK, We were supposed to arrive into Entebbe, Uganda early Friday morning. But, we hit a snag. I’ll explain and I will keep a very long story short. On April 4, I applied for Visas for both of us on the official Uganda Immigration visa website. We had to upload all of the necessary documents but it was pretty easy. I got mine in a day. However, in sending Debbie’s application in, I hit “send” before I paid the $50 fee. OK, nothing major, I’ll get her application number and finish it . In fact, on the website, there is a link that tells you that if you don’t have the application number, type in the email address linked to the application (Debbie’s address) and they will send you the application number. So I did that but no response. I did it again . . . and again, and again but no response. We looked in her spam and junk mail to see if there had been any attempt to contact her. I called the Uganda Embassy in DC several times, but they never answer the phone, and they never return messages. I emailed the Immigration office in Uganda but to no avail. So, I had been told that one could obtain an “on-arrival” visa. I called the airline (Qatar) and was told that she would be able to board the flight if she had in her possession the required documents. So, we flew to LAX on Wednesday and Debbie was NOT allowed to board. At the gate they told us that you HAD to have the completed visa in order to board, despite what another Qatar agent had told me. So, we re-booked for Friday, booked 2 nights in a hotel and felt that if it didn’t work out by then, she would not accompany me.

In spite of even talking with a man in Uganda at immigration, we were told she has to pay the fee . . which we had been trying to do for weeks. So, she flew back home on Thursday evening.

It is sad for me to be on this trip without her. I really beat myself up for making that mistake, but it was correctable and we should have been able to simply pay the fee. God’s will be done. I Don’t know why we could not make this work but when something doesn’t work out, you have to just accept the will of God.

Meanwhile, I am at the airport in Doha, Qatar waiting to board the flight to Uganda in 3 hours. I will get in at 7:20 AM on Sunday morning and will be met by Pastor Zeddie of Calvary Chapel of Kampala and he will whisk me to the church where I will preach at 2 morning services. So, I’m ready but please pray that I stay awake!!

Thanks for the prayers. More to come later.

David