White Out In Uganda

It’s still rainy season here on the equator, but life must go on. Now that the Uganda work permit was finally stamped into my passport, I could proceed with securing a Uganda driver’s license…hopefully before my international driver’s license expires! Today was my third day of going through the seemingly endless maze/process. After waiting in lines for more than two hours, standing for most of that time, the lady behind the desk smiled as she looked at my newly taken photo and shook her head. “Our cameras here just don’t pick up your white face and hair; you will have to return to the other side and try another camera.”  Oh no, it’s true, I thought, I am just too white. Although somewhat disappointed/frustrated, I reached in my purse and passed her a ‘God’s Offer” tract/booklet.  “Do you know Scripture Union?” I asked.  She gratefully took it and I smiled as I turned around to head back to yet another wait. Finally I was called to Cubicle B for another picture. As the young man behind the computer finished working with the applicant in front of me: photo, fingerprints, and documents, he took my documents and looked puzzled. Why was another picture needed…then responded, “Some of us are brown like me, and her, and some of us are black, and some…” I finished the sentence for him…“Some are too white like me.” Then I added, “And God loves each one of us.” Our smiles met this time. There was another line and yet another payment but before I left, two more people behind the counter, having seen the booklet, asked for another one. Finally the Temporary Permit was in my hands, and my wallet was emptier still—driver’s licenses are not cheap! As I proceeded to exit the building and lines, I reached to grab another booklet and realized my stash was gone.  “Lord, please use Your Word today and speak by Your Spirit to draw all—black, brown, yellow, or white— to Yourself.”