We landed in the Entebbe Airport in Uganda, 16 hours flying time from home , and in another world. 23 of us Americans from Hearts and Hope for Uganda were on a 12 day trip to see the 8 schools and our sponsored children in the remote villages which seemed to need so much our help and assistance. Little did I know of the dramatic understanding and knowledge, hope and affirmation which would be imparted to me in this venture. I joyfully found and experienced a sense of overwhelming love.

We drove 3 hours by bus, trailed by a large truck bearing baggage and gifts, to Sunset Hotel in Jinja where we were to spend our nights. Each day we loaded into 2 buses for a 4-6 hour round trip to and from a village.

We divided into two groups: the "green bus," carrying the younger, "cool" people, and our bus, filled with older, married couples, a few eccentric Americans, most of the Ugandan staff, and the baggage. I loved it! I could talk with the wonderful staff and learn about their country and lives as we bumped along miles of rutted dirt roads through the countryside.

Each day, we sang songs. We belted out "Who Let the Dogs Out," "Jolene," "Gloria," "Friends in Low Places," "Proud Mary," and many other familiar tunes. Each evening, we returned, still singing with hoarse voices, while the riders on the green bus slept. We became known as the "party bus," and several people from the green bus transferred, filling our jump seats until there was standing room only. They brought a boom box, enhancing the music even more. We passed a moonshine sales corridor along the road, but found that drinking our bottled water "like it was moonshine" made us howl at the moon without getting sleepy. We had great fun, and the exchange of information and learning continued.

Amidst the mud-brick homes along our route, we passed a huge, white palace with a long, concrete drive flanked by palm trees. "The King lives there," Violet explained. He was their traditional ruler, possessing great wealth, many wives, and cars.

"Then I want to be a king!" I exclaimed. "And I will put a chicken in every pot!"

The Ugandans around me on the bus perked up and chanted, "Then, you will be our Chicken King!" Sensing their enthusiastic invitation, I appointed my Cabinet Ministers. Susan was my Queen, Violet my Prime Minister, Peruth Minister of Social Welfare and Kindness, Lamech Minister of War and Order, Mebra Minister of Finance, Maria my Hunter Princess, and Joel my Minister of Music. Latif just laughed. More offices followed as we created a working structure for the Chicken Kingdom. We laughed and sang as our new world grew.

They asked where I came from. I described a subdivision where our home sat, with woods and a stream across the street, fish-filled lakes on either side, and a mountainside I had built in the rear. Ducks, geese, rabbits, and squirrels abounded. There was a bobcat, "kind of like a small lion," I explained. We had a deer problem, with them eating vegetables and fruits from my garden and yard. My brother and a neighbor had to shoot a few. Maria asked what a deer was, and I showed her a picture on my phone. Her eyes widened. "Does the meat taste good?" "Yes," I replied, "but they threw the deer away." She was aghast. On a subsequent trip, she asked if I would take her camping and hunting for those "large antelopes in my subdivision." She said she knew how to gut them and prepare the meat. "Would we use bows and arrows, or guns?" she asked. I replied, "We could use a car." She was puzzled by my laughter.

I loved my time with our Ugandan friends, staff, teachers, and all those beautiful children in the schools. I learned so much! That's a whole other story.

On the last evening, while eating dinner on the patio with my fellow Americans and most of the Ugandan staff, I had a once-in-a-lifetime, feel-good experience. After the meal, Violet wanted to show me something. She led me from the dining patio into the darkness of the hotel parking lot. She said we were awaiting a "boda boda" delivery of "white mustafa," a pasty, mashed plantain dish I had to taste (also known as Matooke). While waiting in this quiet area, she asked how I was doing. I told her I felt overwhelmed by the blessings from God I had experienced on this trip. It couldn't get any better.

She then said we had to return to the patio to receive the mustafa.

Suddenly, as we re-entered the dining area, I was greeted by the entire entourage of Americans, Ugandan staff, hotel staff, Bishop Bameka, Susan, Kelly, Dianne, Theresa, Wally, and our team leader Nick, standing with video cameras raised and singing "Happy Birthday!" There was a large cake of white and dark layers covered with thick frosting. It took me 10 minutes of singing, dancing, and thanking before I could settle down enough to cut and serve the cake. It was an unbelievably beautiful ending to a great week of being a Chicken King in Uganda.

Thank you again, and thank God for His goodness.

Wayne (and Queen Susan)