Dr. Livingstone, I presume?

Stanley meets Livingstone. Mural from the Nile Resort in Jinja, Uganda
Stanley meets Livingstone. Mural from the Nile Resort in Jinja, Uganda

It’s one of my favourite things in Africa.

Greeting and meeting.

Meeting friends and family at the Entebbe (Uganda) airport.  We live about 5 km from the terminal and love meeting folks and family there.

They say that Henry Morton Stanley struggled on what he would say when (and if) he found David Livingstone.  Legend records it as, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”   Three crucial pages are missing from Stanley’s journal on the very day he found the great missionary in what is now Tanzania.  Skeptics believe Stanley later made up the greeting.

I’m always tempted to greet the arrival of my American friends with a handshake and “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

I may do it tonight.  The 10:30 PM KLM flight (Most international flights arrive around midnight until 5 am) as five Louisiana pastors land.

 It’s become a common (and treasured) occurrence for us. Standing outside the terminal window straining to see a familiar face in the far-off baggage claim area.  Then seeing them come into view, strung out from the flights but grinning at being in Africa.

We’ve now watched two sons come through there.  One daughter-in-law holding our grandchild.

Emma Iles made many friends in Africa.

 

 

 

 

 

Emma Iles made many African friends during her recent visit.

 

This year we will see more family arrive. I laugh at the thought of the 6 member Clay Iles clan coming through that airport. Africa will never be the same after the Iles boys (Noah, Jude, and Luke as well as sister Maggie) come through.  We’re going to have fun this summer will they arrive. 

I can’t wait to see Africa through the Clint Iles clan. I want to walk with Jack and Sydney down a red dirt trail watching monkeys scamper.  I want to hold Ellen Iles whom we haven’t me but already love dearly.

Then there’s been my Dry Creek friends. Todd, Charlie, Bug, and Andrew.  I’ll never forget watching those four piney woods rooters coming into sight.

Tonight it’s five pastors.  Tim P., Greg, Steve, Brent, and Tim L.

I’ll get to be with them for a week.  I’ll be privileged to see Africa through their eyes as we share the Gospel from Entebbe to the South Sudan border.

Throughout 2014, I look forward to meeting and greeting others coming to serve in this part of Africa.

It’s such a privilege.

I’m so grateful for this opportunity to have one foot firmly planted in Africa and another one deeply rooted in my Louisiana piney woods.

I've learned so much about the early exploration of the Nile. Fascinating, inspiring, and tragic!
I’ve learned so much about the early exploration of the Nile. Fascinating, inspiring, and tragic!

One comment

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