Houston, we have a problem....

We have a slight problem here in Uganda....we've outgrown our current mode of transportation:

As you can see, we can't all fit on Scott's boda (motorcycle). For the past 8 months Scott has been the only family member to regularly be able to leave our village in Kampala. Although we rent a car once every week or two to all get out of the house (we go to the grocery store, to a local restaurant, or to visit friends), it's definitely time for us to get a new car.

Now when I say "new" please don't envision us purchasing a 2011 Chevy Suburban or even a 2010 Ford Explorer. The vehicles sold in Uganda are all Japanese imports and about 75% of those are Toyotas. The majority of the “new” cars on the road here are 10-15 years old. A “late model” here is a 1998 or 99. Cars are imported from Japan, shipped to Mombasa, Kenya and then driven to Kampala where they are held in a “bond yard” until many overpriced taxes (over 25% of the car’s value) are paid on it.

It’s a good idea to get a car like everyone else so that when you need something replaced you can get “spares”. There are no NAPA’s, PepBoys, Oreilly’s, AutoZones, or dealerships to go to when you need a replacement part. Because most of the roads here are dirt and have not been grated since the Reagan administration something is always breaking, bending, or falling off. Here are some pictures of the roads around our house:

Also all of the parts are etched with the license plate number. Every mirror, blinker, window, windshield, hubcap, fender, and anything else that is not a part of the frame is etched with the license plate number of the car to try to discourage theft. Things like emblems and moldings are also riveted to the body.

Would you like to give a tax-deductible gift to help us purchase a vehicle?? That would be AWESOME!! Just click here to go to the Every Nation donation page. From there you can click on the big red DONATE button to give via credit card. There's also an address listed if you prefer to mail a check. Please indicate that your donation is for "Suubi Family Car." Thank you so much!!

We have seen God provide over and over for our every need and we look forward to posting pictures of our wonderful "new" vehicle in the very near future!!