Dec 18th 1999

Dec 18th 1999

Ok, this is a late runner, but I have my honor to keep.

So my good friend and sister, Rita Kamya, nominated me for the Gratitude challenge many moons ago. With an express waiver from her, am compacting 7 days into 1.

Here goes;

1. I give thanks and praise for Love; a love that rescued me and will not let me go. A love that rejoices over me from Can-see to Can’t-see (and in-between) daily. And oh, the personification of this love is Jesus, and His Spirit who lives in me.

2. I never stop to give thanks for my earthly father, Old Man Zik (gone to be with the LORD since I wrote this – how time is fleeting!) – a humble and unassuming man, to a fault. Growing up, I worried he’d get slapped by a boisterous fellow on the street for his overly humble demeanor. He taught me (and lived out firsthand) the twin virtues of Integrity and being a keeper of your word. He also taught me the art of negotiation and consensus building. Because of him, I knew (at age 7) what I wanted to do when I grow up: An Entrepreneur.

3. My genius blood brothers – Francis and Joseph Jr., for setting the bar really, really high (phew!) and in the process being my SI. Ditto, my enduringly beautiful sister Agnes – for being an example in Godliness and in the absence of a mother, always knowing she had my back in prayer. And all the Zikusookas – who taught me the rare art of entertaining two opposing thoughts at the same time and disagreeing without being disagreeable; to live it up, savor life, laugh hard, and that love is the exception to every rule.

4. My covenant brothers — who have irrevocable permission to hold me accountable at all times, in all ways. They continue to walk the circle of life with me even after 20 years, and more for some. They have been there at both the high and low points of my life; have prayed with me, believed with me (and in me). Like Eliphaz to Job, on occasion (when life had me in a corner) these godly men have sat quietly with me days-on-end and put themselves on the line when it was inconvenient. And when things on occasion have looked really north, these not-so-easily-impressed-men are quick to “re-earth” me.

Ian Mugarura. Matthew Kasujja. Robert Tomusange. Timothy Sabiti. Titus Bitebekezi. Joseph Ron Kasozi. Charles Mwebeiha. Martin Erone. Patrick Mugenyi. Sam Ongwen. Mulungi Seruwo. Jeff Jordan.

And to this number the LORD has over the last so many years added Andy Kristian, Ricky Mugabi, James Kasujja, Kabalega Brian Ojwok, Gareth Moore, George Barugahare, multiple others and some amazing sisters to go along.

5. My friends (young and old, new and not-so-new) here, and on all 7 continents – literally. You make my world go round and round. Space and time limit me here. Mine is a life truly blessed…

6. Our mentor couple (our Priscilla and Aquila) Jana and Dave Jenkins for “giving it to us straight” and being such good examples of what God meant when he talked about a good thing. And my mentor – Bishop Zac Niringiye; for always challenging my tradition-clouded worldview, drawing me out of my cocoon zone and encouraging me to push the envelope in all matters Kingdom.

7. Mentor, Friend, Counsellor –  Uncle Frank (Father-in-Law extraordinaire!). From that day 19 years ago I sauntered through his doors (love-struck with big dreams but empty pockets:), he welcomed me as his own and I became a son with full rights – long before I committed:). And the other half of my earthly family – The Tumwines, Rwendas and Tuhumwires. I couldn’t have asked for better.

8. For Intraline Shipping and Logistics, a company that has grown to not need me. That, and all the other business concerns am a steward of. And for all my co-laborers who have been in the trenches with me all these years. We have experienced God first hand. What a joyride but privilege it is!

9. My three princesses: Moriah-Leesha, Keziah-Tanya and Jasmine-Jewel. I’d die for them in a heartbeat if I had to. Am a blessed man!

10. AND for Mona, the wife of my youth. My, my, my. Eish. Eh! I have my suspicions but I think she’s celestial. Why she’d marry an earthling like me I, quite frankly, will never understand!

10.5: For Jazz (I suspect that’s the music of heaven:), Good Books and Prose (and the turning of phrase), Hot Chocolate (complete with Gonja Crisps) and Laughter. Life would be so bland without these, wouldn’t you agree?!