In previous

visits to Uganda, Epps served as a member of a team that

took medication and care to several of these remote

villages. She says she returned from those trips

"haunted by the faces of the old people and the

smallest children," many of whom were dying despite

the best efforts of the team. One thin, elderly woman,

after receiving medical care, fell to her knees, wept,

and kissed Epps hand repeatedly as she expressed her

gratitude in her tribal language. Epps says it was an

embarrassing and humbling moment for her. "It is a

remembrance that propels me back to Africa," she

said.

Once known

as the "pearl of Africa," Uganda is still

recovering from the reign of Dictator Idi Amin. Soldiers

in battle dress uniforms still patrol the streets of the

nation's cities, armed with machine guns. Violence

against Westerners is an ever-present threat.

But it is

the great need, Epps says, that continues to call and

beckon her, and people like her-commissioned medical

missionaries in their denominations-back to Africa.

"These student nurses could be a key to the future

survival of people in the outlying areas," she adds.

And so, for

the moment, for Epps, the Mother's Day celebration will

just have to wait.

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