We have power! Physically and Spiritually!

So thankful to have power!  It is Sunday evening just now and the electricity has been off since Friday evening.  Is such a blessing! Plan is to have a warm shower after updating blog, will be helpful to see in the light whether I have managed to remove the grime and dust from the last few days!

Was out visiting lovely American friends this evening, who are based out here long term.   The weather has been somewhat cooler today; it rained in the night and early this morning.  I actually kept my cardigan on until 2pm, which is a record!  Hands clearly a lot cooler and less swollen....my ring slipped off my finger on my boda ride home this evening and I lost it.  However, I am thankful that it was not a limb that I lost....boda rides in the dark can be somewhat hairy; and tonight the traffic was especially crazy!  Safety is certainly something to be thankful for.

Thank you so much to all for your prayers and kind words for Agnes.  She is miles better now and had a great time when I took all the kids swimming on Saturday.  

Thank you to those of you who gave so generously, in terms of finances.  I was able to use this money to treat the children living in the boys home/girls home and safe house to swimming.  As you can see you helped to bring smiles to the faces of many yesterday! Many of them cannot actually swim, but they don’t let this hold them back! Will show you the videos when I return – is somewhat wild in the pool to put it mildly, but they had a blast and were very appreciative.

Meddie and Abdul                  Trevor and Auntie Ruth

Those of you who know Fred, please continue to lift him up.  There is just so much going on just now for him....please speak to maama for more information, if you are interested.

The lovely Fred

This week has been super busy.  I feel like I have spent quite a bit of it in various different hospitals and clinics.  On Monday it was the local clinic overnight with dear Agnes and then again during the day on Tuesday.  On Wednesday I took one of the boys back to the local clinic to get some wounds on his feet checked.  On Thursday it was one of the government hospitals in town with a boy with an ongoing problem...I understood it was something to do with his belly button....but one of the other boys informed me, ''No, it's further down''.  I will leave the rest to your imagination! Bless this poor teenage boy!  When instructed by the staff to go into the scan room - that is, behind the curtain - I politely declined, the poor boy would have been mortified! This was followed by a trip to the local clinic with the one of the boys who was having some kind of fungal infection on his skin.  On Friday we went with Fred to The Surgery...this was followed by another trip to the local clinic with one  of the girls who had malaria nd a UTI.  Amidst this I have taught the P6/7 daycare children a little, have fellowshipped with the children in the evenings, have caught up with my lovely Ugandan friend, Jenny, and have enjoyed swimming with the children.

I thank the Lord for sustaining me and giving me his 'power' to help me do a little bit of his work.
Thanks again for all your paryers, messages and love xxxx 

Patricia and Ibra - feeling chilly after swimming!

Sparky at the boys home

Dear Henry x

As ever, apologies for typos and spelling mistakes....typing quickly before power goes off again!!!!

Blessings in disguise!

So yesterday afternoon one of the girls from the safe house was feeling unwell so I took her to the local clinic.  After taking bloods they confirmed she had quite severe malaria and gastroenteritis.  They said that she would have to be admitted for the night.  The poor girl was clearly scared and said, ‘So I am going to be here all night, all alone.’  She was not a girl I knew well, rather a girl that I had met before and knew her face.  Whilst she is 15 years old, she seemed more like a 5 year old, so vulnerable and scared.  I offered to stay the night with her, it was the least I could do. 

Yesterday - sickly and deeply sad

Throughout the afternoon, evening and the night she received various different IV treatments.  I found out this morning they were also treated her for typhoid....had obviously missed that one yesterday, what with communication barriers!

I was touched by the love of the other girls at the safe house who popped in to see her.  I was really struggling this morning to ‘keep it together’ as I sat next to her on the bed.  It wasn’t even the illness that upset me so, it was the deep sadness in her eyes. 

Again I was touched by the love and kindness of the other girls from the safe house.  They popped in at the very moment when the tears were trickling down my cheeks.  They hugged me and told me she would be fine and not to cry.  This is so beautiful considering what these young girls have been through – horrendous things I can’t even begin to imagine.  As I started to cry the girl seemed to change to a certain extent, it was as though she suddenly realised how deeply I cared about her.  She also told me not to cry and that she would be fine. 

As the day went by she got stronger physically and she seemed to open up to gradually.  We did some colouring in and listened to some music; I bought her some soda and some ice cream and told her to drink lots of water!

Whilst colouring in she wrote me the most beautiful letter. I am not doing what I am doing to be thanked, but when something as beautiful as this happens, it is truly humbling.

Late afternoon she was discharged, with oral drugs, so I took her home on a boda (motorcycle – local transport – don’t worry I don’t drive it, it has a driver!)

She then proceeded to give me a bracelet with her name on it and a lovely necklace belonging to her – I said that these were her things and that she didn’t need to give me anything, but she was adamant.  She has so little, yet she is willing to give what she has – so inspiring.

I am so thankful to those of you who had the heads up and were praying for this dear girl.  Our prayers were answered in more ways than I could expect! Yesterday she was so guarded and so sickly, yet when we departed today she was smiling and told me that she loved me – what a blessing!

Am thankful to be back under my own mosquito net tonight...the ones at the hospital were somewhat holey!

Apologies for typos, spelling and grammar mistakes...my brain is not quite all there just now!

Finally, if I don’t respond to comments please don’t think me rude, I know some people have been posting and I have not been receiving!

Thank you all for your prayers, love and support x

A changed girl - praise God!

“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” Matt 17:10

Firstly, apologies for the lack of communication since arriving, the internet has been down!

So when I left home it was snowing and now I am sitting here typing in the sweltering heat, it seems much hotter than when I normally come in the summer.  I am not sure if it is a particularly hot time or whether it is the contrast from home! 

Prior to leaving I was concerned about my luggage being overweight.  However, the lady who checked in my baggage overlooked my 1.5 kg excess and didn’t even weigh my cabin bag, which was 13kg, as opposed to the allocated 7Kg.  Thankful for your prayers!  Also thankful for the people on the aircraft who helped me lift my bag up and down from the over head lockers! Those of you who know me well will know that I really dislike flying, so I appreciate your prayers greatly.  The airline staff could not have been kinder to me!  I arrived to find Uncle Patrick waiting at the airport for me and was thankful when my two feet were back on the ground! 

I was able to visit both the boys’ home and the girls’ home upon arriving.  The children are on holiday just now, so they are all around.  Was lovely to see lots of familiar faces and meet lots of new faces.  Was also lovely to see children in the boys’ home who had transitioned from The Village of Hope, that I had met in the summer.  

In terms of the structure, for those of you who are unaware, RUHU works with street children in the slums, providing a feeding program and general medical care.  The first stop for the children is the half way house within the slums, followed by The Village of Hope (for rehabilitation), and followed by the boys’/girls’ homes.  

This precious little one here was at The Village of Hope in the summer, but has now progressed to boys’ home. 

It has also been wonderful to hear that one of the little boys who I have known and met on the streets for the last three summers is now in the half way house and is no longer taking drugs! This is massive answer to prayer.  I know many of you have been praying for him, so thank you so much! 

Picture from summer....have not yet seen him, but cannot wait!

I have also been able to visit one of the children who is part of the program, but is currently living at home.  He has quite significant mental health issues at present and is currently receiving treatment.  Many of you will know who I am talking about, as many of you have prayed consistently for this dear boy.  It was lovely to be reunited with him, but he is really struggling just now in terms of mood, so please continue to pray for him. Whilst he has made progress, he is still struggling somewhat.  

Please pray for this dear boy

I have been able to enjoy spending time with the children at the boys’ and girls’ homes; fellowshipping, washing clothes, watching them play football, designing masks, having my hair done, having massage, listening to music, chatting.....

It is a joy and a pleasure to spend time with them and they bless me in so many ways – though I am not convinced I would recommend their hair styling services or massage services, as they are somewhat rough!!!

Praise

-          For safe arrival and a lovely welcome!

-          For the fantastic work that RUHU are doing, they are expanding and developing.

-          For the little boy who is now in the half way house and for the little boy who has transitioned to boys’ home.

Please pray

-          For the dear boy who continues to struggle with mental health issues, also please pray that I would be patient and strong, it is going to be a long journey!

-          That I would be a shining light in this place, showing the children something of the love that God has for them and caring for them in practical ways.

-          For Uncle Patrick and Daddy William, they are both incredibly busy – pray for strength, guidance and wisdom with regards to all the hard decisions they have to make on a daily basis.

I have purposely not used the children’s names, as you never know how this blog may be shared.  However, should you wish more information, please speak to my mother or father and they will be able to give it to you.

Some pictures to finish...

Getting ready to depart for Uganda!

So tomorrow evening I will be heading off to Uganda until the end of March.  My suitcase is packed, but I can barely lift it!  Praying that whoever checks in my baggage is compassionate and gracious, even if I am a wee bit over, as the excess baggage fees are ridiculous. We have tried to squeeze in as many school resources and medical supplies, for the slums, as possible.  Mother has been a good help in terms of packing and repacking....whilst father has been good at weighing and re-weighing! 

 In the above picture you will see 'Sparky' the bear sitting next to my case.  This bear was kindly given to me by the boys and girls in my Sunday School group.  The plan is that I will take pictures of Sparky doing various things in Uganda and will record some of my experiences, from his point of view, and share them with the children in our Sunday School, upon returning. 

At present I am not entirely sure what I will be involved in on a daily basis, but will keep you in the loop.  Activities will probably involve; teaching in the the RUHU school, fellowshipping with the children at the Boys and Girls Homes, spending time with the children out at the Village of Hope, Slum outreach, possibly a bit of homeschooling for a lovely American family that are based out in Uganda with their eight beautiful children - five of which are Ugandan children that they are currently fostering, with the view to adopt.  I also hope to spend some time with one of the boys on the RUHU program who has been unwell and has missed a lot of his schooling, doing some catch up stuff!

I am thankful that I have been able to spend a lovely time with family and friends over Christmas, before I head off.  I will miss them all greatly, but am confident this is where the Lord is leading me for this season.  I am thankful that my friends and family have been so supportive, your love, prayers and financial support mean so much to me. 

 Getting in some cuddles with baby Jamie before heading off! 

Was lovely to spend time together celebrating Lottie's birthday before heading off!

   So thankful to Maama and Tatta ( as they say in Uganda) for their love and support!

A little Bible verse that has been a great encouragement to me and will hopefully encourage you too - Psalm 139 v5 - 'You go before me and you follow me.  You place your hand of blessing on my head.'

Please keep me up to date with your news whilst I am away too.  I hope to be able to get online fairly regularly.

Finally.....

Some people seem to have been having trouble commenting on my blog.  A few friends have mentioned commenting, but I have not been able to view their comments....as you know I am not technical in the slightest....but think you may need to use your google account to comment?  If I don't respond to your comment please don't think me rude, as I may not have received it! 

Ruth x