Here are this week's pictures!

Sponsor boy  - Davis

Jordan and Ibra - delighted with their teddiesx

Uncle Isaac's boy - baby Moses

Baby Pauline from safe house 

Ruthie the rabbit 

Silly faces with Janet and Patricia

A self portrait of me, drawn by Agnes in the safe house! 

Robert and Junior - part of our daycare school

Greetings from Uganda!

Greetings from Uganda!  First of all I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone for their prayers and support regarding the flight.  Despite my fear of flying, it was actually ok...I think prayers and valium are a good combination! I was also somewhat anxious about being let into the country, as a few days before I left I received an email from immigration saying my visa had been cancelled.  I did not mention this at immigration and simply presented my original paperwork and they let me in – praise the Lord.  I don’t know whether this email was a technical error or some kind of scam...but I am here safe and sound anyway!

On Wednesday morning I was eager to go down to the children’s homes to see the kids.  They are all on holiday just now, so all of them are home from boarding school, so it has been lovely to catch up with them.  They have enjoyed playing cards with me and teaching me how to make beaded bags, in addition to laughing at me and telling me how ‘big’ I have become.  In Ugandan culture this is a compliment, but now I am paranoid and will be watching what I eat, as I do not want to become any ‘bigger’!   

It was a joy to pop to the safe house and see the young mum’s and their babies on Wednesday as well.  They absolutely loved the teddies, kindly donated to me by Uncle Jim – thank you!  It has also been lovely to spend some more time chatting with the girls at the safe house...many of them have opened up and told me their stories, just this week.  Please pray for these girls, as they have experienced much trauma. 

It has been so humbling and sweet that people in the local community remember and recognise me, such as shop keepers and market sellers...though slightly awkward when I don’t recognise them instantly!    

It has also been lovely to catch up with some friends.  Isaac, my boda driver and his family are such a blessing and it was a joy to spend some time with his family on Thursday. 

On Thursday afternoon I took my sponsor boy, Davis, who is living in boy’s home, back to the slums to help me with the street outreach.  During my last trip Davis was sleeping in the half way house, in the slums, and used to help me so much with the boys on the street.  This Thursday was no exception.  When we arrived at the half way house the Uncle who normally stays with the boys was not around.  He had gone to the village for a burial.  One of the boys in the half way house boldly said to me – ‘But we can still do the programme aunty, yes?’  I was unsure if we could manage alone, but praise God, we did! The boys in the half way house prepared the food, whilst Davis and I went to collect the children.  Fewer children came than some times, but I think this was a blessing, as it made it more manageable and meant there was more time to chat and pray with them.  There were many kids that I was looking for on the streets, from previous trips, but I did not see them on Thursday.  Please pray for them, wherever they are.  It was also heartbreaking to see kids back on the streets that had previously been part of the RUHU programme, but have run back to the streets.  It is so complicated and such a vicious cycle to break.  I can only do so little, but I hope and pray I can at least show them some love. 

It has been a joy fellowshipping with the children in the evenings.  I am always so encouraged by them.  They remember songs and messages which I shared with them previously and have enjoyed learning some new songs.

I have only had two children at the dentist so far...but I am sure there will be many more to come! 

This morning I went to visit Robert and Junior and their family.  You may remember during my last trip I blogged about mama Maria, their mother who was very sick with cancer.  Shortly after I came home she passed away.  It was a blessing to spend some time with this family this morning, and hopefully offer some comfort by reassuring them that mama Maria is now at peace and no longer suffering.

In other news, on a lighter note, I had a rabbit named after me this morning – Ruthie the rabbit.  My little friend Henry at boy’s home has got a rabbit and wanted to name it after me!

Thanks so much for all your prayers, love and support – greatly appreciated!

I hope all is well with you.  Thank you for taking the time to read this ... I try to keep them short, but so much has happened already, I find it hard to be concise!  

The internet is incredibly dodgy...I certainly feel like I am in Uganda today...can hear the mouse scurrying about as I type too!  

Will post this writing whilst I have a connection, and hopefully post photos after, if the connection is still here and I haven't been eaten by the mouse! 

xxx

I'm heading back out to Uganda soon...

I have spent the last five summers out in Uganda and was out again this year from January until the end of March.

During the last few years I have been volunteering with Raising Up Hope for Uganda (RUHU).  RUHU is a Christian charity, founded and run by Ugandans.  RUHU works primarily with street children, orphans and vulnerable children and their families.

There are many different aspects to the work of RUHU.  I will just give you a brief overview of some of their core projects.  For more information, visit their website: raisinguphopeforuganda.org

-          Street outreach.  Visiting one of the Capital’s slums twice a week to spend time with the street children.  Food and basic medical treatment are provided.  This is also a great opportunity to share the love of Christ.

-          Children’s Homes.  RUHU rescues children from the streets and has a boy’s home, a girl’s home and a safe house for young mums.  The children are provided with the opportunity to go to school once settled in the children’s homes. 

-          Day Care Programme – RUHU has a ‘free school’ for vulnerable children in the community, many of which are orphans.  Children attend school during the day and then return to their homes in the evening.           

Previously I have spent time teaching in the school, as part of the Day Care Programme and have been involved in slum outreach, amongst other things.   However, during my next trip, September to December, I hope to get more involved in other aspects of the work and potentially set up some new projects.  Previously when I have visited Uganda I have just gone on my own, as opposed to with a mission agency.  However, I am delighted to be going out with UFM this time.  If you wish some further information about the work of UFM, please visit their website: www.ufm.org.uk

During my next trip I hope to do the following, Lord willing:

-          Continue to get involved in the street outreach.  This work is very close to my heart!

-          Continue to fellowship with the kids in the Children’s Homes and share the Good News with them.

-          Introduce some ‘Trauma Healing’ resources in the school, in order to provide hurting children with an opportunity to talk about their pain and realise their worth in Christ.

-          Introduce Bible Studies and Savings groups to the families of the day care kids – in order to reach out to them.

Prayers regarding the above would be greatly appreciated.  I cannot thank you enough.  Without God and without your prayers I will be able to achieve nothing!

Thank you for taking the time to read this update.  Should you wish to stay updated whilst I am away, please feel free to visit my blog: ruthatruhu.blogspot.co.uk

Blessings, Ruth x 

A final wee word...

Another brief update this week, as I will soon be able to update you in person.  Leave Uganda on Thursday, get back home on Friday.  It is bitter sweet, I have already started crying at the prospect of leaving the children I have come to know and love, but also cannot wait to see my mum, dad, Claire and her family and of course Harley, our beloved dog.  Apparently Harley has continued to go into my bedroom each morning to look for me, despite the fact that it is approaching 3 months, bless him.

Another busy week since I blogged last.. photos and prayer points this week!

Baking Ugandan style for visiting the kids in Boarding school, so hygenic working on the floor, alongside the flies!

They are called 'daddys' - I have no idea why, but are sweet, fried things!

Cindy sweazy and their puppy!

Had fun with the Sweazy kids on Monday - it is amazing what you can create using pipe cleaners and beads!

Visiting kids in boarding

105 mosquito nets on the boda!

Talking to the daycare kids about the importance of using a mosquito net, prior to issuing them with their nets!

Lots of exciting colours to be had!

Bless them - lets hope and pray these nets are put to good use

Took little Jordan to visit his mum, Joan, in boarding school this week.  Joan is in the pink.  Impressed I managed two bags of shopping and a two year old on a boda - think I am getting better!

I visited Open Hands to Serve.  Craft groups and saving groups.  It was a blessing.

Lots of new crafts will be coming home in my suitcase this time.

Visiting Isaac's mum and brother in the village

Isaac, our friend and boda driver, with his mum and youngest brother

Thank you so much for your continued prayer, support and love.

Update from this week - dentist returned to work on children's teeth - praise the Lord!

Please continue to pray for all the dear children who are a part of RUHU.

I am so thankful for safety and good health during my trip - such a blessing!

I feel terribly selfish asking you to pray for me, but those of you who know me well will know how I hate flying - please pray for the journey back home!

Funny story to finish on ...so yesterday I was visting craft/savings groups in Jinjja with two lovely new friends, Betty and Brian.  We left our last group, which was in quite a remote location.  Brian went ahead on a boda and Betty and I followed behind on a second boda.  It was very picturesque as we drove through sugar plantations in the sunshine.  However, our boda just cut out suddenly.  I asked Betty if he had just run out of petrol, to which she laughed.  We had.  What happened next was the most bizarre thing ever.  Betty and I stepped off the boda, the driver laid the motor cycle down on the ground and gave it a shoogle.  He then stood it back upright, opened the petrol gauge - spat into it and then we were off!  The combination of shoogling and spitting took us as far as the main road, where we got our bus.  Quite remarkable! 

Lots of love xxx

Thank you once again to all those who have been such a support these last few months x

Just a wee update this week....

I hope this wee update finds you all well.  Thank you once again for your continued prayers, love and support.  I cannot believe today is the 18th March and that I only have 12 days remaining!

This week I added a few more clinic/dentist /hospital trips to my collection. 3 trips on Monday, 3 trips on Tuesday, 2 trips on Wednesday, 4 trips on Thursday, 1 trip on Friday and 3 trips today....rotten teeth, malaria, cellulites, burns, ear infections, viral rashes....I have spent a lot of time this trip in clinics, but am so thankful for good health for myself.  Good health is certainly not something to be taken for granted, especially here, where sickness and disease are rife. 

Whilst Fred still has a long road to travel he has made progress this past week. I have arranged for him to start seeing a counsellor on a weekly basis. We had our first session on Tuesday. The counsellor is a lovely Christian lady. She was so gentle, sensitive and genuine with him. I am so thankful for her. 

I have continued to enjoy the work in the slums this week. I just love spending time with these precious children. Foot injuries are common as the majority of them go about bare foot. On Wednesday one of the boys, Patrick, had a bit of a hole in his foot from standing on a nail. This was an old injury, but on Wednesday I attempted to clean it out. Lots of little stones and grit had entered the hole. After cleaning, I dressed and bandaged it and stressed that it was now an open wound and he must keep the bandage on until I saw him tomorrow.  When I saw him on Thursday and called over to him, the first thing he said was, 'Please forgive me.’  I didn’t know what he was talking about, so I asked, ‘What for?’  Bless him, there had been a horrendous storm in the night and his bandage had got soaked and come off.  I had been woken up in the night by the horrific thunder, rain and lightning and I had lay awake for quite some time thinking about these children on the street, that I know and love.

On Thursday I arranged for a local dentist to come and talk to the children about oral hygiene. After this he then did examinations of all the children’s mouths.  I bought the resources and equipment and the deal was he would give free treatment – please pray he sticks to his word!

A brief blog this week, as somewhat brain – dead!  Please forgive me.

Love Ruthie x      

Tallest P7 boy ever!  Yesterday he said he was taking me as his mother - bless him!

Dental check ups.

Muganda the dog is not impressed by these dental check ups!

Visting my Aunt and Uncle's sponsor.

Don't panic - Sparky the bear is still around!

Juliette and her beautiful smile!

Another exciting week!

Hello there dear friends and family, I hope this blog finds you well.

So last Saturday I went with Sharron, the Ugandan girl that I stay with, to meet her family in the village.  Sharron cooks my evening meals for me and washes my dirty clothes – she is such a lovely girl and it has been a huge blessing meeting her.  She is just 19 years old but she has been through quite a lot.  Her father passed away when she was still in primary school and her mother passed away when she was in S6.  This left Sharron, her elder sister and her two younger brothers orphaned.  Not long after I arrived in January Sharron’s elder sister of 24 passed away during child birth.  Not only was Sharron heartbroken at the tragic death of her sister, she was also becoming increasingly concerned about her two younger brothers, Shadrack and Shafik.  After the death of her mother, her elder sister had been the one to finance the boys’ education.  Following the sister’s death in January the boys were asked to leave school as the fees could not be paid.  

As a family we agreed to pay the boys’ school fees for the first term.  On Saturday I went to meet the boys and the extended family and settle the school fees.  Our journey was interesting to say the very least.  The taxi/minbus only took us so far and then turfed us out into a Toyota Corona.  Myself and Sharon sat side by side in the front passenger seat, good thing she just wee! After a wee while we stopped to pick up more passengers.  I was greatly confused when a different man returned and sat in the driver seat.  I asked Sharron if we had changed driver.  She said, “No, the driver is coming.” The driver then jumped in the car and sat next to this elderly gentleman.  I actually couldn’t stop laughing, as the driver stretched over this old man ever time he wanted to change gear.  It was quite the experience, cracked windscreen, doors that only opened from the outside, 4 people in the front seats, several people in the back seats, holding a panel of glass...Praise God for keeping us safe!

We went as far as the Tanzanian border and crossed over for a brief period of time. I can now say I have visited Tanzania – albeit for about 20 minutes, before crossing back over to visit Sharron’s family.

Sharron and I - in Tanzania!

Her family could not have been nicer. They were so welcoming, appreciative and kind.  I was somewhat embarrassed when it was time to leave.  They showered the gifts upon us.... a whole sugarcane, a massive jack fruit, passionate fruits, mangoes, eggs, beans and two live chickens!  Those of you who know me well will know that I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to flapping birds; however I am getting braver by the day.  The journey back to the taxi was another interesting one, as we piled all of our goodies onto the back of the boda/motorcycle.  Our sack fell off several times.  But we all reached home safely, myself, Sharron and the two chickens and no cracked eggs!

Please pray for Sharron and her family.  It was such a blessing to meet them all.  

Sharron's little brothers!

Our chickens!

On Tuesday I visited the maama of two of the children that attend RUHU school.  My mum and I had visited this family in the summer.  The maama is HIV positive and last summer was looking quite sickly, in addition little baby Solomon was looking somewhat malnourished.  The maama had been instructed not to breastfeed, but could not always afford to buy milk and as a result little baby Solomon was a scrawny wee thing.  

However, on Tuesday he turned 1 year old.  He is looking so much healthier now and the maama is also looking well.  It was such a blessing to take some treats and help them celebrate the little one’s birthday.  Again, this family could not be nicer.  They are so appreciative and so lovely. 

Praise God that baby Solomon is looking so much healthier, and praise God that the maama is doing well and now has work. 

The birthday boy

Maama and her three beautiful children!

Excited by his new drinking cup!

On Wednesday I visited Robert and Junior's maama again.  She is the lady I mentioned last week who is suffering from cancer.  She showed me her wound this week.  I have to say I have never seen anything like it.  It was truly horrendous.  Please pray for her and the family.

I have spent a fair bit of time at the dentist with children this week and am going there again tomorrow morning! Seeing all these rotten and decayed teeth is making me somewhat paranoid about my own – I have been brushing my teeth harder than ever this week!

Thank you to those of you who prayed for Joan this week.  She is one of the young mums who lives in the safe house.  It is a long and complicated story, but she is now safe and well, thank the Lord!

I have continued to enjoy spending time in the slums this week.  Despite how dire these children’s circumstances are, they never fail to make me laugh and smile.  One of the boys was in hysterics on Thursday as I shared with him my recently learnt Luganda Numbers.  Number eight is ‘munana’, but I always forget how to pronounce it and just say ‘banana’ instead.  This made him laugh so much, bless him.  I just pray that my being there and spending time with these kids would remind them that they are loved and not forgotten.

So Fred went to Butabika Hospital on the 20^th February and I have been visiting him ever since.  After a ‘good’ week he got discharged today.  I am thrilled he is no longer there and so thankful that he had a good week, without any episodes (Mon-Fri).  Please pray for him as he is now back home.  He doesn’t want to return to Butabika and I don’t want him to return to Butabika, so please pray!  It is going to be a long journey.

Fred and I

Right, I think I am going to stop there as my brain is somewhat tired!

Thank you to everyone for their love, messages, prayers and support....

Love Ruthie x     

PS. I haven’t reread this, so hope it all makes sense and not too many typos!