Delightful moments and grotty ones!

Each day is filled with lovely moments and also some pretty minging ones.  Today is a great example of this.  This morning my lovely neighbour Ber, the Irish lady whose compound I stay on, appeared at my door with some freshly baked chocolate brownie.  How sweet and thoughtful!  It sure was a blessing to connect with her again, after meeting her briefly some years ago.

This afternoon was filled with a pretty disgusting experience.  I have used many a long –drop toilet over the years in Uganda and my mentality is if you need to go, you need to go.  However when I entered this particular toilet this afternoon and saw the maggots crawling all over the place, I questioned how desperate I was!

Each day is filled with blessings and each day has it’s challenges.  But I have been reminded this week that I have so much to be thankful for.

I am not going to bore you, as I usually do, with a blow by blow account of my week, but rather mention a few memorable moments!

Last Sunday evening Kathy and I went to church, to attend what they were calling, ‘Deeper Service’.  Well, I have to say in all my years I have never spent so long at a church service.  We were told to be there for a 5pm start, and they are normally quite good at keeping time, but didn’t actually start till half seven.  We were then on our feet for the majority of the service, which went on till after eleven.  It was wild! People had whistles and horns, chairs were being waved in the air, lots of dancing, people conga-ing round the church.  Quite the experience.  Whilst I don’t do dancing, I think it is lovely that everyone can praise and worship in their own way – indeed that’s what it will be like when we all get to Heaven!

I am continuing on with my healing hearts groups at the shelter, and I cannot thank Kenneth enough for helping me during these sessions.  Kenneth is probably about 11 years old, but his English is wonderful and he helps translate so that the others in the group can understand. It was very poignant last week as we discussed times in our lives when we felt unimportant and unloved.  They talked openly, in Luganda, about when they were on the streets and people treated them in such a way.  Please pray that these children would know – as I don’t know what Kenneth translated – that they are important and special and loved!

I visited friends in Nakawadde, where I used to volunteer, on Monday night.  Their humble little house had been destroyed by the rains and storms.  It was pitch dark, as I squelched about in the swamp, and it wasn’t until the next day that I saw the extent of the damage.  The roof had been completely ripped off and some of the brick work had crumbled.  The mama was distraught.  We prayed together and I said I would come back and see them in the morning.  Praise God that there little house is now being rebuilt.  I am amazed how fast the builders have worked, as everything in Uganda normally takes forever!  But God-willing by the middle of the week it will all be finished.  This put things into perspective for me...I had been grumbling about getting caught in the rain when out and about, but quickly realised I had nothing to complain about! 

The kids enjoyed learning about Brazil this week, or rather I should say they enjoyed making Brazilian Carnival Masks.  As they made their masks they talked away in Luganda, every so often I would hear someone say the word ‘Superhero’ in English.  After we made our masks they put them on, from the youngest to the oldest, went and got towels and tied them round their necks as cloaks and ran around the compound pretending to be superheroes.  Even if they haven’t retained much about Brazil, they got to be Superheroes for the day and that’s wonderful.  One little boy, an angry little boy, even slept in his mask.  He was still wearing it when I arrived the next morning!

Today I had a lovely time catching up with friends and children in Nakawadde.  I visited Zalika’s family, some of my healing hearts children from last time and the RUHU babies home.  I actually love these children so much and it always amazes me the things they remember – like the songs/video clips that I used to play at the babies home.  The children still remember them and sing them to me when they see me!  These children are precious; let’s pray they would know that.

As always, thank you so much for your prayers, your love and your support.  Many of you gave me gifts before I left.  Please be encouraged that your gifts have been used this week for many things, but largely for the rebuilding of Maama Zalika’s house.  Thank you for making this possible.   

This week's photos

 Lwanga Davis.... My sponsor boy

 Love this little one of Natasha's

 Beautiful butterflies

 Crazy faces at the shelter

Visiting boarding

 Aboriginal art

 Just some of Natasha's beautiful children

 Learning about Australia

 Aisha in my sparkly shoes and scarf

 Parachute

Beautiful butterflies

Another week...

 Good evening all.  I hope this update finds you well and that all of you back home have not turned into icicles and snow creatures! The boda drivers were all wrapped up here today after last night’s storm – Isaac was wearing two jackets today!  I wonder what they would think if they came and joined you all back in Scotland just now, how many jackets would they wear?!

I love the church that I have started going to with Kathy and Hassan.  Last Sunday’s message could not have been more appropriate, and despite being loaded with the cold it was very uplifting.  God’s timing is spot on.  I headed to the shelter last Sunday afternoon and it was ideal as I had taken pop corn for the boys and they were just about to watch a movie – so it was just like the cinema!

On Monday I went to visit some RUHU kids in boarding school – somehow they had heard that I was in the country and wanted me to visit.  I managed to see some, but not others, as they were busy doing tests, so I will return to see them at another point.  I hope and pray that the goodie bags that I had prepared were given to the children and not eaten by the staff members – I find myself in a place where I trust no one these days!

Monday afternoon at the shelter was fun, I did a Bible study with the children, we played with the parachute, they played some football and did some exciting science experiments – all credit goes to Kathy Houk and her friend Connie re the science experiments....those of you who know me well will know that science is not exactly my thing! 

I visited the RUHU girls for prayers on Monday night.  Little Zula had a great time trying on my sparkly shoes and using my scarf to create some kind of dress! These children are so creative and innovative...though I don’t think I will be using it as a dress anytime in the near future, I think I will stick with it as a scarf!

On Tuesday I took Fred to Butabika –the mental hospital – for a review.  Every time I visit this place I just feel so sad for the patients.  It is close to some kind of work house or prison camp, at least what I imagine they would be like.  One particular patient, James, took a real interest in me and was very concerned about me.  I think he thought I was a patient and he reassured me that everything was going to be ok.  He even wrote a letter for me, bless him.  Please pray for all the patients in this institution, it is almost like they are forgotten people.  Pray they would know that they are important, they are special and they are loved.   The conditions don’t exactly say that to them.  And please continue to pray for Fred...often it feels like one step forward and a hundred steps back!

Tuesday afternoon was much more pleasant.  We read The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the shelter and then made beautiful butterflies.  It is so lovely to see a child who totally lacks confidence, says he can’t do it and hides his paper under the desk...then with a little bit of encouragement produces something truly beautiful!

My wonderful friend Jenny came to my little house on Tuesday evening to cook me supper.  It was lovely – the food and the company.  At one point she said ....’Your house is so nice it’s like you are living in a movie.’  I laughed and said to her, ‘Well I can assure you my life is not like a movie!’  But perhaps it is...some kind of drama...there is always drama here!

Wednesday was an interesting day. Fairly normal to start with.  Shelter in the morning – Bible story, teaching of time continued, What’s the time Mr Wolf (except we changed it to Mr Lion to make it culturally appropriate!) and parachute.  In the afternoon I decided to go and give my friend Natasha a helping hand, looking after her tribe of little people.  Natasha is on the mend, praise God!  We enjoyed making bracelets together, colouring, playing tig, hide and seek and dancing.  And then literally just before I left I had a major coughing/choking attack/difficulties breathing.  I cannot thank Natasha Sweazy enough for her first aid, Mama Jennifer for her prayers and Wanda Sweazy and Charlton Sweazy for taking me to the hospital to get checked.  I am so grateful to all these people I have mentioned above but I am even more thankful to God for keeping me safe... Everything was fine at the hospital, just some freak attack.

I had a slightly quieter day on Thursday just at the shelter. Assisting those who struggle with maths, one on one, dishes, keeping  a sick child company and Bible story.  Please pray for Ibrahim he is quite sick just now, some kind of bacterial/chest infection....when I asked him how he was yesterday he said, ‘I am not ok, but I will be fine.’  Bless him.

My famous last words as I left the shelter on Thursday were....’It’s ok, it won’t rain on me I am going to hurry home.’  Well it did and I got completely soaked.  Have actually never seen rain like it, even in Uganda.  So heavy and just kept coming.  Power went off and there was no warm water but I cannot complain at all.  I leant today that some houses and homes have been completely flooded and destroyed.

I had a meeting with African Hearts Community Organisation on Friday regarding Dennis which was very positive and encouraging.  Let’s pray we can get the ball rolling for this dear boy.  The director has two contacts/friends who are welders so the next step is to liaise with them and see if they are willing to take Dennis on as an apprentice and help him learn the trade, whilst providing accommodation and monitoring.   

Today was a busy wee day at the shelter, Feeding of the 5000 story, followed by lesson on Australia and Aboriginal artwork.  Then went to check on my sponsor boy.  Got caught in the rain again! Sheltered under a ‘not very good shelter’ for over an hour . A little girl was also sheltering with us.  She edged close and closer to me until I eventually asked her if she wanted to come under my scarf and cuddle in – body heat sure does work. This evening I visited my mum and dad’s sponsor boy, Moses, who is now at university/college.  When we left the cafe something happened which has never happened in all my years of going to this cafe....A group of about 5 or 6 children, all under the age of ten, just swarmed around me asking for money.  They are always there sitting begging, but not normally so ‘in your face’.  I explained to them that I wasn’t going to give them money, as I know they are being controlled by people higher up.  I asked them if they were hungry though – this is one of the few phrases I can say in Luganda! They nodded their heads. I went into my bag to retrieve my leftover pasta dish from the restaurant.  They ran away excitedly and sat on the kerb in the dark and shared the creamy pasta dish.  Let’s pray they enjoyed it and that the good Lord keeps these little ones safe tonight on the streets.

Am super excited to have hot water tonight...so am going to go and shower and enjoy!

Thanks again for everything!

Some pictures...

Deep in the bush!

Patricia

Joel and his hand made clock

Lwanga - sponsor boy

Brendah

Irene

Babies home

Loom bands

Baby Jordan

My guard dog!

Even though my clock is upside down...I am trying!

Isaac's beautiful wife and children

Carbeque

Baby Moses

Good evening from Kampala!

Good evening form Kampala!  It has been busy busy since I last updated you...but I will try to be brief so as not to bore you!

As ever thanks for your prayers, love and support - they literally mean the world to me.

Last Sunday I went to one of the local churches in Nansana with Kathy and Hassan.  It was very encouraging and uplifting – these Africans sure can dance and sing, and they praise the Lord in such a joyful way!  This was then followed by house church/fellowship at the Sweazy’s – the American family that I have come to know and love over the years.  It was lovely to catch up with them.  Please pray for Natasha....the mum of nine African and American children, as she is currently in hospital.

On Monday I travelled deep into the bush with Kathy and co to meet some of the people that they are working with – as we drove we cooked chicken and veg on the engine – apparently it’s called carbeque! I think the locals thought we were daft as we stopped every so often to check on our lunch!  The people that we met had very little in terms of material possessions...prior to Desana getting involved they literally slept under a tree with a tarpaulin as a roof...but now they have a house – praise the Lord! I meet a lovely girl that day called Irene.  She had exceptionally good English, so I asked her if she had been to school or went to school.  Her eyes welled up with tears and she said she had completed her P7 but they had no money for school fees for her to go to secondary school.  I am slowly learning that to hand out money is not always the solution; it perhaps treats the symptoms but not the cause.  I said to her how sorry I was and offered to pray for her. As I prayed she wept.  I encouraged her that God loved her and had not forgotten her deep out here in the bush.  I had taken some colouring books and crayons, donated by my friend Jenny Kerr.  I explained that they were for all the children in this small settlement to share.  One of the men suggested that Irene be in charge of the small gifts and ‘teach’ the younger children.  So I was able to laugh and joke with her and tell her she was now ‘Teacher Irene’ and that she had a purpose.  The car journey though long, was very entertaining as we debated as to whether we could smell onions wafting from the engine or not and were entertained by Hassan singing along to Ariana Grande!

On Tuesday I went to visit my Aunt and Uncle’s sponsor girl, Brendah. It was lovely to see her again.  Please pray for her as she considers her next step.  She didn’t perform terribly well in her S4 exams...so is currently considering her options.  I gave my advice and said my part, along with the help and support of Uncle Isaac, he goes above and beyond the call of a boda driver, but we will see!  Am becoming quite assertive these days, need to watch out I don’t end up becoming rude!  In the afternoon I went to The Shelter and did some teaching – counting in 5s.  I followed this by taking my old maid/home help from RUHU out for supper.  She is a super appreciative girl and is facing some very challenging times...I hope this small gesture of treating her to dinner was an encouragement to her.

On Wednesday I spent most of the day at The Shelter, we reviewed counting in 5s.  The minstrels were a good bribe to motivate them!  Bribery and corruption is everywhere– it’s clearly getting to me! I then did a Bible Story with them, followed by loom bands.  They loved making them and were incredibly fast little learners. I did see a certain child trying to use his as a catapult though....so before I left I warned them, in my teacher voice, that if we saw them trying to hurt their friends with these beautiful creations, I would remove them!  I haven’t seen anybody try to use theirs as a slingshot since!

On Thursday I started my trauma healing at The Shelter. I have two groups that I am going to be working with, one with 3 boys, one with 4 boys.  Please pray this material would touch their hearts, despite our language barriers!  Their English is probably not as good as previous groups I have worked with – but we will give it a go! Thursday afternoon I then went with a Ugandan friend Brian, to visit Fred.  You may remember me talking about him in the past.  He is one of the RUHU kids, with significant mental health issues, amongst other challenges.  Generally he has been doing a bit better, but is overdue an appointment at the mental hospital, so I hope to take him on Tuesday coming.  He sure does need all the prayers he can get!  After this I then went to visit the babies at RUHU.  It was lovely to see my old little friends like Baby Jordan, baby Ibra and Baby Pauline....and also meet new faces like little Obama and baby Jasmine.  I then popped briefly to visit a certain child at boarding school. Trying to get in was like trying to get into the Crown Jewels – quite frankly I sometimes cannot understand the mindset o f these Ugandans.  The Headmaster must have spoken to me like I was about 5 years old....but I saw the boy Umaru...and hopefully our few minutes together encouraged him!  I then prayed with the boys from RUHU boy’s home, which is always a joy.

Friday was an interesting day.  I don’t want to go into details here as it is not appropriate but a fair whack of the day was spent at the police station. Please pray for Kathy and Hassan and the work that they do at the shelter (which is amazing by the way!)  Please pray for the staff that work at the shelter and please pray for the precious children that they would be kept safe.  Let’s just say the Devil seems to be at work, but we are all confident the God will break through and provide a way!

Last night I was able to spend some time with my friend Betty and treat her to a tasty meal – I didn’t cook, I took her out!  Scrambled egg is as ambitious as I have got – if you could even call them scrambled eggs.  Anybody would laugh if they saw me trying to light the gas hobs...I think one of these days I might actually set myself on fire!  

Today I spent time with my sponsor boy, Lwanga Davis, which was nice.  After this I then spent some time with Isaac’s family which was lovely.  His wife is so sweet and the children are adorable.  I was amazed by the vast amount of ice cream they managed to consume in my short visit – they were loving life!

Right, I am going to go now...but once again thank you for everything! xxx