What a journey the last month has been. After picking up Denis and Nicholas the reality of our bigger family set in – communication challenges, language barriers, emotional issues, bed wetting, health issues, worms, different eating habits, double the plates of chips and weetbix, another bike, a bigger vehicle, arguments but overall a whole lot of fun. God has blessed us with four exuberant physical children with completely different personalities ranging from the wildness of Pauline to the teasing loudness of Moses to the softness of Nicholas to the cheeky Denis. We were all playing music today some on African drums others on shakers and me on guitar – we are working on some songs but boy I struggle to keep the cap on their noise level – the rhythm is OK! I have to continually remind myself that Denis and Nicholas fascination with everything new (they don’t want to go out anywhere) – they love being at home and riding bikes or playing on the trampoline, drinking clean water, having a hot shower, using a raised toilet, sleeping on a nice bed, eating healthy food, sitting in the Landcruiser, is completely different to their previous way of life – and what a blessing it is for them - I can hear them laughing and singing. Even their demeanor and general health is improving each day while we are working on their language acquisition.
It was emotionally difficult for me seeing many orphans and school children at Kyazanga Primary watching the farewell departure of Denis and Nicholas as we left Kyazanga – but I hear the still quiet voice saying “you are doing what you can do – enjoy and celebrate and have plenty of fun with these boys who I have given you to look after – they have only known extreme poverty, watched their parents die and have then been looked after by caregivers. God is doing wonderful things in the lives of many of those children we left behind at Kyazanga because of the sponsorship and financial help given by generous friends in NZ.
We have just returned from a fabulous shoestring Safari which really helped us all bond together – amazing what tenting in the wild can do to relationships!! The drive to Fort Portal in Western Uganda had its moments with a torrential downpour and mattresses uncovered on top of the car. Dad was seen shirtless holding an umbrella over the top of the car – useless exercise!! Next challenge was a massive judder bar (hump in Uganda) hidden from view – we hit at 50km which saw the roof rack lose a number of screws and pushed out of the railings!! Needed a passerby to help lift it back into place and rope to lash the corners together – bit of NZ fix it stuff!! I must admit we got our locations right. We tented at a beautiful crater lake – Nyamirima (Part of Kasenda Lakes near Kibale Forest Park) south of Fort Portal just off the Chimpanzee forest. This area is very lush with green fruit/crop laden valleys and original forest. I am dumbfounded why half the youth population would want to leave these beautiful fruit/food laded valleys for the hell of Kampala where there are no jobs – the attraction of the big lights is a fallacy!! It was definitely 4 wheel drive country as you enter the camp site but well worth the stay as the children delighted in fishing and wandering. Then off to Queen Elizabeth National Park past the Rwenzori Mountains to a remote camp on Mweya peninsula near Lake Edward, Kasinga Channel and Lake George – surrounded by hippo and elephant. Watch out for the ground thorns as Dad found out when he leaped from the car to set up camp!! The camp is set in the midst of Acacia thorn bush mixed with plenty of orange dust. We drove around the Savanna and grassy plains for many kms then were treated with the company of a large herd of elephants munching and trampling bush. Photos were snapped only 10 metres away. They are magnificent beasts up close, so gentle with their young and very protective. Elephants are surprisingly elusive – one minute they are there and then in slow motion they disappear into bush. We had to be out of the park by 1.50pm – you are allowed 24 hours on one entry fee. We were going all the way to Lake Nabugabo but realized we were too tired – God is good – we stumbled on a panoramic camp site overlooking the whole park at Kyambura - drive through town then on the right after 50 metres enter the Muslim school grounds – nice facilities, shower, toilet and covered eating area. Only hitch was the Muslim temple next door blaring Koran messages at 9 pm and then 4.30am to 6.30am!! Mosquitos were huge and never gave you warning – they just zeroed right in and shot you with a good dose – we had the one month anti malarial on board!!
Next morning after slowly packing up our gifted tent and camping gear – a big thanks the Brian and Dawn who donated this gear – it was onwards to Mbarara and Lake Nabugabo – excellent road all the way from Queen Elizabeth. Stopped at Kyazanga to visit family and then plunged on into Lake Nabugabo just out of Masaka. A very accessible, smooth grassed camping site is situated right on the swimmable lake (no Belhowsia). There is a covered area for cooking and plenty of fire wood. We built a blazing fire and the children caught fish to supplement our diet. Our departure was a little stressed as our tent was invaded during the night by lines of giant biting ants who found our tent in the way. Millions descended on our site so we recruited camp staff to kill them with hot ash and other inflammables. After 2 hours we had the upper hand but you could still hear the sound of ants crackling as they were cooked by the ash. We then visited by very inquisitive hungry monkeys who stole up behind you as were packing to steal food. I enjoyed swimming there –the lake is not very cold and you swim for ages without going out of your depth. Sharron was a hero – she found the cook house with curtains on fire and a lady hitting the curtain – Sharron showed them how to do it with pots of water!!!
Camping is great for sorting relationships as the children began bonding and understanding each other’s limitations. Conflict and tensions were usually worked through and people challenged to be kinder or more patient. Jesus makes all the difference as we learn to focus on his gifts and blessings and offer unconditional love. A powerful thing for all of us is music and songs praising our Lord – tends to bury differences quickly.
We are back home now in the bustle of smoggy Kampala. The children are happy - Sharron and I are working hard on their language. Rip offs continue as I discover the hard way - after bringing in more soil and preparing the vege gardens then sowing seed for 5 types of vege 3 weeks ago I began wondering why nothing was growing. I read on line that shops are selling expired seed and many farmers have suffered greatly – how devastating. I will have to get seed from NZ.
A huge thanks to our supporters in NZ. Our next big prayer needs will be finding the finance to fund the boys into my International School, finding a tenant for our house in NZ, meeting different resource needs at Kyazanga School specifically Library, orphan accommodation and building needs, helping our neighbours find sustainable work to survive, and finally for physical safety in this dangerous city.
We are having powercuts every day now, sometimes for 12 hours but we are planning carefully so food isn’t spoilt. Pauline taught her mama how to make Matoke and we love it. Yesterday while at the market waiting to purchase Matoke a man ran up screaming at me to give him money. It was all very quick as two ladies jumped at him before he accosted me and he ran off. People are getting desperate here with cost of living continually rising. As Steve mentioned about the seeds I feel a deep sadness that
people could be so cruel and sell expired seeds. Can you imagine a farmer who has travelled a great distance to get seed, prepares his land, plants and nothing grows. It’s heart breaking especially as timing here is so important because dry seasons are long and harsh.
Ken my Ugandan friend who visits the hospital with me gets regular texts from Bettys’ sister who says that Betty is delighted with the mp3 which Kara from NZ kindly donated. She will never see and music has become a delight for her.
I am delighting in the children and learning about their different personalities and needs. Denis is vegetarian and doesn’t take dairy products so I am getting him use to soya milk. It has taken a while to convince him that it is beans and not from the cow. He makes us laugh as he prays before he drinks it. He has a sense of humour but physically he needs building up as he is tiny for a nearly 8 year old. He is a water boy and loves to swim.
Nicholas is our softy who is very sensitive requiring more patience in trying to establish what is worrying him. He shares a room with Moses, loves riding his bike, getting attached to the computer and enjoys the food I prepare….yeh
Pauline continues to mature and is speaking well. She is fiery and gets in trouble with the neighbours as she speaks her mind. Just some coaching needed on how to be a friend so she can enjoy friendships. She loves the water and continually wants to do my hair. Her hair is growing slowly but she has good volume.
Moses is coping well in sharing his Mum and dad with his new siblings, he loves to tease Pauline however she is very strong and he comes out on the losing end at times. He’s enjoying the physical aspect of having two very energetic brothers and the competition sometimes leads to disharmony. Hey Iron sharpens iron. He loves soccer and has taken to cricket.
We visited Kyazanga and all the bright hearts are doing well. They look physically healthy and laughed a lot with us. They enjoyed showing off their gardens and are all doing well at school. They have a new social worker living at the home who is delightful and nurturing to the girls.
Mary our precious friend has been sending clothing and books over for Pauline’s aunty as she has 11 orphans to care for. We visited her while in Kyazanga and the whole village was delighted as most children received 2 items of clothing, books and pencils. It’s hard to explain the privilege you feel when you are with these humble people who are so grateful for a preloved piece of clothing. To see a child standing tall and proud in a new teeshirt and shorts is quite a joy. One boy and his sister have a skin disease where there skin looks dry and aged. I took some ointment and applied it and left some with them to use as a soap as he scratches his skin until it bleeds. He needs an accurate diagnosis and he would require a lot of emulsifying ung to make a difference. It’s very difficult to treat these skin disorders as water is scarce and medicines expensive if you are able to find them.
We have just two weeks left until school starts and we are still raising money to put the boys through. Many of you have been so generous in helping to support Nicholas and Denis and I know your lives are blessed by your generosity. You are indeed storing up treasures in heaven. We will continue in faith knowing God shall supply every need as he loves orphans and widows. We love you all and thankyou for walking with us. May God bless you very deeply in those places that need healing and may you rejoice because your names are in the book of life.
September October News
Many many thanks to those who have helped us financially so far. Our newly adopted children and the orphans supported at Kyazanga are healthy vital young people with hope and opportunities thanks to your support, prayer and gifts. We stand in awe of the generous God we have who has inspired people in NZ to come in behind and open doors of opportunity for children we support.
Providence of God
Ken our neighbour had been with his foster family for several years. He was given board while taking care of the children, growing vegetables, cooking meals and doing errands. They owned some flats next to us which ken helped to maintain.
Ken has become Uncle Ken to our kids and a good friend. He has been coming to the hospital with me for the last year and is precious in his ministry to the sick. He even helped dress a child’s burns on Sunday as I was detained for several hours in the labour.
A month ago his adoptive family moved back to the village and told Ken they couldn’t take him.
He had no job so we have been giving him meals but felt that God had a plan and we were unable to look after him financially. He was able to get the odd jobs to buy food but jobs are scarce here. Last week Ken taught toy making at school and was handsomely paid. He said it was the best day in his life. We had a great time making banana fibre dolls, cars and soccer balls for Uganda week.
The providence of God.
On Monday afternoon at home Moses got an insect in his eye. He screamed for an hour while Steve and I tried to flush it out. While on the ground he got stung by an insect which caused blood and swelling. We showered anti –histamined into him and put him to bed praying for a good outcome. The eye was a little red and swollen the next day and he developed a temp.
Sitting in the doctors room we were told there was nothing in his eye after being checked thoroughly and that he was developing the flu and that he would get much worse so he should stay off school for a few of days. The phone rang and the doctor answered it. He talked for five minutes came off the phone and said that he was quite upset as his wife fired the gardener and that he didn’t trust anyone to do the job.
Ken came to mind and I told the doctor about him. Ken was interviewed that afternoon. He now has a live in job as a gardener and messenger for the doctor. Can you believe it, yes I can so many miracles happen in Africa. Just love it and my God. Ken was walking on air last night when he came for tea. We will miss him but he now has a bed to sleep in, wages to save for his education as a journalist and author. God is good... I kept Moses home today and he has no fever and I am getting a much appreciated rest....
Steve here – that is such good news for our Ken – I have been acting as a dad to him for a year and praying constantly for a door to open for this kind generous servant of God.
I am deeply disappointed by the oil carnage wrecking our MT beaches – my favourite spots for most of life – I just cannot understand the irresponsible actions of Rena crossing our best fishing reef. May our God bring the community together to help clean up and also protect our best leisure and fishing resource.
I have a week off to come back to my senses after an intense 7 weeks of teaching a new class – my children are a delightful bunch - eager to learn and move on. Our boys Dennis and Nicholas as well as Pauline are full of joy as they receive great sporting and educational opportunities never presented in their previous school. They are rising to the occasion and developing their English and sporting skills. All our children are top sports kids. The three boys have excelled in basketball – Moses and Dennis are the top point’s scorers in their grade in Kampala – they are exciting to watch. Pauline is developing in many areas!! She is becoming a “teenager” rapidly!! Oh no!! She is a lively energetic girl learning fast the boundaries of what is acceptable socially. I am concentrating on their literacy skills so that they can understand. Nicholas and Dennis have been readily accepted by their peers and are forging good relationships, which is building their confidence and language. Moses Dennis and Pauline are all fiery in nature and very competitive. Nicholas is a bit more laid back. We have some fierce sporting engagements in football and basketball. I get plenty of opportunities to teach them how to work together on court. As opposing school teams have found out – Moses Dennis and Pauline in the one basketball team do not back down until they have the scoreline in their favour. Moses can shoot 3 pointers at will!! And Dennis does not miss close in!! And nobody can get past Pauline!! Makes interesting viewing from the sideline!!
The political situation here is still volatile with the usual imprisonments of opposition voices and significant bribes to secure oil favours. Major politicians are being asked to step aside because of billion shilling under the table deals and bribery. While politicians and leaders lavish money on two fighter jets and huge trips overseas and massive personal mansions the poor quietly (for now) suffer without proper education and health services. Public hospitals all over the country are appalling – if you don’t pay you die!! Everything in this country sits on a cushion of corruption and bribery. I have been memorising Psalm 34 – and it says that God is opposed to the wicked and erases their memory from the earth – (it is just hard when Gods timing for this is not our timing!!) The innocent and brainwashed, uneducated, poverty stricken masses here remain in a dormant political stupor. They are concerned with survival only - today. Our neighbours are in this category. All the chickens including the big rooster we supplied are dying or dead from a disease. We have had to quarantine our children from contact because there are dead chickens festering everywhere. They asked if they could kill our rooster and eat it before it died. It has been raining daily for 3 months now which helps the spread of disease. On the other hand a positive is that our vege garden is flourishing so we can share around the produce. The beauty of Uganda is all year round veges – I am discovering that beetroot spinnach, passion fruit, lettuce, beans and carrots go really well in this rainy season. Poor folk in Uganda are being hit by high inflation - sugar and maize flour and raw materials supplies are low, petrol prices are very high and power shortages are daily.
My involvement with the worship team has intensified so I am now planning songs to sing. We have a talented team at present. I led last Sunday and made a few mistakes in timing and key but overall not too bad. My confidence is still to be shaped as I get more experience working in with other musicians and knowing when to back off or when to repeat. I see my playing and talking as an acting of spreading the healing touch of God. I pray that His precious spirit will touch hearts and encourage people to listen in the presence of God.
Sharron has been really effective at the hospital in her ministry to the severely burned. She suffered a most harrowing experience which fortunately turned out the best for her patient but not for the doctors. The details of which cannot be put on line for political reasons – they are so bad - I don’t think I could have coped with the situation. If you want to know about her ordeal please email her.
My son Josiah arrives here on the 24th December so we are all excited about his arrival. the children are really gearing up for his arrival - so he had better be fit and ready for physical stuff and plenty of love!!We are planning a safari for him and a visit to Kyazanga around Christmas. After Josiah we have friends Monique and her fiance coming to stay for a few days from the 13th of January 2012.
We had a great time with Nicky Haywood and Steve Nega (Ugandan boyfriend and a lovely man) who spent time with us then returned to NZ for 6 months. They are a couple who serve Jesus and want to marry and return to set up a community project. Talk about a set of miracles – Steve received his Visa to NZ and finance for his ticket plus transition rights through Australia all within a week – wow you guys certainly push the limits of my faith and prayer!!!
I am afraid Rugby is not a conversational topic here accept among southern hemisphere ex pats. For a short time I was excited about the tournament until the oil disaster hit my lovely surfing and kayak fishing spots - that burst my bubble a bit. Still – go All Blacks and may they find that extra burst of power when needed!!
In the end there is only one thing of value that really matters dwelling on - the incredible grace of God that I can be in his presence to enjoy the moment!
