Olivia's School Visitation Day

Boda-boda drivers are known for overcharging but the trip to Olivia’s school was really…and I mean really…far off the main road. I actually ended up giving the guy more than he asked. Silly me. I first went to the place where I had last seen Olivia in school and learned that the students in P6 are now situated in a different building. Because I didn’t know where this new building was, I had to trust that this boda-boda driver would take me there. Eventually all the people disappeared from the roadside, the path became narrow and bumpy, and overgrowth crowded the way. Right about the then I thought I’d better get off that boda because he might be taking me someplace other than All Saints school, which is known to happen. Thankfully, the school sign appeared in the distance just then. Whew!

Given how far off the main road this school is, you’d think these children were lepers. I felt badly for those students whose families could not afford the trip. Yet, the tidy school was overflowing with voices worshipping God this early Sunday morning. Olivia is the sponsored child of a friend and I try hard to stay in touch with her while I’m in country. When not in school she stays near where I live so it’s easy to find her at home. During school terms, though, the children board at the school so they can focus on their studies and Olivia is no exception.

I quickly found her classroom and met her head teacher. A very surprised Olivia was all smiles when she saw me.

Olivia is certainly a beautiful young lady and I’m always surprised to see how she’s grown. She continues to be a quiet girl and seldom speaks up in class, says her teacher. She also continues to struggle with her assignments, but it’s difficult to pinpoint the problem when I’m not there to see how she behaves, how she studies, or how the teachers deliver the lessons. There aren’t programs I place to help children who struggle and there’s no such thing as “No Child Left Behind.” I was happy to hear, though, that the school would not pass her if her grades were not at a certain level, as so many schools do. Please pray for Olivia, as she continues to work hard and become the young lady God has designed her to be.

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Romas

Some people just love having fun and Ronald is no exception. He started a small business called Romas and that business focuses on providing fun experiences for children’s parties. He and his friends load themselves and all their gear into a lorry and head to wherever the client wishes. Giant bouncy castles, portable swimming pools, face painting, balloons (and now balloon animals, thanks to the Hassett family), juggling clowns, and more. The business targets a population of Ugandans who have higher discretionary income than those I typically work with.

In all fairness, Ronald has some
not so lovely pictures of me too.

Ronald invited me to offer some business development advice and to do that, I suggested that perhaps I attend his next event so that I could experience his work first hand. Alongside this experience, we need to talk more about his organization but I had a great opportunity to get started.

Among many practical suggestions related to operations, human resources, and marketing, one of the biggest challenges was limiting participation to client invitees. The venue offered several party gathering spots and most assuredly each area was filled with children celebrating some special occasion. Inflating that bright yellow bouncy oasis, though, was a magnet for each and every child in the entire recreation area. We talked about a wrist band or hand stamp to identify client invited children, which is easy enough to manage. However, Ronald misses so many opportunities for business and service sampling when required to limit guests. What do you think? How can he take advantage of the potential income from non-client children while protecting the client relationship?

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Update on Praise and her Dolly

I spied this adorable hydra-headed girly next door to Augustine’s place. She grinned at me as though I was her long lost friend. When summoned, she quickly came into my arms. I asked if she still had her dolly and the affirmative response resulted in the somewhat tattered, but still intact gift from Jean. Most of the time, the dollies are lost or destroyed so when I found this one still resembling the color she was originally, I was pleased. All the children near this house recognize me now, if only I could remember all of their precious names.

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Kamuli Tailoring Program

Aside from the blessing of Augustine’s presence and our time of prayer together, my main purpose for visiting Kamuli was to move the tailoring program there (sponsored by the women’s group at Beaverdam Baptist Church) into their final weeks. The group has met four times weekly for the past five months and this next month will be their last. It’s time for them to become independent tailors.

The ladies were encouraged to think about how Jesus had a purpose on earth and how that purpose directed his every action and decision. We prayed that they too would find their God-given purpose and that they would use that knowledge to help them make decisions about how to apply their new skills. We talked about how and where to find work, how to develop skills after the program is complete, and how they can help the next group of students.

I delivered some notions supplied by my lovely friend Anna. I also delivered a few patterns for items the new tailor ladies could make and sell – such as boy shorts, baby bibs, and tote bags – supplied by Donna’s maama. I left behind a tissue cozy package as well. I told the ladies if they were well made I would pay them for their work so they’ll have money to get started on their first tailoring projects.

My prayer now is that we have the funds needed to start another round of teaching with all new students. Are you part of a women’s group? Who would like to join with a new group of ladies in Kamuli who already have two sewing machines and a place to work but need the salary for a good teacher (which we have found) and the teaching materials?

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Kamuli Pastors

The trip to Kamuli is just an hour beyond Buwenge on roads similarly difficult. Although hope is in the air, along with more dust, construction-based road humps slow travel. I hate to tell you just how much dust washes out of even my underwear…so I won’t.

Long time friends, Pastors Augustine and Joel started a home-church in Kamuli. During this visit I had the opportunity to attended Augustine’s wedding introduction meeting, which was very interesting. Introductions are a formal part of the engagement process here. A group of close friends comes together to help plan the introduction and the wedding as well as support the couple financially through the process. I met lots of Augustine’s pastor friends and am looking forward to the December wedding.

Pastor Joel and his wife, Rose, recently had their first baby – Kisakye Ruth – and this adorable, content baby was precious in my arms. Once we pulled out the camera, though, all the neighbor children came running. Okay, well, they came running when the muzungu showed up but getting a good picture was a challenge. I don’t think I heard that baby make a peep the whole time I was there.

One of their pastoral duties included visiting the local chairman’s daughter in the hospital. She’d just delivered a baby too – lots of new babies around. I’ve been to hospitals in various parts of Uganda before and am always in awe of the waiting rooms (outside under a mango tree) and the extensive families that come to care for the sick loved one.

Pastor David – affectionately called King David – is a School of Ministry graduate like Augustine and Joel, but he graduated just this past May. David’s home is Kamuli and he’s walking alongside Augustine and Joel in their home church. As always, it was good to see his smiling face.

A few months ago, Augustine told one of his new friends about Surprised by Hope. Pastor Fred then invited me to do some biblically based business teaching in a couple vocational schools he has connections to. He and his wife just had their first baby as well and a visit to his lovely home was so pleasant. His beautiful wife shone with joy. We’re hoping that soon we’ll travel to Kuyunga to teach at two different schools in that area.

While waiting for Augustine’s introduction meeting to begin (Africa time, you know), I had the opportunity to talk with Pastor Moses. He was excited about the idea of bringing business teaching to the church and shared his idea of a cooperative transportation business for the various agriculture products grown in Kamuli.

Pastors pastors pastors. I am so blessed to have once again had the opportunity to walk alongside so many godly people.

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Shared Hope for Orphans' Boys

Roads between Bugembe and Buwenge are notoriously rutty. Not only are they rutty but it seems they are strategically designed to force each and every vehicle to have at least one tire in some pothole of varying depths at all times. Taxis are no exception. None the less, Alex and I arrived safely in Buwenge and boda’ed to Shared Hope for Orphans without a hitch.

The leadership team was ready and waiting for us, always so kind and warm when we arrive. Our teaching today would be on the topic of customer service with emphasis on biblical service and communication. I pondered the value of customer service teaching for an organization whose focus was not retail related and decided that the principles were valuable in all relationships, not just retail service.

I always love coming to visit this organization in particular because each time I do I find some way that they’ve applied what they learned the last time we were together. They make forward progress toward their mission constantly, however hard they struggle to do so. This time was no different.

This time I found a small rented home near the school where several orphaned boys from the streets of Jinja were finding shelter, food, and love as well as receiving the education they so desperately need at no charge to them. Shared Hope for Orphans truly loves these boys and to do so sacrifice a great deal. Love is a sacrifice, isn’t it?

Three requests were on the lips of these leaders, and based on my observations…each is necessary. Would you like to help? I personally endorse their use of funds and money management and will very likely be directly involved in seeing these needs get met. If you’d like more information, please let me know.

1.      The organization received a grant for a poultry project but needs money to purchase the vaccinations and other supplies needed to keep the chickens.

2.      The wood-sided school is quickly being outgrown. Parents are moving their students from fancier schools to this one for many very positive reasons. Bricks are available as one of the projects Shared Hope uses to provide an income for their children but the other building supplies are needed.

3.      The orphan boys are receiving a free education but Shared Hope for Orphans could use your help in providing for their basic needs. Renting the home, providing food, school requirements and the like are needed to ensure these children thrive.

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Sunday Morning in Jinja Town

This normally bustling tourist town sits quietly on Sunday morning, not ready to wake until past 8:30. Criss-cross iron gates cover the storefronts of most businesses. I’d hoped for a bite of breakfast before finding the taxi to Buwenge, but even Flavours was just barely peeking out through closed doors. The staff recognized me and put chairs out, they even turned on the internet for me. Approaching the 8:30 wake-up time, I was granted access to a…get this…peanut butter Snickers muffin. Yep, all my favorites wrapped into one teeny tiny little bite of a muffin hardly noticeable on its plate. The knife and fork were entirely unnecessary given the single mouthful of food, yet using the utensils helped extend the pleasure just a bit. This unsuspecting (and way WAY overpriced) muffin was fantastic! Hmm, there must be a way I can replicate this muffin on the gas burner…

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Prison Program Sustainability

The sweet juice tasted delicious after eating dust and exhaust fumes for three hours. The ride to Jinja was speedy, for sure, but passion juice was just what I needed while waiting to meet with Carpenter John, chaplain of Bugembe Prison. When he arrived, we exchanged packages. I delivered the last box of Bibles from Beaverdam Baptist Church folks and he presented the first batch of products made from the samples provided just last week. As expected, a bit of feedback was needed, but overall the prison tailors did a great job. Take a look at the products Carpenter John and I will work to sell so that the funding for the various vocational programs in the prison can become self sustaining.



Eyeglass/Sunglass cases



Jewelry pouchs

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The Sanctuary Singers

Six children have turned into twelve.

The children walked hand-in-hand with Michael and Silvia until they reached the gate. Upon spying me, they ran with lots of welcome hugs. These kids have always been affectionate toward me but they’ve never done the run-to-me thing. Yep, a little bit of heaven. Some films depict heaven as a place based on your own desires. While I am not sure I agree that heaven is made in this way, I sure wouldn’t mind if it were filled with hugging children. Poor little Raymon is sick with malaria and wasn’t much for hugs and snuggles like he usually is. Lohire didn’t scream bloody murder this time. We’re making progress.

Today the children were so excited about singing for me. Amazing Grace in their sweet kiddie voices…beautiful. I recorded their singing but the film won’t properly upload to Blogger. Just imagine it. The little one in white belting out the words while the others follow along and do a rather lovely job of it. I love the music and dance that is so integral to the African culture.

Each time I come to the Sanctuary, there are more and more children. With only one bedroom and a makeshift room in the garage, they will soon outgrow their digs if they haven’t already. I’m so thankful for the ongoing welcome at this lovely home.

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Bugembe Prison Worship Service

Wool blankets covered the ground drying in the hot sun after a good washing. Just finishing their morning routine, the prisoners were summoned to prepare for their Sunday service. Before entering the stifling room where church is held, Carpenter John called the three old men to receive eyeglasses supplied by Beaverdam Baptist Church friends. These men approached with their Bibles, another gift orchestrated by Paul from Beaverdam, and almost jumped up and down when they found the eyeglasses that most suited their needs. Wish I could have taken a picture of the three of them with the tags dangling off their noses and the little sticker in the upper right corner of their new specs. They were absolutely thrilled.

Later in the church service, two of the old men who received glasses gave the testimony that they had once known Jesus but fell away from him. Being back in prison renewed that relationship and they thanked God for that experience. Little did they know that the message I would deliver would come from Philippians where Paul testified that he would use his prison experience to glorify God. Another man testified to the brotherly love he found in prison rather than the fighting and animosity he expected. I can attest to that sense of a peaceful spirit there.

After delivering the message from Philippians 1 that had ministered to my heart (a gift from Marti), three men made decisions to accept Christ as their personal Savior. Praise God for his perfect timing in the way this message came together and was received. Please continue to uplift Andrew, Dramon, and Martin as two of the men prepare for their court trials and seem to associate accepting Jesus with acquittal. Also, pray for Carpenter John as he continues to disciple these men in the truth of what accepting Christ really means.

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Bugembe Prison Vocational Training Projects

As the yellow-clad prisoners prepared for the Sunday service, I met with Geoffrey (the tailoring prisoner-teacher) to introduce a few new product ideas. I emphasized to Carpenter John, the prison chaplain, the need to help the group become self sustaining by making salable products. Certainly some of those students who have participated for some time are capable of making a few of the simple sample items presented. After all, Geoffrey made the girly dresses without a hitch.

I brought six different fabric prints along with the other necessities required for making the sample items. Thank you to Anna for the thread, bias tape and ribbon, and various other goodies that will be used to make these items. Thank you to Heidi for the beautiful African fabrics (and for the fabrics being delivered to Kakira prison too).

The three sample items included a simple eyeglass case, a jewelry pouch with a draw string, and a hair tie – all using the beautiful African prints. I tried to choose items that were easier for those beginner tailors and one that might be a little more challenging. The folks learning to sew these products will be able to take these patterns with them when they leave prison and continue making the products for themselves. Geoffrey also has the liberty to develop his own product ideas that will help generate revenue for the group.

The guys were super excited to sew something more than their own uniforms. I can’t wait to see the results.

On another note, I passed by Mohamed – the man who was in prison and started his own shoeshine business after learning the trade at Bugembe. While business is slow, I was glad to find him there trying his best to make the business succeed.

(Sorry, still no photos allowed.)

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Easy Bake Oven

I never had an Easy Bake Oven when I was a kid. Maybe that explains why I’m so bad at cooking. Things in this area haven’t really changed much just because I’m in Uganda. I definitely miss baked goods, though. You’d be surprised at the things I’ve managed to concoct without an oven. Okay, I still don’t really cook much but when it comes to baked goods…well, you know what they say, “Where there’s a will there’s a way.”

Cookies can be fried in a pan instead of baked, right? The answer? Kinda. Now might be a good time to get that Easy Bake Oven.

Thanks to Paul and Joyce for the trail mix. Monster cookies, yum!

They didn't stick together like pancakes do.

Still yummy, though.

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A Dolly for Ajallah from Laura

As the Superhero Undie Boys received their gifts, Ajallah looked on with patience. The children of the neighborhood were gathering to watch and some started clamoring for a gift for themselves. Little Ajallah just watched. And after all was said and done, and the children began to disperse, little Ajallah and her new-undie-brother continued to sit on their step together. I turned my back to go but felt a little tug in my heart, the one where I know I need to leave a dolly behind.

I crept up to Ajallah, knelt low to her height, and produced a dolly for her. A smile spread across her face in a way I’ve yet to see on a child receiving this gift. It was something like, wow…a gift for me? Oh thank you, I never expected that. The nearby maamas, not her maama though, thanked me for the gift and were so very pleased that someone like me (white) would come into their neighborhood and give gifts. Makes me want to come back and just sit and talk with them.

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Superhero Undies

Three older boys got some superhero undies
along the way to finding these younger boys.

Right across the street from a little local food restaurant in Kabalagala is the entrance to a slum. I’ve been into the mouth of this place for chapatti and rolex before but never alone and never too deep. As I turned the corner, people almost immediately started commenting about the lone muzungu meandering down the lane. How far do I go before I should really turn back? I wondered. One man realized I was giving things away and he demanded a gift for himself. He wouldn’t take my word that the gift was not fit for him, but instead for little boys. He said, “I’m a little boy.” Finally, I popped a size 2T pair of Superhero undies out of the bag and asked if they would fit him. He quit pestering me.

A nearby old man asked what I needed and I said, “lots of little boys.” After the words escaped my lips I realized how the comment sounded. Luckily, I wasn’t in America and the phrase had no ill meaning. I’ve met several moseas (old men) who truly have the best interests of their neighborhoods at heart so…off I went. He led me deeper into the slum and around a corner – being careful to remember where I was and not to go too far. There they were…10 little boys just waiting to see what I was going to pull out of my bag.

They gathered themselves onto the step in front of a closed business and the mosea excused himself for the errand he had been on before being interrupted. Two mothers sat behind a grass screen blocking the sun. They looked on with amusement. I handed each boy three pair of undies that seemed close to his size as each said thank you in his best English.  I told the children that there was a lady in America who gave this gift and that we want them to know that Jesus loves them. I told the boys about the armor of God, more specifically the belt of truth, and asked that when they put their new underwear on they should remember the story.

And to Joyce, the lady who gave me all her gift cards with just a few dollars left on each, I say thank you. You can make a difference with even the smallest gift too.

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A Dress for Rachel from Ayden

Rachel comes over almost every day
wearing her little dress.

You all remember Rachel, she is the youngest sister to Fahrid and Sharon. As a baby she was horrified of me, but since she got her little feet under her she is full of personality and quite happy to copy her sisters in all they do. I handed Fahrid a bag of pineapple, for her family for which she knelt to receive them as is the custom, and little Rachel squatted her little legs down too. When the children knock on the door asking for story time, little Rachel’s face is plastered on the glass looking inside. When I open the door the children pile at me for hugs and little Rachel is no exception. When Fahrid and Sharon repeat the lines of the Bible story after me, Rachel’s jibber jabber can be heard in the mix at just the right times. If the sisters run up the street to greet me with hugs, Rachel runs to me with hugs too. Just the other day the girls and their brother came for a Bible story on the front porch and left Rachel behind. She stood in her yard bellowing at the top of her lungs until I came and got her.

This tiny tot is often found in her birthday suit, in her sister’s oldest and holist shirts, or worse. It’s a bit like the value of clothing for a child who will simply wear those clothes out is nil. Fahrid and Sharon wear their little sponsored dresses constantly, although far from clean they’ve held up quite well. I started thinking…doesn’t Rachel need a little dress too?

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A Dolly for Zana from Sharon

Baby Zana was oblivious to the muzungu factor and quite content to rest in my arms…until he spit up. His cousin, however, was absolutely certain. No way was he even going to look at us without screaming with fear. We heard he had a fitful night after meeting us. Zana, however, is four months old and has yet to learn to be afraid of things. Yea for me! A few snuggles and off we headed. I just know God made babies just for me.

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Fun and Games at The Sanctuary

I knew all the juggling practice would pay off!

I promised the children of the Sanctuary Babies Home, the ones who memorized the numbers on the back of the Memory game cards rather than the pictures on the front, a new game the next time I came. I was surprised to find the number of children at the home had nearly doubled. It’s a good thing that this time I brought two new games.

Bean bag tossing.

For sewing practice, the ladies of Konoweka finished filling and sewing up some beanbags my mother made. With a handful of these heavy things, I wowed the children with my juggling skills (it doesn’t take much). From there, though, we played beanbag toss as well as a simple form of catch. The children came up with all kinds of creative ways to play with the beanbags.

Dennis, the leader of Shelemiah Orphan’s Home, gave me a bag of giant pictures with detailed Bible lessons printed on the back. I brought these lessons to Michael at the Sanctuary and started the children off with a lesson about the Bible as God’s word and as one way we can know who God is. The lessons are geared for children who are a bit older but with little effort they can easily be adapted for these younger children. I love when people share their resources for the benefit of others.

Time for the real new game…Chutes and Ladders. Only four players at a time can master this game so it was great to have a few new toys and games to keep the others busy. It took a while for the children to learn what to do at the top and bottom of chutes and ladders but the oldest finally caught on. He was tasked with ensuring he helped the other children understand too.

Just before we said good-bye, Heidi read the children a story and sang a song. They loved her fun activities and were quite happy to snuggle up and listen.  Bye-bye kids, see you next time, we love you.

Chutes and Ladders. Only the oldest boy here really understood the game.
I charged him with teaching the younger ones.

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Creativity at Shelemiah

Visiting the children of Shelemiah is always a joy. Running to me with hugs is about the best experience anywhere. Makes me miss my grandchildren. But the kids of Shelemiah never fail to greet me in the warmest way. I needed their help this day and they were quite happy to oblige, but we started with some fun first. Balloon animals. Thanks to Scott for leaving these behind, we had lots of fun making shapes akin to animals and other shapes too. What I really loved was seeing a few of the boys allow their creativity to take over and make some very crazy balloon art. Tying these things at the end is always the challenge. We found a few skilled balloon tiers which saved me a few slices on my fingers. Yea.

While the children monkeyed around with their balloons, Dennis took me to a young lady whose husband recently died unexpectedly. He has a way of doing that, Dennis, connecting people where they can be used best. I told her briefly about my story and shared the reality that God will bring joy back to her life. Although doubtful at the moment, she received prayer gratefully and I look forward to seeing her again. I’m so very thankful to people like Dennis who have compassion on ladies like this and offer them a place to stay while they figure out what to do next. Women have very few options in this culture, and even fewer when their husband dies.

We settled into the project at hand, coloring thank you cards. I have a huge pile of cards to use as thank yous for all of YOU and needed their help in applying their best artistic skills to make them beautiful. Some of the kids even took the initiative to fill in their own notes on the cards addressed to Heidi and I. So fun. The younger children colored in Bob the Builder coloring pages and did a magnificent job with their crayons. Such fun and creative children are never without songs. We wrapped up our time together with songs and a few dance moves. Praise God for the people who genuinely love the orphans.

Little Faith, who received a dress a while back,
was afraid of me this time (sniffle).

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Mohamed Repairs Shoes

Vocational training has been well received in the Bugembe and Kakira prisons and Carpenter John continues to facilitate their success. We visited one recent “graduate” who established a small shoe repair stand just near the road leading away from prison. Mohamed was a Muslim man who received Jesus as his Savior while in prison. He absolutely needs Jesus to help him change his eternal life in a supernatural way, but he also needs to see how God is in the every day things like work and relationships so that he can change his natural life too.

Prison ministry is so much more holistic than perhaps other ministry might be. For example, these me need to learn how to function in society in a way that keeps them out of prison and the ladies of Konoweka, for example, simply want to grow their faith and their skills. Because of Heidi, Mohamed received a startup kit for his new shoe repair business and while building a clientele is not always easy, he is evidencing the effort needed to succeed. I’m so thankful to be a small part of that ministry alongside the real pros like John.

Street boy stands next to Mohamed as does Carpenter John.
Please pray for the business/customers he needs to become successful.

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Iron Bars in Prison

Heidi delivered the Fragrance of the Lord message to the two women in Bugembe prison (12 had just been released). Those ladies were so blessed by Heidi’s tenderness with them. Thankful and sweet. Happy to get their new fragranced goodies and Bibles, they loved hearing that God loves women and that our sacrifices are a sweet fragrance to him. (Remember, no photos of the prisoners allowed.)

The Officer in Charge greeted us following that visit with the women and eagerly showed us the skills training he implemented in making chair/desks, which included some woodwork and welding. Ya, the prisoners are allowed to have iron bars, welders, electric saws and the like. I was surprised but there was much security and the mindset of the men had changed since we began our skills programs in that they loved being productive rather than idle and wanted to keep the program alive.

I was so pleased to see that he was aligning his vision for these men with what Carpenter John had dreamed of for so long and what we implemented just over a year ago. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen alignment of programs and I wonder about how good God is to affirm that we’re all doing the right thing by orchestrating our hearts in the same ideas and ways. Who was first, whose idea it was…doesn’t matter. What matters is loving these men enough to invest time, money, and talent so that they can walk in the way God has created them. Pray that I am able to gain audience with the Ministry of Prisons (or whatever it’s called) to have the prisoners begin making their own uniforms.

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A Dolly for Kisakye from Sally

This tiny little girl followed me around after introductions at Pastor Irene’s Nazarene Church. She blended in so well with all the other children except that she was small, and young, and quiet. She didn’t want to hold my hand…she wanted to be held. Who am I to refuse such a thing? I scooped her up and she joined us for the tour of the compound. Setting her down as we entered the house, she stayed close by.

As Heidi prepared to deliver her message to the older girls of the orphanage and to Pastor Irene, she asked me to bring in a few gifts left in the car. Upon reaching the boot (trunk), I found little Kisakye looking up at me with her adorable brown eyes. All I could hear was Sally’s teatime dolly calling out to little Kisakye. The dolly jumped into Kisakye’s arms and off she ran with her new charge. Wait, wait…I would like a picture.

Back in the house Kisakye perched on my lap while Heidi ministered to the girls…after each had a moment to awe over the adorable doll with teapots all over her dress. Heidi loves tea so it makes perfect sense that this was the dolly for Kisakye. We enjoyed a bite to eat and made our way to the car once more in an effort to keep time. As we did so, Kisakye helped herself to the house next door where a loud joyous shout went out…from her mother. Apparently Kisakye is not an orphan child but instead a neighbor child. Her mother poked her giant smile out the door and thanked me for the sweet gift. Bye-bye Kisakye.

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Wirika Nazarene Church

I have many memories of the First Church of the Nazarene on Kalamazoo Avenue in Grand Rapids. My family attended this church when I was young. I remember children’s church and the contest to memorize the beatitudes. I won, but only because it was a contest. I remember learning so many of the children’s songs there – songs I sing today with the children in villages. We’d been attending this church when I had Reyes Syndrome and friends came to pray at the hospital. Imagine my surprise when I planned to visit Grand Rapids International Fellowship church with Heidi and we turned into that very church formerly known as First Church of the Nazarene.

When Heidi’s pastor learned that she would be coming to Uganda they asked if we might be anywhere near Wirika Nazarene Church – a church Grand Rapids International Fellowship helped build. Near? Wirika is about five kilometers away Bugembe where I stay when I come to town. Most certainly a visit was in order and what a lovely visit we had with Pastor Irene and her two orphanages.

The children have grown over time and so many are now in senior level school. They help care for the younger ones and share in the responsibilities of the home. Heidi had a wonderful visit with the older girls and shared her Fragrance of the Lord message with them. How crucial is that message for these girls who grow to a point where men will begin shaping their view of themselves and where their life choices can have such a significant impact on so many people.

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Murchison Falls Safari

I always hesitate to show pictures from these kinds of wonderful African adventures. I want you to know how seriously I take the stewardship of your funds. I do not view safari time as anything other than a personal adventure and want you to know that personal money was used for this one. Many of you will say that you wouldn’t mind offering a small portion of your funds for such things, and this was most certainly a very inexpensive adventure, and I want to thank you for that generosity. For now, please enjoy a few pictures of this beautiful world God has created.

Independence Falls (left) and Murchison Falls (right)

Top of Murchison Falls. More power per liter than any other fall in the world,
so we're told.

Ferry across the Nile River to the national park.

Jackson's Hardebeest

Mr. Snuffleupagus

Hippo pond

Cape Buffalo

Lioness in the grass.

Small section of Karuma Falls

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My Ugandan Grandmothers

Oh the jajjas, such lovely old women. Life changes little on this remote island between visits. The pineapple is just as sweet, the wild passion fruit is just as tart. Yet these old women seem to creak just a little more. Just watching them rise and lower to the ground – something that must be done several dozen times a day – is painful for me. None the less they welcom

e us with joy and insist on preparing a meal. I just love these ladies, the only grandmothers I have. The white-haired Ida compares her light hairs to mine and insists I must be her own. My little island family.

Vickie spreads scented lotion on the oldest jajja's skin.

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