The photographer was just learning how to use a camera
so the picture isn't as close up as I would have liked. She was adorable.
Natifa slept in her maama’s arms during the ruckus of gift giving and was entirely uninterested in what was going on around her. Once the maamas figured out what I brought, they began bringing children from all around, “What about this one?” they’d ask in hopeful expectation...
Friday, December 30, 2011
A Dress for Sidat from Heidi
Sidat, gathered into her mother’s arms, watched on as the children came from everywhere. Crammed into this tiny passageway for reasons unknown to me, the distribution party began. Children trampled the sewage floored muck on my open sandaled feet. These tiny corridors are not for the weak stomached or claustrophobic. Before departing, I would have my feet and sandals hand washed to new.
Sidat...
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Dollies for Kikubamutwe Slum Girls from Paul
A very generous businessman sponsored 20 dollies and what better way to deliver those dollies than to do so on Christmas day in one of the many Kampala slums. Once one dolly is given, the whole community swarms to see what their gift might be. It’s never difficult to find some way to bless the people here.
The first dolly was given to the daughter of the woman who allowed us to park the boda-boda...
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A Dolly for Mark from Sarah
I had the idea that I’d spent lots of time with lots of different babies during my Christmas Eve day at the Sanyu Babies Home. Surely this was the best way to spend my day, divided among the so many in need. But God had other plans (I just love when that happens). I’m even getting so I have the expectation that God will show me what to do once I take that first step. Truly walking in faith…so amazing!
Tiny...
Sanyu Babies Home
I knew that baby holding was the perfect Christmas present to myself (selfish, I know). It’s okay to take a little break from the usual ministry work, right? I was introduced to the Sanyu Babies Home during a precursory visit so that I knew the rules before coming for this day lest I be disappointed about hours, visitation days, or some other technicality. They warmly welcomed me and any other visitors....
Monday, December 26, 2011
Bats in My Belfry
A rustling in the attic area rendered me fearful of that moment when whatever it was found the largest hole – the manhole – with the goal of escape (or torment). Scratch, scratch, scratch…a rat? Certainly not a gecho, too big sounding for a mouse, a dog maybe, a lion? The sounds coming from that upper room were frantic-like, not stealth-like so I ruled out the lion. While sleep evaded me when the...
A Dolly for Teekira from Jessie
Teekira is neighbor to Andy and Lauren. Andy is so good with children and Teekira was happy to be held by him. This morning, little Teekira was shaking in her socks. I wondered what might be wrong with her tiny little body, but discovered she was just shivering. Cool African weather in just her panties and a t-shirt…poor girly. Of course I wanted to scoop her up and snuggle her to get warm but I...
Sunday, December 25, 2011
A Dolly for Lisa from the Hogarths
The Kansanga Miracle Worship Center was packed for a night of Thanksgiving at Christmas. Traditional dance, music, and worship preceded a delicious dinner with new friends. Not far from my VIP seat sat a little girl in yellow who was just as cute as a button. She was intrigued by me and I took the opportunity to wave her over. I introduced myself and asked her name using my very best Luganda. In...
A Dolly for Jennifer from Kathy
Five-year-old Jennifer and her little brother were squished in their father’s lap on the taxi taking us from Banda to Kampala. As usual, the children openly stared at the mzungu…such a sight. I reached out for their hands and both Jennifer and her little brother were happy to touch me and to say hello. One of the brightest smiles I’ve seen – and I’ve seen so very many – flashed across Jennifer’s...
Saturday, December 24, 2011
A Dress for Hazel from Dr. Debbie
The children began pestering me immediately when I arrived at the church where we meet with the Konoweka ladies. Some of them still say, “Give me money.” I’ve simply started telling those children to ogenda eka (go home). Of course, I don’t know if I’m giving the instruction correctly because they never go. They follow me into the church, pick through my bags, and otherwise hang all over me. Okay,...
Konoweka Tailoring Graduation
Nine women graduated from their tailoring course and anxiously waited to show me their progress in learning to sew. In the beginning they practiced in cement bags but Annie – the woman caring for this group on behalf of Surprised by Hope – secured some fabric for them. I delivered their graduation gift bags provided by so many of you and promised another sewing machine once they learned how to care...
Juice Lady
Look carefully. The background is a building in progress,
see the scaffolding timbers? I'm always amazed the
buildings turn out straight. A few apartments in the mid-
ground. Between the roof and staircase, on the ground,
you can see the ladies cooking their hearts out to serve
a meal to the folks who ordered that morning. To the right
out of the picture is a guy making creative, artsy
Christmas...
Friday, December 23, 2011
Shared Hope for Orphans
The Teachers’ Association to Cater to Children is a community based organization interested in providing for orphaned children as well as providing an education for the children of families who lack funds for fee-based schools. Essentially this is the group of people who cannot pay and they’ve bound together to provide that education in a school where the parents and unemployed adults work together....
The Ant Conundrum
On more than one occasion I’ve discovered my kitchen sponge infested with ants. Here’s the conundrum…can I still use the sponge?
1. Spray said sponge with ½ can of Doom (or fill the sink with water and drown them).
2. Fill the sponge with dish soap and scrub (which makes the remaining ant bodies get all broken up and mushed in).
3. ...
Thursday, December 22, 2011
A Dolly for Shakira from Pat
At The Sanctuary Babies Home I wanted to leave behind some small gift so I gave the children flashcards – numbers, letters, words – to help with their home school studies. We examined the English words and their Luganda matches together. Watching how each child managed their small disarray of cards was interesting. Some kept then neat and organized and others spread then out all over the compound....
The Sanctuary Babies Home
Carpenter John – ever interested in sneaking children into my world – introduced me to the leader of The Sanctuary Babies Home as the children all ran out to greet me. In this context, “Babies Home” means young children rather than actual babies or toddlers. These children are somehow orphaned and are now under the care of a small handful of loving adults.
The children here are home schooled...
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
A Dolly for Anisha from Cary
Anisha was among a gaggle of children hollering after me as I parked the car near Carpenter John’s home. Following our visit, she was still waiting for my return. This time, though, she flashed one of the most beautiful smiles I’ve seen…which I neglected to capture on film after about 30 failed attempts. She watched patiently from the background while the rest of the children bombarded me as I distributed...
A Dress for Faith from Christian
One of the workmen at Shelemiah AIDS Orphans’ Care Ministries toted a baby in preparation for her evening bath. He thought he was going to sneak away quietly, but I spotted that child before he had the chance. Nope, she didn’t scream…she clung. Head resting comfortably on my shoulder during my tour of the compound, little Faith was content…as was I. I saw her father or caretaker – I know not which...
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Shelemiah Orphans' Care Ministries
Carpenter John observed my mushy responses to children in Uganda and sneakily added two orphanage visits to our agenda. Our first visit was to Shelemiah AIDS Orphans’ Care Ministries where Dennis pours out his compassion on a group of primary school age children orphaned because of AIDS.
I scarcely stepped from the car before being bombarded by hugs from children of all sizes…and well…you know...
Kakira Prison
Kakira Sugar is one of the most popular brand names in Uganda and I recently learned that the name is simply based on location. Apparently Kakira is the name of a town here. Kakira Prison is no different…named after the town.
Carpenter John was invited to be involved with Kakira Prison the same way he is with Bugembe Prison but the dates and times conflicted. As a result, Pastor Emmanuel serves as chaplain there and the two men remain partners in their efforts to minister to the people in prison.
A...
Monday, December 19, 2011
Letter from Prison
Carpenter John has been coming to Bugembe Prison for 11 years. He encourages a man inside the prison to function as the spiritual leader with the informal title of pastor. Well, pastor Frederick is “graduating” soon and I was so encouraged to see that he is raising up Geofrey to stand in his place. Geofery was one of a few prisoners who was here last time I visited and in anticipation of my arrival...
A Dolly for Baby Prison Boy from Joyce
Mommas keep their babies with them while they serve their prison term and this baby was full of personality. I held out my hand for him to come and he squirmed in his mother’s lap until she finally released him. Often such young children shy away (or scream) when they just look at me let alone when invited to come to me. Not walking yet, he made his way over in no time nearly pulling my skirt right...
Sunday, December 18, 2011
The Muslim Drummer
Carpenter John (standing left)
Muslim drummer (seated center)
Pastor's Apprentice Geofrey (standing right)
I mentioned when handing out Bibles in Bugembe Prison last time that several Muslim men accepted the gift alongside the Christian and pre-Christian people. Then we learned that this Muslim man was also a cobra and willing to teach the prisoners the trade so that when they’re released...
Prison Food
After our church service in prison, at which I was the impromptu preacher – I love teaching about the surprise of the living hope (1 Peter 1:3-4) – the men lined up to receive their twice daily meal. You can’t quite see into this bowl but the content was some kind of yellowish liquid that could hardly be considered mush. That’s it. It’s a good thing the church put doors on their latrines.
Thanks...
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