I’m becoming brave in finding my way to new places in Uganda.
Though Musita isn’t far from Bugembe in Jinja, “stop at the trading center” is
about as generic as it gets. Which trading center and how will I know I’m at
the right one? I found it though, thanks to a somewhat helpful taxi conductor
and a very kind petrol station guard who made sure I stayed out of the sun.
Dennis came limping...
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Nile Vocational Institute
The sound of dishes clanking and metal chairs shuffling
filled the dining hall at The Nile Vocational Institute – a school founded many
years ago by German Christians. As Pastor Fred and I arrived, we were ushered
into that faculty dining hall for tea while the leaders prepared for the
workshop. Standard practice for most places of business in Uganda is to provide
tea, which is likely the first...
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Teaching Schedule and Progress
Sitting in the shade of an unfinished brick room, the ladies
continue to gather for tailoring class. We’ve run into a small concern with the
teacher. She changed the schedule to meet her needs, which is less convenient
for the rest of th
e group. Further, she sometimes doesn’t come and so students
have also stopped coming. This behavior is unfortunately quite normal for
Uganda but not at all what...
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Holey Nets
Thanks to YOU, we replaced then holey
mosquito nets for the children and we even provided one for Michael and
Silvia. The children were so very excited to get their new nets. Now we just
need to pray that these adorable but rambunctious kids aren’t the future cause
of those most holey nets.
Thank you to those who gave to meet this simple but life-saving
need.
...
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Shading Jesus
“Shading” is something the children have come to expect when
they see my face appear in their compound. I bring simple Bible lessons and
corresponding coloring pages for these kids each time I’m in Bugembe. Their
caretakers – Michael and Silvia – have done a fantastic job expanding that
small home to include some small education for the children even though they
aren’t an official school. The children...
Friday, March 22, 2013
Geoffrey Attends Theology School
Almost two years ago I introduced you to Geoffrey,
assistant in-house chaplain at Bugembe Prison. He gave his life to Jesus after
hearing me preach (undoubtedly following a lot of seed planting that had
nothing to do with me). After beginning skills training programs in that
prison, Geoffrey became the tailoring teacher there and did a terrific job with
his responsibilities. When Frederick, the then in-house chaplain was released,
Geoffrey became the lead chaplain and continued his tailoring teaching.
A...
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Visit with the Jjajas
We huffed and puffed up to the island top in search of the
path leading to the unsuspecting jajjas. Our visit this year was a little later
than normal so we thought they’d be completely surprised…yet the boat driver
(not sure what you call a fiberglass motorboat driver) beat us to their home
and spoiled the surprise. This man unknown to the family spent his afternoon
helping these 80+ year old...
Monday, March 11, 2013
Ugandans Helping Ugandans
Sponsorship-enrolled mothers receive books and pens to help offset the cost of school requirements.
About a year ago I happened across two young Ugandan men in
the airport in Turkey. We became “friends” on Facebook and one day not long
ago, one of those young men spied me in Kampala. He proceeded to thank me for
the work God is doing in Uganda and hand me 100,000 UGX to help the ministry
having...
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Mother's Face Disturbing Issues
Before coming to the island, Vickie and I met to talk about
all that she hoped to accomplish here. I’m so glad we did because one of the
items of importance to Vickie turned out to be far more critical than we’d
dreamed. Before heading up to the school on Bubembe Island, we met with the
mothers to talk about the things that concern them most. After asking some
questions about sanitation, we learned...
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
A Child's Welcome
Another hour-long small boat ride to Bubembe Island (with
Vickie and our friend Betty) and Aunt Grace was surprised to see us – though
they’re always surprised given the lack of phone network availability here. The
children, though, have come to love our visits and seldom hesitate to pile in
my lap when I arrive. They rub their dirty little hands all over my skin and
then look carefully to see if...
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Traveling to Kalangala Island
Traveling pretty much anywhere in Uganda is an adventure
worth writing about. The ferry – or lack thereof – from Entebbe to Kalangala
was out for service sometimes leaving islanders stranded for weeks on end. It
was our luck that another wooden vessel was functional on that windy day of
departure. Leaving Entebbe behind, the 88 islands offer some break from the
strong wind where even the birds found...
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