Walk in the Way of Love at Shelemiah

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 to collect me once I arrived and I cringed at the story he told about his recent boda-boda accident. Without giving all the details, I will tell you how very thankful I am that he is alive. He is the primary caretaker for about 15 children of primary and secondary school age – though during his long recovery his sister, Norah, joined him at Shelemiah Orphan’s Home. Norah is a beautiful young woman who seemed thrilled to have another woman in the house if even for a short time.

The home relocated recently. They moved away from a perfectly situated very large compound to something nice but much smaller. Landlords tend to take advantage of ministries with outside funding by increasing rents and thus the children were all moved to a new location.

This sunny Saturday, 11 students were home after school and I had the joy of spending time with this huggy bunch once again. Though our work together is simply based on love and encouragement, I so enjoy spending time doing simple lessons with this group. Alongside the Easter resurrection message – and the reason for the resurrection – I had the blessed opportunity to wash the feet of these children and teach them about walking in the way of love based on Ephesians 5:1-2. After washing their feet, each child received a pair of Sensible Shoes to help remind them each time they step into those shoes that they need to love their neighbor.

As Dennis walked me back to the stage he shared some of the struggles he’s had with unethical behavior on the part of others and the dilemma this causes for him. I’m decreasingly surprised at the stories I hear but never do I fail to be sad about the human depravity that exists so boldly in this foreign land. The message of walking in the way of love from Ephesians was not only useful in helping those who do not love others as they ought to, but also in reminding people like Dennis and me not to lose that love for even those who persecute us.

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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 meal the faculty and staff will have for the day. Tea typically consists of…tea (and bread).

The Nile Vocational Institute is a boarding and day school in Jinja where students who wish to master a trade come to learn. As in America, these students could have performed poorly in primary or secondary school and still wish to have some way to provide for themselves. They could also be students who are interested in a particular course of study regardless of their scores. Hairdressing, mechanics, brick laying, and carpentry are just a few of the many trades taught here.

Pastor Fred’s sister is a teacher here and together they arranged for me to teach a short workshop to those students who will soon be exiting the school. As is not uncommon, communication failed to reach me about the desired length and content of the workshop. I’d prepared The Art and Science of Thinking for these students. Initially the administrator expressed a bit of disappointment but after the workshop was finished she was very excited about how practical and necessary creative and critical thinking skills are in the lives of every individual, particularly those just starting off on their own. She was so excited that she arranged an impromptu workshop immediately following lunchtime for those students whose schedules allowed them to return.

I’ve been invited to return and to bring the very same content again. After suggesting it might be wise to offer the workshop to faculty so that they can teach the principles in their own classes and then reinforce them with practical application, the administrator wholeheartedly agreed. I love seeing how Jesus takes something that got a little rumpled (time and content) and turns it into something wonderful for everyone.

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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 we will accept in America. And, well, we had a meeting to talk about the needs of the group and whether or not she was the right teacher to fill those needs. She agreed that she was and promised to improve for the good of the community. Please pray for us as I do believe she is a good teacher based on what I see from the students.

Students have recently requested “good” fabric so that they can begin making and selling their samples. Yea! I taught about creative and critical thinking and I believe they are starting to see the importance of creativity when it comes to entrepreneurship and work. I’ll reinforce that lesson as time progresses and we add other lessons to their toolbox.

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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.

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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 are happy and respond to their loving caretakers without fear.

This visit we shaded pictures of Jesus standing outside the tomb. I love that a tomb can be bright purple or neon blue. Children are so boundary-less! We talked about Easter and Jesus’ resurrection. We talked about how if we believe in Jesus then when we die we can be with him in heaven. The kids’ ages range from 1.5 to 6 years so we keep it short and simple. Seeds. Seeds.

After shading we ran outside to blow bubbles. 20 plus children running, jumping, slapping at bubbles…the joy of chaos.

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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 few short months ago Geoffrey was released, having served his two-year sentence with good behavior. He stays close to Carpenter John and attends church with him at Bugembe Methodist Church. When asked, Geoffrey said that he wanted to get theology training and become a real pastor. What an amazing testimony to the wonderful things God is doing inside those prison walls.

Carpenter John, by the grace of God, received approval to allow Geoffrey to attend a particular school and earn a certificate in theology…at no charge. Geoffrey is responsible for his books and school materials but he can attend classes for free and receive a certificate upon completion. When visiting Geoffrey recently, Carpenter John found him in a handmade mud shack by the side of the road. If I understand correctly, Geoffrey simply found a small space where he thought no one would disturb him and started making mud from the ground to build a little hut.

During that same visit, Carpenter John observed that there wasn’t a single thing in this man’s house…including food. When asked, Geoffrey said he had no food and he had not resorted to stealing food and instead gave God glory for his life. Last week I handed Carpenter John an embarrassingly small shilling note and said he could use that to pay for the fuel he’d used in taking me up to the prison and give the rest to Geoffrey. Instead John gave the whole thing to Geoffrey so that he would not be tempted to steal.

There’s more. A few days after I gave that money Geoffrey called. He said thank you for the money and that he chose to buy one of the many needed books for his class rather than to buy food. People, we have got to do something! Can’t we provide the books he needs so that whatever small money he can scrape up with tailoring or other work can be money for food? Can’t we believe God for even more than that? Can’t we believe him for food? I think that even $50 total will buy his books for the term and give him a tiny bit of money for food for one month.

Please understand that there is risk in such an investment…but the potential reward must far outweigh that risk. Will you join me? If you’d like to help Geoffrey become a pastor and/or eat, please click here.

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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 ladies with some chores around their house including picking a few of the choice pineapples for our enjoyment upon arrival.

The bread and butter was jajja Manjerry’s (Marjorie) favorite gift among the sugar, rice, and other small gifts. No bread and butter for these little old ladies who will likely never get off the island again before they die. Among the many things we chatted about, jajja Ida asked about Heidi and when she would return and she asked about my sister – the one who made them blankets – and asked when she would come visit too.

Only the two elder ladies were reclining at home while the younger was off working somewhere. I noticed their hearing was acute, their memories intact, and their bodies literally worked to the bone. Such dear ladies.

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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 to do with teaching children. Shock scarcely describes my response to this generous young man. He met me once, followed my blogs, and picked the place he wanted to make a difference. Then…he gave. So many people here – particularly young people – have scarcely enough to feed themselves and here this man was giving me what could have easily been a month’s wages. I am so blessed. Here’s the story of all that his gift, along with the gift of a few other generous Ugandan leaders, accomplished.

Two big boxes of supplies for the school, the teacher, and the children.

Before heading up to the newly built school on Bubembe Island (a structure accomplished due at least in part to Vickie’s dedication to changing the mindset of these families in helping them understand the value of education), Vickie distributed some basic school supplies to the parents. These supplies are part of the items required by the school that each child provide lest they be sent home.

Amidst the piles of school and teaching supplies – erasers, chalk, paper, binders, lesson books, flash cards, and so many other things I can’t even remember them all…we presented this teacher with toilet paper. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a big smile or heard such a loud cheer from the parents. Seriously…when was the last time you were excited about receiving toilet paper as a gift? As a matter of fact, don’t you get a little peeved if someone before you leaves the roll empty?

Thank you Alex and all the other people who made these supplies possible for the people of Bubembe Island School.

When was the last time you were THIS happy
to receive toilet paper?

The view from the school room.

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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 something very disturbing. We learned that the only pit latrines on the island belong to the newly built school. The ladies were told they were not allowed to dig holes on the island because the land didn’t belong to them. So…use your imagination about how exactly sanitation might function here. Now, combine that with the non-functional bore hole (fresh drinking water) and see what images your mind conjures up.

Vickie has been faithfully serving the people on this island for a few years now and I believe God has opened the doors for her to make a real difference in the lives of these people including those who preposterously suggest that no pit latrines can be dug. Please agree with us in prayer.

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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 any of my whiteness rubbed off on them. Someday they’ll realize their darkness rubs off on me (on accounta the dirt). I don’t even care, my precious ones. As soon as Kisakye spied me, the child residing on my lap was quickly displaced, but not without a fuss. Such beautiful smiles all around. I am so blessed.

Leslie Kisakye and Patience Kisakye

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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 some shelter. None-the-less, we often found ourselves holding on for dear life. As a Michigander, such waves are not unfamiliar to me. Yet our coxswain seemed not to know the value of steering into the wave rather than running parallel with it. Though drenched only a few times, we managed to arrive safely with no vomiting accidents by any of the horrified passengers.

Leaving Entebbe Behind

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