We’re civilized again! Well, so to speak… This last week, with our good friend David (an mechanical engineer helping oversee the building of a school near us) we put in a ceiling in the guest room to get ready for 8 guests coming from a college in Colorado. While we were on the ladders we discovered some electrical wires. This got us thinking, and by the end of the day we had run wires to Kami and my room and for the first time in 4 months we now have a working light. No more stumbling in at night, searching for matches, and lighting the kerosene lamps. (This is actually untrue as Kampala only has electricity sporadically and you never know when it’s going to be on or not.) The lamps are always still necessary. Although the holidays were supposed to be a break for us, life at the home has actually gotten busier. The last week has been unbelievably stressful with problems or needs arising in every part of the home, including dealing with strife among the teachers and new headmaster at the primary school. It was like rain. One thing went wrong, a few minutes later our door was knocked on again with another problem brought by someone else, then another, and when we started leaving to town to address some of the issues the car began misfiring and stopped working. Whew! There is nothing that will make you grow up faster than running a home. But, its always good work.

Despite the problems, one of the nicest parts about the holiday has been our ability to garden and work with the kids in the morning and play in the afternoon. Kami just got some long ropes and today they are getting their first dose of Double Dutch jump roping. Chicken pox hit the home and the oldest boy got pretty sick. We debated back and forth whether or not to let the small boys rub against him so they all get it now when they are younger and it causes less harm to the body (as well as doesn’t make them miss any school.) I’ve never been in favor of giving someone a virus on purpose, but Kami said it would be for the best. In the end, we compromised by not telling the kids to stay away from him, so nature could take its proper course. It’s been over a week now, Muhammad is healthy and no one else became sick. We’ll see how the next week goes.

This is the last weekend of the break and on Monday its back to school and back to daily schedules. With as much has happened lately, both Kami and I are struggling to add on class prep work again, but we’ll fight through it. The kids always look forward to school though. (So strange)

Thank-you again to all the sponsors. Each of the kids know you by name and its not to uncommon to hear one of the small boys walking by saying a first and last name over and over as if everyday he needs to rememorize it incase one of you just show up. They are always so thankful. Every night after singing and dancing they say their prayers and I’ve never known a night to go by where they didn’t thank God for your support and for him to keep you safe.

Keep the home in your prayers.

With love, Chris & Kami

Musisi, the beautiful artist.
This is daily cooking. Every meal prep time, apprx 2 hrs.
Kami is a horrible influence on the boys
David explaining British 240 watt electricity to Chris.
The gardening crew.
The maze is looking good.
These kids never leave our side, or our clothes.


Lunch time. Posho and Beans

April Was Rough

Hey Everyone,

During the month of April, a lot has happened at home that has exceeded our usual budget provided for through child sponsorship support. The home's car broke down, badly damaged from the rough roads here as we traveled between the home in Kampala to the one in Kunungu. Food prices have risen, several workers children became very sick and asked the home for money to take them to the hospital, many of the kids needed extra supplies for school this term such as new pants or a scientific calculator for physics. These are just things that arise when raising over 50 kids, but none of which is out of God's hand in providing for the home.
This post is a request for extra help this month. For anyone reading it and able to help, we are asking for any aid possible. Even if its an extra 10.00 this month, every bit helps. All of it will go directly to the immediate needs of the home.
Please send any support to
Dorcas Children's Home
P.O. Box 762
Dallas, OR 97338
Thank-you to everyone who has already done so much in providing for these children.
God Bless.

Bonfire, singing, and marshmellows

Firewood loaded and ready to make a measly bonfire.
Hassan and Kami make the marshmellow sticks...aka deadly weapons.
Chris and a few select boys attempt to light the bonfire.
Abudduh, Nakato, and Balya try their best to master the art of marshmellow eating.
Reagan and Sebuma happily eating the remains of the sticky sweet goodness.