This is the hardest work Kami and I have ever done. Somedays there is so much need and we feel pulled so tight, we wonder what we got ourselves into. But, we are constantly reminded in moments of peace that it is also the most defining experience either of us have encountered trying every part of us. The most difficult problem is always trying to run a two homes and 3 schools on half the money fully needed. But, this is also one of the most rewarding experiences because it constantly puts us in the hands of God, completely reliant on his care. It is the situation of every organization in countries all over the world in this line of work: too much need and not enough support. But, every month for 10 months now, we have seen God take care of this home. Because of complications already mentioned, it had been 6 weeks without money when the monthly sponsorship came in Oct. 10th. And this was 1/3 of the amount we needed to make it through the month. Kami and I had both had individuals wanting to help sending money at times through our bank accounts and when the money ran out, we went to take the last bit of donation out of Kami's bank. It was getting very late and we had to go to a bank in the middle of the city. Kami put her card in, and I watched her face from outside the glass door grow frustrated and then helpless. The bank had feared her card had been comprimised and took it, saying a new card would be sent to her parent's address in Oregon. Suddenly, we were in the middle of the city, had no money to get home or for the home, and after 10 months of this life were pretty frustrated. We both walked a good ways and then a boda (motorcyle taxi) picked us up and said he would take us home. We told him we didn't have money and he said he didn't mind (he might have been an angel, we still don't know). We had spent the previous Sunday with a girl who was traveling through Uganda by herself spending her birthday with her and spoke with a lady she had met that weekend. This lady then went to Jinja and met two Norwegian girls who had come to Uganda with a program to teach, but found their jobs were in posh schools for the country's elite rather than children in need. They were looking for a place they could really invest. The lady we had spoken to for just minutes told them about us, they called, we picked them up and they came. They will be with the home for 6 weeks and brought money in for their stay and to help. Their names are Mira and Reuden and are fabulous. They love the kids and are helping us so much. It was such an answer to prayers. But it didn't stop. They had met a man for one evening while they stayed in a hostel who told them he and his girlfriend had raised 500 Euros to give to an orpahange. He came out days after they arrived and stayed with us for one night. After 3 hours at the home, he told us it was the place he wanted to donate the money. So sweet. We went from being in the middle of the city with no money, in more of a struggle then the home has been since we came to two volunteers and two donations within the same week. We know how many people pray for the home, and above all things, have seen how powerful it is in sustaining this home. Thank-you so much to all of you who keep us in your thoughts and prayers. The impact the home is having on these kids lives astounds even us.
Only one more month of school left! Which also means Kami has only 5 weeks left here! We both can't believe it. The children doing tests say they feel like they are doing well and the rest of the children all had mid-terms this week. I just finished administering mid-terms to every class which means I have a lot grading to do this weekend...kids think teachers have no homework...we have there's times the amount of kids in each class! So if your in school and reading this, do your homework. Everyone who was sick is healthy, our dog Fifi just had another liter of puppies (5 weird shaped hairballs we know will be cute in a few weeks) and the gardens and home looks beautiful.
Were so excited for the election and have an all night election party to attend with close friends in Kampala where we will sit and watch live what you are watching in the evening. Its going to be crazy close!
Happy Halloween this week. The razor blade in the apple was an urban myth so eat away kids.
We love you guys and will see you sooner than any of us think.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Trying to bring the pearly gates to the pearl of Africa
Hello from the Pearl of Africa. First, as always it seems, we must apologize for the elapsed time since our previous update. We are currently running on full cylinders in so many areas that to stop and report on all of it is both difficult in trying to encapsulate all of it, and also in trying to understand how transparent to be. With three schools and two homes, new needs arising every day, and a seemingly always depleted box to pull resources or money out of, we walk daily on a reliance of God and a struggle not to lose our minds.
So where to begin. With the bore-hole breaking and car collision both occurring in August we dropped behind a month's budget. Our current situation, which we hope to change in the time we return to the states, is a meager one; always just barely making it through each month looking back and asking how we did it. We live month to month on the sponsorship and aid you who support the home offer and like most families in the world, try to budget needs over wants providing for them the best we can, but watching so many fall through the cracks because we simply don't have the money. Its a headache, but we remind ourselves that this is the current position all over the world, and we certainly didn't think we would be living the high life in offering our time to work in a 3rd world country. It seems the state of the world to have more need than the resources to meet it. Or, perhaps the resources are simply misappropriated, either way, millions go hungry every day and millions have more need than can be met. Above all things though, there is a paradox in the need that develops offering a hunger and reliance on God deeper than ever before. Verses showing God as a provider speak loudly as comforts and there is a beauty in finding peace in him for the ability to provide daily meals.
Money ran out over two weeks ago and only through the grace of God have we been able to keep the home going. Your prayers are needed. They are powerful and they do bring help, so please keep offering them for the children and work going on here.
In the last post, we discussed the music tour. As stated, when the doors starting opening for it to happen, and advice from those who have worked in Africa for several decades showed us how much benefit a tour can have on the children's lives and in raising awareness and support for the home, we began taking steps to make it a reality. The constant prayer that Kami and I asked was for two things: that God would speak through people we trusted to show us whether or not to continue, and for him to close doors if it was not the right time. In response to feedback we have had from people we trust, and in looking at the current situation of the home, and of course the struggling economy in the states and all over Europe, we have decided that it is not the appropriate time for this kind of tour. When we are struggling to make it through each month, to raise money for a tour seems unethical (whether the tour's purpose is to bring in support or not.) It seems more appropriate to work through many of the volunteers who have brought up ideas for raising support, organizations and churches who have wanted to join in the mission, and other encounters we have made to find a sustainable income for the home through out the following year. If this is in place, then we can begin work on a music tour.
But, we are extremely content with all the benefits our work on the tour has already brought us. First, in beginning the work, both Kami and I saw the need for us to continue in this capacity at least for the following year and in whatever need follows. In short, we are still planning on returning and working here next year. Second, it opened many doors and excitement in churches and individuals not only for the music tour but in looking towards ways to be apart of the home in the future. It also prompted us to get paperwork and background documents on the children which has allowed us to begin a full filing system of each of their history's (two nurses from Tennessee are performing physicals and filling out medical sheets on the kids next week to add to those files). It has opened up doors to us in several levels of the government including passports, immigration, district officials and several others. And all of the work started can easily be continued even if it is some time down the road.
The rain continues to pour at least once a day, bringing booming vegetation, deep greens and lush gardens all around us. Each of the teachers, besides a salary are given a room to live in and a their own plot of land to grow food on. With these added to the gardens of the home, the compound looks beautiful. The rain brings with it sickness and more of the children have fallen ill recently but quickly recovered. I was down for a few days with a bad cold and chills, but also am feeling better.
There are so many struggles and so many rewards in work like this. On one hand there is the stress of money, meeting needs, budgets, paying workers, and directing the home, and on the other is watching kids grow up in front of you, bring home good reports from class and learn to tell time on a hand watch. There are chores and laughs, morning rituals before school, wrestling matches, singing and dancing, hide-and-go-seek and kick the can. There are hard times and trials which lead to such rewards in the good events and successes.
And there is the continual and never ending struggle to let go of ourselves and find that in giving them up we find such better lives in place. And yet, even when learned, the next day it is a struggle again.
The impossible and never-ending letting go.
So where to begin. With the bore-hole breaking and car collision both occurring in August we dropped behind a month's budget. Our current situation, which we hope to change in the time we return to the states, is a meager one; always just barely making it through each month looking back and asking how we did it. We live month to month on the sponsorship and aid you who support the home offer and like most families in the world, try to budget needs over wants providing for them the best we can, but watching so many fall through the cracks because we simply don't have the money. Its a headache, but we remind ourselves that this is the current position all over the world, and we certainly didn't think we would be living the high life in offering our time to work in a 3rd world country. It seems the state of the world to have more need than the resources to meet it. Or, perhaps the resources are simply misappropriated, either way, millions go hungry every day and millions have more need than can be met. Above all things though, there is a paradox in the need that develops offering a hunger and reliance on God deeper than ever before. Verses showing God as a provider speak loudly as comforts and there is a beauty in finding peace in him for the ability to provide daily meals.
Money ran out over two weeks ago and only through the grace of God have we been able to keep the home going. Your prayers are needed. They are powerful and they do bring help, so please keep offering them for the children and work going on here.
In the last post, we discussed the music tour. As stated, when the doors starting opening for it to happen, and advice from those who have worked in Africa for several decades showed us how much benefit a tour can have on the children's lives and in raising awareness and support for the home, we began taking steps to make it a reality. The constant prayer that Kami and I asked was for two things: that God would speak through people we trusted to show us whether or not to continue, and for him to close doors if it was not the right time. In response to feedback we have had from people we trust, and in looking at the current situation of the home, and of course the struggling economy in the states and all over Europe, we have decided that it is not the appropriate time for this kind of tour. When we are struggling to make it through each month, to raise money for a tour seems unethical (whether the tour's purpose is to bring in support or not.) It seems more appropriate to work through many of the volunteers who have brought up ideas for raising support, organizations and churches who have wanted to join in the mission, and other encounters we have made to find a sustainable income for the home through out the following year. If this is in place, then we can begin work on a music tour.
But, we are extremely content with all the benefits our work on the tour has already brought us. First, in beginning the work, both Kami and I saw the need for us to continue in this capacity at least for the following year and in whatever need follows. In short, we are still planning on returning and working here next year. Second, it opened many doors and excitement in churches and individuals not only for the music tour but in looking towards ways to be apart of the home in the future. It also prompted us to get paperwork and background documents on the children which has allowed us to begin a full filing system of each of their history's (two nurses from Tennessee are performing physicals and filling out medical sheets on the kids next week to add to those files). It has opened up doors to us in several levels of the government including passports, immigration, district officials and several others. And all of the work started can easily be continued even if it is some time down the road.
The rain continues to pour at least once a day, bringing booming vegetation, deep greens and lush gardens all around us. Each of the teachers, besides a salary are given a room to live in and a their own plot of land to grow food on. With these added to the gardens of the home, the compound looks beautiful. The rain brings with it sickness and more of the children have fallen ill recently but quickly recovered. I was down for a few days with a bad cold and chills, but also am feeling better.
There are so many struggles and so many rewards in work like this. On one hand there is the stress of money, meeting needs, budgets, paying workers, and directing the home, and on the other is watching kids grow up in front of you, bring home good reports from class and learn to tell time on a hand watch. There are chores and laughs, morning rituals before school, wrestling matches, singing and dancing, hide-and-go-seek and kick the can. There are hard times and trials which lead to such rewards in the good events and successes.
And there is the continual and never ending struggle to let go of ourselves and find that in giving them up we find such better lives in place. And yet, even when learned, the next day it is a struggle again.
The impossible and never-ending letting go.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The long, but important update.
After a few months of work without full disclosure Kami and I thought it was about time to divulge our future plans both for our lives and for the sustainment of this home.
When we first came, we both had dedicated 1 year, hoping to help those who need love and gain understanding on what Christ's asks each of us to do. We both had plans for after our time here, but quite a few things have changed for us in the last months.
Right now, our minds are focused on two things; the love we have found in working with these children and the long term sustainment of the home to continue this work for many more who will need help in the future.
We have seen God work actively, opening up doorways for us in all levels of the Ugandan government including the educational, financial, and immigration depts, as well as in the states with many individual people, churches, as well as groups like Blue Earth Farms wanting to get involved with this work. It has gone so much past just this home, but transitioned into us longing to be apart of a movement of people going to the sick, the marginalized and the least of these in the world.
Our place, for now, we feel is here working in this capacity.
Our primary purpose is to stay until the home is sustainable on all ends including financially, agriculturally, structurally, and in directorship, with Sam needing to retire.
So here is where we are:
Kami and I both have been planning on returning in January. Unfortunately, her flight could not be changed so she will now be returning in Dec. while I return in Jan. However sad this makes her (she definitely shed quite a few tears to have to leave the kids so early) it actually is a blessing because of what we are currently working on...
For everyone who doesn't know...we have begun planning a music tour for next year. Understandably, the idea to most seems incredibly naïve, and far too massive of an undertaking for us (and we did share this thought while it was still in conceptional form,) but let us explain:
Kami and I have been running the accounts of the home this year, and been going over the home's budget through out the years before we came. Currently, caring directly or educationally for over 50 children through the home in Kampala and the one in Kunungu village, with three schools, over 20 workers to keep them all going, and the constant everyday needs that come with raising children, the home needs around $3,000 USD. Through individual sponsorship and self-sustaining projects in place, we are receiving just over $1000 USD each month. We see two things from this. For us to only begin to understand the situation months before we left, and through word of mouth to have so many of you who support kid's lives join us in the work to bring in that much money each month is a true blessing. And, in light of the deficit each month, rather then dismay, we see it as such a beautiful tribute to the way God carries this home each month. God doesn't make money fall from the sky when his people are in trouble. He answers their prayers through other willing believers (and non believers) who have a heart for those in need. Although so difficult at times, in looking back over the last 9 months Kami and I are both moved to tears when we discuss the random traveler that came, fell in love with the kids and began raising money, for those who came for one night or a few weeks, went directly home and raised money through their church, for long time sponsors who heard about trouble and through one prayer breakfast raised money to meet needs immediately, for college students to bring money, gifts, support and ready-to-work hands to be with us, and then went home and are still working with us in support and planning for the future of the home. The list goes on and on with some people only hearing about the work second hand in another's conversation or address and emailing us to send money, letters,and supplies. Each month, the 2,000 dollar deficit has been met.
The only thing Kami and I have to boast in after the year we have been experiencing is the way God works through the lives of those who devote themselves to him.
This deficit still remains though and will continue to exist as the work moves forward and expands.
We have been praying and wrestling all year with ideas on how to meet this need. If we did return and raise the money for next year, when January came around again, the home would be back in the same situation. And even more, although we are satisfied in the work we are able to do through the home, we are living in a environment of absolute need, with millions more in this country and the ones surrounding it filled with young and old with no hope for life, let alone education. We will never be satisfied, nor should any of us, while we have the ability to help and offer nothing.
Our answer is to share the story with not only hundreds but thousands, and to do so, first hand allowing the kids from these situations, whose lives, smiles and voices sing everyday of hope be apart of affecting their own future through their God-given gifts.
We have sent out letters to many of you explaining the tour in full. If you have not received one, please forgive us, email us and ask for one to know all details.
The quick version is that we are currently working on passports and visas for the kids, as they during every school break and Saturday work with a famous Ugandan composer and songwriter (who luckily is a good friend of Sams') learning traditional African dances, instruments, and drumming. For the first months while at home, Kami and I will be raising the needed funds for plane tickets, and traveling through the country setting up shows through churches, groups, schools, venues and the traveling details between each. (Massive undertaking we know, but after what we have been doing for 9 months, we feel ready to handle anything) The kids will join us in the states during their first holiday break and for 4-6 weeks will tour the country sharing the story of the home, their lives and the many lives still desperately in need. In one month's time, the children will gain information and education that will last them a life-time through staying with invidual families, meeting their sponsors face to face, and coming to new understandings such as seeing there is poverty, homelessness and brokenness in the United States just like everywhere else. (Seeing mountains and snow for the first time, a flushing toilet or the inconceivable idea that we can cook dinner in less the 15 minutes.)
We want to open the eyes of thousands; to have them look at their children, know the life they want for them and to say, “I'm going to do the same for one more that has no hope.” We want people to see either how simple it is to invest in one child's life here by supporting their care and education , or be inspired to join the work themselves whether its here or in raising support or ideas there.
Stories move us. Hope moves us. Changed lives that show both let us see the story of Christ's grace better than through any other lens we know.
If you would like to be apart of the tour, to help in any way or to kindly remark its a horrible idea, please email us.
For now, we are moving forward with it, putting full trust in God for its success or failure. Either way, we are sure he will take care of this home and guide us in our work.
We love you all very much. We miss home from time to time but are so happy in the work.
When we first came, we both had dedicated 1 year, hoping to help those who need love and gain understanding on what Christ's asks each of us to do. We both had plans for after our time here, but quite a few things have changed for us in the last months.
Right now, our minds are focused on two things; the love we have found in working with these children and the long term sustainment of the home to continue this work for many more who will need help in the future.
We have seen God work actively, opening up doorways for us in all levels of the Ugandan government including the educational, financial, and immigration depts, as well as in the states with many individual people, churches, as well as groups like Blue Earth Farms wanting to get involved with this work. It has gone so much past just this home, but transitioned into us longing to be apart of a movement of people going to the sick, the marginalized and the least of these in the world.
Our place, for now, we feel is here working in this capacity.
Our primary purpose is to stay until the home is sustainable on all ends including financially, agriculturally, structurally, and in directorship, with Sam needing to retire.
So here is where we are:
Kami and I both have been planning on returning in January. Unfortunately, her flight could not be changed so she will now be returning in Dec. while I return in Jan. However sad this makes her (she definitely shed quite a few tears to have to leave the kids so early) it actually is a blessing because of what we are currently working on...
For everyone who doesn't know...we have begun planning a music tour for next year. Understandably, the idea to most seems incredibly naïve, and far too massive of an undertaking for us (and we did share this thought while it was still in conceptional form,) but let us explain:
Kami and I have been running the accounts of the home this year, and been going over the home's budget through out the years before we came. Currently, caring directly or educationally for over 50 children through the home in Kampala and the one in Kunungu village, with three schools, over 20 workers to keep them all going, and the constant everyday needs that come with raising children, the home needs around $3,000 USD. Through individual sponsorship and self-sustaining projects in place, we are receiving just over $1000 USD each month. We see two things from this. For us to only begin to understand the situation months before we left, and through word of mouth to have so many of you who support kid's lives join us in the work to bring in that much money each month is a true blessing. And, in light of the deficit each month, rather then dismay, we see it as such a beautiful tribute to the way God carries this home each month. God doesn't make money fall from the sky when his people are in trouble. He answers their prayers through other willing believers (and non believers) who have a heart for those in need. Although so difficult at times, in looking back over the last 9 months Kami and I are both moved to tears when we discuss the random traveler that came, fell in love with the kids and began raising money, for those who came for one night or a few weeks, went directly home and raised money through their church, for long time sponsors who heard about trouble and through one prayer breakfast raised money to meet needs immediately, for college students to bring money, gifts, support and ready-to-work hands to be with us, and then went home and are still working with us in support and planning for the future of the home. The list goes on and on with some people only hearing about the work second hand in another's conversation or address and emailing us to send money, letters,and supplies. Each month, the 2,000 dollar deficit has been met.
The only thing Kami and I have to boast in after the year we have been experiencing is the way God works through the lives of those who devote themselves to him.
This deficit still remains though and will continue to exist as the work moves forward and expands.
We have been praying and wrestling all year with ideas on how to meet this need. If we did return and raise the money for next year, when January came around again, the home would be back in the same situation. And even more, although we are satisfied in the work we are able to do through the home, we are living in a environment of absolute need, with millions more in this country and the ones surrounding it filled with young and old with no hope for life, let alone education. We will never be satisfied, nor should any of us, while we have the ability to help and offer nothing.
Our answer is to share the story with not only hundreds but thousands, and to do so, first hand allowing the kids from these situations, whose lives, smiles and voices sing everyday of hope be apart of affecting their own future through their God-given gifts.
We have sent out letters to many of you explaining the tour in full. If you have not received one, please forgive us, email us and ask for one to know all details.
The quick version is that we are currently working on passports and visas for the kids, as they during every school break and Saturday work with a famous Ugandan composer and songwriter (who luckily is a good friend of Sams') learning traditional African dances, instruments, and drumming. For the first months while at home, Kami and I will be raising the needed funds for plane tickets, and traveling through the country setting up shows through churches, groups, schools, venues and the traveling details between each. (Massive undertaking we know, but after what we have been doing for 9 months, we feel ready to handle anything) The kids will join us in the states during their first holiday break and for 4-6 weeks will tour the country sharing the story of the home, their lives and the many lives still desperately in need. In one month's time, the children will gain information and education that will last them a life-time through staying with invidual families, meeting their sponsors face to face, and coming to new understandings such as seeing there is poverty, homelessness and brokenness in the United States just like everywhere else. (Seeing mountains and snow for the first time, a flushing toilet or the inconceivable idea that we can cook dinner in less the 15 minutes.)
We want to open the eyes of thousands; to have them look at their children, know the life they want for them and to say, “I'm going to do the same for one more that has no hope.” We want people to see either how simple it is to invest in one child's life here by supporting their care and education , or be inspired to join the work themselves whether its here or in raising support or ideas there.
Stories move us. Hope moves us. Changed lives that show both let us see the story of Christ's grace better than through any other lens we know.
If you would like to be apart of the tour, to help in any way or to kindly remark its a horrible idea, please email us.
For now, we are moving forward with it, putting full trust in God for its success or failure. Either way, we are sure he will take care of this home and guide us in our work.
We love you all very much. We miss home from time to time but are so happy in the work.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The new libraray and play room. (Other bookshelf not shown) Thanks Laura!
Maps and Glue\\\\= wallpaper
Miquel & Dasha...our new friends from Spain and Cheq Republic...they found us online and showed up to help love the kids for a few weeks.
Every afternoon around 3 on the dot, the clouds look like this...The rainy season is like a timed sprinkler here. Ask me if it will rain today? Yup
Miquel & Dasha putting on a language lesson...English, Luganda, Cheq and Spanish translations. The kids did muy bien.
These were some of the pictures taken from Miquel and Dasha's camera.
More pictures from our computer of the holiday events coming soon...as soon as we learn why what went wrong with the internet browser.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Another holiday is coming to a close. This one was pretty long and with the time being the same back home, it feels like we are ending summer...when instead we are now heading into the 3rd and final school term. By now, Kami and I are seasoned teachers...which means very little...and the kids are set in their school routine for the year. This week will be there first back. Some of the older kids who have hard tests at the end of the year are pretty nervous (Meme in P7 getting ready for High school, and Muhammad in S.6 getting ready to graduate) Yet, it really does feel like the end of summer. So much happened during this holiday. The wedding with all its guests. Joe working witht the kids and heading back for school. Kevin Dyne coming to stay and work with the kids. And of course Laura...who came for the last month and was gracious closer. Joe came and helped more than Kami and I ever could have believed, teaching, bringing music, and helping on every area of need the home had including taking every bit of slack in my absense during my trip home. Kevin came in for several weeks and spent time the kids, helped paint and contributed to the home in the same gentle, quiet support he offers everywhere he goes. Laura came in and decided she was going to do in a month as much as anyone else would do in 6. With her help, we completely re-designed and re-built our library turning it into a cold, dark room, into the brightest, most welcoming room in the complex, with books in order, a blue carpet, bright colored walls, painting the kids got to help on, stools, and a table. Its a perfect place to do homework this next term and the kids love it. (This computer is incredibly slow, but we will have pictures up within a few days.) She also took all the kids swimming, which was an out of this world experience, since some had never been around water, let alone swam in it. She re-organized Kami's and my room, taught the kids how to paint, taught gutair lessons like Joe, helped in the kitchen, supported Kami in a million girl things I don't know about including someone of the same sex just to talk to. And, if none of this was not enough, with her help she organized a paint project each of the kids got to contribute to. The picture is two bannana trees, cut into 25 squares, each painted individually showing the kids' personalities...which is now being sent to New York for a benefit art show to raise money for the home.
And so the home keeps moving. Kami and I continually thank God for what he does through this home, and who he brings here. In this one holiday alone, several massive projects have begun, Joe brought new life, Kevin came and helped, Laura opened her heart and pulled everyone along with it, we had hardship, a broken borehole, a head-on collision in the car, lack of money, found money, so many sponsors shower me with support when I returned, and send boxes of supplies for Kami and the kids, pictures, new lessons, new friendships...and so much more.
We are so blessed to be apart of this work. The kids are thankful everyday for the food, the activities, the lessons and companionship. They are held, read to, loved and played with.
And none of it would be possible without your continual support. So, always, thank you.
And so the home keeps moving. Kami and I continually thank God for what he does through this home, and who he brings here. In this one holiday alone, several massive projects have begun, Joe brought new life, Kevin came and helped, Laura opened her heart and pulled everyone along with it, we had hardship, a broken borehole, a head-on collision in the car, lack of money, found money, so many sponsors shower me with support when I returned, and send boxes of supplies for Kami and the kids, pictures, new lessons, new friendships...and so much more.
We are so blessed to be apart of this work. The kids are thankful everyday for the food, the activities, the lessons and companionship. They are held, read to, loved and played with.
And none of it would be possible without your continual support. So, always, thank you.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Pictures!
Fetching water right before the re-construction of the bore hole. A huge thanks to the sponsors who pitched in to save us from a huge water emergency! It should be completed by Saturday.
Traditional dancers from the Laos tribe at Rachel's wedding.
The road leading to Kampala City School
Students at Kampala City school studying in a skeleton of a classroom. With many prayers and support, we will be adding onto the school to build more rooms and finish this one.
Traditional dancers from the Laos tribe at Rachel's wedding.
The road leading to Kampala City School
Students at Kampala City school studying in a skeleton of a classroom. With many prayers and support, we will be adding onto the school to build more rooms and finish this one.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Rain before the Sun
Life seems to always come in cycles. The rainy season has begun again, and this time the weather seems to match the state of the home. With the weather suddenly dropping in temperature, over half of the kids have become sick in one way or another, and everyone included Kami and myself have been dealing with conditions from colds to flu. Since the wedding the car has been in a head on collision, the borehole (our villages main sorce of water) has broke, we've had problems with 3 of our 4 staff members to the point of having to suspend 2 of them for a month, a temporary shortage in food has developed, and several other problems have arose. But as always, they are things that happen when running a home, and we see God's faithfulness and blessing everyday. Kevin Dyne from Portland, OR came to visit the home and spend time with the kids. Laura Peters, from Vancouver, Candada came in for a month and helped in many areas, including re-doing our entire library, bringing loads of art supplies and giving the kids lessons, as wells as putting together an art project, which is going to be sent to a benefit art show in New York. The work is a tree broken into 25 parts, each painted different by individual kids and then brought together for a beautiful mosiac. She is also in the process of helping us paint a mural on the entire wall in the sitting room for the kids. We will post pictures soon! A couple also some how found the home and came to work with us for around 10 days. Their names are Miquel and Dasha (probably spelt the names wrong and apologise for doing it) but there story is amazing. Miquel is from Spain, while Dasha is from the Cheq Republic, and both of them met through their company based in London. They have only seen each other for two weeks in the last 9 months of a relationship through phone calls and emails, but together they quit their jobs and are traveling through Africa for 3 months to help in areas they can, but also just to learn and explore the cultures and get closer to one another. There on a proper adventure, and have been such a blessing to have at the home. Sam's health has been good, but unfortunately now his wife Dorcas' has grown worse so please pray for her.
So its another month. Mishaps, downfalls, and struggles, new faces, new work and new blessings. The constant ebb and flow of an African orphanage. We seem to be on a proper adventures ourselves.
So its another month. Mishaps, downfalls, and struggles, new faces, new work and new blessings. The constant ebb and flow of an African orphanage. We seem to be on a proper adventures ourselves.
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