Saturday was a time at home catching up with work and washing but by 8am the power was off. Although there are frequent power failures, not many people in Uganda can afford generators or sola power backup, another reason many people don’t have fridges. I do, and what’s worse it has to be switched off when the power goes to prevent a power surge so as not to blow your electronics when power comes back on. Thankfully the universal adaptor I bought in Thailand has a power surge protector so I plugged the fridge into that when I went to bed just in case the power came on when I slept. It didn’t. In the morning I tried not to open the fridge except to get out my breakfast things as I was hoping my food would stay cool and not go off. The leftover chicken I had kept from lunch with the World Share team was in the freezer but by now would have defrosted so would have to be eat.
That afternoon, there had been a call from Wakisa for Vivian to receive visitors from a local bank who had brought food and products for the Ministry. She asked if I could go in her stead as she was attending another wedding. December is a time of weddings here in Uganda. I’ve even seen Christmas light at the mosque celebrating the birth of Jesus. It’s strange the west has such a thing about political correctness whereas no were else that I know even cares and many, although they may have a different religion also celebrate Christmas!
The staff from the bank had brought sacks of rice, sugar, beans and flour as well as toiletries and stationary. It was such a blessing as Wakisa survives on the donations and support of not only the overseas supporters but also the local business and individuals who give so generously.
Wakisa Ministries is stepping out in faith with a very big venture in 2016, the building and staffing of a birthing centre. Their aim is to provide a safe and friendly environment for the girls to deliver their babies. At the moment they are one on thousands in a public hospital where they tend to be forgotten and worse, neglected because of their circumstances. The land, which is at present is being used to grow some of Wakisa’s fruit and veg, will soon be cleared to make way for the new building project. If you feel God is prompting you to be part of this venture please email Wakisa so that we can provide you with the details.
The electricity was still off when Gloria picked me up for church the following day. Wakisa Ministries were asked to attend a Sunday service at the Mavuno Church. Gloria, three of the girls and I attended and spoke about the work of Wakisa and their future vision. We were warmly welcomed and given a very generous offering for the ministry. When I was dropped back home, the girls and Gloria were invited in for a drink and photo’s around Vivian’s Christmas tree which Emma, Dorcas and Ezra where just putting up.
t was only then that the power came back on. It had been off since around 8am Saturday and remained off till 1:30 pm Sunday. I was told it had been down in many areas due to a problem at the dam. I was just please my fridge was now working and I could charge my tablet and phone!
The celebrations of the previous week continued with a Christmas party at Wakisa on Monday. A sponsor had donated money and food was bought. The girls had decorated the room transforming it into a festive occasion. I took this opportunity to buy the girls a small gift which I would wrap at home. I also bought ingredients to make a trifle which I intended to take to the Christmas family gathering I had been invited to by Vivian. That afternoon Dorcas and Ezra helped me make two trifles.
Tuesday the Wakisa team had been invited to a seminar put on by Paul and Amy Sutherland who run seminars to help NGO and private companies improve productivity. It was a day of discussion and strategizing over how we can improve and service the girls better. It was interesting to hear what others had to say they thought were important, including how we can better help the babies and ongoing support for the mothers. Now these things will need to be prayed about and God willing in 2016 we will see them begin to come to pass.
Th
at evening on arriving home I was off out again this time with Dorcas to visit a girl from Wakisa whom she had befriended. Dorcas had two bags heavy with rice, sugar, meat and other foods to take to the village. We took a taxi (mini bus) into the city where we boarded another taxi heading to the village. These taxi load up with people before leaving or lean out of the window calling for passengers as they travel their particular route. The first taxi we squeezed in sharing a seat from then on we decided the front seats were far more comfortable. It took some time for the taxi to fill with passengers, in the meantime we sweated it out on the front seats in the sun. We soon headed north then turned east traveling about an hour before we hit a traffic jam. Arriving at the town we took a Boda boda (motorbike) to the village where Elizabeth was staying with her grandmother who watched her baby, David, while she worked. It wasn’t long before Elizabeth arrived during which time granny was bathing David. We couldn’t stay long and were soon walking back to the road to catch another Boda boda into town and a taxi into Kampala. 
The traffic was really bad but we eventually arrived around 8pm and wandering through the local night markets where I was able to pick up a few gifts I needed for Christmas.
On Wednesday I accompanied Vivian to the bank and then out shopping. I had suggested that I pay for Vivian’s shopping so that she could pay me in Ugandan shillings, that way I didn’t have to bother with the poor exchange rate. I could then pay off my card from my Australian account and have local cash to spend. It was a busy morning.
That afternoon I walked to Wakisa twice on errands for Vivian. I enjoy the walk although walking beside a road without footpaths can be a bit tricky with the traffic, you have to keep looking down for the potholes, rocks and gullies as well as avoid the oncoming traffic and Boda boda drivers weaving around other vehicles. All day I had had a saw throat and by the evening it wasn’t any better. I dosed myself up with Vitamin C, Echinacea and Olive tree extract and prayed for a speedy recovery. Before crashing into bed I had 23 gifts to wrap for the Wakisa girls and one for Rachael the staff member on duty.
After tossing and turning all night with a blocked nose I was woken by the night guard talking loudly on his phone right outside my door. After asking him to kindly move somewhere else, I crashed out till 9am. Still feeling heavy headed I dragged myself out of bed but soon found myself returning and snoozing till 10am when I ate some breaky then wrote out name cards and a scripture verse for the girls gifts. By 3pm after a snack for lunch I was back in bed sleeping till 6:30pm. Christmas Eve! As you may have guessed I couldn’t sleep till late having slept most of the day.
Christmas Day! I was feeling much better, praise the Lord! Today I had been invited to Vivian’s son’s farm where the family were gathering for Christmas lunch celebrations. Before we left Michael, who works at Wakisa, came to give Vivian a card the girls had made for her. On returning he was able to take my gifts back to the girls.
The farm was about an hour out of town along a very dusty road full of potholes. 
Fortunately the traffic wasn’t too bad and our cargo of food wasn’t too rocked about. Barbara (Vivian’s niece) and I held the trifles as they were in class bowls. It was a wonderful day full of feasting and chatting. I also took time to look around the farm. It was a dairy farm which also had quite a few bananas of different varieties, a vegi garden and herbs grown at the front door as well as chickens, which were twice the size of hens at home! Such a peaceful environment it was lovely just to breath in all the fresh air. We left just after 5pm as we needed to be back before sunset.
You guessed it I slept well that night.
Photos: 1. Bananas on farm 2. Wakisa girls singing Christmas carols with bank staff 3. Wakisa girls and Gloria at Mavuno Church 4. Me with girls at church 5. Wakisa Christmas party for girls and staff 6. Dessert at hotel for Wakisa seminar 7. Bathing David 8. Christmas lunch 9. Vivian’s family getting ready for family photo
Prayer & Praise Points:
Thank you Lord for then ministry at Wakisa reaching out and supporting these young girls in need. Thank you for the opportunities to help and to be a blessing to others.
I praise Him for His continual provision, protection and health.
Praise the Lord for the work that Wakisa Ministries is doing here in Uganda.
Please continue to pray that Wakisa Ministries may fulfil their goal to build and staff a birthing unit.
Praise Him for all the hard working staff at Wakisa and the work they are doing in assisting these girls with their babies.
Please also pray for Uganda as the people prepare for elections in February 2016. May they be peaceful and may God provide an upright man who will bring positive change to Uganda.
Please continue to keep Vivian in your prayers that the Lord will grant them favour and wisdom as they fulfil the official requirements to officially registering the organization.
Please continue to pray for my safety and health.
Thank you for continuing to pray for my mum’s health and wellbeing. Her boarder has just moved and I’m sure she would appreciate our prayers for a speedy adjustment to her new situation. Your prayer support will be much appreciated as she will be living on her own till my return. If you know anyone who might need short term accommodation till end of March, please let me know.