Here There n Everywhere

Like taking a child to wonderland is how I describe introducing Luke, my sponsor child (of 17yrs old) to the Acacia Mall, I had left home a little earlier to have a quiet cappuccino at Broods my favourite coffee shop in Kampala. It is a shared premises with a Christian book shop which also plays local and international Christian music. It’s a lovely place just to relax and also to watch passes by which I also enjoy. This Saturday two Mzungu (I’d spelt it incorrectly before) came in and ordered tea. They sat at the table next to mine but after a short introduction I joined them at their table to hear about all the exploits they were involved in here in Uganda. These lovely mature ladies are from the UK but are both now Ugandan residence. One lady had just had an eye operation and couldn’t see very well out of that her only good eye. She had her fingers in many pies, caring and helping in several NGO’s some of which she had founded herself. In particular rescuing and caring for the handicap. She had some amazing stories of lives being transformed through education, support and Christ’s love.

Eleven o’clock rocked by and passed and Pam and Luke had still not arrived (must be running on African time). I gave her a call and she said Luke was on his way so they would be coming soon. Just after twelve o’clock I received a call to ask directions. I handed my phone over to the local behind the counter at Broods who instructed the Boda Boda where Acacia was. By twelve thirty I receive another call. “We are outside they won’t let us in”. Won’t let you in? I walked to the entrance as they were going through the scanners. Everyone is scanned as they enter business premises even the cars as a safety precaution against terrorist attacks.

Pam and Luke said they had never been into such a big complex. I showed them around going up the elevator for their first time and then down the escalator. I went ahead to show how it was done then Luke. I had reached the bottom and people were collection behind them. Eventually Luke plucked up the courage to take a step forward they guy behind gave Luke a bit of space before following. Poor Pam had pulled out in favour of the stairs. We all had a good laugh over the experience. We wandered around the supermarket and some of the stores. I took a photo of Luke in front of a mannequin so he could keep it as a seed of faith for when he finally becomes a lawyer.

After our exploration I ordered three of my favourite ice creams in a cone to treat them before we headed out. It’s the best ice cream in all of Kampala! Or so I reckoned! Unfortunately unlike Australia the food court prices at these places are more like restaurants so we decided to ask if there were any local food shops. There was just around the corner so after our relaxing ice cream seated at a posh coffee shop we strolled around the corner for fried chicken and chips for a fraction of the price.

By this time it was well after 2pm, Pam and Luke headed back into town to buy some things for this years students and I walked home. It was overcast and spitting with rain but I stayed dry reaching after taking a back way I had just learnt from the Boda Boda. It had been a wonderful day.

That night I wanted to put my latest blog up. This means I use up quite a bit of data uploading photos and checking how things look. I was down to 3.5GB which was about to expire on 14 February when I was going to get a week of data to carry me over till my flight late Friday 19^th.  After finishing my blog, posting it on facebook and sending out the email to inform people. I check my data. I was totally shocked and amazed to find I had 4GB which will expire on 6th March!!!!  Where had this data come from? I thought there must be an error so kept checking even the following day Sunday I kept checking not believing my eyes! It was still there minus what I have used on Sunday. When you have paid for more data (which I usually do in the shop so I can pay it on my bank card) you get a SMS notification of how much you recharged. I checked my SMS messages, there was nothing and anyway I had been home it had been after 9:30pm when I checked my data. It had to be a blessing and provision from the Lord! No one else knew my needs and who would give me 1 GB of data?   I can only explain it was a miracle and a total blessing. Thank you Lord for Your provision in abundance!

Helen had invited me to join her this Sunday in a church she had previously been involved with in an urban village not far from where I was staying. She met me at the cathedral and together we took a Boda Boda which dropped us at the church. The church had started as just a church building which provided a day care centre for the community. It had grown to providing a primary school and was now expanding to more school rooms in a two story construction just outside the church compound. After church we were invited to lunch before heading back home. It was lovely to see and experience more of Kampala’s urban life.

Monday back at Wakisa, I was feeling rather sad as I knew my time with them was drawing to an end. After class I watched the girls on kitchen duty prepare Posho, a maize flour dish for lunch. The flour is first boiled, without salt, in a large pot till it is thick and holding together in a solid lump. It is then wrapped in many layers of banana leaf and tied together before squeezing it into a saucepan which is also lined with banana leaves. The pot is then placed on the fire and more banana leaves placed on top to steam, infusing the flavour and smell of the banana leaves. When ready it is served with the main meal of vegetables (usually cabbage), beans, meat and gravy which is commonly eaten with your fingers.

Nakato, who lives with Vivian, was one of the Wakisa girls her baby is now at the Nafasi baby home which is just a short walk from the house. This home is well run and doesn’t have many babies, they also have volunteers who come to care and help with the children. Unfortunately due to circumstances not all girls who come to Wakisa are able to return home with their babies. Nakato, who is hoping to finish her studies and become a nurse doesn’t have family to care for her baby but is happy to be able to visit her from time to time at the home.

Once again on Thursday I was able to visit Operation Uganda at Jordan House. I arrived and noticed the children were in the kitchen. I was told here was a Master Chefee competition, Ugandan style, under way. Two teams were competing, I was asked to be one of the judges. It was lots of fun especially during the tasting. Our youngest judge was five although she looked the size of a three year old. She is one of the recent children looking for a sponsor this year. She was very malnourished and underweight, since coming every day and being fed has now put on weight and looking much healthier. Luke on the other hand had come down with Malaria.

Malaria is a common illness here in Africa. People know the symptoms which usually starts with a severe headache, fever and body aches. A quick trip to the local pharmacy for medication and then rest, when and where possible. Luke thought I might be disappointed if he didn’t come but I reassured him he was to put his health first even thought I was pleased to spend time with him again before I left.

Things seem to be building up with the elections just around the corner. There are frequent vehicles passing with loud speakers calling to all, encouraging them to vote for their party member. Loud music and the Vuvuzela blasting through the streets and villages. I passed a ute, when walking back from the Mall on Saturday, which was decked out in blue and white colours of its party member. People were running up to the vehicle to catch T shirts that the delegate was throwing into the crowds from her stand at the back of the ute. I was also surprised to see people giving her money, I presume to help with her campaign.

Photos:   1. Purple hedge flower   2. Tea for two English ladies   3. Brood coffee shop   4. Luke conquers the escalators   5. Cafesserie ice-cream treat   6. School extensions   7. Maze meal – Posho    8. Posho into pot   9. Master Chefee   10. The four judges   11. Waiting teams

Prayer & Praise Points:
I don’t have long to go before leaving and I’m amazed at all the opportunities the Lord has given me while I’ve been here in Uganda. The amazing people I have met, places I’ve gone and experiences I’ve had. Thank You Lord.

Praise the Lord for the opportunity to sponsor Luke and being able to visit him and his family while I’m here. Please pray for Luke’s health and speedy recovery from Malaria.

Praise the Lord for organisations such as Operation Uganda and Wakisa Ministries who minister into the lives of many young people in need. Praise Him for the dedicated staff, volunteers, supporters and sponsor parents who bring hope in practical and spiritual ways to these communities.

Please continue to pray for Dorcas who is recovering from a tooth abscess and for Ezra who is away from the only extended family he know.

Please continue to praise Him for my general good health, provision and protection especially as we approach the national elections next week. I depart late Friday 19^th which is a day after the elections. Please pray that I have a safe journey to the airport and no departure delays.

Please continue to pray for peace to prevail in Uganda as the country goes to the voting polls on this week.  May there be peace and may God provide an upright man who will bring positive change to Uganda.

The Lord has answered prayer re house sitting for both April and May.  I’ll be looking after mum’s friends home as well as her dog part in May she has also offered me the use of her car which is another blessing.  Please continue to believe with me for other opportunities while I’m in Perth as I’m not be able to stay indefinite at my mother’s house. I do not need something long term as I plan to travel a bit while I’m back in Australia.

Mum’s health is stable praise the Lord. She still suffers from memory loss with seems to have been aggravated through the loss of her long-time companion Sam, her Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Please keep mum in your prayers as she grieves his loss.