Week of Surprises!

For the last two Monday’s Helen, the previous tenant from the UK has come to visit. She has become a lovely friend with whom I have caught up with on several occasions and plan to join her when she visits a church she sometimes attends in Kampala’s suburbia. Helen works with CRANE, Children at Risk Action Network Keeping Children Safe. The entrance to their complex is on the back laneway just above Vivian’s home.

Last Monday Helen brought Ezra some Lego and together made a cow and blue aeroplane. On Tuesday and Wednesday I helped him build, among other things, a red racing car and a fancy house. He has gotten quite good at putting the blocks together from the instruction booklet, I’m hoping he will begin to use his own imagination to build other things.

Monday and Wednesday I was teaching the girls at Wakisa more about caring for their babies, Tuesday I have been spending at the house preparing and doing the usual house hold chores. I find because I am out most of the weekend I need Tuesday to catch up around the house and prepare lessons for Wednesday. Amazingly I still receive inquiries through the Cradle 2 Kindy website. It is a shame I am unable to help these parents or have someone to take over from me. Even when I return to Australia I will not be able to operate the business as I am no longer insured. It will be interesting to see what the Lord opens up for me while I’m in Australia. Mind you I already have a few adventures planned for this year. So stay tuned!

Wednesday the electricity went off again from around 10am to 5pm. Fortunately I was out most of this time so my refrigerator door remained closed. It was a bit of a nuisance though, when I returned home after stocking up on milk! Looking on the brighter side, my freezer was once again defrosted. The last of my milk, I had put in the freezer before leaving home and fortunately by the time the power was back on it was still cold so none was wasted.

Thursday, after a large wash, it rained off and on all day till 5pm when the sun came out. Perfect timing as I was meeting Helen for a chat. Although I also planned to meet Mally at midday I was glad I had remained to take my washing off and on the line as it was nearly dry by the time I came home at 7pm.

This week has also brought a tragedy. Dorcas and Ezra who have been living with Vivian for over six years have moved out over what I believe was a misunderstanding. I understand they are now living with her friends. It is very sad and I miss them both especially my little companion who has kept me company on many an occasion.

Good news is I was eventually able to contact Operation Uganda.  After several emails back and forwards between us, I finally spoke to Pamella their Ugandan social worker and arranged for her to pick me up on Sunday for church. My sponsor child Luke had waited all Saturday to meet me and was very disappointed I hadn’t arrived. Pam had tried calling me several times but I think the network had been having problems as I didn’t even receive a missed call!

Sunday morning Pam arrived, we shared a Boda Boda back to the church which is in the Operation Uganda’s compound. The previous night I had made Luke a simple trifle in a large takeaway cup. I had no custard so instead put in mini marshmallows. On arrival we put it in the office fridge and as I came out of the office I saw a familiar face rushing towards me. I received a warm embrace, nearly being lifting me off the ground! Luke was so excited to see me, he is 17 yrs old and nearly as tall as I am. We were both delighted at being able, after eight years of corresponding, to finally meet face to face. Of course we sat together in church, Luke proudly introducing me as his mummy. During the praise and worship several children came up and greeted me. At one time I was surrounded by four little girls all wanting to hold my hand and dance with me. I felt I was a representative of the overseas sponsors for all the sponsor children here. During the service I was also given an opportunity to speak to the congregation. The church was full of children many of whom are sponsor children ranging from their teens to pre-schoolers as well as families from the village and staff from Operation Uganda. I took the opportunity on behalf of all the sponsor parents to say what a blessing it was to be part of God’s work here in Uganda.

After the service I was invited to stay and join them for lunch. During this time I gave Luke some of the coins I had gathered on my travels. He said he was sorry he was unable give me any gifts to show me his gratitude for all I had done for him. Of course I wasn’t expecting him to give me anything, it was just such a joy to be able to see him in person. I suggested instead he could introduce me to his mother, brothers and sisters while I was here.

At the moment Luke is waiting for his school results, he is hoping to continue his study so that he can eventually become a lawyer. I asked him in what field of law did he want to be a lawyer. His reply was, definitely not in criminal law. He didn’t want to be asked to support anyone who was guilty. I understood his decision and stand for his beliefs as he is a very upstanding Christian young man and couldn’t go against his convictions and Christian ethics.

After lunch and just before we parted, I gave him the treat I had made. We then said our good byes before Pam and I left him at the gate promising to catch up with him again on Thursday. Pam then came back with me for a chat and a hot cup of chocolate with mini marshmallows.

As some of you know I have for many years now suffered with poor sleep. Mainly, I believe due to my work as a Mothercraft Nurse doing night shift. It seemed to be under control with the medication my gynaecologist had put me on before leaving Sydney but on occasions things go haywire. Recently I have been struggling to get a good night’s sleep some time due to the noises waking me during the night and just lately not even being able to get to sleep for hours. This morning I woke after 2am and couldn’t sleep till just before 5am. Sleep deprivation is a terrible thing which can affect many areas of our life. I’m told it’s a part of getting older but I refuse to accept this. I’m one who would like to enjoy at least 8 hours of solid sleep!

Photos:   1.Tree at the back gate   2. Ezra building Lego   3. Selfie Luke and Me   4. Me speaking in Jordan House Church     5. Luke enjoying his desert   6. Dorcas and Ezra

Prayer & Praise Points:
Thank You Lord for making it possible for me to connect with Operation Uganda and to finally meet Luke, my Ugandan son. What a blessings to see he had grown into a young man of God.

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 pray for Dorcas, Ezra and Vivian, that they will know the Lord’s leading and wisdom.

Pray also for Luke that he’s exam results will enable him to continue his studies and fulfil his desire to become a lawyer. Please pray that I will also be able to continue to support him through his further education.

Pray also that the Lord may totally restore my ability to sleep well.

Pray that I might continue to have His wisdom and leading for the remaining month I have in Uganda.

Please continue to praise Him for my general good health, provision and protection especially as we approach the national elections.

Please pray for peace to prevail in Uganda as they approach their elections on 17^th of February.  May there be peace and may God provide an upright man who will bring positive change to Uganda.

Please also pray that I might find a house sit or something similar from the end of March as I may not be able to stay at my mother’s house indefinitely during my stay in Perth. I will not be needing something long term as I plan to be in and out of Perth on several trips during the year.

Thank you for continuing to pray for my mum’s health and wellbeing.  She sounds well although a little forgetful. No, she hasn’t forgotten who I am! She is just needing to be reminded of the date I’m arriving and that I, not a student, will be moving back into the spare room on 29^th February.