Tuesday, December 29, 2009

After the Holidays . . .

Sarah and ?????? enjoying some time in Jinja. This little girl crawled into Sarah's lap and stayed there for more than an hour. We asked her name many times, but never quite understood what she answered. Her mom/sister ??? was nearby, but never came to greet us . . .
This is "Vanessa", Acacia's birthday present and my current source of stress!!!!! Seems some potty training is in order . . .

Sarah and Grandma taught Kevin and Acacia to make clothes from old socks for their bears. They both enjoyed the project and time with their cousin and Grandma.






A family photo for the season . . .






Being that the holidays are here, we gave time off for those who help us keep things going around the house. This meant that there was no one coming to fetch water for us. Toby and Abraham stepped into help and they were a GREAT help!!!
So, Papa and Grandma and Sarah stepped onto a plane late Sunday night as we again bid goodbye to family members. This period is always tough on the kids, but also difficult for us as we try to comfort them while dealing with our own emotions. We have had amazing visits with both my mom and nephew and Geoff's parents and niece. It is such a blessing to us that they all were able to come visit and see us here in the life we now lead. Having them with us boosts us and encourages us. We are so grateful to God that He enabled them to travel over the big blue to be here for a time.
We now turn our attention to the upcoming year and the fine-tuning of our vision and focus. We are in prayer to God for His plan and for our own well-being in the process. We are where He has planted us and are sure of His hand on us, but the specifics for these next few months, the new school term, the preparing for furlough next summer are all things we present to Him and ask for focused clarity. We have you in our thoughts as we pray that you, too, present yourself to Him and allow Him to guide you.
Happy New Year and many blessings for the year ahead!!!!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

This and That



A walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park. Notice the zebras in the back ground. It was amazing to walk so near the animals!


Acacia and Toby relaxing with Grandma at the Mihingo Lodge after hunting animals.




Geoff and I at the Mihingo Lodge. It is built on the top of a high rocky hill and is gorgeous.

Kevin, Acacia and Sarah goofing around at the Mihingo Lodge.


Reading stories with Papa at home














Papa and Grandma enjoying being with the grandkids.

Decorating the Christmas tree and giving out special ornaments to Sarah and the grandparents!


The grandparents and niece arrived late Saturday the 5th and we got to the hotel in Entebbe about midnight. Early the next morning we set off for New Hope as Geoff was significantly involved in the morning church assembly that day. We had a special family service in which we "launched" many of our former children and those who are just now preparing to adventure into the areas for which they been trained. We gave them certificates, commissioned them, prayed for them and emphasized that they were still a part of the family, but "out there" as lights in the world--representatives of New Hope and of all they've been taught of the Gospel. After focusing on the young people we turned our attention to a wedding ceremony of the father of one of Geoff's recent graduates of the vocational tailoring program. He has a unique story and has found someone in a similar situation with whom he desires to share his life in marriage. It was a beautiful service and the congregation rejoiced with them as they start their new life together.

Many of the New Hope kids left Saturday the 12th for their Christmas holidays. We returned yesterday evening to a very quiet New Hope as we had spent the past 4 1/2 days touring southwestern Uganda with Papa, Grandma and Sarah. It was a fantastic safari and adventure, but we are happy to be home!!!

Hassan has been sick and needed to go to Kiwoko hospital last night as he has malaria. Last week he received a new Gastric tube to aid him in eating. He had a rough time the first few nights and now the malaria has him down. He will recover fine as he is receiving good care and appropriate treatment at the hospital, so my request for prayer is not just for him, but also for Kate who cares for him. She is quite tired and weary due to all that has gone on with him these past two weeks. Fortunately, we have older and responsible girls in David Family who can also stay at the hospital with him so that Kate can get some sleep! And after we returned home last night (and before he went to the hospital) I was able to assess him for her and give some suggestions which she welcomed. Unfortunately, I couldn't do more as shortly after that both Geoff and Acacia threw up and I became pretty busy with all that. I think it was something we ate that seemed to affect them more than the rest of us because it was just one time for both and then they both felt better.

We will be home for a few days here and then off to Jinja for the weekend to show the family another part of Uganda. We will take Nabukeera, the girl we have sponsored for the past few years, with us and she and Sarah will be roommates. Should be a fun time for all of us. Pray for all of us to be healthy!!!!!
And lastly, but most exciting to report, this is a picture of a hyena!!! We were out hunting for animals in the middle of the day (from our van--not on foot!!!) and saw a number of hyenas preying on cows. This was very unusual as hyenas are nocturnal and don't usually hunt, but scavenge off of the kill done by other animals.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Recovering and Looking Forward

It’s been a week!!!!! Due to the kids’ sickness, not only did we miss Thanksgiving with the other Americans, we missed (or at least me-Mary) most of the end-of-year activities. The kids were still too sick to attend the secondary school closing ceremony on Friday, have Acacia’s birthday party on Sunday (she turned 7!), or go to the graduation for the vocational school students on Monday, or the seminar for the staff we had Tues and Wed on the authority of scripture. Toby and Acacia are finally back to 100% and Kevin is at about 80%. At this point he just needs to bulk up and take it easy.

I’m thankful for God’s faithfulness to keep us during this very trying week! It’s soooo difficult to watch your kids struggle with pain and illness and to lose so much weight!!!! God strengthened us and we are glad to be on the other side of the last 7 days!!!!!

Kevin ate his first real meal on Wednesday (exactly one week from the start of the illness). It was at the luncheon to appreciate the primary and secondary teachers, Uncle Josh and Auntie Leah who have so aptly and lovingly taught our kids since July and August respectively. Josh taught Kevin and Acacia all their subjects with the exception of art (thank you Auntie Kathryn) and music (I did that one and OH did we have fun!!!) He taught, PE, drama, art and science to Toby. Before Auntie Leah came and took over the program for the secondary students, Uncle Josh—trained as a first grade teacher—tried his hand at teaching secondary level math and science in the afternoons. He was VERY HAPPY to see Auntie Leah arrive (!!!!!!), though he did a fine job filling in where needed!
Uncle Josh surrounded by his group of primary and secondary level missionary students. After school hours he also taught many of our staff kids and New Hope kids guitar. They have highlighted their own compositions in two different praise/worship nights.

And now we turn our attention to the arrival of Geoff’s parents and niece, Sarah! We will travel to Entebbe tomorrow in anticipation of their arrival on Saturday!!!!! They will be here until the Sunday following Christmas and we are ALL very excited!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Our Thanksgiving was quite different than we'd planned! All of the Americans were to meet and bring potluck dishes to the guest house for a yummy meal including fresh turkey. But yesterday our kids all came down with a stomach yuck: 1st kevin, then Toby and in the middle of the night, Acacia. We've been busy all day running them to the bathroom and cleaning up messes. Sorry to be so truthful. They are improving, but not enough to enjoy the meal with our fellow Americans. Here are the pictures of them sleeping the day away.
Kevin



Acacia




Toby

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Victory at end of term!!!!

Today was the closing of the year for the primary school. There are competitions in sports, drama, music and cleanliness of school area. Lunch is served to all the students, staff and parents and reports are given out at the end of the day. It was an enjoyable day and for the third consecutive year our David Family group came in overall first place!

Celebrations all around as we were announced as the winners.






Annet screams with excitement.





Uncle Mulu gives Margaret hugs and congratulations.


Uncle Jonnes presents Dinnah her certificate of completion and congratulations for an excellent finish of Primary 7. Next year Dinnah will start secondary school. She is overjoyed as this year she had repeated Primary 7 and is anxious to keep moving forward.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

There IT IS!!!!

Can you see the green mamba snake?????? WATCH OUT!!! We spotted it, it slithered up higher, we spotted it, we lost it . . . until the next day and it was doomsday for the snake . . .

Everyone was there to "help"



The snake was after birds' eggs in the mango tree that hung over girls' bath house and pit latrine. We decided to cut off the branch and harvested a load of oversized mangoes --they grew on the tree near the pit latrine :)






The kids made a hotel from the branches of our chopped down eucalyptus. They had a blast arranging the branches and putting wheelbarrows of sawdust on the "floor".









They played for hours and hours and the laughter was infectious.




Then they climbed on top of the van and gave us all a goofy dance show.











Saturday, November 21, 2009

Time

I've been thinking about time. There is the phrase, "time heals" which is too vague and evasive for general application. Sure, the passage of time allows a physical wound to heal as the body attacks the foreign invaders and recovers itself . . .and perhaps some agree that over time the impact and damage of emotional wounds soften and heal, but I would not be one to agree. Time only provides distance from the original emotional blow--not true healing. In fact, a wound that is undealt with only festers and invades other areas that might have remained healthy had the hurt been addressed. The only way to heal emotional wounds is to let God deal directly with them. In the same way He provides us with an avenue for our bodies to physically heal (white blood cells, new cell growth) He Himself provides us with His strength and healing when we allow Him to work His ways into our hearts. His way for emotional healing is forgiveness of the one(s) who dealt the crippling blow. Through forgiveness true healing occurs and the miracle of emotional health is possible. I call it a miracle because the amount of emotional damage each one of us experiences in life is indeed crippling unless we forgive. Yes, God's ways are miraculous and dependable. Forgive.

There is another aspect of time that intrigues me in specific regard to living here among orphans and their emotional wounds. With the passage of time as we've lived here at New Hope I have observed some circumstantial truths. Their wounds of rejection and abandonment fester into mistrust, guardedness and a severe distancing of themselves from most people. They may smile and laugh, engage you in light conversation, sit quietly and respectfully in class and family devotions, but those behaviors only hide the emotional damage that lives underneath the surface. Time does not heal those wounds and thus the interaction of the children with those who desire to love and help them is stunted. The staff here is varied: 80% Ugandans, 20% Westerners; some have been here for more than 20 years, some more than ten, some less than five, and many "short-termers" (less than two years--some only a few months). There is a marked difference in the way the children accept long-term and short-term staff. The mistrust looms large in their behavior towards short-term staff. Rarely do they "let into their heart" a short-term staff member. And here is my observation in relation to our specific experience here at New Hope. We were kept at an emotional distance by the children during our first 18 months here. When we returned to New Hope in early 2008 after our first furlough home we were met with squeals of delight and shrieks of "YOU CAME BACK!!!!!!" I was puzzled. We told them we were only going to be in the U.S. for a few weeks and then would return. "Of course! We said we would come back!" "BUT YOU DID!!!!! YOU CAME BACK!!" Ahhhhhhhh, we had to prove ourselves--we did what we said we would do and we showed our commitment by actually returning. We moved to the next level . . .

Now that we have been here for more than three years I see that our relationships have deepened to even another level. The children trust us more, talk more deeply with us, share their struggles and ask for prayer. And lately I've been reflecting on the fact that with some of the girls my relationship has deepened as a result of TIME. The time I've taken to drive them and sit with them during numerous visits to an ailing grandmother, to the burial of same grandma, to the village to check on another's grandma who didn't show up to a required meeting. We found her sick and thankful we came to check on her. The time I've taken to pray with them over their struggles in school and in familial relationships; the time we've shared looking into God's word for the answers to challenges; the time we spent laughing and screaming as we hunt for green mamba snakes in the pit latrine/shower house; the time we sit together and, well, just sit together.

Yes, time heals, but not void of activity. There must be activity, but not just busy-ness. It is the activity of love--shown over time and demonstrated in the commitment of being there for them in the times of life that require extra strength and prayer.

I'm grateful to God for the TIME He has given us here and I trust His perfect TIMING in however many days, months and years He will have us here.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Utilizing God's Gift of Sun










We cut 4 eucalyptus trees down today. Quite the adventure. They have been shading our solar panels and keeping us from being able to adequately run our refridgerator. We'll be able to supply the David Family with firewood and also plane some of the timber for bookshelves, as well as for roof support in our new school banda. After the trees were down the kids built a "house"and inhabited it with their friends.
Toby says he plans to sleep out there. Ill guess we'll let him have some fun, but will keep the front door unlocked as it is rainy season!!!!
After the trees were down and before all the timber was cut up, the road remained blocked. Hassan was out for his morning walk with Annet, but had to take a detour due to the closed route.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Tetanus shots

Today I am taking one of the boys in David Family to the local hospital to receive a tetanus shot. He cut his foot on an old piece of sheet metal and somehow missed the last round of tetanus shots we gave. This is a serious issue here as we lost one of our boys two years ago when he stepped on a nail and though his family was instructed to take him for the injection, they did not. Something so simple to take care of, but a struggle to accomplish for those who don't understand or fail to appreciate the knowledge given them as to why the potential for danger lurks. There is a basic deficit of understanding of disease transmission and hygiene here in the village. It is better than it used to be 20 years ago before New Hope and Kiwoko Hospital arrived, but we still find a surprising amount of strange beliefs associated with simple sickness. Pray for us as we continue to love, live and work with the kids here. We love what we're doing and am thankful to God for the opportunity to be a part of His desires coming to pass in this region.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

more pics of time with grammie and seth

Jumping on Seth's back per his request!
We played Uno to pass the time before we took them to the airport. Grammie and Seth had a good long afternoon nap, a hot shower, a yummy meal served out on the lawn and lots of hugs before we said goodbye.


Our last night with Grammie and Seth. Hugs and loves all around.





Uh, Huh, I scored a hole-in-one Uh, Huh, Uh, Huh It was a good effort but the old lady (me, not Mom) won the round!!!!!
This crocodile hole was particularly difficult because the crocodile repeatedly ate the golf balls!!! Here you can see the kids at both ends trying to locate the ball so we could continue play!

Getting ready to play miniature golf in Jinja. It's like no course you've ever played!!!!







Our last day at New Hope. We walked over to say goodbye to David Family. This is Mom with Auntie Scovia.









Reading time with Grammie.










Toby, Kevin, Acacia and Sharon excited over the new baby Acacia received from Grammie for her birthday.








Grammie enjoying as Acacia opens the package containing her new baby doll.









Celebrating Acacia's birthday a month early so that we could celebrate with Grammie and Seth!





Kevin digging in the sand pile--making tunnels.















Seth's renewed love of reading. He read three books in two days!!!! It's glorious to be without tv!







Acacia opening her birthday presents from Grammie


Grammie and Toby playing piano together.