As a staff, we've been talking a lot lately about the need for rest. Big surprise . . . we missionary types don't always take time to adequately rest. We just keep going and going. Yes, we love our "work" and enjoy our interaction with the kids and staff, but rest is necessary. Now, how do we fit it in??? Geoff and I did that this past weekend and it was amazing, but first, let me fill you in on what's going on around here, because, well, work generally comes before rest, right??? . . .
In the next two weeks, thanks to the organization Giving Hands, Geoff will oversee the purchase and delivery of new electrically powered maize mill machinery. The significance and importance of this addition affords us the ability to mill more maize per hour at a lower cost than what is currently required by our diesel machinery. Up to now having diesel machinery has enabled us to mill regardless of whether or not government power is available and we’ve found this a great advantage as we provide milling services to our local community, but the upkeep is time consuming and expensive. Also, without electric machinery on site we were not able to take advantage of milling without the expense of diesel (approximately 4,500/= per hour, or about $3.00) when government power was available. We will now have all our options covered in this exciting new venture for the Enterprise area.
Also added in the past couple of months is new expansion of timber machining in our area. However, the new business is not run by New Hope—instead it is providing competition for the existing New Hope timber mill. As we have been the only location for timber cutting in an 18 km radius for many years, competition next door is providing our employees the ability to recognize the need for fine tuning and streamlining our operation, not to mention a renewed commitment to excellence in the services we offer. The input and oversight required of Geoff during the implementation of these developments is extensive—more trips to Kampala, extra hours in Kiwoko at the site and detailed instruction/training of staff. But, it’s all worth it as it’s exciting to see the Enterprise department growing and changing to meet the needs of the community in tandem with bringing in more funding for New Hope Uganda.
Next week Geoff's building students will spend a week in Kito, a nearby community that is serving the needs of the fatherless in their area. They will build a classroom block for the students there. And close on the heels of that project finishing my mom and oldest Nephew will arrive in Uganda!!!! No one from my family has yet been able to visit since we moved here, so I am VERY excited!!! As soon as we see them off (after being with us for almost three weeks) we will gear up for the New Hope Vocational Institute graduation ceremony! Some of the first group of students Geoff accepted into the various vocational programs will be graduating. Due to the varied length of programs, some others have already graduated and are working successfully in their trades, namely tailors and weavers.
Then, in the first week of December Geoff’s parents and a niece arrive for more than a three week long stay. Geoff’s parents have visited once before, but his niece has never been to see us so we are all anticipating showing her the beauty of Uganda!!!!
With all that activity encroaching on our already filled schedules Geoff and I decided to spend last weekend away as a couple. The kids’ current missionary teacher graciously offered to stay with Toby, Acacia and Kevin while we RESTED. A friend of mine from my days at Pepperdine and her husband gave us a nice sum of money to spend on a weekend away from the demands of the ministry.
We are convinced that where we went has to be the absolute most relaxing place on the face of the earth!!!!! Situated on a section of the Nile in which there are white water rapids and a plethora of beautiful, magnificent birds we found there to be NO STRESSORS whatsoever all weekend. It was glorious. I didn’t realize how much tiredness I had been storing up in my body as I just kept going from one activity/responsibility to the next here at New Hope. We arrived at our “retreat” on Friday and on Saturday after breakfast I went back to bed and slept soundly until LUNCH!!!!!! Awesome---that’s the best word I can find. Enjoy some pictures of the beauty we got to experience. We didn’t have to make ANY decisions during the whole weekend, except of course for what to have for lunch or supper. Mmmmmm.
Also added in the past couple of months is new expansion of timber machining in our area. However, the new business is not run by New Hope—instead it is providing competition for the existing New Hope timber mill. As we have been the only location for timber cutting in an 18 km radius for many years, competition next door is providing our employees the ability to recognize the need for fine tuning and streamlining our operation, not to mention a renewed commitment to excellence in the services we offer. The input and oversight required of Geoff during the implementation of these developments is extensive—more trips to Kampala, extra hours in Kiwoko at the site and detailed instruction/training of staff. But, it’s all worth it as it’s exciting to see the Enterprise department growing and changing to meet the needs of the community in tandem with bringing in more funding for New Hope Uganda.
Next week Geoff's building students will spend a week in Kito, a nearby community that is serving the needs of the fatherless in their area. They will build a classroom block for the students there. And close on the heels of that project finishing my mom and oldest Nephew will arrive in Uganda!!!! No one from my family has yet been able to visit since we moved here, so I am VERY excited!!! As soon as we see them off (after being with us for almost three weeks) we will gear up for the New Hope Vocational Institute graduation ceremony! Some of the first group of students Geoff accepted into the various vocational programs will be graduating. Due to the varied length of programs, some others have already graduated and are working successfully in their trades, namely tailors and weavers.
Then, in the first week of December Geoff’s parents and a niece arrive for more than a three week long stay. Geoff’s parents have visited once before, but his niece has never been to see us so we are all anticipating showing her the beauty of Uganda!!!!
With all that activity encroaching on our already filled schedules Geoff and I decided to spend last weekend away as a couple. The kids’ current missionary teacher graciously offered to stay with Toby, Acacia and Kevin while we RESTED. A friend of mine from my days at Pepperdine and her husband gave us a nice sum of money to spend on a weekend away from the demands of the ministry.
We are convinced that where we went has to be the absolute most relaxing place on the face of the earth!!!!! Situated on a section of the Nile in which there are white water rapids and a plethora of beautiful, magnificent birds we found there to be NO STRESSORS whatsoever all weekend. It was glorious. I didn’t realize how much tiredness I had been storing up in my body as I just kept going from one activity/responsibility to the next here at New Hope. We arrived at our “retreat” on Friday and on Saturday after breakfast I went back to bed and slept soundly until LUNCH!!!!!! Awesome---that’s the best word I can find. Enjoy some pictures of the beauty we got to experience. We didn’t have to make ANY decisions during the whole weekend, except of course for what to have for lunch or supper. Mmmmmm.
This is the view from the 6' x 8' picture window. We could see this from any area in our banda--even the shower!!!! ahhhhh . . .
Geoff is enjoying watching the birds, fish and otter right on level with the Nile.
I am soothingly mesmerized by the river as I sit on the veranda couch.
Total relaxation. You can see the reflection of the Nile in the picture window behind Geoff.When we got home the kids had so many questions. "Can we go there with you sometime?" "Is there a place we can play?" "Is there a pool?" All the answers are "No." It is out of our normal price range and we would never have been able to go had it not been for the generous provision of God through our friends!! There is no place for kids to play! So, it is VERY quiet :) And there is no pool, just the river Nile. Thank you God for a great weekend!!!!!
3 comments:
looks awesome!!! Where'd you stay???
HI Robin!!! We stayed at The Haven located on the back road to Jinja between Kyanga (?) and the Njeru roundabout. Heard you were in Jinja this wknd, too?
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