The reality of coffee

Sam is now finished with an intense year of studies. He's spent since February focused on preparing for the Ugandan government exams which test his knowledge of all he learned in primary these past seven years. Last Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. found him sitting and pouring forth his knowledge stores onto the papers which do much in this country to determine a child's educational future. Then, this recent Monday he sat for the entrance exam for our secondary school. With all that behind him he and Toby then spent Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week enjoying activities with all the other P7's as a culmination to a year of extra hours of study and review.

Yesterday was Sam's first free day in quite awhile so he and I spent the afternoon at jajja's house. The last time he had been to see her was just before we arrived back. As we approached her compound I saw her seated on the ground attending to her coffee beans which were drying in the sun. Her aged eyes, dimmed by years, struggled to focus on Sam and me. When her ears revealed our identity by our greeting voices, she practically jumped up to greet me. I, too, was overcome with emotion to see her after all these months and so I went down into the dirt on my knees to meet her shriveled arms reaching out to me. We embraced amidst numerous of her blessings and greetings and I was in no hurry to let go!

She instructed Sam to retrieve a mat from inside the house for me to sit on and we sat close together as we shared the news of the past months. Sam joyfully informed Jajja of his completion of exams and P7 week and we learned of how Jajja is being lovingly cared for by various neighbors. Some bring her water, some share of their garden and others sell her cooking oil and vegetables for well below market rate. 

We had brought her food and some money, but it seemed little. Every time I visit Jajja the pangs of poverty grip me. There it is, before my eyes, in my nostrils, and grabbing at my heart. Jajja is old. No one knows how old. It seems she's reported being about 90 for about 7 years, but a true examination of life events would put her in her 80s. Every time we go to the states I wonder if she will be alive when we return. And every time, she is still with us, praise God! As she told Sam and me yesterday, she's ready to die, but she can't because she has her children. These, the ones she loves and has sacrificed so much for, are Namuwonge, Nabukeera, and Sam. And indeed, she has given of everything she has ever had to care for them since her son, their father, died in 1999 when Sam was an infant, and in an increased measure when their mother died in 1994.

On the ground before us were two piles of coffee beans--one green and the other closer to completion of the drying process. I asked how much a kilo she would get for the beans, for this income is some of her only means of contributing to the care of the children and keeping herself alive. The answer? 1,700 shillings a kilo. Before you hear the amount in dollars, think back to your most recent coffee purchase. Is that amount in your mind? Jajja is receiving about 75 cents for two pounds of coffee beans she has tended, picked, dried and delivered to the local purchaser.

This is reality. The reality of coffee. The reality of the way of life in many parts of the world. For Jajja with three young children ages 8, 6, and 2 in 2004, there was no hope of her children receiving an education. Enter New Hope Uganda, caring for the fatherless. All three children were enrolled for free in the primary school and have been taught and nurtured these past roughly 15 years. The house, Jajja's house was built and periodically updated by the staff of New Hope. 

And in one month's time, Nabukeera will rejoin Jajja at their home to care for the grandmother who has sacrificially and lovingly given of herself to these three children. Also, the eldest, Namuwonge just finished a two month stay in which she cared for Jajja by tending the gardens, buying food and cooking and cleaning for her. I am proud of both Namuwonge and Nabukeera for their desire to serve and care for Jajja during this season. In February, Nabukeera will leave for further education and again we will increase our visits to check on her. But, the village caretakers employed by New Hope also check on her frequently and for that we are grateful. 

Thank you to those of you who support us and who support New Hope. Thank you. Your contribution is making a difference in many lives.

Mary

The privilege of helping out

White socks, black flip flops, orange flower placed in hair, shiny belt . . . No, I am not describing some eccentric Aunt.  

Today I had the privilege of helping sponsorship coordinator Jill Pogmore and IY participant Nabukeera photograph about 180 primary school students for their annual sponsorship photo.  As roughly 20 children per class stood to capture their images for their sponsor, Nabukeera kept them in order while Aunt Jill directed them into the best light and I wrote down quick, minimal word descriptions to aid the sponsorship department in identifying the 180+ photographs later next week.

Starting with the very youngest and moving on to the upper levels, we noticed a change in behavior as groups waited their turn. Shy, quiet younger children’s classes gave way to the joking antics and self-conscious stances of young teenagers. As I led the classes, one by one, in single file lines I directed them to follow me--both in direction and behavior. I’d raise one arm and then pump it up and down, hop on my right foot, hop on my left foot, wave with both arms in the air--anything to keep them quickly following and interested in the annual photo session. By the giggles and exaggerated movements that followed me across the primary school compound,  I think my weirdness succeeded in making it a fun hour and a half out of the morning.

If you sponsor a child here at New Hope you will recognize this as a great example of a sponsorship photo of one of our children. Thank you for your loving interaction with your sponsored child through prayers, letters and financial support! If you don't currently sponsor a child here at New Hope I pray that you would consider doing so, as I know both you and the child will enjoy the relationship formed over the years!

Meanwhile, Acacia and Kevin were hard at work over on the secondary side in their own classes with Auntie Danette and their fellow students.  (Toby is participating in P7 week this week.) Not being their teacher has ups and downs. At times during this past month I have missed being “in their business” (educationally--of course I’m still in their business in every other way!) I’ve missed being there as they understand new concepts and master new abilities, but I ‘m thankful that by not being involved in their schooling throughout each day I have the privilege of interacting with more of the New Hope children and to help out like I did this morning with the sponsorship photos. 

It's the 12th

 “Do NOT be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God; and the peace of God which is beyond understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 

Today marks one month since we boarded British Airways in Los Angeles. One month ONLY and one month ALREADY???!!! 

We’ve mostly settled in, though each morning a new organizational task calls out to me!  That’s how it is with types the likes of me--the process of organizing and arranging and planning and finding a place for things never ends for the one with a perfectionist bent. But, I haven’t spent all my time cleaning and moving things. I have also enjoyed a lot of visiting with other staff over dinner or impromptu afternoon visits; spending time in prayer and study with a some of the girls in David Family; researching schools of higher education for some of our kids who are ready to advance educationally beyond New Hope Academy; celebrating graduations with two of our long time David Family children who are now adults; and even answering a few medical queries from other staff. Truthfully, that last one baffles me! There are some very capable nurses on staff these days and I have not been in the hospital or clinic setting for so long compared to them, I feel quite inept!  

But, today does more than simply mark a month of our feet on the ground in Uganda. It is another 12. I’m not trying to conjure up more of this day than God intends, while also not wanting to miss anything God is doing. Why am I even looking at today, the 12th, any differently than yesterday the 11th or tomorrow the 13th?

The 12th.  We landed in Denver, CO, for our “furlough” “home assignment”, whatever, on December 12th, 2012. We were diagnosed with cancer April 12th. We were declared “cancer free” on July 12th, and we left Los Angeles for our beloved Uganda on October 12th.  For those who study Biblical numerology, twelve is the agreed number of God’s government. And, indeed, we  see God’s hand of order and purpose on these past months in which all we could have imagined was taken from our hands and so wonderfully carried by Him. And we are still living under His righteous right hand, praise HIM!

So, today is a look back and a look forward. And as I look I will not be anxious about anything. For, if I have come to more personally and deeply understand anything of worth in these past few months, it is that worry does nothing positive. Thankfulness, on the other hand, dissipates anxiety, exudes joy and propagates peace. 

I am thankful. Thankful for cancer that sharpened our focus on a Good Father. Thankful for people who walked with us through our journey, both in the U.S. and from here. Thankful for the challenges that took so many different forms, but all yielded a deeper dependence on our sovereign, faithful God. And thankful for what He knows is coming and for how it will fulfill His purposes and draw us closer still to Him.

Mary

I am THANKFUL for these kids!  Nabukeera, our dear daughter who has persevered through many trials and is still smiling! Toby, the eternal optomist! Sam, who just finished two important exams--the Primary Leaving Exam and the entrance exam to our secondary school. Kevin, loving life and keeping us entertained with his different voices and impromptu drama throughout the day. Acacia, sweetie and lover of sweets! She helped me last night by making the brownies for dessert when we hosted the Vogt's for supper!

As the exams let out today, a massive group of kids screeched up to our veranda, laughing and joking--certainly letting out the stress of a full day of exams!  Their spirits soared high, but their tires were flat, so we brought out the desired bicycle pump and they fed each tire.  It gave us a few minutes to congratulate them for a day well spent, and to encouragement them for tomorrow.  

I also took the opportunity to arrange with one of them the plans for his birthday cake!  This will be my third time to prepare his CHOCOLATE birthday cake for his party!  It all started a few years ago when I had made treats for Toby’s class and Ssekago was bold enough to ask Toby if I could do a repeat for his upcoming birthday!!!  It is an accomplishment to make a good-looking cake that can be carried either on a bicycle, motorbike or the back of a pick-up truck through a few villages down the road and still look good and taste only of cake (not dusty road) by the time it arrives at the party!!!!! Sooo, Ssekago and I made plans for the first Sunday in December--chocolate again, and I’m happy to be able to bless him!  

In other news, Geoff is doing well. He is managing his time well and is usually able to rest when he needs to take some time out. Thank you for your prayers!  

P7 encouragement!

Tomorrow young people all across Uganda will begin an exam spanning two days. It is their primary leaving exam and will do much to determine their academic future, though we all know that God is the master planner!  Last night we gathered our P7s from David Family together for an evening of encouragement, prayer and fun.  A few others dropped by at just the right time and joined in the fun! Please be praying for them now, Monday and Tuesday as they take the exam.  Then also on next Monday as they will be taking their entrance exam for our secondary school.

Geoff started off the evening with some good words of encouragement from God's truth.

Agnes, Toby and Abraham

This is the class that Toby has studied with the past couple of years. He is sooo happy to be back with them as they enter this next phase of their schooling!  Abraham (in the chair with him in the picture) is his best friend here--the one who challenged him, if you remember, to keep his hair growing from last October until we returned!! Not too ridiculous  of a challenge if we had returned in May, but, alas, the locks were chopped off this past summer when we found out we were going to stay longer!

Sam, Patricia and Christine 

After tea, sweets and prayer we turned our attention to making rubber band bracelets for each one. Acacia showed them how and a few of them, while waiting for others to finish, decided to make their own by hand without the loom.

Acacia, showing how to load and then remove

Patricia and Abraham venturing an attempt at hand making

The boys of P7  Toby, Mark, Abraham, Junju, Michael, Sam and Jesse

Junju, Patricia, Jesse, Abraham, Toby, Mark, Agnes, Michael, Sam, Christine

Some crazy game of running around, dropping to the ground,  and trying not to get swatted with a stick--made for lots of sweaty kids!

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Geoff and Uncle Tony made plans for their upcoming visit to son Perez at his secondary school tomorrow afternoon. There is never a dull moment when Uncle Tony is around!!! (By the way, Uncle Tony is Abraham's Dad--fathers and sons keeping up good friendships!!!!)

Bosco Berries

For seven years we have lived in Central Uganda. 

It is an understatement to say we enjoy the people, the work we do, the landscape and a lot of the foods available here. WE LOVE OUR LIVES HERE!!! 

BUT, we have missed the berries of summer. Occasionally, we see strawberries and maybe even blueberries or raspberries for sell at the supermarket in Kampala, but the price is extremely prohibitive! I can't justify paying those prices for a few juicy, sweet bites! 

Last year we were blessed beyond measure when we were introduced to BOSCO BERRIES!  Now, don't go looking in the horticulture books for the likes of such a name. It is our own nomenclature, but are probably closely related to mulberries or huckleberries.

We call them Bosco Berries because our co-worker, Uncle Bosco grows them in his compound, and generously shares with us.

In Uncle Bosco's compound you can find a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. He is the proverbial green thumb!  Mangoes, guavas, lemon grass, papaya, tomatoes, maize, beans, numerous flowers and Bosco Berries to name a FEW.

He has invited the kids to pick as many berries as they can each day, provided they also pick some for him at that same time! 

So, they reach and climb and fill plastic containers and always say thank you at the end of the picking.

Then they bring them to me and I transform them into all kinds of treats--treats we missed out on the first six years of our existence here at New Hope. 

Praise God for Uncle Bosco and the introduction of the Bosco Berry to our lives!!!!

Last year, before we left for the U.S. he shared a cutting from his bush. I have seen a few berries on it already!  We're looking forward to an abundance in the next few years. Won't you come and taste of the goodness of the Lord here with us at New Hope? 

Yum. Yum

We're BAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We’ve been here for a little over a week and WE ARE SO GLAD TO BE BACK!!!!!  It was a “quick” trip, though it took more than 24 hours in total to reach our house. But as we flew, so did the time! 

As I sit here trying to create in this space I find myself getting greedy. Just one more picture, just one more thought . . . and as I try to add to the little I first put down, the internet crashes for more than one hour. I should have been happy with a couple of pictures and a few words, at least to just get the word out that we are here, safe and happy. 

Now I wait, not knowing WHEN the internet will allow me to actually find success with this post! 

In our first days back, we have been blessed by hugs, smiles, greetings and visits!!!!! And in between all of that we are trying to organize! Being away from home for almost a year makes for a huge organizational process when the reunion with the house finally happens!!!

The kids started school this week and are loving being in a class with other kids. They ride their bikes over to the secondary side, return home for lunch with us, and then finish up by 4 p.m. The afternoons are filled with laughter as our compound fills up with kids, bikes, footballs and impromptu science experiments complete with explosives!

Poor Sam, though he's very happy to be back with us, he is in the midst of studying for his PLE (Primary Leaving Exam) which spans two days in early November and contributes to the determination of what his future will look like. He has been studying diligently in the living room despite the noise of frequent visitors, and amongst late night suppers with other families. We covet your prayers for his academic success. We want him to know that God is with him through this time and always.

I have interspersed organizing and reorienting myself to the lengthy process required for cooking anything worthwhile, with sweet visits with my favorite young ladies. I cherish the times I have had to sit and talk and laugh, share and pray with the three that I am closest to, AND with the others I also love so much!  The David Family hosted us for a goat feast last Saturday night and also treated me with a yummy birthday cake!

Before the internet crashes again, let me just say we live a great life and are thankful to God for all the opportunities He has given us!!

Enjoy some pictures from our first week!

This photo is a perfect representation of how love and joy, hugs and smiles were a part of every welcome back greeting we've received since arriving back home last Monday!  Kakande is in the blue shirt. The girls who stayed in our house report that Kakande asked EVERY DAY during the recent months if Uncle Geoff was returning "today"!

We were so excited to see Sam, Irene, Abby and Emma!  The whole family arrived on the motorbike and we enjoyed laughing and sharing stories from the past ten months!

Though I celebrated my 50th birthday with a party in Long Beach. My actual birthday occurred in Uganda. These are our pictures from that day!  I love these three kids soooooo much!!! So easy going with all the changes we've experienced these past few months!

My miracle husband and me!  Praise God we BOTH survived my 50th birthday!

Sam and Kevin are so happy to be together again! When you ask Kevin what he missed most about Uganda he replies without hesitation, "SAM!"

A rainstorm should NOT be a deterrent to a good game of football! Acacia did a good job of  controlling the ball!

The grass can be a little slippery and discarded tire tubes can be a distraction, but Kevin keeps up with the football anyway!

What a joy to see Kambo again!!! It's all smiles when Kambo is in the house!

Kakande--a frequent and well-loved visitor to the Britton household!