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Special Missions Edition:  April 20, 2005

Part 1
 

  


Our Missionaries:  Robert & Rachel Cinader
Uganda:  April 2005

April 4, 2005 (Monday)
 

		Ready To Go!

We are REALLY packed!  Two of the blue bags are stuffed with flip flops!  We collected such a huge number that the rest will be taken by the team going in July!  But we will have a good start at putting something on the feet of the African children.

Rachel's "Ragged Boy"

AND we're... we're looking forward to finding our little boy.  After all, he's the reason we have to go back.  And we have a list of orphans from American mommies & daddies to look up and take care of.  I think we'll be busy!

Robert & I are very excited about this adventure.  He has his "lesson plan" all laid out for the young men in his electrical apprenticeship program.  

Keep us in your prayers.  Thanks for you love & support. 

We love you,

Rachel & Robert

April 6, 2005 (Wednesday):  An email from Rachel

Good Morning!

Well, at least it's morning here in Amsterdam.  I think it's like 10 pm on April 5th in Phoenix.  It's the 6th here.  We had a great flight.  I watched two movies and haven't slept yet.  I probably won't sleep until tonight which will be tomorrow morning there.  Okay.  I'm confused!

I think we've got a great team here.  There are 11 of us and they all seem to be "characters".  I hope I fit in.

We will leave in 3 hours for a nine hour flight to Kenya.  Last time I watched four movies on that flight!  Then I went to bed as soon as we get to the hotel.  Ohhhh, would a bed feel good!

I should have something more interesting in Kenya to write about... no more movies!

Thanks for you continued prayers.

Love you guys, Rachel

April 7, 2005 (Thursday)

 

We are here! We are safe!

The team arrives

The thrill that went through all of us as the plane was touching down in Nairobi, Kenya last night is difficult to describe.  So many emotions.  For Robert & I it was the joy of returning for the third time in nine months!  For Tom the excitement is always great.  He knows he won't sleep because too many ideas, thoughts and emotions will be flooding his head & heart.  This is Virginia's second trip here.  She has two little girls that she cannot wait to hug and squeeze!  She adopted them in July and not a night has gone by that she has not dreamed of them.

Robert & Rachel at the hotel

Louaine is also a returning "veteran".  She beams with the anticipation of reuniting with her "kids" and friends in Uganda.

The others are here for the first time.  There is a mixture of anxiety, hope, and excitement.  Two photographers are hoping to find a wedding to film.  Others are going to be looking for their orphans.  Linda has nineteen orphans to find so she will be very busy.

This evening we will go on a photo safari and hope to catch the animals as they are feeding. Tomorrow we will head to Uganda and be reunited with our friends.  We are all doing well and feel so blessed to be here.

Thank you for your continued prayers!
 

April 8, 2005 (Friday)
 

Lioness on the prowl

The "prey".

Our photo safari was so incredible!!  Before we started out David prayed that we would see a gazzillion animals!!  We were blessed beyond our wildest imaginations when we came upon a group of zebras being stalked by two lionesses.  We held our breath as they plotted & crept through the tall grasses getting closer & closer to their prey.  We all had our cameras ready for the big hit.  As one of the lionesses crept closer to the group of zebras our excitement mounted.  I knew if she did catch a zebra I would burst into tears yet I continued to watch.  Finally she got close enough to spring out of hiding and ran toward the zebras.  They instantly ran too!  She didn't catch one and when they were at a safe distance they turned and appeared to taunt the lioness.  We were all shaking!  There were four Kenyans with us and they said they had never seen what we just saw!  Our driver said it was extremely rare.  They've had people come for as long as four months to try and get that kind of footage. . .  

Oh speaking of footage. . . In the excitement Robert forgot to press record until it was over.   Tom took video of the sky. . . then the ground. . . then the van!  Thank God that Candace & Virginia held steady and we will all get video from them.  What a great once in a lifetime adventure!!!  Keep the prayers going.  Tomorrow we go to Uganda!

 Rachel

April 9, 2005 (Saturday) 

 

We are in Uganda!  Oh what joy.......to be reunited with friends and to introduce our American friends to our Ugandan friends.  Our emotions spilled over as we held one another and thanked God for another chance to be with the people we love.

We will be working at the clinic, fitting people for reading glasses, meeting our orphans, and working where we are needed.  There are a great many needs here.  Please be praying that we use wisdom to do what God would have us to do.  

Everyone is well.  Thanks so much for your faithful prayers.  It has been evident that you are praying.  --  Rachel
 

April 9, 2005 (Saturday):  An email from Rachel to her sister
 

Hi Sissy,

You can pass this on to my family and friends but I'm not putting it on the website.

I have a lot of special friends here but there is one family that I have been especially burdened for.  They are three children with a mother dying of AIDS.  I met them because Rick & Lisa Witham sponsor the daughter, Joyce, and wanted me to look her up the first time we were here.
I did and fell in love with Joyce and her brothers.  The next time we were here we did all that we could for the children.  Godfrey is my "boy".  He's fourteen and never leaves my side unless he is forced to.

Last night at dinner Pastor Wilbur told me that the mother, Grace, came to him and asked him to write to me and ask if I could buy a plot of land and put a house on it for her children.  Currently they rent a little shack and the church pays the rent because Grace is too sick to work.  She is worried about what will happen to her children when she dies.  Pastor told her he didn't have to write to me because I was on my way.

 

  
I asked him how much it would cost.  What assurance could he give me that it would not be taken away from them ... all the practical stuff.  I knew before I asked that this was something we could not say no to!  I told him we would pray about it.
 
Robert agreed that we could do this.  We won't be able to give them a cement floor because that adds too much to the cost but I told him we could add that later.
 
Pastor told Grace this morning and Godfrey couldn't speak as he grabbed me and just held on.  It will be put in Godfrey's name and True Vine ministry will insure that no one can take it from him. Also he is promising that it will be finished before we leave here!  I'll put pictures on the website but won't tell the whole story so be watching for it.  It will just be a shelter on a plot of land large enough for them to have goats and plant a garden but the mother will be able to not have worries about the future of her children.
 
Love you guys!
Rachel

April 9, 2005 (Saturday)

Our work has begun.  

Mae & Donnie set up an "optical shop".  People came to be tested for reading glasses.  We made eye charts using the verse John 3:16.  Each line has progressively larger fonts.  Whichever line is difficult to see corresponds to the strength of glasses needed.  The people were thrilled to be able to put on a pair of glasses to read God's Word.

Angela worked in the clinic with the dentist.  She is a dental hygienist.  But here in Africa ... she pulls teeth!  It was quite an experience for her.  The first tooth she pulled was a little tough.  It had 3 roots rather than the normal two!  Ouch! We're very proud of her for stepping up to the task.

David & Candice are professional photographers as well as dental assistants.  What a blessing to have them.  They are taking the most incredible pictures!  They are doing digital & video.  When we return home they will send us each a professional video so we can watch and relive these fabulous times.  

Linda Booker is on the Hope4Kids board of directors. Tom gave her a tour of the property.  He showed her the plaques with the board member names, the well and water tower which was funded by the board members and many other projects she has sponsored.  She's such a loving, generous person with a real heart for Africa.  She's already made friends with a number of children.

Louaine worked on the orphan list.  Hope4kids has sponsored 426 orphans and will take 50 more this trip.  It's a big job to keep track of them all - to make sure the sponsors have fulfilled their commitments.  If they haven't they need to be assigned to another sponsor.  We really appreciate the work she is doing to see that everything is in order. She cares deeply for these orphans & wants to see that they are well taken care of.  I think she found some time to reconnect with some of her friends and to hug a few kids...  

Virginia, our nurse, familiarized herself with the clinic, checked for much needed supplies and met some of the patients.  Her daughters were waiting outside for her and she was able to spend precious time with them.  She also was taken to visit the clinic's lab tech who was sick at home. This is Virginia's second trip here.  She loves the people and has really done a great job fund-raising to create a better quality of life for those who have touched her heart so deeply.  

Pastor Wilbur showed Robert around the complex and shared with him the electrical projects on which he would like him to work.  He then went into town to check on needed supplies.  Between his work, bonding with his friends and playing with all our children Robert's days will be full.  He's a joy to watch.  Not only is he cute (I'm not just saying that because he's my husband!) he truly loves the children and they love him.  He doesn't have enough hands for them all.  Whenever the girls see me they ask, "Where's Daddy?" then they run to him.

Tom was in great demand.  Everyone wants to see Tom.  They are so appreciative of him and all that he's done.  Watching him you wouldn't

know that he is going on a couple of hours sleep because he's been praying and figuring out what can be done, how it can be done, and when it can be done!  He never seems to tire of the people loving on him & wanting his attention.  His heart is here.

I (Rachel) get to do the fun stuff.  I'm "Mommy" to a lot of children.  I don't sponsor them all but I represent some of those who do and are unable to come here.  The list is growing and I love them all as if they were mine.  Robert and I are going to have to come out of retirement and go back to work if we find anymore!

We've got a fabulous team.  Each one has brought their multiple talents.  They are joy and I am honored to serve with them.

Thanks for your many prayers.

Rachel

April 10, 2005 (Sunday)
 

What a day!  We went to church.  We REALLY went to church!  Their worship is indescribable!  Their faith and love for the Lord puts the rest of us in the "lukewarm" category.  Tom preached the message of the cross, and people came forward to accept Jesus as Lord of their lives.  

Piglet Kisses!

Flip flops for everyone!

David set up his camera equipment and took family photos after church.  He's going to send the photos to the church and they will see to it the photos get to the families.  What a gift!  With so many parents dying of AIDS these could be the only photos most will ever have of their parents/children.

After church we went to the Hope 4 Kids farm for a picnic.  We all took turns holding the baby pigs.  It was the first time Robert and I held a pig.  Virginia got a little friendlier than the rest of us.  Mae said it took her right back to her childhood.  There are quite a few children in this rural area so we took the opportunity to give them flip flops and sweets.

We then went to a local hospital.  The conditions of this hospital are not good. They say this is where the people come to die.  We saw a lot of suffering.  Only the women were allowed to visit the women's ward.  Some of those women were so weak but managed a nod when we asked if they wanted prayer.  It was so touching to look around the room and see my American sisters connecting and praying with the African women.  We didn't take photos so as to not take away from the mood but we will carry the pictures in our hearts and minds forever.  Mae is our seventy-eight-year-old team member and to watch her pray and care for people...

 We also visited the children.  They have to stay outside during the day.  Their mothers come and sit with them on mats on or the ground and care for them.  We passed out beanie babies and made some new friends.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

We're all well and love you...

April 11, 2005 (Monday)
 

Happy 10th Birthday to our granddaughter, Jordan!

Did I mention that we are having an awesome time in Uganda?  Today David set aside his camera to be with Angela in the dental clinic.  They pulled a LOT of teeth!  The two of them were fabulous as they adapted to the African way of dentistry.  David did try to send Angela to Starbucks for a latte but...  They are putting together a list of needs for the dental office and are working toward creating a safer, less painful environment.

Speaking of creative people!  Candice and David brought a huge bundle of 3XL t-shirts only to discover there are no large people here.  Candice and Louaine have been in the sewing center using treadle machines and have turned those t-shirts into dresses for girls.  The sleeves were fashioned into children's underwear.  They are calling the underwear "fruit of the vine" for True Vine Ministries!

Mae has really found her niche in testing for and giving out reading glasses.  She has a wonderful African boy helping her.  He interprets for her and assists her.  Mae's face lights up as brightly as the clients when they are able to read God's word.

Did I mention that this is a fabulous team?  There is so much creativity and compassion in each team member. We're blessed to work together so beautifully toward the cause of Christ.  

Thank you so much for your support & prayers!

 Rachel
 

April 12, 2005 (Tuesday) 

 

Another incredible day in Uganda!

We've met many of our orphans and have been having a great time interacting with them.  Angela found THREE to sponsor yesterday!

The clinic has been busy with sick people and people needing dental.  Mae says she can handle more people in her little "optical" shop but when the word REALLY gets out she'll be busy enough - her 84 people a day will seem like only a few.

There is a lot going on.  Shopping for orphans; making sure basic needs are being met; projects are happening!  The church is being painted outside.

A house started going up for one of the families yesterday.  Hopefully I'll get over there to take photos today.  They are building a two room mud hut for a widow with three orphans.  She is dying of AIDS and was concerned about what would happen to her children because they live in a rental.  Now she will have her own land and a house which will be in her oldest son's name so her children will be taken care of and she can live out whatever days or years she is given on this earth.

Like Robert says, "In America we have WANTS.  Here there are NEEDS!"

Thanks for all your prayers & support.


 

April 12, 2005 (Tuesday)  An email from Rachel to her sister.

Hi Sissy,

I suppose you are sleeping right now.  It's just after noon here.  I hope everyone is checking the website.  David is doing a great job posting all that I send him and quickly!  Be sure to send David a note in the comments and tell him how much you are enjoying it.  He's a volunteer!  Web masters can be expensive!

Here's one that won't be on the webpage:  

Yesterday I went to visit Godfrey's family.  I brought them clothes from the US.  Don't they look "smart" as they say here?  We had a little party with the neighbors.  We had fun with balloons.  I saw their goats.  They were so excited because they "have produced!"  Yesterday his mother was strong so everyone was happy.  Today they will start construction of their new home.  We're so excited.  Hopefully I'll get over there today and take some pictures.

This afternoon I am invited to baby Rachel's house and will bring some gifts to her and her family.

 The days are flying!  I have circulated the photo of my little ragged boy.  So far no one knows him.

There is so much to do and the need is so great.  It's breaking all of our hearts.  Robert said, "In the US we have so many WANTS.  Here there are so many just basic needs!"  It's overwhelming but we are trying to stay focused and meet those needs that we are able.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Love you, Rachel  

April 13, 2005 (Wednesday)

What a fun day!  Saturday, we will be meeting with the orphans.  During that time, we will be giving away goats, mattresses, etc. to those who have not yet received them.  Today several of us went shopping and we purchased 80 mattresses and many goats.  We got a load of goats yesterday and will get more today and tomorrow.
 

The afternoon was free time for everyone.  We pulled Virginia, Mae, Angela and David from the clinic, Candace from the sewing room and everyone else from their duties and went to the Wednesday market.  It was a great experience and some of the people found a few bargains.  

No one wanted for themselves!  After seeing the needs here, our wants seem trivial.  I was in the supermarket with one of the women from the church and asked her what would be a REAL treat for a family.  She said, "Oh, bread would be a wonderful treat!"  So we found this huge, beautiful loaf of bread and "blue bon" to spread on it!  Can you imagine thinking that bread and blue bon would be considered a luxury? 

Thanks for your many prayers.  We've seen God at work in a mighty way!  -- Rachel
 

Uganda Team:  Kids 
 

As you can see everywhere we go the children surround us!  We love them so much and I am certain that they bring more joy to us than we to them.  The only problem... we don't have enough arms, toys, or flip flops!  There is never enough so we have to be content to touch as many as we can and pray that NEXT time there will be enough.
 

Uganda Team:  Widow's House
 

As promised in yesterday's report here are the photos of the widow's house for her children.  I found out yesterday the fourth little boy in the photo is a nephew who lives with them too!  The house is going to have a large "receiving" room and two bedrooms.  Outside they will build a latrine and a kitchen.  They are so excited about it.  The mother was feeling strong yesterday and spent all day there hoeing and preparing the ground for her garden.

Another team member felt led to build a house for one of the pastor's here.  His name is Protus and he has five children.  The REALLY exciting thing is they are building right next to the other family so he can watch over the widow and her children.  He is so happy.  I have a photo of a very happy man standing on his land! 

April 14, 2005 (Thursday)

In two of the photos you will see Tom giving men rubber boots.  The men in the photos are building a latrine for the church and were working in flip flops.  They are very proud to set aside their flip flops to put on their nice new boots.

Yesterday some of us were sweltering in the church.  We asked Robert if we could have ceiling fans installed for them.  He said yes.  So we are hoping Pastor Wilbur can pick some up today and Robert will teach his new apprentices to install them.  They have been enjoying the classes so much and yesterday did some hands on work at the farm and are thrilled at the prospect of installing the fans.

 

Time is running short and there will be plenty for the teams who will be following us in July and November to do so if you would like to come to Uganda and help... Please do!

Thanks for all your prayers.  If I don't get back to the internet until we reach Amsterdam, know that we are all well and love you.

 More Photos from Uganda