Friday, July 22, 2005
 

A very sad day for all of us.  We attended a funeral of Jennifer and her baby.  She was 8 months pregnant and fell on the way to the clinic with three of her children.  A C-section was performed and both Jennifer and the baby died.  They tell us that her husband is old by African standards and there are eight children left behind.  The pastor said that when he first came here that Jennifer was one of his first converts.  She has been an important part of the True Vine Ministry team.

Her funeral was standing room only in the big church.  She was loved by the entire community.  Her children were some of the first children in the village to steal Tom's heart.  It is so difficult to understand when a mother dies.

Pastor George gave the blessing at the grave site where there were hundreds of people surrounding the burial site in a small field next to her home.

Rachel was with her orphans who know that their mother is sick with aids.  It was very difficult for these children to witness what might happen to their own mother in the near future.

It is hard to describe how God can be with us in such a great way in this location where He is needed so badly.  We all feel closer to God than we have ever experienced in our entire lives.  Our faith is renewed and strengthened with every day we spend here.

Note:  Rachel has had problems with the internet connection at the church office.  So Diane Sullivan sent the “Thursday update” and photos from an internet cafe in Tororo.

Sunday, July 24, 2005

The final performance

Our final Sunday in Uganda!  What a day!  Most of us attended the main church.  There was much celebration and dancing.  The clarinet and trumpet students performed two songs with Pat & Don.  Bethany and Sage conducted as they played "Merrily we row along" and "up on the housetop"  with "When the Saints go Marching In" as their grand finale.  The  church cheered to see the students had picked it up so rapidly!  Bethany & Sage also wowed them with their beautiful "American Idol" voices.  They were joined by one of their African sisters.  Photos to follow as soon as I get to a place to send them.

Robert, Brad, Carla & Elizabeth attended Pastor Peter's rural church.  Pastor Brad preached.  The little church packed.  Pastor Peter's wife had just had a baby boy and Pastor Peter announced they had decided to call him "Robert".

Marilyn went to two Catholic churches with a local priest.  At the second church they were expecting the bishop.  The people were all there to see him.  It was announced that he could not attend today BUT there was another important visitor. . . their American sister, Marilyn.  She greeted them and told about the projects we have going on.  After church she was whisked away to a beautiful luncheon.  She said she was glad the bishop hadn't shown up as she got his lunch!

The rest of us had lunch on the grounds of Pastor Wilbur's new home.  A woman from the US has funded the building of it.  It's not completed yet but it's going to be a very nice brick home.  His wife proudly gave us the grand tour and told us what each room was going to be.

In the afternoon there was a baptism in the hotel swimming pool.  53 people were baptized.  Elizabeth & I attended a women's ministry where I volunteered Elizabeth as the speaker!   Then the women introduced themselves and told of their marital status, children, their hopes for the future,  etc .  It was a great afternoon of just getting to know our Ugandan sisters.  And to find that their dreams are so similar to our own.

In the evening we were able to invite some guests to the hotel for dinner.  A bus full of children and adults arrived much to the delight of everybody!  We had a fabulous dinner by the pool.  After dinner the hotel was  filled with children laughing, chasing balloons, receiving gifts and sweets and bubble gum.

Tuesday, July 25, 2005

 

Goats and mattresses!

Today was a hectic day of tying up loose ends.  There were more orphans to meet.  More goats and mattresses to give out.  The mural was finished on the store.  Painting of the preschool was finished.  There were many goodbyes to be said. 

Bonnie, Elizabeth, Katie, Pat & Diane left today.  It was so difficult to say goodbye to our American & Ugandan friends.  Many tears were shed.

We packed and are ready to begin the long trek home.

Thanks for your many prayers!

I will send a follow up and more photos when I return to the States!

Uganda Update

Robert and his electricians.

I got this last set of updates from Rachel while she was in Amsterdam on Tuesday night.  Hopefully they are home safe tonight.  Rachel plans on sending a final update and more photos when she is home and rested.  Please check back in a few days.

Also, YOU should consider going to Uganda or elsewhere with Hope 4 Kids.  We are hosting numerous trips in 2006 and have another trip to Uganda in November.