Saturday, November 4

Pastor Jane with the triplets

Mother of the triplets

Yesterday when we arrived at the site it was all-a-buzz with news of a woman “producing” three babies-all at once! Most have never seen triplets. They kept talking about the miracle that had taken place. The babies were born at home in their mud hut with only the father to assist. The mother was not

doing well so the nurses from the clinic went to her home and connected her to an IV. The father along with two neighbors carried the babies to the clinic to be checked and weighed. There are two boys named Apio and Odongo. The girl is Akello. They weighed 2.1 kilograms, 2.7 kilograms and 2.4 kilograms. Jane and I went to see them and found the Mom was extremely weak. She’s thirty-one years old and these triplets make eleven children she has delivered. She had nothing in her breasts so the women were dropping glucose water into the babies’ mouths with a spoon.

Rachel and baby Akello

Today Jane and I returned with formula and three bottles. Jane went to great lengths to explain they should boil the water before mixing the formula and talked about sterilizing the bottles between uses. She prepared three bottles to demonstrate and then fed little Akello who drank very little before falling back to sleep. We also brought the mother a nutritional drink, Reliv, which she loved and drank down. She seemed a bit stronger today so we left enough nutritional drink to last until Monday and told her we would check on her and her babies then.

Robert has been working very hard on the property troubleshooting and fact-finding and ensuring the wiring has been done properly and the work areas are safe. He’s so pleased to see the Ugandans taking such pride in the complex as they strive to make things look good. There’s been an unusual amount of rain lately and one small crew spends it’s time making sure there is no standing water for mosquitoes to breed. Everywhere you turn people are working on projects. This place is really going to be a showplace by the time the team arrives.

We are looking forward to welcoming Elizabeth, Darrin and Don tomorrow.

Second Sunday in Uganda

Today was a great day! I met with the women before church and they decided they would take a collection for the triplets and their family and a delegation will deliver it on Friday.

Robert was to give a lesson to the men. When he arrived there were only about six men but by the end he had a crowd.

The father showed up with his three babies-the first time he had been to True Vine church. The mother remained home since she is still quite weak. When the pastor asked those who wanted to accept Christ as savior to come forward the father hastened to the front.

Rachel and Flo

After they prayed with him to receive Christ, Pastor Wilber asked the women to bring the babies forward. People started rushing to the front to see the miracle babies. I have a feeling the people of this village will do all they can to help.

Tonight Robert and I were invited for dinner at the home of the owner of the electrical shop in Tororo. We fell in love with their daughter Flo a couple years ago. They said all day she was telling people she has two mommies and tonight her mommy from America was coming.

Monday, November 6

Pastor Ruth

We were so happy when Elizabeth, Don and Darrin arrived today. We all talked at once and had a great time catching up. While Elizabeth met with the orphan workers, Don and Darrin toured the site with Robert.

I went to meet Pastor Ruth who has an organization she calls “Smile Africa”. This woman has an incredible heart for troubled people. She talked about how in 1993 when people still believed you could catch AIDS from touching the doorknob after someone with AIDS touched it she felt God calling her to reach out to this isolated, friendless population. She said, “They die a lonely death. Even close relatives don’t want to be near them. When I first began I didn’t have anything-only a heart to help the suffering.”

Pastor Ruth's tailoring classroom

Pastor Ruth began her ministry by placing a box in the corner of her house and told relatives and friends if they had anything they could give to place it in the box. She would give the items to those she found in need. Soon the box was overflowing and the path to her door was wearing out so she prayed for a building and found a place to rent in a poverty stricken area of town. Next she noticed small children roaming the streets during the day so she started a nursery school. Today she has 80 children who come everyday and could have more if she had the room and staff. She teaches women tailoring and gives them a place to come to feel loved. Her doors are open to all. At lunchtime the street kids arrive and she feeds them. I sat with her for over an hour listening and marveling at this unbelievable woman of God. She told me of her vision of buying land and building a dormitory for the street children and giving the girls a safe place to live-to protect them for being sold to Kenya for sex. She talked about a place for HIV positive babies to be cared for. Her dreams are big but I told her, “God didn’t take you this far to stop now.”

"Rachel... I'm driving!"

Pastor Jane began driver’s training today. She was so excited. I went with her for her first lesson. Sitting in the back seat watching her was such fun.

She kept smiling and saying: “Rachel. I’m driving!”

Tuesday, November 7

Darrin and Robert ordered materials for the hospital today. That is almost a ritual as they drink sodas and discuss with the owner of the electrical shop their needs and if they have such supplies-whether or not they can get them. . . While working at the site they had a few kids following them around. Darrin was so happy to see the generator is hooked up and working.

Orphan in need of dressing change

Elizabeth & Don went with the orphan workers to visit sick kids. One was hospitalized with infection that spread to the bone. She had surgery and needed the bandage changed so they went out to buy new dressings and then had to bribe the nurse to change it. I’ll be so glad when our hospital is finished!

They visited several other sick kids in their homes who were overjoyed to see them. One girl’s mother was off making bricks but ran home to see the team. Their roof was banana leaves and was leaking. She showed the team the graves of her husband and all the other men in her family who had succumbed to AIDS. She told them that their visit brought her hope.

Another boy was in high school. His dad died and then his mom left so the boy was really living in poverty but is still attending school and so proud of it. When Elizabeth asked him how he was doing in school he smiled: “I’m doing wonderful! I love school!”

Jacinta and baby

One of the people Jane and I visited today was Jacinta. She and her husband are HIV positive. Last time I was here her husband was extremely sick. Now he’s doing well and is strong. I was amazed to find they had a new baby. I asked Jacinta if the baby was HIV positive and she said she hasn’t had him tested yet. I asked if she was nursing because even if the baby is born without AIDS they can get it through the mother’s milk. She was told she could nurse until the baby is three months old. Then if he tests positive she can continue. If he doesn’t she needs to stop nursing.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Wednesday, November 8

Today, Elizabeth our orphan program director invited all the staff of our Uganda orphan program to the hotel for a day of relationship building and exchange of information. They had discussions, worship, dance and a presentation of gifts.

Elizabeth had been told that their Thanksgiving is January 1st. They all gather and present gifts to one another. So today, for the men she laid out shirts and ties and had one person at a time choose a shirt and tie and present it to one of the other men. They laughed and celebrated as they gifted one another. For the girls, Elizabeth had chosen an outfit ahead of time according to their sizes.

Robert working on hospital lighting

Darrin and Don came back to the hotel for lunch and were involved in some of the fun.

Back at the site Darrin and Robert started the lighting project in the hospital and assessed what needs yet to be done. They also checked everything out to make sure it’s all in working order. They fixed some plumbing parts in the toilets and worked on the float system for the water towers.

Friday, November 10

Today was a busy day for everybody. The guys were busy wiring and troubleshooting.

It’s not easy when they are working in a little room and guys crowd in with them to watch. Whenever they have to walk to another area kids are grabbing them and wanting to walk with them. They are accomplishing some good work though. Last night a guy who is working with them brought parts in to the restaurant. We totally lost Darrin and Robert as they examined the parts discussing them like they were real treasures. They couldn’t wait till morning!

Buying food in bulk for orphans

Elizabeth spent much of the day buying food for us to hand out to 720 orphans next Saturday. She also went to see a house being built for Joseph, one of our orphans. While in the field she was so surprised to see nurses from our clinic treating people in the bush. When she remarked about it to the orphan staff one replied: “Oh yes. They do outreaches all the time.”

The grounds people are diligently sprucing up the compound. Choirs are practicing; fliers are being distributed and buildings are being painted. Everyone is looking forward with much anticipation to the celebration of the dedication of the hospital on the 18th.

Tomorrow evening the rest of the team should be here and women’s ministry is occupied with making baskets, necklaces, anklets and other craft items to sell to team members.
 

Grace is making a set of six dinner plate chargers for Rachel.  (Grace is Rachel's friend who is very sick with AIDS.  It's wonderful to see her looking so well!)

I explained chargers (Plates underneath dinner plates) to the women and one of the basket weavers, Grace decided to make some for me. You can see her in the photo holding up three. She is going to make six! As the women work they tell stories. They heard that I have been collecting stories of the women of Uganda and each has one to tell and is anxious for me to interview them. When I hear of the suffering each one has had to endure it really makes me wonder. I’ve heard stories of rape, witchcraft, attempted murder, murder, unbelievable abuse, abandonment, and on and on. Yet, each woman says, “When I accepted the Lord life is so much better.” They still endure the same problems but they now have Hope.

4 year old girl carries her 1 year old brother

When I see the children and how they are expected to work almost as soon as they can walk it still amazes me. The other day I was walking and I came across a tiny boy around two years old out all alone collecting fire wood. I sat with a little girl with a baby strapped to her back. She’s four and her brother is one!

I thought of something Pastor Ruth told me when I interviewed her:

“When I looked at the poverty of these people I sat quietly and repented in my heart. God forgive me for asking for more. You have already given me more than I deserve. Sometimes we go on our knees and we ask him for more. When we look at these people we know God himself cares for them and as we reach out to show love to them we are thankful to God that he will use people like us for such a time as this.”

 

Saturday, November 11

"Big boys" on the playground

The team arrived today! We were happy to see them!! Tom led a tour around the site and explained each building and the vision for the future. As we toured we gathered more and more children and Tom had to stop frequently as people ran to hug him and tell him how happy they were to see him. We ended at the pre school playground where Eric and Tom and Ken and all the guys really. . . acted like boys climbing the monkey bars and playing on the see saw. Angie loved the merry go round! We played until almost dark and reluctantly returned to the hotel with promises of returning tomorrow.

Of the team of 26 there are twelve of us who are returning for our 2nd, 3rd and even 7th time.  So you know people really love this place and can't wait to come back.

Monday, November 13

Brad and Michelle saw dental patients and pulled a few teeth.

Team member packing food bags

Elizabeth took some people out to see orphans and Brie was excited to see where their sponsored child lives. They visited her home and found eight kids living there!

Some of the team packed beans and rice in individual bags for 720 orphans. They will be placed in backpacks and given to them on Saturday. We used Eric's muscles to transport the heavy bags to the church.

Others stopped in at the women's ministry store and purchased dolls, bags, baskets and jewelry made by the local women.

Patsy from the Salvation Army

Emily and some of the 15 boys that call her "Mama"

There was a trip to town for supplies and attempts to use the internet.

I was privileged to visit the Salvation Army Children's home where I was shown around the compound and met some of the children and staff. Patsy moved from Tempe Arizona to work full time with the orphans. After the tour she took me to a house next door to see Emily.

Emily sold everything she had in Minnesota and moved here about six years ago to take care of some of the street children. She has 15 boys living in her home and they all love her and call her Mama.

It was inspiring to see the dedication and love Patsy and Emily bring to these kids who have been tossed away by society.

Tuesday, November 14

It seems the longer we are here the busier we become! The site was loaded with activity today.

Brad and Michele were the dentists today and had some difficult extractions. They are doing an awesome job with their limited tools and equipment. Chris held the flashlight for them as they worked.

The tie-dye project

Laura and Brie headed up the tie dying for the new orphans. We were expecting 160 new orphans! Dina was one of the team who helped. She said her highlight was when they put the color on the white t shirt and watching their eyes light up. They explained the meaning of the colors as they dipped the shirts... such as red represents the blood of Christ which was shed for you.  She enjoyed the one on one time with the kids because usually you relate to them in groups but this task was a one to one so that was really special for those helping. Angie was the runner and would go get water or whatever else they needed.

The shirts are complete!

Cooper worked in the dental and painted outside. He then helped with tie dying and ended up at the women's ministry store to string beads.

Donna helped Elizabeth as she registered and photographed the new orphans.

Pastor Ken painted and helped pack food. Then he walked for an hour uphill to preach at Segombe's church. He was almost to the top and a woman came running down to meet him. He was a little nervous that she was going to collide and knock him back down the hill but she stopped in time to hug and welcome him. Afterward she gifted him with a live chicken.

Debi and Wendy were teaching Pastor Jane a few American terms like "goof ball"! Jane was so proud of herself when she walked up to Tom and said, "golf ball!" Tom said that is one thing he hasn't been called.

The women watched themselves dance on video!

Toward the end of the day some of us were relaxing outside the women's store. The women decided to treat us with singing and dancing. Brad video taped them and then played it back. They were laughing and giving out calls of jubilation. Then they really started performing!! Brad entertained them with a little dance which really got them going.

It was a great day.  Thanks for watching and praying.

Wednesday, November 15
 

Cheryl at the police department

Yesterday some of us went to meet the chief of police. Cheryl is with the California Hwy Patrol so she brought her badge and ID with her. When we arrived the chief was not in so we met the inspector. Tom told him we had a police officer with us and the inspector began looking the men over to see who it was. They pointed to Cheryl. Pleasantly surprised the inspector welcomed her and a sergeant and another officer popped in. They NEVER allow photos but he did allow a photo of the three of them and Cheryl. Cheryl asked if we could see their operation and he willingly agreed. We saw where they do fingerprinting and the crime lab. There was a large line of women waiting to speak to someone in the domestic violence division. A woman was checking in with a big knot on the back of her head and blood all over the side of her face. Then we walked down a narrow dark hallway where the jail cell was. It was difficult to see the prisoners as they were in a small dark room. Cheryl stopped and said, “Have you been bad boys?”

“No. We are only suspects.”

Later, a Ugandan told Cheryl that if the men are sent to prison the conditions are much more deplorable. They are beaten senseless every night and are forced to do hard labor during the day. Their one meal a day contains embalming fluid so they are slowly poisoned to death. Those who are released are so sick they die anyway.

In family time this morning people were remarking about the extreme joy these people have in spite of being raped, beaten and having lost family members to AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Tom related to how the Ugandans prayed so furiously for him when he had cancer. They would fast and cry tears to God on his behalf. When he and Sarah arrived in Uganda this past June there was a huge celebration. People waved flowers and banners, and danced and sang with jubilation. Tom noticed one of the women dancing feverously. He kidded her later, “You were getting pretty wild there!”

“When I heard of your cancer I went without food or water for six days, praying continually. I suffered so much so my joy must be greater.”

Tom reminded us that the power of the gospel can ease the pain. Jesus knows our suffering. His family fled to Africa when he was a baby. He was beaten and mocked. Although he had the power to hurt back he allowed them to lead him like a lamb going to slaughter.

These people have wept deeper than we have ever wept. They’ve experienced sorrow way beyond anything we could ever experience. Yet they are not cold and bitter. They aren’t hiding behind their troubles and are not violent. Their height of joy comes from their depth of sorrow.

We welcomed Bill Goodwin to our team last night. After our team leaves Bill will go to Kenya for a prayer conference.

Thursday, November 16

Climbing "The Rock"

Early this morning a team of brave hearts climbed the rock. They all made it to the top at around 5000 feet and back. Tom, Cooper and Mike didn’t think the grueling climb was enough of a challenge so when they came down they ran the 1 ½ mile back to the hotel.

This was a real break through for Tom because a year ago when he climbed the rock he knew there was something wrong and that caused him to go in for a blood test which showed he had prostate cancer. He’s been through so much this year but God has been faithful! We all cheered to know that his strength is returning.

Group atop "The Rock"

Today’s lesson was Ephesians 4:11-12:

“Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors and teachers, so that his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong.”
 

We are designed for community. We are called to gather together-not only to belong but to serve. Everyone has a part-not one gift is greater than another.

Ephesians 4:15-16 says,

“Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head of the body. Christ holds it all together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love.”

With that we were encouraged to go and serve to the best of our ability bringing the love of Christ in all that we do.

Running in the rain!

A mud-spattered crew returned to the hotel this evening. We’ve been having some heavy rains and along with the rain a whole lot of mud! Some of the team trudged through the yuck with smiles on their faces as if they were enjoying it! One team went into the bush to see sick orphans. Dina said it was the best day yet. The kids were so excited to see the Mzungus (white foreigners) running through the mud. Eric said he was so thrilled to go to the middle of nowhere...to go down a mud path where cars don't usually go and then come upon a mud hut and go inside and see mattresses and mosquito nets provided by Hope4Kids. It's inspiring to realize how far Hope4Kids actually reaches out and touches lives.

Painting between cloud bursts

Other team members stayed on site and painted between the cloud bursts. Still others worked on projects; some turned the church into a playground and enjoyed the kids.

Sharon says she has supported other organizations and what has impressed her the most is to come here and touch and feel and see where your money is actually going. Feeling the impact of her support has been a great blessing for her.

“… And what does the Lord require of you? But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8) (NKIV)

~ To Be Continued ~