Back to Work!

Dan at my house sorting through our pharmaceutical supplies!

Margaret in hospital (center) surrounded by some grandchildren.

I arrived Uganda on Thursday, May 20, 2010 after a very busy, quick, but wonderful trip to Louisiana, Texas, and California. Upon my return, I felt that I had never really been away. The same friendly faces of co-workers and friends were here to greet me, and the same problems and needs were waiting as well. I was immediately faced with several medical needs which could not be ignored. In the village of Nama where we held book ministry on Sunday, we found a seriously malnourished baby who had been abandoned by the parents and left in the care of a very poor relative. Although the baby looked to be about 6-8 months, he was in fact, 1 and 1/2 years. We arranged to pick him and bring him to a local private hospital on Monday where Dan, my faithful worker,who longs to be a doctor, stayed with them throughout the visit making sure the relative was clear on the doctor's diagnosis and instructions and blood work. The baby's visit, lab work, medicine and necessary food items totaled about $20.00. I don't believe the baby would have survived without care much longer. But now we are concerned that the relative will be able to properly tend to him. Dan went out on a motorcycle this morning to be sure the medicine and food were being given properly. When he arrived, the relative had gone to the garden to work (away from the home) and the baby boy was left in the care of small children. Dan sent for the relative and was able to talk with her. We will monitor the care during this week. The doctor told Dan that with proper food and care, the baby should be well in 4 weeks. Our second case concerned our dear friend, Margaret, who is the founder and the director of the orphanage.She has been very weak and sick for some months with various ailments, mostly arthritis, but is now quite ill. Yesterday, we made arrangements to get her to a private clinic as well. She is suffering with malaria and typhoid. She was quite agitated and disoriented yesterday but is better today. I took her Pepsi, chips, boiled eggs, and gatorade--trying to entice her to eat. She has no appetite. Margaret is well-loved in the community and by her many grandchildren. In September she will be 75 and it is my prayer that she will be healthy for her birthday.

It is a bittersweet to meet these few medical needs. Glad that we can do even some small good,but bitter that the Ugandans don't have better medical care.

Dan worked this afternoon sorting through our cold meds, ibuprofen, band-aids, etc. which we dispense often.

English Bible Class

On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, I teach English Bible at the orphanage and we are reading the book of Luke---slowly. But the children seem to be learning great truths from the word, plus English. That teaching is one of my favorite activities. On Wednesday, I return to the orphanage in the evening to have Bible story with the 70+ children who live there, and on Sunday mornings we study the Creation-Christ books in two Sunday School classes. Those children are Learning!!! And teaching them is my joy and pleasure!

Two Saturday Groups

This past Saturday we began a new ministry with some Congolese men who are well-known by my guard, January. We expect two more to join us this Saturday. The younger man, John, said it was so easy to understand because of the pictures. The other picture is from our Saturday group which has been meeting about 5 weeks. We began the Abraham book Saturday.

Workshop on Books

Last Thursday, eight of us met at a local hotel/restaurant where we went through the five books in preparation for teaching in various places. The man at the end of the table is a pastor of a newly formed Baptist church, so he was joining us. We met him at our Saturday neighborhood group. Julie was also present there as well as some of our faithful workers for the past two years. It was a great time to be sharing together. Interestingly, we were seated at the same table where we met in January of 2008 to edit the books with our Ugandan council of young men--and now they are a reality being used for the glory of God.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Greetings. We are very busy each day teaching and sharing with both children and adults. The books are a great resource and appreciated by all ages. On Fridays, we teach at three schools--one kindergarten, one primary, and one secondary. Pictures below are taken at the primary school and kindergarten. We sing and read from the books. At these two places, we are still on the book of Creation. At the primary school, the teachers wanted us to teach outside because it was so hot that day and the classrooms were too warm. There was a nice breeze outside and the perfect setting for teaching about God's creation. Truly, the Garden of Eden must have resembled Uganda in its lush beauty. About 10 minutes into the lesson, the students near the back jumped up and began to run, which of course created instant chaos. There was a small black cobra which had slithered into the group. After throwing bricks and getting an ax, one of the boys was able to kill it and throw it aside. We moved to a different place with lower grass and continued with our singing and lesson. I love going to these two schools. In the afternoon on Fridays we walk back to that village where we meet with older students. We still use the Creation books, of course, but the teaching is totally different and appropriate for them. They are very responsive to the teaching. I did not get a picture of that group, but when we left there were a number of students outside practicing traditional Ugandan dance and music in preparation for parents day on Sunday. Check the guy out with the Obama shirt!

March 4, 2010

Every day is a full one here and many great things are happening. We have started several new ministries using our books and we enjoy those times with the people so much. We have all ages present, and because we are sitting outside on mats, people who are passing by will sometimes stop and join us. Today we began a new ministry at one of the nearby high schools. We had a good group there and will meet with them once a week. Tomorrow we go to two more schools, one with very young students and one primary school. It is exciting to see how we can use this wonderful resource for teaching in any setting for any age group.

My car is in the garage for two weeks so I am back "footing" it again, but I do enjoy walking in the villages. The Moses book is FINALLY at the printer and should be ready by 3rd week in March. The other illustrations for the next 5 books are coming along great. I can't imagine that possibly by year's end the 12 books will be complete. That is our goal--please pray that God continues to bless this project. In the pictures below, Eric, Julie and Dan and I are starting out to walk to the school this afternoon. It was about a 30 minute walk each way and the view from the top of the hill was lovely.

March 4, 2010

Thanks to all of you who wrote with concern about the devastating mudslide that occurred in Uganda on Monday. The affected area is in eastern Uganda on the Kenyan border near Mt. Elgon and is one of the most densely populated areas of Uganda. As of today's figures, 81 have died and over 350 missing. My district is expected to have heavier rains for a longer period of time this rainy season which will probably wash out many dirt roads. I am sending the picture of the home across from me so that you can easily understand how quickly these homes can wash away. This a typical home for so many Ugandans. The top picture is the outside kitchen and store room; the bottom is the house.