To Marare!

Today we went to the village of Marare!

(actually first a personal update.  We are all well thus far, and seem to be getting over jet lag.  Keep praying especially for the former).

Well, first we went to the FH office and had devotions with the staff.   This is always an enjoyable time, and especially so this morning as we were able the other new staff.   We met Difas who is their new logistics chap and also a accounting intern named Judith (currently a UCU student, the same place Joshua graduated from).  In general we are impressed by the quality and youthful energy of the new recruits.

After this we drove to Marare.

I remember when I went the first time with Alan and Diniz, and them bouncing around in the van on the way like a couple of kids driving up into the Disneyland parking lot. They kept looking out the windows and saying things like, “Hey!  That’s new!   Wow! That wasn’t there before!”   Well, this time it was me and Edith's turn:

“Wow, I don’t remember there being this many shops in area!”

“Hey, that was an open field with one building in it last time!   It’s all buildings now!”

But that’s nothing compared to Tim, having been here last nine years ago, who looked at everything and said,

“Hey!  This ENTIRE AREA was just an open field when I was here last!  Without even a road!”

Progress is very evident in Marare … lots of building, lots of buildings.   More on that later.

Soon we came to the last turn and pulled up into the St. James School (Motto:  “Never Give Up!”)

And of course we were met by the mob of children!  Yay!  That’s always one of the most fun parts!

We then went in for the opening ceremonies and welcoming.   Lots of people smiled …

… we had the school children’s choir sing for us …

… as well as the mother’s group (that’s Susan who some of you may recognize in the front in the yellow dress ….)

And of course speeches.     We also had the traditional naming ceremony … I’ll report on that more tomorrow as I can’t remember everyone’s Lugisu names and their meanings.  It’s all a lot of fun.

After that we had lunch and then started one of the big works we are here for, which is sponsored child visits.  We think that this is a big part of our ability to encourage people here.   Today we got to three families, bringing them packages, notes and video messages from their sponsors.   In some cases we definitely saw the happiness and appreciation from the kids (in others they were really shy).  But in all cases we had great appreciation expressed by their caregivers (mother, grandmother and relative in this case … AIDS and other issue have still taken a deep toll on parents in Uganda, so there are many children raised by people other than their parents, often at great sacrifice).  The adults really appreciate what is being done, helping their children go to school and getting an education.

To get to the sponsored children’s homes we walked, and were able to observe all the building and other things going one.  I was struck by just how many substantial houses seem to be being built.

They may be small by Canadian standards, but these tend to be multi-room brick structures (largely locally-made brick) of I would say a few hundred square feet with electricity, sturdy tin roofs and other amenities.   This is fantastic.

Another thing we saw …

Yup, that’s a water meter!   The Mbale municipal system has been extended at least partially into Marare!  And finally one more thing (because Edith is saying I need to stop and come to bed) …

Notice the new high tension towers being built beside the existing transmission line, a clear sign that they have needed to bring more electricity into the area to meet the growing demand.   I also saw a new substation … more kilowatts to the people who need it!  Yay!