Monday, August 22

Day 4 of trip (Day 2 in the village)

This is Miranda writing…

Started the day at the FH office in Mbale.  So exciting to greet our dear friends - the FH staff!  One of my favorite parts of our (Brian and me) 2 previous visits was sharing devotions with the staff, it is always a rich time of singing and reading God’s word.  “Uncle” Steven shared some wisdom with us from Philippians 2:1-4… I am so inspired by his love for Jesus and the people of the villages around here that FH works with.

Each of the staff introduced themselves and told them a little about themselves.  Most of them are Community Development Facilitators (CDF)

·        David, CDF and Director of Awana.  Married with 1 daughter.

·        Joshua, CDF and a serious rugby player

·        Julius, CDF and guitarist.  Married with 2 children

·        Defastwomba (not sure of spelling), CDF

·        Stephen, CDF.  Being a little older, most of the children call him Uncle Steven.  Married with 3 boys.

·        Livingstone, CDF and electrician.  I think he must have some architecture/draftsman training as he was in charge of the construction of many of the new buildings (classroom blocks, teacher quarters, etc).  He is married to Joy and their little girl is called “Living Joy”.

·        Molex, CDF.  Molex lives in Marare and seems to know all the children. 

·        Justine:  She cooks for us and is a bright light in the office.  She is now married with 2 children.

·        David – not the David mentioned above.  He is on security and opens the gate for us every time the bus approaches.

 

Moses asked that we share his love and appreciation for the support of Northgate over these last nearly 10 years.

 After a bit of fun having the staff try and remember all our Canadian names and Ugandan names,  we then headed out to the village.  I was already surprised by the development along the highway to Marare, but when we arrived at the turn off into Marare, I couldn’t believe it!  The road itself was improved from the last time Brian and I were there (2013), although there are still some of the incredible Ugandan potholes, but the businesses, homes, other schools/colleges and crops along that road were amazing.  It’s like a whole new town.

 Some of the children were in the school yard when we drove up, so we got the wonderful, excited greeting from them.  We were ushered into the community center, already half full of children waiting for us.  Then the choir filed in, singing and dancing.  They proceeded to entertain us with some beautiful, heartfelt singing, telling of their struggles to improve their lives, how happy they are how they love and appreciate their school/teachers/parents and especially God. Their talent is wonderful. There were speeches from a parent, a board member, the Head Teacher and the children themselves.  Moses told us later that the children wrote their speeches themselves.  Allan introduced each of us, and we told them our Ugandan names (the 8 of us who had been before had received our names.  Because Rita and Ajoo had never been to Marare, the children wanted to choose their Ugandan names.  After much discussion in Lugisu, the names were chosen.  😊  I can’t remember their names, but Ajoo’s means “joy.”  It was such a wonderful program. 

After it was over and the children returned to their classes, some of the teachers provided us with a snack.  We didn’t understand that it was a snack and thought it was lunch. (We were surprised later when we were told to get on the bus because we were going back to the FH office for lunch.)

After our snack, there was time for ‘playing’ with the children.  We went out into the field and tried to teach them the “chicken dance.”  It was a bit chaotic, but the children had so much fun… lots of laughter!  For some of us, that much time in the sun was enough, but the younger team members persevered and learned some of their songs/games.  Some of the team visited with Moses, the FH staff and local men.  I was able to chat with one of the women (Ellen) and show her some photos that Edith Sinclair had sent for me to distribute.  It never fails, when you bring out photos, you instantly draw a crowd.  But such a happy crowd.

  

Joshua in center green shirt Violet center right in pink dress are Suzan's children

Some of you remember Suzan… the young mother with the beautiful voice and the biggest smile you have ever seen.  She has become such a leader among the women.  Ellen told me that Suzan’s husband had recently passed away, and she wasn’t in the village today because her youngest child had been admitted to hospital.  Please pray for her!  But what a blessing that because of FH’s work in the village, she will be able to provide for herself and her children!

After lunch, we split up.  Brian, Rita and Vicki went into 2 classrooms and shared with the children, telling them about Canada and answering all their questions.

The rest of us went on some home visits. Because of time, and the risk of rain, we were driven around Marare in our bus.  I couldn’t believe the narrow paths our driver, Hussein, could navigate in that bus.

The first visit was to the home of Bruce and Pam Darrington’s girl (can’t remember her name).  She is studying to be a hairdresser and is doing incredibly well.  Her mother was so happy to welcome us into her home and share her appreciation for FH and the partnership with Northgate (this was all interpreted by Julius).

The next home was to show us the biogas system.  The couple first had us come in to their living room and we prayed together.  Then we went out to see the biogas.  Naturally the first animal we encounter is a cow, who seemed very happy to , see us as well.  I know biogas has been explained before, but their may be people reading this who don’t know about it.  First there is a large cement “pot” (above ground), where you deposit the cow dung, mix it up and pull out any straw or any other undigested ingredients.  Water or urine is added and it feeds into a large cistern underground.  There the dung “digests” (ferments)  and the gas rises to the top.  It is syphoned off and fed by pipe to the house.  The remaining sludge feeds into another cement holder and is an incredible fertilizer (we saw evidence of that by the large corn stalks all around us.  We then went into the back of the home and the mother of the home lit the gas light and turned on the stove, all fed by the gas from the cow dung.  There is no waste, the people no longer have to cut down trees for fuel, there is no risk of explosion… it is a great system!

 

The next home was of a boy, Abdu, who is sponsored by Natasha Korner.  Abdu was nowhere to be found, but we met with his mother… who was thrilled to have us there.  We have been assured that we can meet with him tomorrow as he will be at school. 

 

These home visits are so special.  The people are so excited and honored to have us come to their home.  You can’t help but feel their love and appreciation.

Of course, everything takes longer than planned and we had to hurry back to the school to pick up the rest of our team.  After a short stop at the hotel to freshen up, we were given supper at the FH office by our dear Justine.  She brought her 2 children to meet us…  they were very quiet and I think a little overwhelmed by all these Muzunges (white people).

It was a great day, but so tiring.  I am feeling my aches and pains, but so happy to be here.  I wouldn’t miss this for the world!

We are all experiencing jet lag and disturbed nights… there are the sounds of dogs barking like crazy in the night, roosters at 4 a.m. and our bodies are so confused with the time change.  We are weary, but happy.