Cooking??

This Christmas the baking fever hit me big time. Miriam and Rachel, Florence's daughters who stay here too, wanted to learn to cook Muzungu style. So....among us we made 10 different kinds of cookies, maybe 20 dozen altogether. Many of the recipes I had never made before, so it was an experiment. I never thought I'd be really cooking here in Africa. Believe it or not, I have even held cake baking "classes" for some who wanted to learn.
At this point, most of the cookies have been given away to neighbors, boda drivers, a church party, family, service workers, etc. Well....OK....we have eaten quite a few too.

Today we are making just 4 kinds more, favorites of ours from the initial baking. Most of these will be for sharing too.

What a fun way to celebrate the holiday.

Ruth, update

Ruth has finished the first term of her last year, working on a degree in Public Administration. She consistently finishes in the top 10% of her class and is looking forward to her second internship this next summer.

She really wants to go on for the Master's degree and has been searching out scholarships and grants, but with no luck as yet. If anyone knows of a funding source please let us know.

As you can probably tell from this photo, she is also doing some big work at home. This, her second child, will arrive between the second and third terms. She has already made arrangements for a trusted worker to come from her village when the baby comes. She will have all the work of nursing and of bottles. I don't envy her that at all. Guess I'd best get to work on the baby quilt. April will be here before we know it.

Ali, the student

Ali has finished his first year working towards his O (ordinary) level exams. His grades keep improving and his teachers see good potential in him for even more. He is very excited to be learning so much and surprised that his science grades are his best! As much as he loves politics, and can talk on it for hours, it isn't his very best subject.

One more year of study, then he will take the final exam and compete against the youth from all over the country as there no longer is a separate exam for the adult learners. One test for all now.

Turkeys on my Farm

Turkeys are a lot of work and have to be kept confined or they will wander off. The hens are good at hiding their eggs and really, really hate being messed with on their nest when they are sitting.

The chick that we raised up from last year is setting and may hatch babies around Christmas. There is a lot to learn about the care and raising of these birds. The mothers don't take particular good care of the babies, not like hens. We will have to have a “nursery” area. And did you know they get minuscule bugs called mites, that can end up weakening the turkey so much they die?

Now why did I want to raise turkeys? Seemed like the thing to do to have good size fresh turkey for Thanksgiving. So far, no home grown turkeys on our table. Maybe next year.

At least these turkeys can mate naturally and artificial insemination isn't needed as it is for the Butterball turkeys in the US markets. Don't think I'd be up for that.

When I drafted this note in Nov, I had 3 adult turkeys and one chick. Both turkey hens were sitting on 10 eggs each. One hen died Sat and we didn't find her till Sund. Too late to save any of the eggs. The other hen is doing OK and hopefully the eggs will hatch out Mon or Tuesday.

Christmas and kids and pageants all part of the season.

Moses was a lion and then a soldier in the chapel program put on by the two to four year olds at Heritage School. He was part of group also reciting a memory verse.


Family
Chad and Shanthi, Nathan with his best friends, Chesna with a new haircut and Miriam pondering what prayer is all about anyway.

No move needed

It is Final!!
The land lord came by and signed the two year lease contract for this house. I don't have to move, be further from my grandkids, lose house mates or staff or animals.

God is very good....all the time.

What a great day. now...I still have to fast till 23 Jan and clean this house. Small price to pay, eh?

God's Sense of Humor

Sept: Landlord gives me notice to move out so he can move his family into this house.
Oct: begin prayers, tell others of the need to find other housing by Jan 1.
Oct: begin weekly fasting and prayer.
Nov: check out a house, 2x more than I can afford; look at another place, not available till late next year.
Nov: Ali finds a house for the right rent, great landlady, only a km from here, BUT people in house refuse to move even though have not paid rent for 3 months and water runs off hillside into back door of the house
Nov: Landlord comes to see me to say he wants to rent the house I am in for 500,000/= a month, more than I can afford. He has a job, so doesn't need to move in. I keep looking.
Nov: Landlord's mother learns he has given me notice. She meets with me and 2 friends. Talks her son into renting me the house for 400,000/= per month for 2009, 450,000/= per month 2010.
Nov: Shanthi and Chad announce they are planning to go Stateside in June or July next year, if adoption is finalized and new EMI EA Director is found.

I can hear God laughing through all of this. Plans we mortals make all are dust in the wind. All that is important is that we trust God's plan for us and be willing to do whatever it is.

When I got the notice, I had to release all the following:
hosting a weekly house group; sharing housing with Florence and her adult children; having goats, chickens, turkeys, dogs; having grandkids spend the night once a week; having hot water and my own bathroom; having a garden; being near to the Gambles for their last year in Uganda. And God asked me to fast and pray one day a week. Now, the new contract for the house begins Jan 15 so I still have 7 more weeks of fasting and prayer to go. What a wonderful outcome for all this change.

God is good, all the time.
Whe

New goat

Here is a birth photo of Hope, the newest goat on my farm. Born to Step just about 30 days ago, she was a singleton. Step had twins last year. We don't know for sure who the dad is. But she is growing fast. Maybe a new photo of her when I get snaps of the baby chicks and turkeys.

Baptised at 64-

This past Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent, I was baptized by my current pastor, John Wilison and Alastair Taylor in a pool filled just for the purpose behind the place (school cafeteria) where Kampala International Church meets.

One of 3 people baptized, I gave a short testimony about how I came to this point. The talk went something like this:

21 years ago (on a Maunday Thursday just before Easter) Diane Chocolat, who did the childcare for my 2 girls, invited me to come for lunch. This was unusual for her to offer, and surprisingly I had an open calendar for that day. I accepted and we shared a tuna fish sandwich. (You do know that the fish is a symbol for Jesus, don't you? I can hear God laughing.) When she asked me if I had accepted Jesus as Lord of my life, my answer was No. When she asked why, I explained that I had made so many mistakes in my life that I knew God couldn't accept me. I was trying to become better so that then I could ask. She told me that Jesus had already made the way for me, taking on all my imperfections so that I could go to God. I realized the truth of that, invited Jesus to become my Lord and cried (of course). (Even in the telling of this story, I cried...in front of the entire church.)

Just a footnote: Diane later told me she was surprised to be inviting me to come and eat. I was surprised that I accepted. Must have been a Holy Spirit thing...

I went on to share with the church family about the time a few years later when I asked God why He made me cry when He was near me. God laughed, actually laughed, and told me that my mind was always so busy and that I was so hard headed that he used my tears to get my attention. Besides, He said, he was always with me, it was just that I didn't always recognize it.

Things I have learned from my 31 years walking with God: Everything I call mine, my life, my house, my things, my kids....all are really His, to do with as he chooses. All I need to do, is to live fully where I am and do what He asks me to do.

This is my testimony. Now we will see what God brings for the next half of my life in Him.

Fasting part two

So...fasting is easy and hard. Some days I wonder that it is any trouble at all. I just take tea, coffee or water and get on with needs doing, including some prayer and Bible reading.

But other times....oh my goodness. One day I made it clear till dinner time, even though I was feeling hungry. I brought in dinner for my daughter and the kids (Chad was away) and half way through eating dinner with them remembered I was to be fasting. So did the fast the next day.

Last week, I was doing well, but the snack table with all kinds of goodies brought in to the school to appreciate teachers just got to me. By the time I'd eaten my second cookie, I remembered.

What is so hard about changing the habit of eating, of eating whatever and whenever I think I need to? God surely knew I would learn a lot from this discipline. I am. And I don't think I really understood how much food drives my life until now.

The good news is...I am learning. And, I have a line on a house that will likely become mine to rent. I go see the inside of it on Saturday with my grandkids. Then the landlady and I will talk about the things that have to be done before I can move in. Some of them are big, some can wait a few months and some my staff may be able to do. But all in all lots of work in the offing, if this is the place God wants me. We'll see. Jan 1st and the move is coming up very fast.

Crickets and frogs

For everyone living in the temperate latitudes, fall is likely well in place. Maybe there is even snow, very cold nights and some warm days.

Here, near the equator, and at 3000' +/- altitude, the nights are still warm. The crickets and frogs keep up the symphony started in the daytime by the birds. Really awesome.

And if that wasn't enough. Some nights it is possible to see the Big Dipper AND the Southern Cross at the same time!

Our rainy season is almost finished. Another week or two or so and the daily (or nightly) rains will be history. All the green bushes and plants will be coated with red dust. An occasional rain will let the green come momentarily through. Then I'll know we are in the Christmas season - red and green ya know. :) LOL

Hope you are warm, safe and filled with thanks for all the blessings in your life.

US Election responses

While my American friends, family and acquaintances seem split here on whether they voted for Obama (yea) or McCain....the response from the Ugandan people is unrestrained joy. The Kenyans were so excited they declared it a national holiday.

One local paper here had over 1/4 of the total pages with information about, or references to Obama. There is a popular song out, in the local language, that extols his praises and offers him congratulations.

For the first time since JFK I have a picture of a US president hanging on my wall. Go figure. Let's keep him and all the elected officials, at all levels of government in prayer, as the road ahead is difficult indeed.

Kid sleeps in basket in living room

As many of you know, my grandkids often come spend Friday nights at my house. Last night Nathan stayed with a friend, 3 kids were in my bedroom and one in the living room.

Wait.....5 grandkids??? Well, no. 4 grandkids accounted for ...and one baby kid, 2 days old and at risk of pneumonia, according to the vet, if she just stayed in the goat house with her mom. So now I have a sweet little white girl goat in a basket in my living room. Photos to come. No name yet, I want to see if she makes it through this first week. Her mom is Spot, the birthday gift from 2 years ago and father is either a one day visitor who came to play or her older brother, Robbie. Hard to tell....

More notes later from Grannie Mc's Farm.

Everyday heroes

Not a word of complaint from any of these!!!

Snap shots of some of the people close to me from this past week:

Samuel went to church on Sunday and came straight to his evening job here afterwards. Monday morning he returned to his home, a single room, to discover robbers had taken all of his clothes, shoes, bedding and mattress! All the belongings for his teen cousin who stays with him also were taken. Good enough, his wife had taken all of her clothes and the baby's things when she went back to the village to harvest the peanut crop. He simply reported the facts to me and the house cell that night when he came to work.
Resources available: great relationships with other Christians, salary of 240,000/= per month (about $147 to support a family of 3, a teen cousin, and others in his village).

Florence runs a small preschool with 15 youngsters from ages 2 to 6. Last Friday she had a sudden abdominal pain and all over body weakness. She rested through the weekend and has worked every day this week, in spite of major headaches and chills.
Resources: strong prayer life, son and daughter visiting who have helped a bit with the school, about 350,000/= every 4 months (in bits and pieces) about $214.

Miriam, age 20, began an afternoon tutoring 3 hour/day, 5 day/week job for a Sudanese family living about 2 miles from here. She usually walked there and caught buses back to here (3 changes required). On Tuesday while on her way, she was accosted by 3 young thugs, robbed of her phone and money at knife point and was kidnapped . When the men tied her up in a laundry sack, she became faint and they thought she had died. She was thrown into the trunk of a car and then dumped out in an abandoned area. She was able to get out of the sack, but had no money or way to call for help. She walked for hours to get back home. Additionally, for the last 3 days she has had a major tooth ache, which she is treating with raw garlic and finding a little relief.
Resources: youth, health, strong prayer life; about 12,000/= a week ( about $7.50) minus transport each day.

Ruth, a single mother with a 10 year old son, was to begin her 3rd and last year of school towards a degree in Public Administration. She finished her 6 week internship program, had two weeks of “vacation” and was ready to begin classes. I was late getting her fees and she missed the first week of classes, having to catch notes from peers for the materials covered.
Resources: Former employer who sent money to help, active Christian life, earnings from part-time jobs about 140,000/= per month, about $86.

These are not unusual people, but everyday people getting by as best they can, doing what is right, and walking with God. They are my heroes and inspiration. No whining or complaining from any of them. Would I could be so gracious!

Comparing bathrooms

My home in California had a great bathroom. There was a large tub, easy to step into, and probably made of cast iron with enamel finish. There was a tiled shower with a bench seat and adjustable height shower head. The toilet was a bit raised, making it easier for someone with knee problems. There were lots of cupboards for storing linens, seasonal bedding, etc. A window gave a great view of the camellia bush just outside. The bathroom dimensions, wall to wall, are probably 8' by 12'.

In this house I'm renting, my bathroom is about 3 ¼' by 4 ½'. There is a sit down toilet, maybe lower than standard American. 4” from the tank top is the cold water knob that turns on for the shower overhead. (The hot water knob isn't connected to anything.) The shower has an on-demand water heater attached. The switch to turn that on is just outside the shower “door” which is actually a curtain. The basin is on the far/outside wall, under a louvered window. The cold water knob works and the faucet swivels for some reason I can't figure out. When I sit on the toilet, if I am really sleepy, I just lean forward and rest my head on the wall. No danger of falling over, as I'm almost upright. A small raised ridge at the doorway prevents any water from the shower from going into the bedroom and a drain at the far, lower corner of the room takes all the water away into the drain system.

All in all, not a bad arrangement. But....I recently checked out a possible place to rent where the bathroom was designed much like mine here, only larger. To go to the bathroom, one went out a back door, down two steps, then up two steps into this totally separate room. I don't think that will work well for me. Decided not to even ask about renting that house..

It is amazing the variety of ways we humans create our housing and meet our basic needs.

Sights in downtown Kampala

Here are some sights from downtown Kampala that I noted while riding in a car on the way to do some shopping:

Young men selling MTN airtime cards for cell phones to passengers in cars/ matatus while they are stuck in traffic jams or waiting for the traffic light to turn green.

An 18 wheeler long haul lorry passes thru the space where seconds before there was a man in tattered clothes pushing a wooden wheelbarrow filled with pineapples he will sell. Immediately after the truck cleared through, the same space was filled with dozens of matatus and bodas, all full of passengers leaving the center of the city. There is no order or queuing, the bodas dart in and out and the matatus are often two in a “lane”. No, there aren't marked lanes on the roads in this left hand driving country. The main rule of the road is “give way to anything bigger than you”.

Traffic island sometimes are the stand of choice for self-appointed preachers, screaming out their message over the din of traffic, radios and sidewalk hawkers. The sides of the roads do not have sidewalks in most places and are filled with people “footing” as they can't afford the matatu fare of $0.50. People will walk miles to go to work or to school. Not many obese people in the general population.

Gunshots at 5 am

This morning's prayers of thankfulness were more deeply felt since there were 3 rifle shots early this morning on our side of the hill. The sounds seemed to come from different locations, separted by 5-10 minutes in time and some ways from my place.

Many homes have armed security guards at night time. The guards have training and are authorized by the police and their company to shoot 1 time at intruders coming into the compounds.

My guards do not have rifles, just a bow and arrows and a baton. I think mostly they rely on the dogs to keep unwelcome visitors away. They patrol my yard and the yard of the lady next door. She does not have an enclosing wall as I do. However my wall is low enough in place that I could climb over it if I had too. So not really much of a deterrent. However, the dogs do a really good job of patrolling the entire area and let us know if there are any strangers around. Since most Ugandans fear dogs, this is a big help.

Anyway, thankfulness for peace, for law and order, for safety in one's home and a sense of security are not things to take just for granted or as an entitlement. They are blessings, new each and every day.

Thanks be to God.

Fasting a new exercise

My acquaintances who are Muslim began the month of Ramadan fasting 13 hours a day from food and drink, even water. Beginning Sept 3 or so, for 30 days there is a conscious choice to change daily eating patterns to seek a higher good. Children are exempt of course and those who are seriously ill. But this fasting is a reminder to pray and seek God.

Last week during my devotion time, God's call for me to fast was very clear. So from now until I am settled into my new home in Jan I will be fasting one day a week and using the time gained to do more prayer and listening to God.

Stay tuned for developments from this season of spiritual exercise.

A (African) Sleepers Best Friend

One of the extras of living here is the nighttime protection given by mosquito nets. The nets come with round tops, like this one and large rectangular ones. The net is intended to be tucked under the mattress on 3 sides then tucked under the 4^th side after one is inside.

For me, it is easier to let it rest on the sides of the bed and hang down on the side used to get in and out of bed. Some nets come with chemicals embedded to kill mosquitoes on contact. Mine are just plain ones. I don't like the idea of breathing in more chemicals than absolutely necessary.

In the morning, the net is pulled together and hung out of the way, as the bed often is used during the day as well. :) I did tell you once about my naps, didn't I?? One of the perks of retirement. :)

Good enough, nets aren't necessary all year long where I live. But when the “mossies” are out, it allows for restful sleep.

(This article was written about a month before I came down with malaria. Seems I had a few mosquitoes living inside the net with me as their food source!)

Malaria, again

A few nights ago, Shanthi and some friends were concerned for the fever and chills, and incoherency I was exhibiting. They did a home test for malaria, found I had the dreaded disease, and immediately started me on the medication to treat it.

The symptoms this time were different than before and I had taken my prevention tea, well, 2 of the prior 4 weeks, so I didn't have a clue what was going on.

Today I am almost my old self, not at full energy yet, but not sleeping 20/24 hours either. The appreciation I have for those who have, and who care for ones with, chronic illness went up at least 100-fold.

When you can't think, get water, bathe and it takes all you have just to use the toilet...well humbleness can only come along.

I may be first one ever to sit in a bath chair in a shower doing a facial scrub. Boy, did I need a long soak to get all the dead skin off. No wonder bed baths are one of the ministries to the ill and bed bound!

Enjoy health! A true gift from our Creator.

Nathan the Artist

Picture painted for me

Art reflects real life more often than not. This picture, painted by a 21 year old without a lot of formal training, shows the style of house, water gathering and daily life in a northern Uganda village.

Nathan painted this for me, my first original artwork not done my mom. It is very different from the pictures one can buy at the local craft markets. Now I just need to have it framed and hung on my wall.

Nathan SSENNYONGO

A 21 year old Uganda, tribe Muganda, raised in Kampala, with grandfather in Luwero District, on the road to Gulu in northern Uganda.

He entered art competitions when he was still young. At Senior 1, had an art piece displayed at school. Had a period when he did not much. When he went to a different secondary school, he received B's and A's in exams and had a lot of encouragement from the teacher. Then when he went home, he used pencils and any available supplies. His parents struggled to get him the materials to further his work.

He later went to a professor Mr. Banada at Makerere University and, his friend, Mr. Ssembilige a teacher of batik, showed his portfolio and the Professor was impressed enough to support him with materials, introduced him to others in the local art community. Some taught him techniques, opened doors to marketing in craft shops in Kampala. He has enjoyed being the party decorator for friends and family members too.

Nathan has a place in Uganda crafts which sell his batiks.

Nathan has goal of using oil colors, rather than chalk or watercolors or pencils. He has done many pictures used in Kampala International Church for use in the services and ministry. He also makes models of local houses, toys, etc.

His vision is to have a gallery in Kampala to show his creations. He will eventually have his own web site. He wants to do large oil painting, complex styles of batik and other creations as he is able to explore different mediums.

Opio Stephen

Opio Stephen is extremely grateful for the gifts of many people from California who recently helped him with covering the following expenses:

medical treatment for his wife and kids - 150,000/=

back rent – 450,000;

food - 60,000

school fees for nephew and son - 240,000

Because he takes his Christian walk seriously, he also tithed to his church 100,000/= from the 1 million he received initially.

The total he received from the initial donations was 1,000,000/= (about $613) with a bit more pledged to still come along. With these funds he intends to obtain a certificate in advanced computer accounting which will boost his chances to be hired. He has applications in with two NGOs and hopes to be interviewed soon.

Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Blessings on each of you who held him in prayer and/or sent gifts. You are a blessing for this African family!!

Everything is connected to everything else

There is much in life that we are oblivious to until we move somewhere very different. One of the most basic things comes from the weather and length of our days and nights.

In Northern California, where I lived most of my life, the days can be 16 hours long or 8 hours long. The weather, at least in the past, has been so mild that distances between towns and cities were measured in driving time rather than miles. From all this variation comes the need, or necessity depending on your point of view, to keep time, be punctual, wear watches, have clocks in several places, start meetings promptly, etc. Use of wristwatches is common and necessary for the majority of the population over age 13. We rush to be on time, worry about being late. Get upset if the event begins more than 15 minutes after what we expected.

One of the sayings here that I love: Muzungus (whites/westerners) have “no time”, ....they gave it all to the Africans. This radical difference in how we get through each day can be a source of cross-cultural misunderstanding if one doesn't step back and take a wider look at why, how and what is going on.

Here in Uganda, on the equator, the day light hours are the same, within 40 minutes or so, every day of the year. At 7 am it is light. At 7 pm it is dark. Transition between the two takes only 10 minutes. There is no need for watches or clocks because people here know the hour by the position of the sun or stars. The climate is wet or dry, depending on the season and there is a sense of there being time enough for everything.

Words taught in preschool and pictures for coloring reflect the life lived. So we are used to pictures of the seasons, of various weather related activities: spring flowers, summer swimming, fall colored leaves, snowmen, ice skating, etc. Here in Uganda these become foreign concepts, just words, as they don't match life here. The season change is small, more rain or less, with temperatures still in the same range of 60' to 85', night and day. Any activity we do can be done any time. Thus we have outdoor BBQs all year, any day we like, same for swimming and water play games. There is, here, a lot more focus on family, on relationships with extended family and others from the same village or tribe. There are many more words in the local languages for all the relationships and status and roles related to people than exist in English. There are special names for the sisters of your mother, for maternal and paternal grandfather and grandmother, for instance. If you are the parent of twins, you add an extra name to your name (different ones for the mother and father). For the twins, there are also additonal names designating if female, male, first born, etc.

Life is so very amazing....and we are awesomely created to adapt and thrive to the places we live. It is great fun to learn how we take the simple object of getting through the day and turn it one way or another. We can focus on “keeping time” or on the people in our lives. I wonder how much more of our habits or culture are generated by the world around us.

Plantian/Banana Soup

Here is a photo of one of the meals that Florence prepared. The soup was delicious and filling.

The protein dish on the right is essennene, roasted grasshopper. Also very tasty. You can't stop with just one!!

Here are two photos of my friend Florence. She made this, her first quilt project ever, as a lap quilt for her mother, who is 80. Her mom used to teach tailoring to ladies in the village, but Florence never took up the activity then. Now she studies patterns in the books we have. She has a friend who gives her cotton fabrics to use in the quilts. A different set of fabrics each month, what a blessing.

Now Florence is working on her 3^rd top!!! She will put the ones she has finished together soon and will have a new quilt for herself or for her kids. One daughter is already asking for one for herself. Guess I'd better get going and finish the two I have started and make one for Moses. Nothing like a little nudge to keep moving.

Learner Ali

Some of you may know Ali, the man who does gardening and night guarding for me. He began going to school to improve his English about two years back. Last year he began attending adult education classes at Makerere University.

He graduated well from the introductory class and now is enrolled in the two year program aimed at helping adults achieve their O level certificate. After so many years without having formal education, he is now learning mathematics, geography, history, English, physics, chemistry and science.

He has done really well and is understandably proud of himself. I think his family members are all proud of him too. I know I am.

Small business, Uganda style

Some of you may be wondering if I had lost my mind, buying a boda (motorcyle) and others may have thought I've come a long way.

Actually both may be true. I bought the boda so that a young friend of mine, Nasser, could begin his own business. He is buying the boda from me and will likely own it by this time next year. He works very hard, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, unless it is pouring rain. (If the rain is light and the passenger willing, he works even then.) He is managing to save money towards the car he wants to buy as his goal is to be a special hire (taxi) driver.

Nasser has named his boda "God's Glory" a much better name than any I ever gave to my cars. He takes really good care of it. Our contract gives me free rides whenever I want. A really good deal for me.

This is the photo of him on the boda a few days after we bought it.

God is Good

Have you looked at things that happen, wonderously, and think it was just luck? Me too....until I understood some of how caring and creative God can be. He arranges "luck" to happen just when we need it, nudging us to make a call, request at just the perfect moment for blessings to be shared, healing to happen, or growth to occur.

My friend, Melody, called me Monday to ask me to take some money to Emmanuel as her car was broken and he needed rent money. I agreed, since I was already out and about and had some cash. It was to be, in British terms, a one-off. When I found him, I reminded him of that. But an hour later, he called Melody saying he needed a bit more, as his landlord would not accept what he had. I then sent my boda driver to meet him and top up the amount.

The next day, Emmanuel called Melody again, requesting more money. Melody and I agreed that she would send all his messages to me and not return his calls. I asked our church charity committee if we might be of some help to him in his need. They agreed to a short term loan.

In prayer, I and others were given the discernment that Emmanuel was not to be trusted and we did not need to help him. He continued to pester Melody by message and calls, using different cell phone numbers, seeking more funds. When I finally met with him at his home, going with my boda driver, he introduced me to his friend, said his family had had to go to the village and that he still needed money for food. He was willing to sign for the loan as he has a good job. I went over the terms and conditions with him.

When we left the place, the boda driver told me he had talked with the children in the area. None of them knew Emmanuel, had not seen a wife or kids, but they knew the friend, who lived in that place.

Good enough, God's wisdom from prayer was proven out. Good enough, because her car didn't work, Melody was able to not be the one dealing with Emmanuel and was able to hand over this problem without giving away all of her funds. Good enough, my emerging skills in discernment are being used and verified.

God is good all the time. Just have to keep talking and listening to the One who knows what is the best next step to take.

Florence

Florence came to live with me 31 Jan. She and Ananda shared a room for a bit. I don't know how long God wants her to stay with me
Florence just had her 50th birthday. What a great time we have together. She shares a lot of information and insight about the culture and peoples here in Uganda whilst learning about Muzungu foods and habits. She frequently says she has traveled to America without a passport or plane ticket.

She loves flowers - these are from our garden.

She wants you to know that in any bad situation there is something good in it. For example, when she was given a move notice in January to leave her room, with no options she had sleepless, worry filled nights. Then God worked this miracle. An invitation came to live here with Maggie. "I am much happier now than I have ever been." See Rom 8:28 All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

I'm on the Road Again

Well, after much deliberation, I decided to purchase a motorcycle, 100 cc. engine, made in India. This is a Bajaj Boxer 5, red, just like Chad's bike, which is blue.

Great gas mileage, 41 miles to the liter. Good thing too with gas prices getting higher.

Total cost: 2.4 million Ugandan shillings, plus 100,000/= for 12 months of comprehensive insurance (third party, injury, theft, damage, etc.) A great buy!!

Want to come for a ride??

Thanks to my friends at RCRC for the helmet !!

Common/Uncommon activities

Here is a typical day at my house. See how much is like yours


Look out window, it is dark
listen for roosters, morning bird songs
Up at 6 am, still dark
heat water for tea
Fill water filter canister
Greet Simba, the night guard dog
Turn off outside lights
Check email and news by computer
Power goes off, shut off computer/internet
Put rug in front of frig to catch defrost water, just in case
Make tea, put balance of water in flask (thermos)for later
Greet Ali, night guard, discuss animal care, feeding for today
Play with Tiger, the dog who will be out all day
Give dog bones to the neighbor's guard to cook for their dogs
Breakfast today: milk and corn flour (like cream of wheat)
Visit with housemate, Florence
Say good-bye to night guard; take rechargable torch and flask
Plug in torch; clean flask
Call boda for bank trip to ATM; greet boda driver
Buy new chimney for kerosene lamp
Go to local market for carrots, rice, beans; greet vendor
Play with Moses, Miriam, Chesna who are finished with school for this year
Lunch time: take kids back to their house, visit briefly with Shanthi
Sew on quilt project for me and for Florence (power back on)
Take a nap
Chase the goat that got loose; tie up at feed area
Check on-line for latest news from home, email, etc.
Make dentist appt for next week and plan for lab visit
Feed rabbits and chickens/turkeys
Greet door to door vendor and decline to purchase anymore crafts
Heat water, fill flask, put with drinking water and torch for guard
Greet evening guard, Samuel, to discuss changes since he last worked
Heat left-overs for dinner
Turn on outside lights and inside ones
Make sure the matches, candles and lamp are handy in case of power off
Play 3-4 hands of Rummy with Florence and Samuel
Lock house, turn off lights, give thanks for electric power
Go to bed and arrange mosquito net so it keeps the "mossies" away
Sleep well

A Time to Every Season Under Heaven

Life is full and death is present too. In our modern culture in the States we are somewhat insulated from the ups and downs of death, seeing it frequently only if we live on farms with livestock or poultry or occasionally experience it with our own immediate family and friends (this more often as we ourselves age).

There has been a joke here that you'd best not be a chicken on my small holding. Most of my chickens never reach maturity. There is something like a 90% mortality rate here. Chicks are taken by hawks, killed by other hens, succumb to disease, drown in a water dish, other things too. The adolescent chickens who survive all that can be taken out by a wandering, invisible disease. And of course the adults usually become dinner for someone sooner or later. Yes, don't be a chicken here on Grannie Mc's farm.

But in Africa, death is prevalent and all around. You can't miss it if you tried. Most Africans have frequent, personal encounters with death, in all its forms. 1 in 7 mothers die in childbirth or shortly afterwards. Young children get malaria, meningitis or other diseases and die because they don't receive treatment or because the treatment was too little, too late. Accidents on the road, at work, from inadequate buildings, from devastating floods, rebel armies, all take their toll.

Animals, especially, don't live long lives. Most dogs only get to 4 to 5 years of age. Cats live even shorter lives. One of my 8 month old goats ate some cloth and cassava peels and died. Another goat that was visiting here ate some part of a plastic bag and died from that. Good enough, there was a vet to investigate so we would know for sure the cause of death. Otherwise the meat would have been wasted.

In my head I know that everything/everyone has to die. But I still don't have to like it. My heart is not settled about it, despite my belief that there is a life in heaven with God. And, yes, I believe that animals are in heaven too but it doesn't say that in the Bible.

Eccleiastes can be a depressing read, unless you are already surrounded by death and loss. Then the words of hope there stand out in great relief: Ecc 12:13-14(The Message) "Fear God. do what He tells you. That's it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it is good or evil."

I have always liked "there is a time to every season under Heaven" part of chapter 3. But the parts that urge focusing on God, regardless of what is happening around us, somehow didn't register. (Maybe because there wasn't a pop song about that part.)

Now I find the need of comfort again after learning that my friend, David, has been given only a few weeks to live because the cancer is rampant throughout his body. He is ready to die, most of the time. He has buried two wives, one died from cancer, the other from complications of Alzheimer's disease. His parents, brothers, sisters, in-laws are all passed on. He is ready....and I am not wanting him to leave. I will miss him terribly and yet I will be glad for him to be released from this body and move on to be with God and his other family. He had likened this passage to graduating from high school without knowing for certain what lies ahead - a time of excitement and nervousness. He is not afraid and is working hard at making his passing easier for those he leaves behind.

If you are lucky enough to know this kind and gentle soul, you have been blessed. Please send him prayers, a card or stop by for a brief visit.

Sorry, Sorry Are You OK?

Language is a very funny thing...once you begin to think you understand it. Here in Uganda, one hears, and later says, "Sorry, sorry" to any one who is harmed, falls, suffers loss, or even stumbles on the road. It is said for losses of family and friends as well as for just not having things turn out the way you hoped. Sorry is used to convey sympathy, empathy, understanding, encouragement. "Are you OK?" is used in the same way in the States.

In the States, "Sorry" usually means we have contributed to problem, whether it is the bumping of a person in line, stepping on someone's toes, or doing something that might have added to their discomfort. We teach children to apologize saying "I'm sorry for breaking your toy, hitting you, etc."

In Uganda, if you ask "Are you you OK/", you may have really insulted one. This phrase here means "Are you crazy/mad/insane?"

So....just be careful what you say and to whom.

Katwe Savings and Credit Assoc. Micro Finance

One of the ways the Assn helps members is to offer small loans, which can be repaid weekly. The office manager keeps the ledger and records each payment as it is received. This young man came in and signed for the payment he was making, maybe 500/= UGS or about $.30.


The Assn would like to be able to offer more loans, but needs to have more cash in order to do that. Any donations would be appreciated.

Katwe Savings and Credit Assoc. Jewelry Project

A self-help group has created a community based organization to offer members the chance to make items for sale. One example is the jewelry made from paper beads. These colorful and light-weight items begin from strips of glossy paper, often old calendars or National Geographic magazines. The paper is hand rolled and glued into place. The beads are then strung, with fasteners added. The range of colors, styles and lengths is amazing.

Only God Knows

When I am nudged to do something "good" for someone, I ask God to be sure it is in His will. In doing good, often there is harm that comes.

A recent example: Last year I housed a family of 6 for a few months. The husband had attempted to start a Christian vocational training school, which I had supported by being on the Board and with energy, time and cash. The school offered training and practical experience in welding at no cost to students. By last June the school did not have enough contracts to sustain it and the Board opted to suspend the school for a time.
During the time the family lived here, Jane, the wife/mother, became a Christian and attended the church where I attend. A week before I left for the States, I learned that the visionary had created a new family with one of the female students and just become the father of twins. When I had learned of his infidelity we talked and I told him he had to resign from being the school Principal and that he really needed to talk with the Church elders and gain wisdom. He did that, and told his wife the same day. He was very upset about every one having opinions about what he considered his business.

When I returned in August the family had shifted to the former school rooms. While he was seldom around, she continued to bring the kids to church. Jane reminded me that I had promised to pay for the next term of school fees for the 2 oldest kids, which I did. Because Charles had become very angry towards me, I was hesitant to pay the fees. Only after there had been conversations with Jane by others who spoke the local language did I pay the fees. The husband was not happy about it, but allowed it to happen since he wasn't working and couldn't afford it.

Later I heard that he left Jane and the kids, and either went to work in another country or moved in with the new wife or whatever. In January Jane asked me again for school fees, but I declined. She began praying for help, and God troubled my heart during my prayer times. After a few weeks, I relented and covered the school fees for all 3 of the big kids (ages 5, 7, 8).

She had little money for food or anything. But she wanted to work and had previously had a small business. So I helped her to purchase a small refrigerator (apartment size) to begin her business plan of selling cold water, juice and sodas to laborers near her home. She had a good plan and wanted to support herself and the kids.

Last weekend, the husband showed up, saw the frig and business items and accused her of having a boyfriend and beat her. He removed the frig, claiming that he did not believe that "Maggie" had helped her and he would find the truth of it. Jane was devastated and came to church for prayer and ideas.

I went to see her Monday at her home. She will leave with the kids and go to his village as soon as the school term is finished this month. She has to be somewhere safe, where she can support the kids by growing food or selling small items or ??? The only place she can go, culturally, is his village. The family there has to take her and the kids in.

I know God wants only good for her and the kids, but only God knows the right next step for her to take....and for me to help/not help. I just learned today that Charles knew before he went to her that I had been the one helping. But he is so angry that I am involved at all with his family, that he found excuses to be upset with her.

Please pray for each one as we seek God's will and desires in all of this.

Rainy Season

Thunder, lightning, power surges, rain, steady, insistent and cool.

The rainy season has begun. Rain comes often in the night, sometimes for 8 hours at a go. The plants and trees all are bright green again and new growth is everywhere. The mud can be very slippery, so walking is slow. But there is no dust!!!

I love the sound of rain on the leaves. I really like the lightning and thunder which comes with most of the storms. The wind can blow hard enough to knock the dead limbs from trees and bring down dead palm fronds. It can be a soft breeze as well. The big surprise this morning was finding puddles of water on the floor on my concrete living room floor. At least a quart of water came in the ventilator opening and dripped down the wall. Guess I'll plant a taller tree outside that part of the house so that the rain can't come in.

Most of the storms come in from the east, off Lake Victoria. The temperature is in the low 60's but feels colder than that. It's a good day for sweats and hot tea. Want to come visit and have some hot scones?

Back On Line

After 4 months without a computer or an in-house internet connection, life is finally “back to normal”, whatever that is.

Currently I am working on a quilt for myself this time and volunteering one morning a week at Heritage International School, just down the hill from where I live. I also help with the grandkids several days a week and ride bodas almost every where I want to go.

In fact, I am purchasing a boda, a big red one, that should be delivered today or tomorrow. I'll make a contract to sell it to Nasser, a young man who is a very safe driver and a Christian gentleman to boot. He is pretty excited about having his own boda instead of working for someone else. Photos to come.....

My farm now has about 20 chickens, 2 turkeys, 4 goats and 2 dogs. Tiger, the older female dog has taken to staying out of the dog house all the time. She escapes regularly from the compound and doesn't go very far. She is more content to be the day and night guard dog. I like having her around. She will walk with me about ½ way to Shanthi's and escort the kids when they are coming up here.

Anyway, expect more connection now that I have the tools again. Blessings on your day.