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.