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