Yesterday(Sunday) was a good day. Got the boys ready for sunday school at 9am, about to leave when Paul had another crying fit. We sent him to his room to come out when he stopped crying and Marilyn took the others while I stayed home. This time he stopped crying after about 15 mins so we were able to get to sunday school after all. It was very chaotic really with only a few children listening to what was going on so we feel there is definitely an opening for some input from us.......but not yet! Between Sunay school and lunch was a really delightful time with the boys playing cooperatively together. Marilyn had made some soup for lunch which proved to be too hot, taste wise, for the boys but we enjoyed it. At 2pm we had church which involved some wonderful worship. We are taken by the fact that their prayers always start by thanking God that they are alive today, we enjoyed the service. Uncharacteristicallllly (oops) it was raining off and on so some of the boys watched a musical DVD. Dinner was the sunday special of sausage and chips which the boys enjoy but I would rather have the Village fish & chip shop chips anyday. The boys went to bed tired but satisfied, we too.
This morning we had to wake the boys at 6.45, they had slept in!!! Got them ready for school in time though andwent to the monday morning prayer meeting at 9. Came home to washing and housework during which time we discovered an empty biscuit packet under one of the beds. It looked remarkably like a packet we bought, but ours had biscuits in it..... You guessed it, we had been raided. We realised a second packet missing from the pantry and found that in one of the boy's bags (well there were three biscuits left in the packet). So tonight when the little ones were in bed we confronted them with the evidence, with denials all round but we are certain we know who is responsible and we are giving him/them time to confess & repent. Please pray for wisdom in our handling of the situation.
Baby Judith is improving, her temperature is stable and she is taking on food so she may be released from hospital tomorrow. Another miracle!!! Thank you to those who have been praying. Please keep us in your prayers, thank you to those who have e-mailed or txted us, we do value the communication we get from you. Thanks especially to David & Zoe.
Our love to you all
Monday, June 29, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The attack of the safari ants
Our experiences here continue to broaden, yesterday about 4pm we discovered a hoard of safari ants had invaded the house. Those of you who have been here will know what vicious little creatures they are but for those that don't..... they are BIG ants by NZ standards and the beggars can bite!!. One can of spray later got rid of most of them but it was nasty there for a while, Marilyn kept imagining them still there when we went to bed. We have enjoyed the time we have had when the boys are at school but also enjoy it when they come home.
Today (Saturday) four of the big boys left the compound to visit friends in the neighbouring villages and the four others spent time up at the home while Marilyn and I visited the two boys from last year, Alex & Simon, at their high school. It was quite a mission for us to get there. We first took a boda ride to Mukono, met up with a counsellor (Immaculate -don't you love the African names) and she negotiated a private hire to take us to the boy's school and collect us and return us to Noah's Ark. The boys were so delighted to see us and, indeed, us them, they are such lovely boys. We spent about two hours with them and Marilyn was able to get the guitar we had bought last year. We returned home about 2.30pm exhausted and hungry but the boys descended soon after so recovery time was non exsistent. However we got a TV and DVD player down here from the home tonight so it was nice to relax with the boys and watch a children's DVD. Guess we will get to know all the children's movies. Mama and Papa have quite a supply.
Baby Judith is still in hospital and seems to be keeping some food down now but is still critical. She is a twin and is so tiny compared to her brother, who is the picture of health. So keep praying for her.
Today (Saturday) four of the big boys left the compound to visit friends in the neighbouring villages and the four others spent time up at the home while Marilyn and I visited the two boys from last year, Alex & Simon, at their high school. It was quite a mission for us to get there. We first took a boda ride to Mukono, met up with a counsellor (Immaculate -don't you love the African names) and she negotiated a private hire to take us to the boy's school and collect us and return us to Noah's Ark. The boys were so delighted to see us and, indeed, us them, they are such lovely boys. We spent about two hours with them and Marilyn was able to get the guitar we had bought last year. We returned home about 2.30pm exhausted and hungry but the boys descended soon after so recovery time was non exsistent. However we got a TV and DVD player down here from the home tonight so it was nice to relax with the boys and watch a children's DVD. Guess we will get to know all the children's movies. Mama and Papa have quite a supply.
Baby Judith is still in hospital and seems to be keeping some food down now but is still critical. She is a twin and is so tiny compared to her brother, who is the picture of health. So keep praying for her.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Two weeks in Uganda
We realised that we have now been in Uganda for two weeks, seems more like two months so much has happened. An educational psychologist would have a field day here! On Wed. night Mark saw a snake under his bed (imagined) and screamed the house down. This is a regular occurence apparently. He wouldn't return to his bed so settled with me on the couch and took from 1.30am till 6 am before I could get him back, he was absolutely terrified. needless to say we were a tad tired on thurs. Last night Paul decided to cry before going to bed, for no apparent reason and he could tell us of no reason although we reasoned with him reasonably, and he maintained a monotonic cry for two hours before nodding off to sleep. In spite of this we feel things are going along quite well. On Tues the big boys went to Aunty Floor's for dinner and last night Paul,Mark & Ezra were out for dinner and bible study with Aunty Reny another of the Dutch Aunty's. This is a fortnightly thing so it will give us time with the others which we enjoy.
we are gradually getting to know their quirks and personalities (and no doubt they are getting to know ours), and we are trying to make time with each of them each day. They were quite taken with my false teeth, it may have been a mistake to have shown them those!!
Our days are filled with washing, cleaning and catching up on sleep though yesterday we were involved in a meeting to explore ways of increasing the motivation of staff in the home (the Aunties) which was interesting to observe the culture of making decisions in Uganda.
We are learning lots and having some good laughs each day. Please continue to pray for us and NACMU. Baby Judith is still just hanging on, is in hospital now so please pray foe her. The malaria folk have recovered so that is also great.
Have just come back from the school watching some class performances in an 'assembly', we continue to be concerned about the ability(or inability) of the students to listen - I guess some things are universal.
Our love to you all
we are gradually getting to know their quirks and personalities (and no doubt they are getting to know ours), and we are trying to make time with each of them each day. They were quite taken with my false teeth, it may have been a mistake to have shown them those!!
Our days are filled with washing, cleaning and catching up on sleep though yesterday we were involved in a meeting to explore ways of increasing the motivation of staff in the home (the Aunties) which was interesting to observe the culture of making decisions in Uganda.
We are learning lots and having some good laughs each day. Please continue to pray for us and NACMU. Baby Judith is still just hanging on, is in hospital now so please pray foe her. The malaria folk have recovered so that is also great.
Have just come back from the school watching some class performances in an 'assembly', we continue to be concerned about the ability(or inability) of the students to listen - I guess some things are universal.
Our love to you all
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
There's only one black sock!!
Some things are the same the world over. We did a lot of laundry yesterday and wouldn't you know it.....there was only one black sock. We are getting to know the boys bit-by-bit but getting them all to bed is quite a trial. There always seems to be one who wants to disturb the others. Last night the big boys (Matthew, Timothy, Owen & Joshua) went to one of the Dutch Aunty's for dinner (pancakes) so that left us with only the four younger ones which was nice. The laundry has been a bit of an issue but we are gradually working through the system. Our washing machine is now working so we can do our own washing here, the rest gets delivered to the laundry of the home. It has been great hearing from many of you via e-mail, thank you for that as news from home is really good to get. The internet connection here is still quite variable, I have tried logging on all last night without success. This time (9am) seems to be quite good. The boys are off to school about 7.30 which gives Marilyn & I time for our breakfast and some Bible study and then it is washing, cleaning, and general tidying up. There is still some sickness but most are better today but please continue to pray for the work and the workers of NACMU.
We are still looking forward to our first hot shower, though a cold one during the day is most pleasant.
Love to you all
We are still looking forward to our first hot shower, though a cold one during the day is most pleasant.
Love to you all
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Our baptism by fire
Well, what can I say...we have survived our first weekend with the boys. Weekends are the hardest because they are with us all day, we are looking forward to tomorrow when they go to school from 8am to 4pm. The boys, Matthew, Owen, Timothy, Joshua, Ezra, Mark, Paul and Richard joined us on friday night. It was a hectic day of preparation getting furniture and supplies etc but we made it. They are good boys but quite demanding and very LOUD when they talk as that is what they are used to, it will take us some time to quieten them down, and they are very FULL-ON. There is a lot of sickness here with Piet (papa) having malaria and Aunty Mariska with a troublesome appendix as well as baby Judith still just hanging on to life so please pray for them all.
We are getting used to being called Aunty Marilyn and Uncle Warwick and if we go anywhere near the children's home we always have two or three children hanging on.
Have purchased several things to make our life more comfortable here, a gas oven & stove, a microwave, a washing machine, and a double mattress (at last), it is a bit like setting up home all over again.
PLease continue to pray for us as the boys settle in, we had 4 wet beds last night and hoping for none tonight, we feel we are able to make a difference in the lives of these boys but it will not be without its moments.
Our love to you all.
We are getting used to being called Aunty Marilyn and Uncle Warwick and if we go anywhere near the children's home we always have two or three children hanging on.
Have purchased several things to make our life more comfortable here, a gas oven & stove, a microwave, a washing machine, and a double mattress (at last), it is a bit like setting up home all over again.
PLease continue to pray for us as the boys settle in, we had 4 wet beds last night and hoping for none tonight, we feel we are able to make a difference in the lives of these boys but it will not be without its moments.
Our love to you all.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
one day to go
The blog this morning was cut short so this is what it was. We spent an afternoon in a shipping container two days ago trying to sort through bags and bags of shoes for the school children. Half of the container had bags of shoes in it and we were able to find some suitable pairs but the rest were put back in the container for another time. It is interesting to see the aid from the end point.
Today we have made the beds ready for the boys who come after dinner tomorrow. We had a heap of them here after school today so we realise that we will have some challenges ahead. We'll keep you updated.
Today we have made the beds ready for the boys who come after dinner tomorrow. We had a heap of them here after school today so we realise that we will have some challenges ahead. We'll keep you updated.
There's a monkey in the kitchen....
Another new experience, a monkey came into the house while we were sitting outside, I don't know who got the biggest fright, him or me. No damage done though.
We realised that at the end of today we will have been in Uganda one week. What a week it has been! It seems like a month with all the new experiences. Today will be our last day of 'freedom' as we get 8 boys to live with us from tomorrow, something we are both looking forward to with a whole raft of emotions and feelings. They are very keen and have been down to see us each day after school , one thing we will need to get used to is their constant questions and chatter but they are lovely boys. Our admiration for the work being done here grows day by day, there are several children with malaria (8 at last count) and one baby who has been feverish but is still hanging on, just, so please do pray for Judith.
We have managed to get several things for the house including a microwave and cooking items (pots/pans etc.. The next items needed are an oven and a double mattress. We have been able to unpack our suitcases into a small but adequate set of drawers so this is feeling more like home now.
Still no
We realised that at the end of today we will have been in Uganda one week. What a week it has been! It seems like a month with all the new experiences. Today will be our last day of 'freedom' as we get 8 boys to live with us from tomorrow, something we are both looking forward to with a whole raft of emotions and feelings. They are very keen and have been down to see us each day after school , one thing we will need to get used to is their constant questions and chatter but they are lovely boys. Our admiration for the work being done here grows day by day, there are several children with malaria (8 at last count) and one baby who has been feverish but is still hanging on, just, so please do pray for Judith.
We have managed to get several things for the house including a microwave and cooking items (pots/pans etc.. The next items needed are an oven and a double mattress. We have been able to unpack our suitcases into a small but adequate set of drawers so this is feeling more like home now.
Still no
Sunday, June 14, 2009
an update on Sunday
I have a bit more time so thought I would try to flesh out what is being done here.
As mentioned earlier, there are 106 children here from only a few days old to solo mums of 13-16yrs. You cannot sit down anywhere without anything from 1-4 children climbing all over you and wanting cuddles. When standing, they want to be picked up so there is really very little escape. As you can imagine, we are LOVING it. The main project at the moment is the completion of a medical centre which can serve not only the children's home but also people from surrounding villages. This is near to completion. We visited the school on friday and had a brief glance in all classrooms, there may be some opportunities to help out there. We are in the family unit which, although it is not quite finished yet, is very comfortable. So far we have made up a "wish list" of things for the unit, somewhich the home will provide but others we will buy ourselves. The five boys, Matthew, Owen, Timothy, Joshua, and Ezra are all very keen to move in but we feel we need to wait a bit longer to have more in place for them. In the meantime they visit regularly each day which is nice and helps us to get to know them better.
It is difficult to put into words how wonderful the life here is, these children are indeed the lucky ones with so much love given to them. We are full of admiration for the ministry of Piet & Pita and the work they do in our Lord's name, they are truly remarkable and we look forward to working alongside them for some time to come.
Marilyn has a cell phone +256783968476 is the number (we think) so we would love to receive any messages or texts. I hope to get one soon too.
Thank you to those who are supporting us in prayer, I hope to be able to include some photos in the next blog (just got to get some), hope this isn't too boring. C ya Warwick
As mentioned earlier, there are 106 children here from only a few days old to solo mums of 13-16yrs. You cannot sit down anywhere without anything from 1-4 children climbing all over you and wanting cuddles. When standing, they want to be picked up so there is really very little escape. As you can imagine, we are LOVING it. The main project at the moment is the completion of a medical centre which can serve not only the children's home but also people from surrounding villages. This is near to completion. We visited the school on friday and had a brief glance in all classrooms, there may be some opportunities to help out there. We are in the family unit which, although it is not quite finished yet, is very comfortable. So far we have made up a "wish list" of things for the unit, somewhich the home will provide but others we will buy ourselves. The five boys, Matthew, Owen, Timothy, Joshua, and Ezra are all very keen to move in but we feel we need to wait a bit longer to have more in place for them. In the meantime they visit regularly each day which is nice and helps us to get to know them better.
It is difficult to put into words how wonderful the life here is, these children are indeed the lucky ones with so much love given to them. We are full of admiration for the ministry of Piet & Pita and the work they do in our Lord's name, they are truly remarkable and we look forward to working alongside them for some time to come.
Marilyn has a cell phone +256783968476 is the number (we think) so we would love to receive any messages or texts. I hope to get one soon too.
Thank you to those who are supporting us in prayer, I hope to be able to include some photos in the next blog (just got to get some), hope this isn't too boring. C ya Warwick
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The beginning
Welcome to you all. We have arrived safe and well last thursday, were met by Piet and Peter andone of the children (Edwin). We were tired but happy to be here. We have come straight into the family unit so have a very nice house to be in, no children yet as we feel we need to see them in their environment for a week or so though they are sooooooo keen to come.
What a wonderful place this is, the welfare of the children is of paramount importance, they are all so loved and they really melt our hearts. There are 106 children and we will have 5 boys to start with, they are really full-on so it will be a challenge.
Pita gave us the grand tour on friday morning of all that is going on here, it is truly wonderful. In the afternoon we went with Pita to Kampala to take one of the children to the doctor to see a specialist. After waiting for 2 hours we were advised that he was still in surgery so would be unable to see us....welcome to Uganda healthcare. We were able however to do some shopping (groceries and some items for the home) and spent 2 hours returning to Mukono in rush hour traffic.
We have had very fruitful conversations with Piet and Pita and look forward to working with them for a long time.
Our love to you all
What a wonderful place this is, the welfare of the children is of paramount importance, they are all so loved and they really melt our hearts. There are 106 children and we will have 5 boys to start with, they are really full-on so it will be a challenge.
Pita gave us the grand tour on friday morning of all that is going on here, it is truly wonderful. In the afternoon we went with Pita to Kampala to take one of the children to the doctor to see a specialist. After waiting for 2 hours we were advised that he was still in surgery so would be unable to see us....welcome to Uganda healthcare. We were able however to do some shopping (groceries and some items for the home) and spent 2 hours returning to Mukono in rush hour traffic.
We have had very fruitful conversations with Piet and Pita and look forward to working with them for a long time.
Our love to you all
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