It's been a quiet week as we both recover from malaria, we are improving but seem to run out of oomph at stages during the day, so not a lot has happened. The boys did surprise us on Wed. however. We awoke at 6.50, yes 10 t0 7 to silence. Jumped out of bed thinking that all had slept in only to find the house devoid of boys! They had all dressed and gone up to get the breakfast without a sound and were quite chuffed when they came back. We must have needed the extra sleep.
The highlight of the week was on Friday when we went with Piet & Pita into Kampala for a meeting and a nice meal afterwards. It was at a place called Spectrum and provided a buffet meal with a range of cuisines so we made the most of it, it was a welcome time out for us. Shafer, (remember him, the 19yr old Canadian) came and looked after the boys who were all happily asleep when we got home.
This week, tomorrow in fact, we are going to Jinja for two nights as a break away and for some R & R. We are really looking forward to that. Mariska is going to come and look after the boys in our absence and we are sure they will be good for her (we hope).
So, some prayer requests please
-please pray for continued improvement in our health, may we return to full energy as it makes
such a difference.
-for our time away, that we will be refreshed and Mariska and the boys will have a good time
together.
-guidance for us as we endeavour to connect more with the school once we get back. Pray for
wisdom that we will know what we can and cannot do.
-Ezra, as he is still having wet beds most nights. Help us to be encouraging and seek ways we can
help him. His self-esteem hits rock bottom when he has sou-soued.
-Reny, in her time in Holland. May she gain all the support she needs financially so that she can
continue the wonderful work she does back here. Also that she may have a wonderful time with
family and friends.
-Similarly for Brad and his time in the USA.
- please pray for the work that is being done in the Lord's name in this place. It is a living
witness to many.
Finally once again, thank you to all who keep in touch. We value greatly hearing from you.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Isn't, Is, Isn't, Is
MALARIA - On Tuesday night Marilyn awoke with the shivers and shakes, was nauseous etc... and lay awake most of the night. We tested her for Malaria, and the test was negative so it wasn't malaria. Renske also took a BS (blood slide to the uninitiated) and put it under the microscope to determine that it WAS malaria so she was able to start on a course of medication. Meanwhile Warwick had gone to Entebbe to meet Deane & Sherrilyn
Grainger who had arrived from NZ. It was a bit like Christmas as they unloaded a host of goodies they had brought over for us. Thursday was spent showing the Graingers and Alex & Simon around the compound and catching up on news from NZ before they left to touch base with others in Mukono in the afternoon. Marilyn & Warwick slept. Thursday night Warwick had the vomitting and diahhrea and is definitely a worse patient than Marilyn. Tested for malaria in the morning, test negative so it was not malaria. Took a BS (you know what that is) and tested again, test positive so I had what she had.
We really felt disappointed that, of all the times to be unwell, we were unable to do more with our visitors. However we did chat a lot and they were able to do most of the visiting they wanted to and it was good seeing folk from home again. They left on Sunday after lunch and the boy's behaviour returned to normal (they had managed to 'show off' and misbehave a lot while D & S were here).
Another highlight of the week was that the school has purchased a new photocopier with funds largely supplied by Havelock North High School, a very timely purchase as the old one died the day before. Well done to HNHS for a wonderful gift of money raised, it is difficult to express in words the difference this will make.
Our photo selection this week shows Uncle Warwick posing on Aunty Reny's knee as she wanted photos of the 'boys' with her and it was too good an opportunity to miss.
The second photo
shows the boys playing with felt scenes they had just been given by Aunty Yanni (the tall lady whose head didn't quite make it in the photo) and Aunty Clara (who didn't make the photo at all!!). Yanni has been a great help to Marilyn in helping to make the curtains for the bedrooms. The young guy next to Marilyn is Shafer, a 19yr old from Canada who is here for 5 weeks. He has been having his evening meals with us each night and helps out with the boys after dinner.We will miss him when he goes.
The other photos are of the Graingers, Alex and Simon, and on Sat & Sun Deborah stayed also. Firstly they are enjoying(?) their meal on Sat night and
finally a lovely group photo before they left on Sunday.It really was good to see them all!!!
Please pray for good health for us, that while we are better today we still need to build up our strength. Also Paul has a sprained wrist, Timothy sprained fingers, Owen feeling nauseous, and Joshua continues to have headaches.....life is never dull.
We do thank you for the messages and prayers we have had, we know we have a lot of support 'back home' and do enjoy hearing from you.
Our love to you all
Grainger who had arrived from NZ. It was a bit like Christmas as they unloaded a host of goodies they had brought over for us. Thursday was spent showing the Graingers and Alex & Simon around the compound and catching up on news from NZ before they left to touch base with others in Mukono in the afternoon. Marilyn & Warwick slept. Thursday night Warwick had the vomitting and diahhrea and is definitely a worse patient than Marilyn. Tested for malaria in the morning, test negative so it was not malaria. Took a BS (you know what that is) and tested again, test positive so I had what she had.We really felt disappointed that, of all the times to be unwell, we were unable to do more with our visitors. However we did chat a lot and they were able to do most of the visiting they wanted to and it was good seeing folk from home again. They left on Sunday after lunch and the boy's behaviour returned to normal (they had managed to 'show off' and misbehave a lot while D & S were here).
Another highlight of the week was that the school has purchased a new photocopier with funds largely supplied by Havelock North High School, a very timely purchase as the old one died the day before. Well done to HNHS for a wonderful gift of money raised, it is difficult to express in words the difference this will make.
Our photo selection this week shows Uncle Warwick posing on Aunty Reny's knee as she wanted photos of the 'boys' with her and it was too good an opportunity to miss.
The second photo
shows the boys playing with felt scenes they had just been given by Aunty Yanni (the tall lady whose head didn't quite make it in the photo) and Aunty Clara (who didn't make the photo at all!!). Yanni has been a great help to Marilyn in helping to make the curtains for the bedrooms. The young guy next to Marilyn is Shafer, a 19yr old from Canada who is here for 5 weeks. He has been having his evening meals with us each night and helps out with the boys after dinner.We will miss him when he goes.The other photos are of the Graingers, Alex and Simon, and on Sat & Sun Deborah stayed also. Firstly they are enjoying(?) their meal on Sat night and
finally a lovely group photo before they left on Sunday.It really was good to see them all!!!Please pray for good health for us, that while we are better today we still need to build up our strength. Also Paul has a sprained wrist, Timothy sprained fingers, Owen feeling nauseous, and Joshua continues to have headaches.....life is never dull.
We do thank you for the messages and prayers we have had, we know we have a lot of support 'back home' and do enjoy hearing from you.
Our love to you all
Monday, September 14, 2009
Unrest
Greetings to you all, this blog is a little later than usual, but there has been considerable unrest in the place in a variety of ways. The pictures however do not indicate this. We get a lot of comment about the photos so here are a few more.
This picture shows the four younger boys dancing to Chris Tomlin on a wet Sunday afternoon. Richard especially is a delight to watch when he dances, it's a real crackup. Also when he dances under the shower, but we can't show you those pictures!!
This picture shows Richard modelling the 'Grandpa Dingle' way of wearing his trousers, up round his middle. We all have a laugh and walk around like this for a while, the boys love it.
'Old Men' sitting around on a Saturday afternoon, eating an iceblock, and deciding what to do next. About half an hour after this the heavens opened and it poured.
A typical Baboon Boy's Home pose for some of our many visitors. We have had a lot of visitors to the compound recently and all come to visit the family unit (that's us). We are all good at posing for photos now.
Anyway, onto the week that was. On Monday we hosted Maree Hanford who works for Oasis Uganda. She is another NZ missionary here, and it was good to catch up with her and speak of things Ugandan and NZ. Unfortunately W started to feel off colour, tired, headache, sweats, shaking, temperature, lethargic,.... you get the picture!! Feeling only 50%. Tuesday, W was 20%, Maree went home and Marilyn carried the day. Wednesday W 22% but we also got another baby. This time a boy estimated at 4 months, abandoned in a bar in Kampala. He is named Levi and is another beautiful baby.
Thursday W 89.5% (this is quite gripping really) and there was the beginning of a spate of civil unrest with gunfire being heard nearby. We had a quiet day at home.
Friday, W 100% (yeh!) and we planned to go to Kampala to replenish supplies but there was rioting and fires, so we didn't go. Had a Quiet day at home.
Saturday, no-one left the compound as there was still considerable unrest outside. We were quite safe here and managed to fill the day preparing to make curtains. Yanni, one of the visitors fron Holland has offered to help Marilyn make them, which is an offer too good to turn down.
Sunday was the usual Sunday School and church, but M was only 50% so it was her turn to rest and W to take charge. It was fine until about 4.30 when again the heavens opened and not only did we have our 8 boys but about 10 others drip in to shelter, including one of the Aunties, power went off so we had fun in the semidark until about 6pm when all was restored and it stopped raining. Boy, when it rains here, it really rains!!!
Today, Monday, we managed to get to Kampala and have replenished our stores. Apart from a burnt out truck on the side of the road and a few burnt buildings there was little evidence of the riots, even though it is reported that 21 people had been killed. It was very much business as usual.
Marilyn is fearful that I'm getting too long-winded, and I probably am, so I'll finish here until next time.
Our love to you all.
This picture shows the four younger boys dancing to Chris Tomlin on a wet Sunday afternoon. Richard especially is a delight to watch when he dances, it's a real crackup. Also when he dances under the shower, but we can't show you those pictures!!
This picture shows Richard modelling the 'Grandpa Dingle' way of wearing his trousers, up round his middle. We all have a laugh and walk around like this for a while, the boys love it.
'Old Men' sitting around on a Saturday afternoon, eating an iceblock, and deciding what to do next. About half an hour after this the heavens opened and it poured.
A typical Baboon Boy's Home pose for some of our many visitors. We have had a lot of visitors to the compound recently and all come to visit the family unit (that's us). We are all good at posing for photos now.
Anyway, onto the week that was. On Monday we hosted Maree Hanford who works for Oasis Uganda. She is another NZ missionary here, and it was good to catch up with her and speak of things Ugandan and NZ. Unfortunately W started to feel off colour, tired, headache, sweats, shaking, temperature, lethargic,.... you get the picture!! Feeling only 50%. Tuesday, W was 20%, Maree went home and Marilyn carried the day. Wednesday W 22% but we also got another baby. This time a boy estimated at 4 months, abandoned in a bar in Kampala. He is named Levi and is another beautiful baby.
Thursday W 89.5% (this is quite gripping really) and there was the beginning of a spate of civil unrest with gunfire being heard nearby. We had a quiet day at home.
Friday, W 100% (yeh!) and we planned to go to Kampala to replenish supplies but there was rioting and fires, so we didn't go. Had a Quiet day at home.
Saturday, no-one left the compound as there was still considerable unrest outside. We were quite safe here and managed to fill the day preparing to make curtains. Yanni, one of the visitors fron Holland has offered to help Marilyn make them, which is an offer too good to turn down.
Sunday was the usual Sunday School and church, but M was only 50% so it was her turn to rest and W to take charge. It was fine until about 4.30 when again the heavens opened and not only did we have our 8 boys but about 10 others drip in to shelter, including one of the Aunties, power went off so we had fun in the semidark until about 6pm when all was restored and it stopped raining. Boy, when it rains here, it really rains!!!
Today, Monday, we managed to get to Kampala and have replenished our stores. Apart from a burnt out truck on the side of the road and a few burnt buildings there was little evidence of the riots, even though it is reported that 21 people had been killed. It was very much business as usual.
Marilyn is fearful that I'm getting too long-winded, and I probably am, so I'll finish here until next time.
Our love to you all.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Ins and Outs
Greetings, it has been a week of ins and outs.
Firstly on Monday morning there was a call from the police in Kampala, they had another baby abandoned so Mama went in signed a few papers and we had another mouth to feed. Baby Thomas was found on the side of the road in a plastic bag, about 3 weeks old and absolutely lovely. How anyone could do such a thing is beyond our understanding. However he has settled in and is feeding and sleeping well.
On Wednesday we went out - to Kampala again for some shopping for curtain material and other things and we both had haircuts. Mine will last at least three months, Marilyn's was not quite so drastic. We went on our own this time and it was more relaxing.
Thursday was another out. Richard was miserable on Wed. night with an aching tooth, so on Thursday it had to come out. It was quite a mission for Marilyn as he fought and was inconsolable for a long time. He is much happier now though. The dentist thought he should be tested for HIV as his tongue had some indicators on it......so on Friday out came some blood, another squeal but not for so long this time. Happily he tested negative. At the same time, in the health clinic, Brad was learning to use some of the equipment so Ezra, who is our expert at sou-souing, provided a urine sample which thankfully tested negative for pregnancy.
Saturday saw the official opening of the health clinic and this morning there has been a steady stream of patients, mostly from outside the compound.
Saturday also saw a farewell for the Russian team and we have been benefactors of many craft materials for the Sunday School, we are ready for anything now.
Today, Monday is of course the end of the boy's holidays and the beginning of ours. We are both very tired but will take things slowly to recharge our batteries.
We are awaiting the arrival of Maree Hanford who works for Oasis Uganda to visit for an overnight stay so we are really looking forward to being able to talk and understand Kiwi.
Please continue to pray for good health for us and the boys, for dry beds (we are only getting one wet bed occasionally now), for the safe travel both coming in and going out of the many visitors and staff, and for the health unit in its establishment stages.
Again thank you to those who have been in touch through letter or e-mail, we do appreciate it.
Firstly on Monday morning there was a call from the police in Kampala, they had another baby abandoned so Mama went in signed a few papers and we had another mouth to feed. Baby Thomas was found on the side of the road in a plastic bag, about 3 weeks old and absolutely lovely. How anyone could do such a thing is beyond our understanding. However he has settled in and is feeding and sleeping well.
On Wednesday we went out - to Kampala again for some shopping for curtain material and other things and we both had haircuts. Mine will last at least three months, Marilyn's was not quite so drastic. We went on our own this time and it was more relaxing.
Thursday was another out. Richard was miserable on Wed. night with an aching tooth, so on Thursday it had to come out. It was quite a mission for Marilyn as he fought and was inconsolable for a long time. He is much happier now though. The dentist thought he should be tested for HIV as his tongue had some indicators on it......so on Friday out came some blood, another squeal but not for so long this time. Happily he tested negative. At the same time, in the health clinic, Brad was learning to use some of the equipment so Ezra, who is our expert at sou-souing, provided a urine sample which thankfully tested negative for pregnancy.
Saturday saw the official opening of the health clinic and this morning there has been a steady stream of patients, mostly from outside the compound.
Saturday also saw a farewell for the Russian team and we have been benefactors of many craft materials for the Sunday School, we are ready for anything now.
Today, Monday is of course the end of the boy's holidays and the beginning of ours. We are both very tired but will take things slowly to recharge our batteries.
We are awaiting the arrival of Maree Hanford who works for Oasis Uganda to visit for an overnight stay so we are really looking forward to being able to talk and understand Kiwi.
Please continue to pray for good health for us and the boys, for dry beds (we are only getting one wet bed occasionally now), for the safe travel both coming in and going out of the many visitors and staff, and for the health unit in its establishment stages.
Again thank you to those who have been in touch through letter or e-mail, we do appreciate it.
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