What a week!!!

Well, what a week we've had!! On Monday we took Mark back to the dentist to have his tooth stabilised and cemented so that it wouldn't move. Wouldn't was the order of the day, Mark wouldn't let the dentist anywhere near him, wouldn't open his mouth, wouldn't sit still in the chair etc.... Eventually we repeated the process of the day before and he lay on Warwick who wrapped his feet around Mark and held his head while Marilyn struggled with his hands and the dentist showed extreme patience. After much noise the job was completed and what should have been a 10min job had taken 2 hours.
On Tuesday we had the 'official' presentation of the new photocopier for the school . The photo shows Warwick presenting the copier to Headmaster Sam while a delighted school secretary Deborah looks on. Again thanks to the most generous support from Havelock North High School and the crew of s/y 'Selene' (the charter yacht our daughter Jen is working on). They have enabled the copier to be purchased and it is being very well used.
Unfortunately on Tuesday Warwick also had a return of malaria and lost all energy and slept for the rest of the day. He was given treatment on Wed, when it was confirmed, and by Friday was back to being on deck. Everyone said that I had to rest, especially the Dr., and I always do what I'm told (YEAH RIGHT). Marilyn managed wonderfully but it did remind us that this is definitely a two person job!!
On Wed. Marilyn even managed to go shopping in Kampala on her own to replenish some much needed supplies.
Friday was Independence Day in Uganda so it was a holiday for the boys. At breakfast Marilyn came down with the onset of a migraine so quickly took some medication and went to our darkened room. It was Warwick's turn to cope. One of the community things that happened was that the parents of the children from the village, who attend school here, come and collect some clothes for themselves or their family. The second picture shows some of the parents selecting pieces. This is one of the many ways NACMU impacts beyond the compound walls. We were also delighted that the family clinic celebrated its first births on Monday, twin boys with mother and babies doing well. These were again people from one of the villages around us.

However, the highlight for the week was Saturday when we celebrated Mama's 50th birthday. The weather was too unpredictable to have a celebration outside so we gathered in the dining/lounge area of the home for a great party. The third picture shows a very happy Mama at the beginning of the evening and the fourth photo shows the Baboon Boy's Home singing a special song to her. It was a great evening of enterainment, singing and dancing by the chidren, and food and laughter.
On Sunday, at church in the afternoon, Marilyn led the worship while Warwick gave the message as Pastor John was not able to be there. It seemed to go well, the training we have had at St. Peter's Riverslea has prepared us well but we were pleased to be able to relax on Sunday evening.

There have also been three more children taken in by NACMU this week.
A 3yr old girl, Claire, abandoned outside a police station
and 3 week old twin boys whose mother died in child birth and father fled (before they were born). They are called Ezekiel and Theodore and are just gorgeous wee boys.
All three children were dedicated at church on Sunday.
This brings to 110 the number of children being catered for here, so please pray for these new arrivals, especially Claire as everything is quite overwhelming for her as you can imagine.
Please pray also for Piet and Pita and Veronica( aged 8) who are travelling to Holland tomorrow to raise support for NACMU especially to gain more sponsorship for the children at the school. We welcomed back Aunt Reny from Holland and Uncle Brad from USA where they have been seeking support for their work here (successfully).
Marilyn is worried about the length of this blog so I'd better sign off now. We have received some wonderful packages fron NZ this week, thank you to those who have sent something, you know who you are, we really do love getting mail.
Our love to you all