Getting ready
Preparing to carry her
Naming her grave
Our wee burial ground
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
A sad week is over
It is now over a week since our wee darling Raghma died and as you can imagine it has been a week of highs and lows with many memories of her and the joy she brought us. We had the burial for her on Saturday and we know that we were carried on the prayers of others, we both coped better than we thought knowing that she is in a better place and will have no more sickness. The children were amazing and gave her a splendid sendoff.
Sunday at Sunday School we spoke about her and her struggles to the children and used the well known 'Footprints' passage which we have a poster of here to testify the feeling of God carrying us. We then all made a set of footprints on paper to remind us.
Sunday also saw the arrival of the dentists. This is a team of five dentists and two dental assistants from Holland who come to check the teeth of all here and the surrounding villages as well as several other places in Uganda. So we had our yearly check up FREE, one of the percs. Both of us were clear though Marilyn has a couple of fillings that may be a bit dodgy in the future. Richard had a tooth out, Timothy had a filling, and Mark needed 4 fillings but he wouldn't open his mouth when they came to do them so next year they will probably need to come out. Otherwise the rest were OK for another year. They leave tomorrow to return home.
During the week there have been many times when our thoughts turned to Raghma. 3.30pm, when we got Raghma down here are empty times for us now, Friday we relived her day of struggle and yesterday remembered her being put in the ground. We have also had some happy memories; the way she swam/crawled, the glint often present in her eyes, her excitement at seeing us when we went for her, the way she walked sideways around our furniture and more recently walked our white plastic chairs around the house. We also miss the way she blew us kisses when we took her back. She had one special Aunty who looked after her a lot in the home, Aunty Miria, and she has found it hard this week also, so please pray for her.
Tomorrow we are going away for three nights as we are both quite tired and drained. Marilyn had a massive headache yesterday and is still fighting it so we definitely need some time out. We are only going to Kampala to chill out around a swimming pool, rest , relax and recover. One of the teachers is coming to look after the boys and they have promised to be good (Yeah right). They have been very good during all this upset, they really are good boys.
I tried to post some photos on the blog of Raghma but have been unable to which is probably a good thing as we have so many wonderful shots of her. We will carry her in our hearts forever as our first 'grandchild', but not our last.
Till next time God Bless and thank you for the many messages of support.
Sunday at Sunday School we spoke about her and her struggles to the children and used the well known 'Footprints' passage which we have a poster of here to testify the feeling of God carrying us. We then all made a set of footprints on paper to remind us.
Sunday also saw the arrival of the dentists. This is a team of five dentists and two dental assistants from Holland who come to check the teeth of all here and the surrounding villages as well as several other places in Uganda. So we had our yearly check up FREE, one of the percs. Both of us were clear though Marilyn has a couple of fillings that may be a bit dodgy in the future. Richard had a tooth out, Timothy had a filling, and Mark needed 4 fillings but he wouldn't open his mouth when they came to do them so next year they will probably need to come out. Otherwise the rest were OK for another year. They leave tomorrow to return home.
During the week there have been many times when our thoughts turned to Raghma. 3.30pm, when we got Raghma down here are empty times for us now, Friday we relived her day of struggle and yesterday remembered her being put in the ground. We have also had some happy memories; the way she swam/crawled, the glint often present in her eyes, her excitement at seeing us when we went for her, the way she walked sideways around our furniture and more recently walked our white plastic chairs around the house. We also miss the way she blew us kisses when we took her back. She had one special Aunty who looked after her a lot in the home, Aunty Miria, and she has found it hard this week also, so please pray for her.
Tomorrow we are going away for three nights as we are both quite tired and drained. Marilyn had a massive headache yesterday and is still fighting it so we definitely need some time out. We are only going to Kampala to chill out around a swimming pool, rest , relax and recover. One of the teachers is coming to look after the boys and they have promised to be good (Yeah right). They have been very good during all this upset, they really are good boys.
I tried to post some photos on the blog of Raghma but have been unable to which is probably a good thing as we have so many wonderful shots of her. We will carry her in our hearts forever as our first 'grandchild', but not our last.
Till next time God Bless and thank you for the many messages of support.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Deep sadness
It is with deep sadness that we write to say that Raghma has lost her fight for life. She went to be with her heavenly father at 7.20 tonight. Please pray for us.
urgent
Dear friends and followers, please pray for Raghma. As I write this she is fighting for her life. She has another bought of pneumonia and got severely dehydrated with a temp of 40.5 degrees this morning and has been struggling for her breath all day. We thank the Lord for the clinic on site and the care and attention of the doctor and others but it is distressing for us to see her struggling in this way. She is by no means out of danger yet.
So please pray that she may return to health, we have been unable to celebrate her birthday yet, will wait till she is well.
So please pray that she may return to health, we have been unable to celebrate her birthday yet, will wait till she is well.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
some pics from Mamas birthday
Raghma and her big brother Matthew (come on you haven't seen a photo of her for a long time)
Pita and Piet relaxing before the presentations
Boys guitar group performing
bottles up. They loooove their sodasTuesday, October 12, 2010
Mama's Birthday
Raghma and her big brother Matthew (c'mon you haven't had a photo of her for ages)
Mama and Papa relaxing before the 'show'
The boys guitar group performing
bottles up, the children just loooove their bottle of soda
Mama's birthday among other things
Greetings, it has been another somewhat busy week. On Thursday and Friday it was 'all go' to try to get the guest houses finished in time for a team of 20 from Germany. Two out of the three are finished but the main one with 4 bedrooms was not able to be completed but there are enough beds for them all which is the main thing. This is a group from Germany who are supporters and or sponsors of some of the children and they have come to see first hand what goes on here. They are here for two weeks and were of tremendous help in Sunday School as we made and painted our 'Helmets of Salvation'.
Sunday was Mama's birthday so there was a celebration after church in the afternoon. Fortunately the weather was fine (we are in a rainy season right now and have some reasonably heavy rain each day, though generally only for an hour or less) so we were able to have the party outside. Some of the children performed items, mostly from the children Marilyn has been teaching guitar and keyboard to. Hannah, Peace, Ruth and Joshua each played an item on the keyboard, the girls guitar group (Brenda, Hope and Gloria) played together then Hope and Gloria did individual items followed by the boys guitarists ( Matthew, Owen, Daniel and Joshua). We also sang a song to Mama to the tune of 'My Favourite Things' with different words (thank you Audrey), so it was a busy time for us. We had a barbeque supper for about 180 people, cake then presents and came home about 8pm.
Today has been a bit of a catch-up day though we started 'crocs part three' today. All the Aunties in the home are going to be given crocs to work in so today was trying to fit them for the right sizes. There is one style of crocs that are rather lovely, they are bright yellow with canvas upper and if I were a woman I'd want a pair like that. They only came in one size and there are only two boxes of them (24 pairs in total) and there were some amazing 'Cinderellas' trying to squeeze into them. So far I need 19 pairs so there may be some left over though I have a few more to fit yet. They will get their crocs on Thursday once we have named them all. Also another container of mainly baby food arrived at 5pm so that will need to be offloaded tomorrow, we did make a start on it but ran out of daylight.
Coming up, we have our weekly shopping trip to Kampala tomorrow and then on Thursday our wee darling Raghma turns ONE so we will try to celebrate that with her with some cake. She loves coming down here and plays with all the boys when they arrive home from school. She is sooooo close to walking on her own but hasn't quite made it yet, maybe Thursday!!
As I write there is little illness here which is a real blessing but please continue to pray for Dina and Caleb. Thank you to those who are in contact with us, a special thank you to Doris for her regular snippets from the newspaper and church, and for Heugh for his regular postings of crosswords and codecrackers. We do love hearing from NZ. till next time
God Bless
Sunday was Mama's birthday so there was a celebration after church in the afternoon. Fortunately the weather was fine (we are in a rainy season right now and have some reasonably heavy rain each day, though generally only for an hour or less) so we were able to have the party outside. Some of the children performed items, mostly from the children Marilyn has been teaching guitar and keyboard to. Hannah, Peace, Ruth and Joshua each played an item on the keyboard, the girls guitar group (Brenda, Hope and Gloria) played together then Hope and Gloria did individual items followed by the boys guitarists ( Matthew, Owen, Daniel and Joshua). We also sang a song to Mama to the tune of 'My Favourite Things' with different words (thank you Audrey), so it was a busy time for us. We had a barbeque supper for about 180 people, cake then presents and came home about 8pm.
Today has been a bit of a catch-up day though we started 'crocs part three' today. All the Aunties in the home are going to be given crocs to work in so today was trying to fit them for the right sizes. There is one style of crocs that are rather lovely, they are bright yellow with canvas upper and if I were a woman I'd want a pair like that. They only came in one size and there are only two boxes of them (24 pairs in total) and there were some amazing 'Cinderellas' trying to squeeze into them. So far I need 19 pairs so there may be some left over though I have a few more to fit yet. They will get their crocs on Thursday once we have named them all. Also another container of mainly baby food arrived at 5pm so that will need to be offloaded tomorrow, we did make a start on it but ran out of daylight.
Coming up, we have our weekly shopping trip to Kampala tomorrow and then on Thursday our wee darling Raghma turns ONE so we will try to celebrate that with her with some cake. She loves coming down here and plays with all the boys when they arrive home from school. She is sooooo close to walking on her own but hasn't quite made it yet, maybe Thursday!!
As I write there is little illness here which is a real blessing but please continue to pray for Dina and Caleb. Thank you to those who are in contact with us, a special thank you to Doris for her regular snippets from the newspaper and church, and for Heugh for his regular postings of crosswords and codecrackers. We do love hearing from NZ. till next time
God Bless
Friday, October 8, 2010
The bikes, assembly and girls
The ten bikes bought for the toddlers in the home.
The two Dutch women who bought them.
Us taking school assembly.
Our new neighbours.Tuesday, October 5, 2010
I'd like you to meet Jefta
Greetings again, another week and weekend are over so it is time to update the blog. It has been another busy week, on Thursday we farewelled a young couple from Holland (Stephan and Hanney) after they had spent three months here having a wide range of experiences including looking after our boys for three nights. We also said goodbye to Peter from the Board in Holland. He had been here for three weeks familiarising himself with NACMU and he was very supportive of many of the things we are doing. It is sad to say farewell to people but it generally means we have a get-together and a nice meal (this time Indian takeaways) so that softens the blow somewhat.
Saturday was Mark's birthday which we celebrated with a party here for 20 children who ate well, played well and generally had a good time as you can see from the photos. He wanted pancakes for supper so we went up to the Home for that and another cake. Marjorine was sick on Sat. so Marilyn helped out with the girls over supper. Marjorine has since had two nights off at her home, last night and tonight so Marilyn is sleeping next door as cover. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'love your neighbour'. With the children at school during the day and with no sickness here it is quite manageable especially as we have a new person to help with the housework. Indeed the only reason I can write this now is because I don't have to do the ironing. Aunty Annette has made life a lot easier for us in a short space of time.
Now, I would like to introduce you to Jefta. Jefta is a boy who has some learning difficulties and some physical ones too, one leg is shorter than the other among other things. A week ago Jefta appeared at Sunday School, many of the children told us he was only four so we sent him back to the home. Much to our dismay we found out that he was indeed six, nearly seven, so he should be at our Sunday School. So on Monday when I saw him I told him how much I was looking forward to seeing him this Sunday. All week, every time Jefta saw me he would run up and tell me he was coming to Sunday School, I had to tell him how many more sleeps till Sunday he was so excited. Sunday duly arrived and so did Jefta. During our praise and worship time he sang his little heart out, it was a joy to see. He was fully involved in the activity of the day and all was well.
In the afternoon Jefta came to church (once you are at SS you are expected to attend church in the afternoon). In each service there is a time of testimony, a time for giving thanks to God for what he has done this week. Many adults are quite shy about this, not so the children. In amongst those who gave thanks that they were alive, gave thanks for new visitors, gave thanks for baby Dina being well , Jefta raised his hand and gave thanks for Uncle Warwick and Sunday School. My initial reaction was laughter, however, as it happened Pastor John's message was about how we treat and how we can learn from children. It made me realise that something I took to be quite trivial was VERY important to this young man. It taught me humility and I give thanks to God for a young man called JEFTA. We do indeed learn from the children. His photo is taken with Aunty Agnes who is the Aunty who supervises the under-fives on a Sunday morning for their Bible story and activity, another willing servant of God.
Some prayer requests please:
-for more helpers in Sunday School, we have about 60 children coming now and need more help
-for Aunty Marjorine and her health, she also lost one of her sisters yesterday, the burial was today and she is coming back still tomorrow.( She does have about 20 siblings.)
-for safe travel for those coming here this week (a team of 20 coming from Germany) and for the new guest houses to be finished and ready for them by Saturday
-for Piet and Pita and the multitude of decisions they have to make. Give them wisdom.
-for our continued good health with an extra portion of energy and patience
for the family units, that both the boys and the girls may continue to do what is right and be considerate of each other.
Well, that's about all for now, until next time
God Bless
Saturday was Mark's birthday which we celebrated with a party here for 20 children who ate well, played well and generally had a good time as you can see from the photos. He wanted pancakes for supper so we went up to the Home for that and another cake. Marjorine was sick on Sat. so Marilyn helped out with the girls over supper. Marjorine has since had two nights off at her home, last night and tonight so Marilyn is sleeping next door as cover. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'love your neighbour'. With the children at school during the day and with no sickness here it is quite manageable especially as we have a new person to help with the housework. Indeed the only reason I can write this now is because I don't have to do the ironing. Aunty Annette has made life a lot easier for us in a short space of time.
Now, I would like to introduce you to Jefta. Jefta is a boy who has some learning difficulties and some physical ones too, one leg is shorter than the other among other things. A week ago Jefta appeared at Sunday School, many of the children told us he was only four so we sent him back to the home. Much to our dismay we found out that he was indeed six, nearly seven, so he should be at our Sunday School. So on Monday when I saw him I told him how much I was looking forward to seeing him this Sunday. All week, every time Jefta saw me he would run up and tell me he was coming to Sunday School, I had to tell him how many more sleeps till Sunday he was so excited. Sunday duly arrived and so did Jefta. During our praise and worship time he sang his little heart out, it was a joy to see. He was fully involved in the activity of the day and all was well.
In the afternoon Jefta came to church (once you are at SS you are expected to attend church in the afternoon). In each service there is a time of testimony, a time for giving thanks to God for what he has done this week. Many adults are quite shy about this, not so the children. In amongst those who gave thanks that they were alive, gave thanks for new visitors, gave thanks for baby Dina being well , Jefta raised his hand and gave thanks for Uncle Warwick and Sunday School. My initial reaction was laughter, however, as it happened Pastor John's message was about how we treat and how we can learn from children. It made me realise that something I took to be quite trivial was VERY important to this young man. It taught me humility and I give thanks to God for a young man called JEFTA. We do indeed learn from the children. His photo is taken with Aunty Agnes who is the Aunty who supervises the under-fives on a Sunday morning for their Bible story and activity, another willing servant of God.
Some prayer requests please:
-for more helpers in Sunday School, we have about 60 children coming now and need more help
-for Aunty Marjorine and her health, she also lost one of her sisters yesterday, the burial was today and she is coming back still tomorrow.( She does have about 20 siblings.)
-for safe travel for those coming here this week (a team of 20 coming from Germany) and for the new guest houses to be finished and ready for them by Saturday
-for Piet and Pita and the multitude of decisions they have to make. Give them wisdom.
-for our continued good health with an extra portion of energy and patience
for the family units, that both the boys and the girls may continue to do what is right and be considerate of each other.
Well, that's about all for now, until next time
God Bless
Some people to meet
Hanney and Stehan from Holland. Here for three months, left last week.
Our new helper with the housework, aunty Annette
Jefta and aunty Agnes
a swing set made on siteGames at Mark's birthday
Balloon relay
Tennis ball on spoon relay
Balloon rockets
instructions for the scavenger huntMark's birthday
Presents from the boys
Cake and the birthday spread
Not too much left
Mark's cake at the home in the evening
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