Tempus fugit

Greetings, indeed time flies. We are continuing to have power cuts daily, often at different times during the day so while there is full power I shall try to update you on happenings here. OOPS, power has just gone again but I shall continue.
Firstly the royal visit. The day was bright and sunny which in itself was an answer to prayer. The whole compound was 'scrubbed' and ready, the children young and older were excited, there was a carnival atmosphere. The Kabaka (King of Buganda) is  much loved by his people so the way into NACMU was crowded and congested. We were expecting him a 9am and all was ready then, however his entourage was forced to stop at many places along the way for people to see him. He eventually arrived about 11.30am. His security detail, dressed in black and with the requisite sunglasses, numbered about 30 and spread themselves at key points. His own 'guards' arrived with him in splendid costume though they were less scary. He had a short drive through the compound stopping to go through the children's home and visit the babies before walking with Piet and Pita (and about 20 other 'officials') down to the health clinic. There he opened the new clinic which houses an operating theatre , recovery ward, and dental clinic. The school choir sang while he was doing that and performed really well. Teacher Douglas had trained them to a high level of performance and they rose to the occasion. He then immunised one of the babies from the community before making his way down to the Nursery school for the speeches. He was greeted there by some of the girls dancing, led by Aunty Prossy and again they rose to the occasion and performed well. The Kabaka planted a tree on site then the official speeches took place. The highlight of these, for us, was when Piet rose to speak he first prostrated himself before the Kabaka three times. This was most significant because it acknowledged the culture of the people and was met with much laughter and Piet became 'one of them'. The King then left for another venue, and lunch, which Piet and Pita also attended. All in all the visit lasted just over an hour but made national television that night and created a wonderful atmosphere in the compound. It is extremely rare that the Kabaka visits an organisation so it was quite an honour. We have posted several photos from the day to try to give a glimpse of what it was like.
Now to other news. We have spoken about Ragna, a German student who lived with us in NZ for a while, who is in Kampala doing an internship at present. She was able to share the Kabaka's visit and we have lunch with her when we are in Kampala. She is doing well and, as is the case with many young people when they first come to Uganda, expresses a desire to return sometime in the future. She has about three more weeks here before she returns home to Germany. The gifts she brought, guitar strings, volleyballs, sweeties (for us -yum) and money for books has been much appreciated.
We are preparing for quite an influx of visitors and volunteers over the next five weeks or so, every space for accommodation is being used. We get quite excited about this as we get to know new people with similar heart desires. Amongst the groups coming are the dentists for their annual visit. Needless to say the boys are vigorously and conscientiously cleaning their teeth in hope that they will not need any fillings or extractions.
The P7 class (with Matthew, Timothy and Owen) are preparing for the PLE exams in about five weeks ( PLE means Primary Leaving Exams). These are exams they must pass in order to go to further education, so they need our prayers that the learning they do can be focussed and effective. Our three are not really academic and it is a struggle to get them to study but they are trying now, let's hope it is not too little- too late.
Please pray for Marjorine's daughter Christine, she has been getting several epileptic-type attacks at night and this has affected her schooling as she wakes up with a terrible headache the next morning. Marilyn and I have been going next door to pray with her and Marjorine each night when they occur (generally around 3am) so please pray that we can get the rest we need too. Christine is back at school now but still needs our prayers for the headaches to go.
Finally, our dear wee Rhode has YET to walk freely but is taking some tentative steps on her own. She continues to give us much pleasure as her character continues to develop. She is starting to copy/mimic sounds and words which is just lovely.
Thank you once again to all who communicate with us through emails and letters and especially those who are praying for us.
Till next time, God Bless

Kabaka visit part two

School choir performing at the clinic
Opening the clinic
immunising a baby
washing up afterwards
Spot the Kabaka
planting a tree by the nursery school
some of the workers enjoying the moment in their fine new clothes

Some 'finery from the Kabaka's visit

Jesca, Marilyn and Marjorine
Ragna and Marilyn
Mama and Joan
One of the King's guards in his finery
Ragna with some of the books purchased with money she had brought over

Kabaka's visit part one

blow drying the socks the night before, it was a wey day
Aunty Marjorine in her Gomez
Our children waving the flags they made
Just after the Kabaka arrived. A riot of boda bodas wanting to get in

Last week's wedding

Here comes the bride

Brenda and Lilian singing during the signing of the register
The whole family
Teacher Mark and Winnie
Supporting Mark
The girls dancing to El Shadai

another week

Greetings, we have had a week of settling back into routines which has been good. Marilyn and Reny have been sorting out the children who are in need of help this term ( at least those whom they are able to focus on) and I have been working in my 'playground' of the containers. The children have settled back to school well with many involved in the preparations for the visit to NACMU of the Kabaka (the King of Buganda) this coming Friday. This is quite an honour to have a royal visit so there are many preparations for it.
Marilyn & I are leaving tomorrow for three nights in Jinja, we are very tired after the holidays so need a little R & R. Aunty Carolyn is taking charge of the boys for the first time and they have promised to be on their best behaviour, we shall see!!
This week we have once again had difficulty with the power. The power company turns the switch to cut power for lengthy periods of time. We were without full power for almost two days in a row. Our generator here can provide power for lighting but not for wall sockets so we lost some of the things in our fridge. Fortunately the power returned today before the freezer became a problem. Hopefully, we can have toast tomorrow!
Today in church we had three items from the children. Firstly some of the girls performed to the tune of Agnus Dei (this is a favourite piece of music they like performing to), then Jeremy and his 'group' presented a skit and a song (which he had made up). Finally some of the musicians (Joshua on keyboard, Cole on bass guitar, Owen, Daniel and Hope on guitar with Mirembe and Doreen singing with the others), presented 'We want to see Jesus Lifted High'. It was really great to see these children using their talents and performing in such a special way, it offers a challenge to some of us older 'children' to do likewise.
No more babies this week (thank you Lord) and we are pleased that all seem to be doing well, especially Britta. Thank you to those who are praying for us and the activities here- this organisation does run on prayer-power (not like the electricity here). Please do continue to uphold us all this week, especially the preparations for the royal visit on Friday.
That's all for now, till next time
God Bless

What a weekend

Greetings, today was a day we had been waiting for, the children returned to school, yaaaah!!! I must confess I said to Marilyn that it was awfully quiet at 8am. but I soon got used to it. I think we were all ready for school to begin, children included. The last week has been particularly full. On Thursday the children were ready to go swimming but the day was wet and overcast, so we had to deal with some pretty disappointed children. It was a good lesson though, as on Friday it was fine and warm and we were able to go. On Thursday afternoon the weather did clear enough for the kids to go and do some community service in one of the nearby villages with the team from Canada. It was a very good activity and it saved the day from total boredom. We introduced the older boys to Monopoly in the evening which was an entertaining experience to say the least.
As mentioned earlier, Friday was fine so 34 children and 8 adults went down the road to 'African Village' for a swim, lunch, then more swimming, arriving home about 4pm. The end of holidays disco took place in the evening with the mandatory juice and popcorn, and rewards for those children who had excelled in doing the chores during the holidays.
Saturday was a busy day as two of the teachers were getting married, in different places, but the reception for both was here. The wedding of teacher Mark and Winnie was held here, and Marilyn played for it with assistance from Josh. We were only able to choose the music on Friday night so most of Saturday morning was spent in practice. The wedding was timed for 1pm (African time).  The groom arrived at 2pm. , the bride at 2:15pm and the Pastor arrived at 2:25 so the wedding got underway at 2:30pm.
The other wedding (Teacher Wycliff and Dorah) was in nearby Mukono timed for 2pm. It too started late but not as bad as ours.Most of the older children attended this service as Wycliff is their classroom teacher.
The reception for both was here in our new church (still unfinished, but a large enough space for the 250 or so guests plus children). The day had been fine and warm but unfortunately, just as the entertainment was about to begin, the heavens opened and the rain thundered down. We then had about an hour and a half of solid rain but it was unable to dampen the festivities. Needless to say we got to bed tired but pleased that the day had gone well ( at least our part in it had).
Sunday gave us another new experience in the afternoon. We arrived for church at about 10 to 2 to find a snake in the rafters. It was about a metre long and a green grass snake, harmless I'm told but we needed to get it out by poking at it till it dropped and we were able to eradicate it amongst great 'excitement' from the children. We were then able to continue with our service, but many did look up again during it, just in case!!
I must say a word about our Pastor (not the one who arrived late the previous day). We feel we are particularly blessed to have Pastor John minister to us. His sermon on Sunday about going the extra mile was spot on for many of us, I think it has engendered a greater atmosphere of helping one another, evidenced even today. John and his wife Johann give wonderful service to us all and we enjoy their ministry here.
This week has seen the arrival of another two new babies, both on Friday, and both as a result of the mother dying in childbirth. There is a staggering statistic that 5000 mothers die in childbirth in Uganda EACH MONTH!!! Thankfully we are involved in only a fraction of this, but it is still traumatic to get new babies in this way. The babies are Ronald and Damali, not related except that they are now brother and sister in Noah's Ark. Damali's father is 77 years old and her mother was 54. They have thirteen other children and no way to care for Damali. Please pray for these babies and their families, continue to pray for Britta who seems to be doing better, and also pray for Pita that she can get enough rest to cope with these little ones.
It has been quite a week and weekend, life is never dull here.
Till next time
God Bless