We're back

We're back and all things look positive for me to complete this. We have power, we have internet, we have time, so here goes. (Also have water-but that doesn't count!)
Our trip to NZ was fantastic for us, we had a marvelous time meeting friends and family in Auckland, Putaruru, Havelock North, Hastings, Waikanae, Blenheim, Ohope and in many places in between. The highlight for me was obviously meeting my two half-sisters for the first time after 50 years of not knowing them. We look forward to maintaining contact with Laurel and Jeff, and Merryn. The highlight for Marilyn would be meeting Eth, one of her bridesmaids at our wedding whom we had not seen for 28 years. We enjoyed visiting schools and churches to share about the work done in NACMU and it was especially good to have time with our children and their partners. It had been about 7 years since we had all been together so it was good to spend time with them. We appreciate that they support us in what we do too. We also are very grateful to our friend Ruth for putting us up, putting up with us, lending her car, allowing us to use the beach house at Waihi and for being a most efficient PA in organising our appointments with the Doctor, the Dentist, the Optician, the invitations to dinner and the meetings/other appointments that we had. Without her we would have accomplished only a fraction of what we managed to do so thank you Ruth.
Arriving back we had some difficulty settling back as there was a lot to catch up on, but we have just had a wonderful Easter weekend. On Thursday there were Easter Carols presented by the schools (Nursery, Primary and Secondary), on Friday we had a Walk of the Cross in the early evening, starting in the light but finishing in darkness. Saturday was the painting of eggs ready for the Easter Egg hunt after Sunday School and then church as usual at 2pm. We had a special Bar-B-Q tea followed by a DVD on Jesus. Today a team of Canadians who are visiting provided some activities for the children, so now they are all in bed tired and ready to go back to school tomorrow. Needless to say, we are ready for that too.
Our darling Rhode is absolutely delightful at present, she gives us beaming smiles when she sees us and lots of cuddles and she has grown up so much while we were away. Her character and personality is developing and, apart from wanting to hit the punching bag each day when I take her back to the home, she has a sweet nature. We celebrated her second birthday last week and so far she hasn't developed the 2yr old tantrums. The photos of her that we have posted show what a gorgeous wee girl she is.
We have slotted back into the busyness of church, Sunday School, school, family unit life and containers quite easily, tomorrow I will need to do another round of crocs at the school (about 30 pairs needed) so that will take most of the day.
Please pray for NACMU as an organisation, especially the leadership and management as they chart some potentially difficult times ahead. The political climate in Uganda is not terribly good at the moment and this has some effects on us. We are not in danger at all, but the atmosphere in the country is unsettled, a bit like NZ too? Please also pray for Marilyn and I and that we may find a suitable Aunty to take over this house to enable us to move out in order to take a more coordinating role. We do love the boys, but find we get tired by the end of the day. Guess there is a reason God did not make us able to be natural parents at aged 60!
Well, that's about all for now, till next time (which I hope will not be too long in coming)
God Bless