Firstly, a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all. I write this on new year's day afternoon and we have had a wonderful festive season. In the week before Christmas we worked hard on our Pageant which went well on Christmas Day. The weather was unsettled and the ground very damp so we held the service inside in the dining room (we didn't need the donkey this year, maybe next year if it is outside). Our play was entitled 'This Child' and allowed us to involve all children as townsfolk, shepherds, angels and stars and seemed to be enjoyed by all. Christmas afternoon I helped cook the 220 meat patties for the bar-b-q before braving the dining room where we both helped in giving out the presents. Once the dinner was eaten (which took considerably less time than it took to cook - but I suppose that's normal) we then had a DVD in the church for the older children. All-in-all a full day and very satisfying. On boxing Day we held our Christmas concert which took the form of a festival of dance. We had some difficulty with the music for some dances which was a shame and once again it was the toddler's dance which was the highlight. It was also held inside as during the morning it pelted down with rain again. Marilyn & I had a kiwi Christmas dinner which we shared with Arnout. Arnout left on Thursday to return to The Netherlands to be married to Caroline, we will miss him as too will the organisation and we hope they will both return for a visit this year.
Marilyn had split a tooth earlier in the week so on Wednesday we went to the dentist, without an appointment, and waited for a space to be seen. After an hour and a half wait she was seen and the tooth was removed without too much trauma, she is happier with it out (and so am I).
On Sunday I was not feeling too well so went to the clinic after Sunday School and tested positive for malaria so immediately began the course of medication with the first of three injections in the butt ( I had the last of them this morning). It did affect my energy level somewhat.
On Christmas Day one of our young girls, Joan, took ill so Piet spent most of the afternoon trying to get her blood tested which was quite a mission in itself and eventually on Boxing Day she was diagnosed with Hepatitis A so they took her in to hospital where she stayed until Sunday. Hepatitis A is infectious so we had to get all the children and aunties tested. Thursday afternoon saw them all giving a blood sample which was easy for the older children, but as they got younger and smaller it became more difficult and noisier as you can imagine. The sweetie at the end helped though. Joan is now home and we have agreed to take care of her while she regains her strength and we can give her the right foods which she may not otherwise get at the home (there are many things she cannot have in her diet). She had her first night with us last night and is a real sweetie, she is five years old and she and Rhode were quite delightful playing together this morning.
We had a visit from the Graingers and Alex and Simon with many goodies from NZ, thanks to those who provided (especially the party mix sweeties & the litebreak) and we are looking forward to spending time in Jinja with them from tomorrow. Joan will stay with another aunty until we return then will come back to us we think.
Now, on to last night. We had a most wonderful evening with the children. New Year's Eve means 'Olle Bolle' (if that is how you spell it) to the children. Pita and others spend all day cooking it and the children love it for supper (and today lunch, and maybe today supper). This was followed by 'walking in the light'. Each child had made a holder for a tee-light candle which they then paraded around with in the dark. The younger ones had glow-sticks and it all looked spectacular. I almost changed my name from 'Uncle Warwick' to 'Uncle Fire' as I had to relight so many candles when theirs went out. Then at around 9pm the older children (about 60 of them) went to 'Papa's side' where we had a couple of challenges with string, the children talked together and then watched a DVD until just before midnight. The champagne (Sprite) glasses were filled and we toasted in the New Year in style. Our 'Fireworks' ( balloons in the church) went off (popped), some real fireworks were lit and a hot air balloon was released into the sky with much oohing and aahing. It was a great night and is a good memory for the children. Things have been fairly quiet here today though as many children are resting this afternoon.
Well this is a bit of a marathon but a lot has been happening. As we begin this new year please pray for the management team of NACMU and for us for continued strength and wisdom for the year ahead. Pray also that Joan will fully recover and be able to enjoy being at the home again.
We wish you all God's blessing,
Till next time
The old dear with Rhode and birthday mate Ischar.
Joan eating her baked beans while everyone else enjoyed deep fried chappatis and meat sauce (chosen by Ischar).
The birthday cake and parcels.
A rather nervous 4 year old.
"You look like an angel"
Prossy with her present to me.
And waiting on our verandah was our first shrub, a present from all the folk from the Netherlands staying here at present.
