Meanwhile, back in Uganda...

Time has passed very quickly and NZ is now a distant, but very pleasant memory. We arrived back to a royal welcome, the band met us at the gate and played us up to our house with the children and Aunties travelling behind. Our Family Unit Aunties had decorated our house and we felt specially welcomed.
It was not long before we were back in full swing, the next day we went swimming with the older children and it was good to have some time with them. We also took baby Augustine for two nights to give Pita some respite at night, he is a gorgeous wee boy who seems to be recovering well from an awful beginning to life.
It was lovely to have the Sunday school lessons prepared for the first Sunday back, thanks to Miranda and Thera for doing that.
Monday 2nd it was back to school, a new chapter for Rhode, she looked really sweet in her uniform and accepted school without a problem. The Nursery school was fully staffed on the previous Friday with two new teachers starting, but neither of them turned up and made no communication to the school. It truly amazes  us that people can do this but it seems to be common in Uganda. We are still without replacements for them so the gap is being filled by doubling up classes which is less than ideal so will you join with us in praying for the right people to come.
The previous week I was involved in interviewing a number of teachers for the Secondary Vocational School and fortunately we could fill all the vacancies. We were able to employ one teacher who can split her time between SVS and the Primary school which also filled the gap there. My next task was to set the timetable for the primary school so that it was ready for a good start on the Monday. My skills from HNHS days were put to good use.
Once things had settled, it was then time to give out crocs to the Nursery school and to the Primary children from the home. We are unable to give crocs to the whole school because we have run out of many sizes, especially the middle sizes. I think I have truly earned the nickname "Uncle Crocs". It is always delightful going down to the nursery school as the children are soooooo happy.
The Saturday before last we went with Piet & Pita and the band to General Manager Sam's place to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary married to Mary. It was quite an occasion but a long one. We left at 10am and returned home at 10pm. Once again our band did us proud. The next day just before church P & P got a call for the ambulance. They were called to get a wee baby, only 2 days old we think, who had been abandoned in a forest by the lake in an out-of-the-way place and had been found by two young boys who had gone to get firewood. He was brought back to us and immediately started on medication and feeding. He has made wonderful progress, we looked after him one night, and on Sunday we were able to dedicate him as we do to all babies here. He is named Fred.
Yesterday we had a further celebration for Sam & Mary's 25th wedding anniversary but this time here at NACMU. Church started a little earlier and finished  earlier so from 3pm until 5pm the children from home and from the village presented items, music, song and dance, there was such an amazing array of talent. With sodas, cake, and snacks all were happy. It really does make us go "Wow" and adds to the joy of being back. We do feel that once again we are in the right place, we have picked up many of the tasks we had previously, Marilyn is working again with remedial reading of P5 - P7 students which is often slow work but rewarding when the lights come on. We have particularly enjoyed watching Rhode develop into an independent schoolgirl, she continues to give us much pleasure and joy.
Well that's enough for now, until next time
God Bless