The work continues

I have been in Uganda for a few days now and thank the Lord that I had minimal effects from the jet lag. I have been going to sleep earlier than normal and waking up earlier also. But that gives me plenty of time to read my daily devotions and pray before breakfast.

Time has a different concept for the people in Africa. No one seems to be in a hurry, the saying here is “Americans have watches, Africans have time.” That is until they get in a vehicle then, Katie bar the door, because the demolition derby has begun. It would be rather interesting or even funny if it is not you that is riding in the middle of it. 

As example our driver is handicapped I believe from Polio, so he has little or no use of his legs. In the US there are devices installed in vehicles so that it can be operated with hands only. This vehicle is not so equipped. Desire, that is our drivers name, has to use his right hand to grab his pants leg in order to lift his leg up and move his foot from throttle to brake and back again. This tends to add significant seconds to action time. But on the upside it keeps me praying.

I have changed hotels after four days. The first one appeared very nice, it is a new construction and the rooms were well outfitted. The problem was that it would run out of water, so no showers or flushing toilets. Plus they advertised good WiFi but it was so slow and weak that it was nearly impossible to get online. Which makes it very difficult to do any business and keep up with posts or share photos.

The second hotel, the Palace hotel, is an older property and more African but it is very adequate for me. It has good WiFi and a big plus, no problems with the water. (As yet). It also has a resturant on site. The one drawback is that it is further from Nakivale that the first property. The restaurant is not what you might find in your local Holiday Inn Express. It is located behind the hotel and is really nothing more than a pole barn. So if you enjoy open air dining this is place for you. 

We have recognized an extra need that was not figured into our original budget. We will need a security fence around the water well, to keep out animals and vandals. So that is on my task list this week to get cost estimates for purchasing and installing a chain link fence. Please be praying that we can find a fencing contractor that will give us a reasonable price quote. The area we need to enclose is only 15m x 45m.

I was in Mbarra yesterday morning getting information on piping, water tanks, water tower, and solar pumping equipment. I was at Davis & Shirtliff, a large company in East Africa that deals with pumping equipment and solar installations. While I was there I noticed a small generator that would be a great fit for the school and church. They were having a Christmas promotion and the price was very reasonable. So this morning we will pick up our new generator and take it with us to the school.

There are so many needs at the school it is difficult to know where to begin. The student body has grown to 587, nearly of of them are orphans. Most schools here operate on school fees. The parents pay for their children to go to school. The better the school the higher the school fees. The whole reason the Emmaus Global Outreach primary school was started is because Pastor Lewi saw that these children were not in school because they had no one to pay for them. So these children are now getting a good education at no cost to them. The downside to that is there are no funds to

make improvements or pay for teachers.

These children are all refugees from more than a dozen war torn countries around East Africa. This Camp has been in existence for over 30 years and many people have made it there permanent homes. For them there is no going back to their native countries. The orphans have no real permanent home here, families have just taken them in so they have a place to sleep, but food is scarce. Some children may get a couple small meals a day but others may only get one and at times nothing for the day. This is another great need, to provide the children a morning meal of porridge. The sorghum flour and sugar for the porridge is fairly inexpensive but as with any program we want to begin here, above all we want it to be sustainable. To start a program no matter how good the intentions are and have it fail for lack of funding, not only gives a very bad impression of the organization but also is a very poor testimony before God.

Remember, you cannot take it with you but you can “Send It Ahead.” 

Of course we we funding to sustain these programs but above all else we covert your prayers: for the children, for the teachers, for Pastor Lewi as he administers all aspects of the school, that we would find favor with businesses and organizations we have to deal with, for health of the team members that come to help.

If you can help we have a way for you to donate to these children’s needs. Go to www.watchtherefore.tv click on the donate button at the top of the page and please make sure you designate your tax deductible donation to the “Send It Ahead” program.  If you would like to further designate your gift to one of the programs, simply add “water”, “teachers”, or “food” after the “Send It Ahead.” While you’re at the web site please click on the Send It Ahead button at the top of the page to look for more updates and photos from the school.