Until Next Time

We said our annual farewells to the children and staff at Sanyu last evening (Wednesday) - always one of the most difficult parts of our trip. It’s been another amazing experience. We feel so blessed to have the privilege of being welcomed into the Sanyu family.
God bless you all as you continue to serve the children He places in your care.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

Oh What Fun it is to Ride...

Well, the new van was put to good use on Monday. It was a rather impromptu adventure but late in the morning several of the older children along with some adults (we won’t say how many people were in the 15-passenger van 🙂) piled in and Michael took us on an outing, a rare treat for the children. 

As we made our way through some streets in the neighbourhood the children were screaming with excitement as they took in all the sights and sounds. They also initiated songs of praise and thanksgiving to God - what a joyful noise. 

We ended up at the cathedral just up the hill from Sanyu where there are some large open lawns. The children were thrilled to be able to run freely while  throwing, kicking and chasing balls and generally having fun being kids...and the adults enjoyed being kids too. 

Soon it was time to get back in the van for the drive down the hill. What a delight to see everyone enjoying such a simple outing...and the getting there and driving home was half the fun. 

“Children are a gift from the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). 

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You've Got The Sweetest Little Baby Face

You've got the cutest little baby face
There's not another who could take your place...

 
 You are marvelously made, body and soul!

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Psalms 139:13 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.139.13.NLT

Every Day Is Laundry Day

One of the many chores at Sanyu is doing laundry. And it’s a huge chore. Imagine all that is involved in keeping the clothes and bedding of 53 children clean. That keeps the laundry staff and several volunteers busy each and every day. 

Generous donors made a huge difference when they provided these industrial washing machines a couple of years ago. They wash several loads daily. 

                                                           

Many items need extra attention and must be scrubbed by hand. 

Then there’s the drying...

...the sorting...

...and finally the wearing. 

Thank you Sanyu Babies’ Home for all you do in caring for the precious little gems God has placed in your care. 

A New Gate for Sanyu

We have another project update to share today. Prior to arriving at Sanyu we were made aware of the need for a new security gate. The old one had fallen down several times recently during some bad storms and it put the lives of the guards at risk.

We met with Barbara and a welder.  After the design and color for the new gate was determined, the welder and his team began the work at their shop.

Last Wed the gate arrived to be installed. One of the guards when he saw the gate arrive ran to tell the director with a huge smile on his face. He was so excited that he looked like a boy with a new toy. A team of 8 men removed the old gate and then, after some prep work, the new gate was lifted into place and some adjustments were made.

As others came to see what was happening, the office secretary said, “Our year has started great with a new gate. Now we are praying for a car.” Little did she know what was to happen the following day.

This past Saturday the finish coat was applied to the gate and side door.

Many thanks from the Sanyu family go out to the Canadian donors who made this project possible.

Fun With Colours

As we’ve mentioned before, a popular activity which we often do with the children is blowing bubbles. As a result, when we go over to the home we are usually greeted with a chorus of children asking, “Bubbles?”

On Thursday we did a different activity using food colouring, baking soda and vinegar in muffin tins to create small, colourful “volcanos”.  Now we also hear an occasional “Colours?”  

Enjoy some pictures of our fun morning. 

Have Van - Will Travel (around the block)

Over the past several months most of you have been hearing about our (Global Endeavours’) goal to raise funds to make a substantial deposit on the purchase of a van for Sanyu Babies’ Home. Soon after our arrival, Barbara invited us to accompany her when she delivered the deposit to the sales agent using those funds, which many of you contributed to. Sanyu has done further fundraising and received donations for the remainder.

After delays in getting the paperwork processed, this morning Barbara informed us that the van was ready for pickup. The long awaited day had arrived.

She made a plan to go with Michael, the Sanyu driver, to pick up the van but she didn't tell him where they were going until they were on their way. She loves to surprise people.

Michael arrived back at Sanyu with the van and was greeted with whoops, hollers and songs of praise to God from some of  the surprised staff.

Barbara gathered up a few of the children who had just awoken from their nap. They were helped into the van. Some staff and the Canadians jumped in too. Since the additional seats which will be added are not yet installed, most of us were sitting on the floor of the cargo area. Barbara then prayed a prayer of dedication to the Lord, first in Luganda (the local language), then in English, thanking God for His goodness and faithfulness. She prayed for protection over the vehicle and those who would travel in it and for the presence of God’s angels and the Holy Spirit to fill the van each time it is used.

Then driver Michael took us all around the block for a drive. We sang songs with the children but they mostly looked around wide eyed not sure what was really happening.

When we got back to Sanyu some of the children didn't need any coaxing to get out but one girl named Abigail cried because she wanted to go more. Joshua asked if they could go again tomorrow and the next day.

We feel very humbled and blessed to be here to experience this day. Once again we pass on the immense gratitude of the Sanyu family to all who have made it possible. And we thank God for His abundant provision.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)