Adjustments

One week ago today, we were dealing with the physical effects of extreme heat. Now we are dealing with the physical effects of jet lag. 

We are also dealing with the effects of adjusting to life at home after all we have seen and experienced over the past month. 

Many times during our stay in Uganda we said, "There is no way for anyone to understand what it's like here without seeing it for themselves."  

The poverty. The living conditions. The beautiful smiles. The dust. The smells. The spectacular sunrise. The intense heat. The constant noise. The joy of squeezing three little ones onto your lap and wrapping your arms around two others sitting on each side of you. The needs. The hope. The hunger (physical and spiritual). The frustration of language barriers. The faith. The fatigue. The dedication. The gratitude. The...

This has been one of the most amazing and humbling experiences of our lives and we have been changed because of it. 

Our bodies will get used to the cold temperatures. Our sleep/wake pattern will eventually normalize. 

However, it's the changes that have occurred on the inside that are more permanent. We can't just say good bye and forget all that God has given us the privelige of experiencing in Uganda. We now pray He will help us to share our adventure in a way that impacts and challenges others. 

And we pray He will use this leg of life's journey to prepare us for the path ahead. 

So Long Africa

As you might expect today is a tough day. Saying goodbye is never easy. 

The past four weeks have been overwhelming in many ways. We feel like our bodies, minds, emotions and souls have been bombarded and challenged daily by all that we've seen and experienced. 

God has used and is using Uganda and Sanyu Babies' Home to bless us and teach us beyond measure. 

May we cherish and use wisely all that we've been given and taught. 

Humbled

We are down to our last couple of days here and our hearts are heavy at the thought of leaving. 

While our focus has been on the care and well-being of the precious children here at Sanyu Babies' Home we have been priveliged to work side-by-side with some amazing and dedicated staff. 

We have been given a bit of insight into the lives they live. Most, if not all, of them struggle financially. Yesterday we were able to talk with the administrator about how we may be able to help meet some of their needs by using the money God supplied through the generosity of many of you. 

We were able to assist with an immediate need. One of the mamas has been unable to afford a visit to the doctor and the blood pressure medication she requires.   We were able to supply enough for the doctor's visit and the two medications she needs for one month - all for $21.79. 

What a humbling privilege to use God's money to bless others. 

List

We are far from being seasoned missionaries but we've learned a few things over the past few weeks. We have been making a list of things to bring on a short-term mission trip. Some things we brought and are glad we did. Others we didn't bring but wished we had. 

Eye mask. It helps you sleep when your roommate has the light on while waiting to help with the midnight feeding. 

A bar of Sunlight laundry soap. 

Dark-coloured car chamois. These are very versatile. Can be used as wash cloth, towel, sweat wiper, body cooler...

Fingernail brush.  Cleans much more than fingernails, including sandals. 

Small Bible. 

Wrap/sarong. 

Tape. 

Glue stick. 

Water bottle. You need to fill this many times a day. 

Clothes pins. 

Safety pin or lanyard. For carrying keys when you don't have pockets. 

Recipe cards. These are multipurpose, especially useful when presenting educational seminar. 

Outdoor thermometer. To prove there is a reason for the constant dripping of sweat. Thus the need for the sweat-wiper mentioned above. 

Packets of Gatorade powder. There may be a need for replacement of fluids and electrolytes. 

Scissors. 

Original green Palmolive. It's a great stain remover, especially when it comes to grease. 

Envelopes. A variety of sizes. Great for keeping track of cash designated for specific purposes and come in handy for other things too. 

Large bold Sharpies. Helps keep track of who owns what in the refrigerator. 

Small blank note cards. 

Light-weight dress. For staying cool while hanging out at guesthouse. 

This is by no means an exhaustive list.  It will likely grow even longer during our final days here. 

We've been writing lists for months now. It's a hard habit to break and should be helpful when preparing for the next time we...

Safari (And Other African Adventures)

We returned last night from a three-day trip north of Kampala to Murchison Falls. Our main purpose for going was to enjoy a safari, also known as a game drive, at the national park there. However, the trip to and from our destination was as much a part of our journey as seeing the animals. 

It is impossible to describe all that we saw and experienced. Once we escaped the hustle and bustle of this busy city we soon got a glimpse into the rural village life of Uganda. 

The strength and stamina of the people of these villages is unbelievable. Women carry huge bundles of wood, on their heads for the most part, to their homes to be used for cooking meals. Children carry large, heavy jerry cans filled with water, also often on their heads, to supply the family's needs. Men (also women and children in some cases) work the land using only manual labour with simple hand tools. 

Along one stretch of road a water line was being installed that will extend for several miles. The digging to lay the line was being done completely by pick and shovel. The trenches appeared to be about chest deep. 

Each neighbourhood consists of about 5 - 20 small thatched "huts" made of mud or bricks and sometimes one or two larger buildings. 

We can't imagine what day to day life must be like for these people and wondered out loud if they feel hopeless or happy. 

The safari was amazing. Again, it's impossible to convey the experience adequately in words. Seeing the incredibly beautiful, cute and ugly animals (the warthog is so ugly it is cute) in their vast natural habitat was awesome. And God blessed us with a lion-sighting. Just as we were about to leave the park our driver, Robert, spotted one.  It turned out to be one of a family of four - a male, a female and two cubs.  We had been warned that many people don't get to see lions so we were especially thrilled by the privilege. 

The trip back to Kampala was yet another adventure. Our bodies didn't respond very well to the extreme heat during our expedition. Let's just say we experienced using various types of toilet facilities during the eight-hour trip...and got to use our travel-size roll of Charmin. 

We have rested well overnight though and feel refreshed to complete our last few days here at Sanyu. 

A Busy Day

Had a mixture of experiences today. 

We spent the morning at Bullrushes Babies Home which is operated by Watoto. Many of you will know name in connection with the children's choir that tours in North America from time to time. Visiting there had been a dream of Cheryl's since she and her husband hosted some choir members in 2009. 

We enjoyed the opportunity to see another facility that cares for orphans and to play with some of the precious babies living there. Bullrushes is starkly different from Sanyu. The difference in the level of funding is very evident. 

This afternoon a visitor arrived to pick up a gift to be delivered to a special little girl I helped care for more than 8 years ago at a babies home in Nairobi, Kenya.  I have been able to stay in contact with her adoptive family who has a friend here in Kampala. I am delighted to be able to give her a personal gift after all this time. 

Later in the afternoon we went to visit one of the Sanyu babies who was admitted to a nearby hospital yesterday with asthma (our diagnosis).  We were able to walk there, with 13-year-old Stella as our very capable guide. 

This little boy is in a very small room with 3 other babies, each with at least 1 care-giver who stays with the child throughout their stay to provide their basic needs including bathing, meals and water.   He is improving some but is still quite sick and remains on oxygen. Please pray for him as well as Rachael, the mama from Sanyu who is staying with him. 

Somewhere in the day we also spent some time with the babies at Sanyu. 

Tomorrow we are heading on an adventure within our adventure. We will travel to Murchison Falls area and on Friday enter the national park to enjoy a safari. 

We may not have WiFi, so tales of our animal encounters might have to wait until we get back to Kampala on the weekend.  Okay giraffes and elephants, here we come!

Training Day

Today we had the opportunity to do some "training" with the staff. We have identified several things that could be done differently to provide a better environment for the children. We decided to focus on the importance of hand washing and reducing choking risks. 

It was interesting to do the presentation through a translator. 

We had prayed for wisdom as to how to approach the subjects without sounding accusatory as we have noticed a lack of hand washing and found many small items in little mouths. 

As it turned out what we had to say was very well-received and prompted many excellent questions and suggestions regarding implementing what they'd learned.  

One question was about what to do if an object blocks a child's airway.  Though we hadn't intended to, we ended up teaching the Heimlich maneuver and methods of dislodging objects from the airways of children and infants. 

With regard to washing hands we observed the staff put into practice almost immediately, what we had taught them. As we were helping to feed babies under the outdoor shelter, a volunteer arrived to assist. When she began to approach a baby one of the staff asked her to first wash her hands. The staff member was very pleased when we gave her the thumbs up. 

We are hopeful that what we were able to teach/reinforce today will stick and that as a result, the children at Sanyu will be safer and healthier. 

If We Had a Million Dollars

The babies' home obviously has a constant need for funding just to operate from day to day.  It also is in need of refurbishment. Many basic items, like high chairs are lacking.  If we only had a million dollars!

This is back-to-school week in Uganda. There has been a real sense of stress and concern among the staff regarding being able to afford the fees required for their children to return to school.  If we only had a million dollars!

Some of the staff are wearing tattered dresses and worn out shoes.  They are in  such need. If we only had a million dollars!

One of the staff had a heart attack last year and currently needs medicine she is unable to afford. If we only had a million dollars!

We don't have a million dollars and we are overwhelmed by the needs staring us in the face each day. However, we pray for wisdom about how to help with what we have available to us as a result of the generosity of so many people at home who are part of this journey. 

Thank you. 

Strange and Unusual

We have discovered in a very short time that most things don't work or happen the same in Uganda as they do at home. We've made a little list of things we've done or experienced here that would never happen at home. 

-- We answer to different names here. At the babies' home we soon realized our names were impossible for many of the staff to pronounce. We are now known as Sherry and Maureen. 

-- Each baby has two names that are often used interchangeably - one is Ugandan and one is English. Distinguishing one child from another has been a challenge.  After being here for two weeks we still couldn't tell Mark and Anatole apart. We then discovered he is the same boy. 

-- When crossing the street look neither to the left or to the right. Just find a Ugandan who is crossing the street and stay on their heels like your life depends on it - which, in fact it does. 

-- In Jinja we used a toilet that was flush with the floor. 

-- We frequently hear the whistles of traffic cops, especially during busy times ( which means busier than the usual busy). 

-- Many things are more complicated and time-consuming here. Like brushing your teeth and trying to remember not to use the tap water, trying to use our already-challenging communication devices and getting the mosquito net in place before settling for the night. 

-- In the afternoons the infants lie outside under a thatched shelter. It always seems strange to us to see the hens and roosters strutting around right beside them. 

Ahhh Africa!  It's an amazing journey. 

Jinja

Today we took a day trip to Jinja, the second-largest city in Uganda. It has a much different atmosphere tha Kampala - quieter, less chaotic. 

Just before we reached Jinja, we stopped for a boat ride in Lake Victoria, which is the second-largest fresh water lake in the world.  It was very peaceful and gave us a great opportunity to enjoy some of God's amazing creation -  many varieties of birds, monkeys, lizards (about 2 feet long), as well as the beautiful trees on the banks.  We rode to the source of the Nile River where we could actually see the current where the water flows out of the lake to become the White Nile. It 

flows for 90 days until it empties into the Mediterranean Sea. 

We then went into the town where we had an amazing experience to remind us that this is where God wants us to be.  A few years ago both Cheryl and I had read the book, "Kisses from Katie".  It is written by Katie Davis, a young women who came to Uganda from the US and began caring for orphans in the Jinja area. She ended up moving here permanently and adopted 13 girls.  She has started a ministry called Amazima Ministries which operates a sponsorship program for 700 orphaned children, provides a meal each weekday to 1200 people and is planning to open a school. The book had been used to plant seeds of interest in coming to Uganda for both of us. 

While we didn't meet Katie we were surprised to just "happen upon" the office for the ministry when we went to use a washroom off the courtyard behind the cafe where we were having lunch. We were able to chat with the fellow (who happens to be Canadian) in the office and learn about what Amazima does.  It's amazing to see how this journey is unfolding bit by bit. 

Wet and Wild

This was a fun and exciting day for the older children at Sanyu. And for us too. We packed 14 (max capacity) adults into a taxi van and 12 of us were holding a child.  (Two other children went in a private car.)  We then embarked on a 45-min. sardine-like drive with no air conditioning. We were human car seats wearing no seat belts. There are definitely different safety standards here on many levels. 

During the trip the children were very quiet and  the most well-behaved we've seen them since we arrived - like they were wary about what was happening. 

We safely reached our destination, a play centre with a pool. While trying to entertain and contain them for about an hour while the pool was cleaned, Cheryl and I got a head start on the wet portion of the outing as the sweat began dripping from every pore - pretty much a daily occurrence. 

Finally we were all able to get into the pool and what fun we all had (except for one or two).   It was nice to be able to spend time focused only on one child doing a fun activity.  And nice to be able to spend a bit I social time with the staff. 

After a catered picnic lunch the sardine packing began again. The trip "home" was another quiet ride as most of us held a sleeping child on our laps. 

We are all grateful to the father of a volunteer who is here from the UK for the special outing he provided. 

Rescued

Today was a day of mixed emotions.  We were able to talk to Barbara, the administrator, this morning about what we have in mind for providing some education to the staff regarding hygiene and safety issues we've identified. Barbara is a wonderful, hardworking lady who lives out the mission of Sanyu Babies' Home by "providing Christ-like love" to the children by using the gifts she has been blessed with. We were pleased that our thoughts and ideas were well received and pray we will be able to implement them in a way that will have a lasting impact. 

This afternoon the nurse on duty called me in from outside to inform me that Florence, the 3-week-old baby whose weight and feedings I've been monitoring would be "graduating" to join the bigger infants in a room of 10.  She's been feeding well and slowly gaining weight. However, the reason for the move was that her crib in "isolation" would be needed for a new arrival. 

We were thrilled that they allowed us to be part of the admission process for wee Joselyn.  She is a very bright newborn who was found abandoned.  It was a teary time for us as we got to hold, snuggle, and pray for this precious new life--tears of sadness that this dear child had been unwanted and discarded but tears of joy that she had been rescued and can now be cared for at Sanyu.  And Cheryl was blessed to feed her her first bottle. 

We wonder what plans God has for this sweet girl. 

Moving Day

The big news for us today is our upgraded accommodations. We moved out of our shoebox into a much more spacious room.  

I know all you folks in NB don't want to hear this, but the heat has sucked the energy out of us today.  So this is a short post as we are crawling under our mosquito nets, lying in front of our fans and trying to get some shut-eye a little earlier tonight. 

Bath Time

It was a wild time at bath time tonight. Picture Cheryl and I kneeling over two wet and naked two-year-olds who are wiggling all over a mat on the floor while we try to dry them off and wrestle them into their nappies and night clothes. 

The task was already challenging enough when suddenly a four- year-old jumped on my back like a monkey. I knew it must look funny so turned to tell Cheryl to look at the situation I was in. When I did, I discovered she wouldn't be able to see a thing until she removed the towel that had been place over her head like a veil by another toddler. 

These are the moments that bring us joy and laughter. 

Weekend Activities

After devotions and helping the mamas get the day started with the babies yesterday we set out on a trip to the equator. It was about a 2-hour drive with a driver that Laura Bonney arranged for us. Another gal (Jodi) staying here at the guesthouse joined us. 

We started out making the slow exit from Kampala through bumper-to-bumper traffic. The rest of the drive was through rural areas that made us feel like we were in an African documentary - people carrying large, high loads on their heads and shoulders, solitary cattle on the roadside, 3-4 foot high anthills, goats, huge loads of produce being transported by motorcycle or bicycle. 

It was pretty neat to be at the equator and be able to just step into the Southern Hemisphere. They even demonstrated the different direction that the water goes down the drain. 

Once we got back to Kampala we dropped Jodi off. Cheryl and I went to shopping centre to pick up a few things. It was strange to be on our own to figure out how to. find what we needed but we we're quit proud of ou accomplishment.  Then we went to the home if Laura Bonney and Ruth Haynes who live here as long-term missionaries. It was a nice treat to enjoy their warm hospitality. We spent the night there where we each had our own room. Quite different than having to coordinate our movements around 7x11 room at the guesthouse. 

This morning we attended Watoto church. It is the church associated with the African children's choir that has toured in Canada. 

Cheryl and her husband hosted some choir members a few years ago and were very touched by them.  Attending the service this morning was the fulfillment of a dream Cheryl has had since that time.  

It was amazing to be among more than  5000 people singing and worshiping together. 

Back to the babies home in time to help with the evening "routine" and enjoy some goodnight hugs and cuddles. 

Nursing Kindergarten

Between us we have over 60 years of nursing experience, mostly in paediatrics, and suddenly we feel like we know nothing. 

For instance, how do you feed a group of one-year-olds?  Well here, one spoon and a bowl feeds eight. 

And what about washing them up?  One bucket and one washcloth fits all.  It goes against everything we know about infection control. 

We have heard it said here that "the babies are sick and we don't know why".  We feel we might know at least part of the reason but we understand we must build trust and relationships before suggestions will be accepted.  Also, the language barrier and level of education are a couple of hurdles we face. 

We expect to have an opportunity to provide some formal education before we leave so pray we'll have a wise and sensitive approach to these hard-working women. 

The Sounds of Kampala

It seems Kampala is never quiet and the sounds we hear are as varied as you can imagine. 

Of course in the babies home there are the sounds of children laughing, crying and repeated greetings of " 'ello" (which are accompanied by a leg hug or hopeful outstretched arms.)

The sounds around our guesthouse consist of the chatter of other guests, music from the boys' (young men working at or near Sanyu) quarters, some type of chirping beetle, the squawk of ibis' (birds), clucking of chickens and the crowing  of roosters. 

And then there are the other sounds from beyond the fence and gate--moving traffic, the incessant beep-beep of the bodas, the blaring horns of other vehicles, the Muslim call to prayer from a nearby mosque several times a day, frequent ambulance sirens, and the drone of a preacher (or somebody in some non-English language) making his message known over a loud-speaker somewhere in the vicinity. 

Talk about auditory over-stimulation. 

So now it's time for me to put in the ear plugs (Cheryl relies on her iPod) and enjoy a quiet nights sleep. 

Goings On

Cheryl remains under the weather with a rotten head cold. She's working on some educational ideas to increase the awareness of the need to reduce safety risks (especially choking hazards) for infection control measures like hand washing and a separate spoon for each child at feeding time.  We're a bit overwhelmed by some of the practises. 

I went on an outing this afternoon with Connie Jarslberg to a hospital in Kampala associated with a local university where she is on faculty with the nursing program. She is a friend of Laura and Ruth.  What an eye-opening tour.  And what an experience watching her navigate her way in the chaotic Kampala traffic.   

First Week in Uganda

Yesterday got off to a rough start with a message that my sister in NB had been diagnosed with meningitis.  Also Cheryl woke up with a sore throat and fever and spent most of the day in bed. Thankfully both seem to be on the mend. 

Enough about the negative stuff. We want to give you a glimpse into what things are like for us here in Uganda. 

Cheryl has stayed away from the babies home the past two days. I've spent the mornings hanging laundry to dry,  organizing clothes and sorting beans (discarding stones, twigs and bad beans).  Evenings are spent helping to feed the babies their supper or bottles, get them bathed and settled for the night. 

Navigating our neighbourhood is quite an adventure. Travelling from Saint John, NB to Kampala, Uganda was a cinch compared to getting across the street in front of our guesthouse. Picture a busy street in Toronto with no lines to mark lanes, no traffic lights and cars, bodas (motorcycle taxis), taxi vans and buses all driving on the wrong (left-for the most part) side of the road fighting to get where they want to be. We ventured out with Jodi, another guest here on Saturday. As we stood on the side of the street, dazed by the chaos, Eric, Jodi's regular boda driver came along. He very kindly got off his boda, held up his hand to stop traffic and escorted us to the other side while we followed him like ducklings. After making our way back up the hill from the coffee shop we were in the same predicament, when what to our wondering eyes should appear once again - Eric!  God provides for our every need. 

Last night as we began to settle down for the night the power went out. The generator provided light but with no power to the plugs our beloved fan was out of service. With 30+ temps our room gets very hot and it felt like a bad end to a somewhat rough day. But when I opened up my Bible, I read these words which I had under lined. They remined us we are exactly where God wants us to be.

"I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:9 & 10). 

It was a great reassurance t both of us. 

Reposted From January 18

There's WiFi tonight after a 2-day hiatus. The last couple of days have been a bit of an emotional roller coaster but we have been reminded that this is where God wants us to be and we feel we have had some impact on the baby care for the long-term already. 

The kids are precious, as you can imagine. Some are sick with infections and some are recovering from malaria but they seem to be feeling better today. 
Pictures of the babies will have to wait as administration prefers to wait until they get to know us better. 
We've been spending our time playing with, feeding, helping at bath time, washing dishes & helping with laundry. 
Today was a great day. Laura A. Bonney & Ruth Haynes picked us up to go to church with them. Wonderful lively African music and worship. We went to their home to be served a feast, enjoy their beautiful grounds and had a great visit. 
Soon settling down so we'll be ready for a 7:30 start in the morning.

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Departue Day

 

 

 

Kenya Kingston, the Crazy Ugandan Giraffe is anxious to get this adventure under way. 

 

 

Departure day has arrived.  It's time to soon zip up these bags and pray they are all within airline limits and that they'll arrive in Kampala with us tomorrow night.

 

 

Thank you all so much for your many expressions of support, including much of the contents of this luggage which will help meet some needs of precious children and their caregivers in Uganda.

 

 

Your prayers and words of encouragement for us are appreciated more than you can imagine.  Please continue to remember us and we'll do our best to keep you updated on this journey that God has prepared for us.

 

 



Packing

 

 

T-minus six days...and one week from tonight we hope to be beginning the jetlag recovery process in a guesthouse in Kampala by getting some sleep after more that 20 hours of travel. 

Today we did some packing of items that have been donated that we will have the joy of delivering once we arrive in Africa.  And as we packed, we also prayed and laughed and cried.  We have a feeling there'll be a whole lot more of that going on over the next few weeks.

We hope you will pray, laugh and cry right along with us on this amazing adventure.