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.