LCH and Natalie

PRAYER REQUEST:
This is our Primary 7 class. They are our oldest students and the first class to pass through our school. There is a major national exam called the PLE that these students will take on November 2-3. This exam covers everything they have learned in primary school AND their marks (scores) determine if and which secondary school they will be able to attend. Please pray for them as they continue to review for the next 1.5 weeks. And pray that their confidence is in the Lord, as they feel a lot of pressure to perform well and represent our school. God is great to have brought them this far!!!


Lulwanda Children's Home Primary School is always an active place. There is not a day that passes that you don't here the beat of a drum and songs echoing through the windows. I know the children have fun while learning.

I also am often impressed by the teacher's creativity. Though there is not even the option to run to Walmart to buy a supply or teaching aide for a lesson, our teachers do a great job at improvising.

P2 eager to answer questions.

P7 study session with Teacher Silver

NATALIE SQUARED:
You have met her before, but here is "Baby Natalie" again. Since she stays at home in the village, I don't often get to see her, but to my surprise she is able to walk and speak some few words in Lugisu.

Where does time go??

I have to apologize for not being more faithful at updating. It is unbelievable sometimes how fast time goes. I feel like I have had "write blog" on my to-do list for the past month, but as I am there at work, other things come up. Life happens. Relationships are there. Trouble-shooting is needed. Or simple drumming parties break forth with the nursery children in the office. So, I am living in the moment and trying to be spontaneous in the Spirit when I feel his leading. That is a good thing and so I know you will accept my apologies and understand.


In September, I had my first OFFICIAL photography job. Our driver, Moses, "made" his wedding last month and asked me to be the main photographer. I had so much fun but it was serious work. Here is just the smallest sample of the 1300 photos I took that day.




September at Lulwanda Children's Home...

First, there are only 3 weeks remaining until our P7 students sit for their BIG exam. This exam determines whether they are accepted to continue education onto Secondary school. It also will determine WHICH secondary school they will be able to go to. Please pray that their minds would continue to absorb the information and retain all that they have learned. They have worked so so hard, going to school early and coming home late. Even attending class on Saturdays for revision. Our teachers have also worked very hard. Exams are set to start Nov. 3 or 4th.



I escorted some of the children to the National Book Week Festival in Mbale. Our children were able to participate for 2 days. The last day, they had the opportunity of writing and then presenting poems and papers about how books enrich our lives. LCH received second place in this competition and the children had a lot of fun.

I also have made time to have fun with the children, especially the younger ones. It doesn't matter what I am doing, they are always interested to look over my shoulder and learn from my actions.


And normal activities are carrying on, such as daily clothes washing, which can be a mighty job considering that there are 90 children. But I also took this picture to show that the stones are starting to be delivered in preparation to begin the new girls hostel. This will be a huge blessing and allow our older girls to move out of the "public" space of the dormitory AND it will open more room for new children to come into Lulwanda.

Another daily activity: Sorting rice

When not at LCH...

I will admit, this photo doesn't have that much significance, but I was excited to see a little frog on the window of my car one evening. (Truthfully, this photo is for you, Jean, because i know how much you love frogs :) )

When not at LCH, I like to spend time with my friends. And since having a car, my network of "after 7pm when it gets dark" friends has doubled because my household is now able to go over to the other "single girl" house in Mbale. We often find ourselves playing games, taking tea, and eating somethings yummy.
So these are some of my friends who have blessed my life here. I am so grateful for them.

And this is Pastor Morris and Mama Aidah, my Ugandan parents. I haven't posted a picture of them in a long time, so I thought you might like to see their bright faces.

And in September, a visiting team invited me to come with them to Murchison Falls National Park. It was such a wonderful surprise and blessing, as we stayed in the nicest hotel in the park and all of it was paid for already. (Thanks again Holy Apostle Church!!) It was a brief but relaxing (and exciting) couple of days. We even got to do safari from the sunroof of a landcruiser. It was awesome!



The coolest thing we saw was when a herd of elephants, with their 2 babies, crossed the road in front of us and then started circling their babies and "growling" at us. Yes, it was a growl, not a trumpet. The medium one was waving his ears while the big one stood tall and bravely. I will admit, we were a bit nervous because we were so close and we knew they were in defense mode to protect their babies. But the driver was ready on the gas just in case they decided to stampede.





And that is a summary of my September. Thank you for all your prayers and support.

PS- Last blog I mentioned Betty, who had surgery on her leg. Well, the cast is off and she is moving around with a brace. The leg is straighter, but we are still believing God for a miracle that she will be able to walk without a limp and even to be able to put one foot in front of the other (rather than her current "step-together" process). Again, our God is a mighty God who is able to do anything.

Kids...

The game that is sweeping the girls of LCH.... Naketti (no literal translation to English, sorry)

All holiday you could find different groups of girls playing this game. It is a bit like monkey in the middle, but the "monkey" is collecting sticks from the ground to. Ten sticks equals one bundle. Once you are hit by the ball, you are "off". They also have found a way to play this as teams and the LOVE it!

Brenda Nabwire collecting sticks.

We also had opportunity for arts and crafts during the holiday. Let the creativity flow...

Aida's lovely painting. I asked her who this was and she said it was her. Ha.

Jimmy

Juliet

Wycliff (Seddu)

Sarah Gimono

Last week I was in the main hall when one of the kids came to me to tell me that Ambrose (another child) was calling me to see the pregnant pig. This was not uncommon, because Ambrose I usually the one to inform and show me whenever there is a new baby animal at LCH. When I reached the pig pen, Ambrose said very proudly, "Teacha, you are most welcome to my farm." He proceeded to tell me that he was moving stones to create the base for the floor for another room in the pig pen to put the piglets that are soon arriving. After struggling with his wheelbarrow, he removed his 5 stones of that trip and was off again. Of all the kids, Ambrose loves the animals the most. There was another day that I found some cows eating the peel remains of the kasava. Since they were so close to the outside kitchen, I tried to chase them away by using the legs of a chair I had picked up. This was only a momentary success, because as I finished chasing one cow and went for the next, the first cow would just come back. Then Ambrose was called to come help. As he arrived, he simply said go and moved his hands in a shooing motion and the cows left with no problem. So, this is my friend, Ambrose... the friend to the animals at LCH.

One of our sweet girls, Betty, has been struggling to walk properly, due to a disability. BUT God opened the opportunity for her to be one of four children from the Mbale area to have an operation by surgeons in Kenya. We are praying for the Lord's miraculous hand upon her and that she will be able to walk properly once the cast is off. Please pray with us.

A few funny stories:

I taught some of the children the game Capture the flag. They loved it!! I think they enjoyed putting their friends in jail most :) Though, I often saw opposite team members chasing their friends from their side onto the opponents side and still trying to put their friend in jail. But most of the children understood the concept. We moved our game down to the field, which is near one of our Aunties houses. As some kids got tired from running, they were interacting with Auntie Florence's kids. As we were finishing the game, someone called my name. Our conversation went something like this...

child: "Teacha, come see the puppies."
me: "Wow, puppies. How many?"
child: "There are six puppies of the cat."
me: "Puppies of the cat?"
child: "Yes, puppies of the cat!"
me: "Ok?!?"

Needless to say, I wasn't sure what baby animals that I was about to see. When the kids led me to the room, I saw 6 little gray kittens nursing. So sweet. If only my housemate wasn't allergic I would have kept one of the "puppies of the cat" :)


Last week some younger children were looking through the wedding photos I recently took for our driver, Moses' wedding. I was busy with my own work while I put someone in charge of pressing the button to move through the photos with their friends. After about 10 minutes of looking, I hear most of the children make a sort of slurping noise. I didn't mind at first, but then they did it again, so I looked at what they were looking at. It was a picture of the wedding cakes. Ha. Each time they would see a cake they would make a slurping noise and whisper, "Mmm, cake".

I love these kids so much. They continue to surprise me and make make me smile. May the Lord continue to grow them up into the men and women He will use to change the face of Uganda.

"Cultural Moments"

There are still moments, despite the 3 years I have spent in Africa, that I am still caught off guard by the sheer difference in culture or reality (in comparison to how I have grown up knowing life). For those who have been here awhile and “ culture shock” has ideally warn off, we call these times of realization, “cultural moments”. Really, I think they are one in the same. And if I am honest with myself, I pray that I will never grow immune to these “cultural moments”. I don’t want things to be too normal or unmoving because then I am less likely to be seeing the hand of God.

I had one of these moments last week. I was visiting a friend from church at her home for the first time. (Side note- my car is SUCH a blessing and allowing me the freedom of mobility to do things that I have been wanting to but not easily able to because of transport). Anyways, I had called my friend, Agie, because she had been telling me that she wanted some time to meet with me and speak about something. As I drove up to our meeting location, I fully expected to pick her up and take her out for a soda while we talked. But, as I have notice many times being here, people want me to see where they stay. So, I parked my car at the petro station and we proceeded though a group of houses, past the grazing chickens, beyond the boys practicing their dance moves, and into another section of housing that was squared off into a courtyard setting. I shook hands with 5 dusty little kids shouting, “Mzungu! Mzungu! Mzungu! How are you?” and ducked under some sheets hanging on the clothes line to dry. Then we had reached Agie’s home. She welcomed me and I entered in behind her, removing my shoes at the door. She dusted off a wooden stool for me to sit on, as she sat of a yellow piece of furry fabric below me.

With one hand out and the other hand touching the extended hand’s forearm, she shook my hand and said, “You are most welcome. Thank you for coming to visit me in my home.”

As we sat discussing the day and moved into deeper topics, I began to have my “cultural moment”. There I was, on the ONLY proper “seat” in the “house”, talking with this woman about a business venture to sell bags of charcoal. There I was, graciously welcomed into her home that was a single room, not more than 15ft by 15ft. Actually, the house had 2 “rooms”- the bedroom and the sitting room/kitchen area/play room- partitioned by a sheet hanging over a string. I was humbled. Lord, who am I that you would choose me to be in such a place and have the blessing of visiting this friend?

It was once her 4 children came in and greeted me one by one- the girls kneeling down and shaking my hand in respect, that I thought to myself, “So, where do the kids sleep? Surely not on the twin bed in the “bedroom”.” I then noticed the stained mattress leaning against the wall of the “sitting room”, ready to be put down that night for all 4 kids to sleep on.

Again, Lord who am I that I have anything of spiritual worth to encourage this sister of mine. She could teach me so much about contentment and God’s provision and how to live out the verse, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow has enough worries of its own.” My friend Agie lives moment by moment with the Lord. He is the one who sustains her. He is the one who protects her and her kids. He is the one whose thoughts towards her are precious and more numerous than the grains of sand in the sea.

I will admit it was a bit overwhelming. To understand that God is near, in such material poverty, because my Ugandan brothers and sisters are rich in experiences that cause them to trust that the Lord is their Shepherd, they shall not want. I am grateful for these “cultural moments” because they open my eyes to the heart of the Father.

August in Uganda

I feel like the month has flown by already. Wow.

When I first arrived, two of my dear college friends were already at LCH with a team. Stephanie and Connie (along with our clinical officer) conducted hearing screenings for all of our children and staff. They also were able to move out of the hotel and into my house for the remainder of their trip. It was SO wonderful to have them with me. Although most of our time was at LCH, we were also able to visit the village where one of Stephanie's friends lives and travel to Sissyi Falls to trek up to the very top.

At the top of the waterfall looking down.

The children finished Term 2 on Aug. 13th. This whole year, our P7 class has been busy preparing to take the national examinations held in November. They sat with other children from the sub-county and took mock-examinations. In District Mocks, six of our students ranked in Division II (the second highest). Overall, Anthony Wanzala came on top with the most points at LCH in both mock-examinations. Please continue praying for our students as they bear the pressure of this test (determining if and which secondary school they can go to).

Other End of Term 2 Results (Class Ranking):

Top Class:
1- Samwiri
2- Davis
3- Flavia

P1 Class:
1- Norah
2- Gift
3- Phoebe Nambozo

P2 Class:
1- Moses
2- Sarah Kainza
3- Andrew Masiga

P3 Class:
1- John Mustoshi
2- Anthony Wojjambuka
3- Doreen Namasaba

P4 Class:
1- David Yeko
2- Malvin
3- Andrew Dezi

P5 Class:
1- Dinah
2- Brenda Babirye
3- Chrispus


So now that we are on holiday, I have been having fun with the kids... games, puzzles, felt Bible story pictures, football matches, and crafts.

We had visitors from a local bank come to do a charity project at LCH. They helped repaint the outside kitchen and bath houses. I pray that God would use these news friends to be advocates for our kids.

God is good in Uganda

I truly had a wonderful, restful, fun, and refreshing trip to the USA- mainly Austin, Texas. Seeing as time was short, I didn't travel more than an hour outside of Austin, which made for plenty of time with family and near-by friends. I will post pictures later about my adventure in Greece (before I arrived in the USA) and around Austin.

But, I wanted everyone to know that I have now been in Mbale for over a week. I was really glad and eager to come back. I don't know if you should expect reverse culture-shock when you go back to America, but I know last time I came back, I was just memorized by all the options of things that you can get here and how easily accessible things are. So, i guess I expected sort-of the same feelings for this trip home. That was not the case though. It His own gentle and loving ways I feel like God spoke to my heart and said, "See, you are not missing out on anything in Texas. The reality that you thought was, is not really reality. So, you are free to fully embrace Uganda." Not that I wasn't embracing it, but I think like anyone would when living oversees and having left all family and friends behind, you just wonder if you are missing out on everyone you love's lives. So, I was glad for this lesson- that I can fully embrace Uganda- and am eager to see what more God will show me in this direction.

Now, I imagine that this might lead you to think the most frequent question I was asked when I was home... "So, how long do you think you will be in Africa?" And my answer... I don't know. As long as God has me here. My heart is willing to stay however long, but I am also not opposed to go back to America. I just want to be where He wants me. That is the safest and most peaceful place to be.

Otherwise, I found the kids getting ready for holidays (they break for a month holiday on Friday). I have slowly been getting stories and updates on what has been happening. It is surprising how much you can miss in one month. Unfortunately I do not have photos, but here is a brief update of LCH for July:

- The school participated in Music Competition again, where they sang and danced to traditional songs, original composition, and sight read a western piece. They sang wonderfully and got 3rd place out of 9 schools. This is a huge jump from last year (as they were 7th), so we pray that God would enable us to be #1 next year.

- Kids also went for football and netball competition at the subcounty level. A good number of our students were selected for the county level: Emma O, Ivan K, Kamadi, Namakoye Brenda, Sarah Khainsa, and Aida. In the end, the boys were all chosen to represent Mbale District at Nationals in Arua (northern Uganda). But due to the necessity to take mock-examinations for the exit level exams, Emma and Ivan stayed behind. Kamadi will leave on Saturday with Teacher Nathan to play football for the Mbale team. Please pray for their travels and time there.

- Thanks to a team that just came, all the students and staff have now had their hear tested.

- And as I said before, Term 2 is ending this week and the kids are eager for holidays to begin.



AND..... SEE WHAT GOD HAS DONE!!!!

God is so good. I am almost without words to
express how humbled and overjoyed I am at the
Lord's provision. Wow. There are many awesome testimonies to how God provided. But the one I want to boast in how He has shown me a new aspect of Himself as a Father. We all have needs and wants. I won't say that the car was a
need. Rather I will say it was it was a practical, useful, and would be VERY helpful want. And I have seen that the Lord does not just come through for the big things, when we are desperate. But He loves me specifically and generously and desired to give me this blessing, just as my earthly father would have seen my practical want and helped me. I don't feel like my words adequately expressed what I am trying to say, but I will leave it at that. Hopefully you get the gist.

YES!! Praise the Lord! I picked up my new car Monday and was able to drive it to LCH yesterday!!! It was so fun to arrive and see the joy and excitement of everyone. They danced and shouted and jumped and hugged. It was awesome. It really showed me what rejoicing with those who rejoice means.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for praying God's provision with me AND for responding to my special project. Again, I am humbled and overjoyed. Thank you.

PS- so this is so silly, but I think my plate number was made just for me. Or the extra icing on the cake from Him. It is UAN 171W. My explanation of why it is just for me... UA (all cars start with this). N-- for Natalie. 1-- January, 7- my birthday (January 7th), 1- could be interpreted for a lot of things but my favorites are first born or God is #1. Then the W-- worship, wow, worthy, wonderful... you choose your adjective :) Silly, I know.