Beautiful Faces

New Trousers!

My Granny and her church, Tallapoosa First Baptist have been working very hard for over a year now making T-shirt shorts for the kids in Bolivia and Uganda.  They are shorts made out of T-shirts.  Re-purposing at it's best!

Yesterday at Esangalo I had the privilege of giving out two pair of these shorts to some little boys.  I spotted them in the crowd of 650 children because they both had shorts that were full of holes and falling apart.  One boy had no "coverage" in front or back.

I walked them into the cottage and pulled off their holey shorts.  They both eagerly stepped into their new "trousers" and began smiling!

Later I found both of them wandering around proudly showing off their new pants.

Thanks Granny!

Driving in the Bush

We went to Syonga school last week.  Brenda had a meeting.  We didn't have a driver so she asked me if I thought I could do it.  I thought about the route, no problem.  There are a few tight spots, but overall it is an easy road.  Dirt roads, sure, but I could handle it.

(Let me remind you that here in Uganda they drive on the LEFT side of the road.  I have been driving a good bit here, on the main, paved roads to the Village of Eden.  I am getting pretty confident, even driving the big 15 passenger van that is a stick (the gear stick is on my left and the gears are backwards))

So, we went to Syonga.  She had her meeting and then told me we had to go to the councilman's house.   Pastor Joseph asked Brenda, "Who is driving?"  She pointed at me and he started laughing.

I asked him what was so funny.  "Well, do you know how to drive in the bush?"

I assured him I had never done it but would give it a try.  He wished us luck and we were on our way with a social worker in the back seat directing me.

"The Bush" is just that!  You are driving in, around, over, through, between and hopefully not INTO the bushes.  You are taking a car down a path that is usually only trafficked by bare feet and bicycles.

We started out, I sat up and realized I was in for a challenge.  At one point our guide told me to back up because I had missed my road - it was actually a field I needed to cut across, not road, not even a foot path this time.

We eventually found the councilman's house, a very calm, peaceful place IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE!


Now I can check off "Driving in the bush" from that bucket list, although I must admit it was never actually on there to begin with. . .

Yeah, I drove right through that

Footpath

"Are you sure this is a road???"

"Back up, you missed your road. . . "

Councilman's House

Follow Up of "Trying Times in Uganda" post

Monday, Jessica, Baby Brenda’s mother (see “Trying Times in Uganda” post for entire story), called us and asked us to come to her house.  She wanted to give us a gift.

We went back to her house on Tuesday and found her walking back from the well while balancing a large yellow, plastic can full of water on her head.  She began smiling from ear to ear when she saw us arriving!  She started saying, “Asanti sana, Asanti sana”  (“Welcome, welcome)  We went to her house and as she ran to the neighbor’s house to borrow chairs for her most honored guests.  She brought us into the house and let us sit down as she kneeled in front of us. (This is the custom for women from the rural areas.  It is their way of showing respect.)

Brenda receiving Tom from Scovia

Shortly, her oldest daughter, Scovia, brought in a huge Tom Turkey and handed it to Dr. Brenda!  This was our gift from their own farm!

Tom's impressive horn

Claudia is smiling like this because she is REALLY nervous!

Tom's side shot

We were so surprised.  A full grown male turkey costs around $22 U.S.  This was a huge gift for them to be giving to us.

I was especially grateful because it showed us that she understood that we had tried everything we could do to save her baby.  She was understanding and grateful for our help.

We put Tom Turkey in the trunk of the car and took it to the Village of Eden to live with the ducks at the fish pond.

That night one of our volunteers posted a picture of Tom Turkey on Facebook.  A few hours later someone had donated money for Tom to have a female companion!

Tina Turkey

Tina needs a make-over

Today we bought Tina Turkey and she will go to live with Tom tomorrow at the fish pond.  Our farm family is growing! (In my opinion Tom is much better looking than Tina, but maybe she just needs a make-over. . . )

Multiplying Rabbits and Books

We have our first set of baby rabbits at the Village of Eden.  They are well, multiplying like rabbits!  Eventually, these furry little creatures will be served up to the orphans as an excellent source of protein.  (Although they will just be told it is meat. . . )

We are also watching our books multiply, but in another way.  Each team that arrives is bringing books that have been donated for the Village of Eden library.  Claudia and I have been cataloging and labeling the books.    The children are always excited to see the new books arriving because they know they will be for their use eventually.

Esangalo

What would you do if 750 children showed up for your Saturday Bible study??

Here at the Village of Eden it is a regular event.  Every Saturday around 750 children from 2 – 16 years old come to sing, play, dance and hear the Word of God.  These children are from all around the Village of Eden. 

Pray for this ministry that it would continue to be successful and make a positive impact  on the  communities surrounding the Village of Eden.

Claudia and children

Meet Juliet

I want to introduce you to a new friend of mine.  Her name is Juliet.  She came to the medical clinic at the Village of Eden.  We are treating her for some wounds on her legs. 

Juliet is 10 years old but does not have many friends.  She cannot run and play like the other children.  Juliet is also wary and afraid of strangers and new people.  This is all because Juliet was born with some disfigurations caused by a genetic disorder.

We have been treating her would daily and working to gain her trust.  On Saturday, we went and pickup up Juliet to take her to Esangalo Bible study at the Village of Eden.  She seemed to really enjoy the time with the other children, despite her fears.  The children also began warming up to her and including her in some of the games.

Pray that we will be able to share the love of Christ with Juliet and her family.  Pray that she will understand that Jesus loves her and sees her as a Beautiful Person.