29th October, 2017

Dear friends,

The highlight of my week has been meeting up with Sirage, the young man we found in Kisenyi a couple of years ago who needed a reversal of an ileostomy operation and couldn’t afford the charges at the local hospital.  Homes of Promise paid for his operation and helped him to get back on his feet again. Read the original story here. On Thursday when we were involved in the outreach to street boys Sirage came up and asked do you remember me?  He has lost quite a lot of weight but of course I recognised him.  He looks well, was clean and well dressed and has a little work.  We give thanks to The Lord for his full recovery and the privilege of seeing him again and knowing he is well.  At the end of the morning we took Charles a boy with a deep wound to his neck to the local clinic – and paid for a week’s medication.  We also checked up on Steven the young man who had been badly beaten and has a terrible foot wound, taking him clean clothes.  He will be in the clinic for another couple of weeks until he is fully recovered.  I sent photos of his foot to the English doctor from church who is happy about the treatment he is receiving and his progress.

‘Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.’ Lamentations 3 v22/23

On Wednesday, Peace, Bob and I took Victor one of our new boys to see his step mother not far from Kampala.  It is of course a very sad story – no one seems to want to take responsibility for Victor.  On our way back we took him out for lunch – which he really enjoyed!

During the visit one of the neighbours offered me a young puppy, covered in fleas, who was looking for food on a rubbish tip, so of course I have a new addition to my family, another Jackie, named after the young lady who gave her to me.  I’m not sure Daisy and puss are as delighted with her arrival!

Samuel and Godfrey have both returned to us as they weren’t happy with life in the village – we are listening and counselling them as to the best way forward.  They are really too old to be here with the young ones and need to be finishing their internships so that they can graduate early next year but both lack self-esteem and confidence – prayers please.

I visited the school on Monday and spoke to the Head Teacher who was unaware that the boys had been caned and is looking into the matter before she gets back to us.  I made it very clear that it is against the law in Uganda to beat children, hopefully something positive will come out of all of this.

We had a really fun afternoon on Saturday at KK Beach – 17 boys, Uncles Tim, Paul and Bob and myself – they enjoyed kicking the football, playing badminton, the bouncy castle, games on the iPad, sodas and of course plenty of dancing, three of the new boys danced for ages!  Dennis was with us (he is usually at school) his exams start next week.  When we returned to George’s Place we had a time of prayer for him, (joined by a large rat, I still can’t get used to them and involuntarily scream – will need to get fumigators in next week).  There will be a party at school this afternoon to wish Dennis and the other students in P7 luck; Uncle Tim, I and the boys who attend the school will attend.

Prayer Points:

  • Thankfulness that Sirage is fully recovered
  • We have found somewhere that is suitable for our Meals for Kids project but it’s a good distance from Kisenyi – is this the right place?
  • Dennis taking his exams
  • Tracing Victor’s uncle, James, new Shafic and Saviour as we look for their families
  • Samuel and Godfrey – wisdom to know how best to help them, Steven and Charles as they recover

With love and blessings from Kampala.

Jane