10th January, 2021
Dear friends,
I am sorry for not having written a newsletter for the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately I have been unwell but hopefully am improving slowly.
This week I have had some very sad news, my friend Betty, in Uganda, who also was a member of The Church of The Ascension Wembley has died, having succumbed to COVID19. We had been friends since I first stayed in Uganda and spent a week with her and her husband, Ken at their home in Kampala. Anton had gone and worked on their farm in Jinja and Betty had found Dennis on the streets and been instrumental in his coming into the home. At one time Betty and I had gone on morning walks together and we met for coffee regularly – she was such an inspiration to me as she understood some of my difficulties in living in a completely different culture and helped me to put things into perspective when I misunderstood situations. Ken has been a wonderful support to Homes of Promise in the last year and recently joined our Management Committee, he is one of our bank signatories.
Your prayers please for Ken and his daughters at this sad time.
…..’but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’ Isaiah 40v 31
The older boys who were at George’s Place had a Happy Christmas. They went out to lunch on Christmas and Boxing Day’s and some of them enjoyed whole tilapia! (Large fish found in the Sea of Galilee and Lake Victoria). Three of the younger boys have now returned from the village. Mary came on Saturday so the boys have enjoyed their art class.
As the elections take place this coming week there has been very little happening in the home, it is difficult to travel across the city and people are not moving around unless necessary. I continue to receive emails from small charities working in Kampala asking for specific help for individuals but these have been difficult for Shadrach to be in contact with, we have been sent photos of one young boy living on the streets and are endeavouring to pay some expenses for him to attend a local clinic for treatment.
At the beginning of this New Year, we are not sure where the Lord is leading our work – we give thanks for what the Lord has done in the boy’s lives through HoP over the past year, that despite the challenges of Covid the boys have developed and thrived. I am so grateful that I’ve been able to keep in touch with staff and boys regularly online. We do ask for your prayers for the way ahead – for the boy’s and staff of Homes of Promise.
I pray for you all and give thanks for your love, prayers and support, we couldn’t do it without you.
With love and prayers.
Jane
