6th September, 2020
Dear friends,
On Monday I collected boxes of ‘goodies’ from Soulla at the Church of the Ascension, Wembley to send to Uganda – football kits, reading books, pencils, toothpaste, toothbrushes etc. even a wedding dress! I took these to Tottenham on Tuesday for shipment. Ayoub the shipping agent repacks things into larger boxes and seals them – it all runs very smoothly this end and arrives in Kampala 3 months later.
The boys have continued learning how to crochet the sponges and Yusuf has finished one already. They have also spent their time making skipping ropes from the small plastic circle that gets left on the neck of soda bottles when you open them – they have joined these together and made a strong rope – have even sold a couple of these to Peace – there are amazing things you can make with scrap!
“No-one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous………” Joshua 1:5-6
I spent over an hour on ‘Messenger’ early Saturday morning speaking and seeing the boys who were saying goodbye to Simon Peter and Emma (Patrick was there as Emma and he are going to share a room together). Augustine is also moving out but he was working. Revd. James and Norah, both on our Management Committee attended with Peace, Martin and Shadrach. Sam the Warden is on leave at present. There was a time of worship during which Revd. James shared the bible reading (Joshua 1 v1-6), prayed and blessed the boys, also encouragement and good wishes given by staff, visitors and myself. Following this, the boys were presented with beds, mattresses, blankets, stoves, kitchen equipment and everything necessary to start living independently. It was all fairly emotional and then some of the boys carried Simon Peter’s things to his new room, helped him clean it and settle in – not a lot of space! I believe the 3 boys are actually going to leave Sunday, probably after lunch. At the weekends boys have fish one day and meat the other so well worth staying for a couple of extra days. I am sure they will call back regularly to catch-up on their ‘brothers’.
There are rumours that Entebbe Airport might be re-opened shortly so perhaps I will be able to get back before the end of the year.
One afternoon I spoke to Tim who has returned to work at the bakery and is doing well, he looked really grown up, and was asking if he could move into his own place soon – I agreed that he could start looking around for somewhere. We are helping the boys with their rent for 6 months and also paying for some of their food while they learn to manage their expenses. Paul has found himself some temporary work in a drapers shop making curtains until he can return to college.
Things are therefore changing at George’s Place as our older boys move on with their lives – nearly all of them want to stay in Kampala and not return to their home villages, opting to stay within walking distance of our home – for some of them this has been the only stability, love and care they have known. We give thanks to the Lord for all His goodness in changing these youngsters lives and the privilege of being a small part of His work. Thank you once again for all your prayers, love, generosity, support and being involved.
With every blessing.
Jane
