16th December, 2018

Dear friends,

Today (Saturday), Bob and I have travelled to Mbale, via Mukono and Tororo to take seven of our boys back to their families for the Christmas holidays. We came in the minibus as there were so many of us. The roads were busy and some of the taxis travelling in the opposite direction, to Kampala, had their roofs full of live turkeys, ducks and chickens for the markets. We had to contend with a few pigs and monkeys on the roads – it’s usually chickens, and untethered goats and cows, so this was different! Five of the boys have been dropped off and the other two, Haruna and Musumba are staying with us at the basic, Sun Rise Inn for the night. (Only hope there is hot water). We had a meal this evening in Mbale and there were a number of street boys around, some who knew us and Haruna from Kisenyi, – we treated them to matoke, posho and beef takeaway.

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Jude 1 v2

Our boys all enjoyed the Ndere centre last Sunday evening and when the music from Karamoja began James ran on to the stage and joined the dancing. He comes from that area though his parents moved to Mbale to find work. The younger boys all went on stage at one point and at the end of the evening, we all joined the performers dancing together, so a good evening was had by all – but not very warm! The weather has been changeable – some days sunny and warm and others decidedly cold. Martin left on Monday evening.

Betty called one evening to see me with pineapples from her farm which the boys have enjoyed.

We took Denis to catch the night bus on Thursday and he has arrived safely in Pader. Victor was collected by an uncle earlier in the week to stay with his family. I’m sure George’s Place will be very quiet over the next few weeks. It has seemed noisy at times this week especially when I was trying to finish the accounts for November!

Anton has cleared the land and will start burning the shrubs early next week in preparation for digging, he seems to have settled well into his room at the trading centre. A few afternoons Cosby and his friend from St Paul’s church come and sing with some of the boys teaching them choruses – Emma and Derrick playing the drums.

Ole visited us on Friday, with Flo from France and Adriana from Portugal – the boys were happy to see them. This week we walked to Munyonyo one afternoon and had races, played badminton and football at the pitch another day and also went to KK. The boys all need to get out in the afternoons as with so many of them and limited space it can be fractious!

There are still very few signs of Christmas – only people, chickens, ducks and turkeys travelling and plenty of meat hanging up in the butchers shacks! Prayers please for the boys – especially those visiting their homes – some are very anxious.

Love and prayers

Jane