Sunday 31st December, 2023
‘The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”
Lamentations 3:22-24
Dear friends,
We have had a very Happy Christmas at Homes of Promise. On Christmas Day the boys came to my church, Jessie drove them in the minibus, they were asked to come out to the front whilst I read the lesson and Dennis lit the Christ candle. We all looked smart in our Homes of Promise T-shirts, after church, juice and biscuits we went to a local restaurant for lunch in Kampala (2K.). Augustine met us there but was delayed because of rain. We chose the Bufffet as the boys could eat as much as they liked – Ian and I were pleased as they also served side salad and fruit. During the meal there was a thunderstorm which delayed our leaving but by the time we got back to Garuga the sun was shining and the younger boys went off to Sky Beach with Sam as there was a bouncy castle and swimming. The older boys watched the new television! The Hon. Abdallah Juma who is the Government Representative on our Management Committee even telephoned us on Christmas Day.
Boxing Day I joined in the celebrations at George’s Place and collected tilapia from a nearby fishing village that was cooked for us by a very happy lady – 22 large fish – took hours! Dennis and Yusuf cooked chips and spaghetti as an accompaniment. Beckham’s father visited but did not stay the night as he had left his other son at home. I took him back to Kajjansi with soda and fish for the boy. The young ones again went for a swim to Sky Beach.
I also went back to George’s Place on Thursday as Tresor has taken annual leave and gone to Rwanda, the cooks, security and office staff are also off work. Dennis and Yusuf were again cooking, chapatis, when I arrived for breakfast at 12.15pm! – their cooking skills are very good. Uncle Ben says there has been a happy atmosphere in the home with everyone helping, there are only 13 boys at present. Sam has also been working and took the boys and dogs out for a walk to look for dice and counters for playing ludo – they were gone for hours.
Next Tuesday 2nd January, Robert is starting work experience at a local salon and will also learn how to manicure. Dennis is having driving lessons for a month – a lesson a day Monday to Friday and theory class on Saturday – he doesn’t say but I can see he is excited and being particularly helpful! The lessons are very reasonable compared to the UK, and a good skill to have.
This evening the boys are going to a local firework display to welcome in the New Year and on New Year’s Day we are having a picnic at the Botanical Gardens and a boat trip which I’m sure everyone will enjoy – weather permitting – it’s raining again this morning!
Thank you for all your support, love and kindness during the last year, even the new boys seem well settled and it’s been amazing the way The Lord has been blessing our work with the boys – there are so many blessings. Thank you.
Happy New Year.
Love and prayers
Jane x
