Sunday 17th December, 2023
Dear friends,
This week has been busy. On Monday after sorting out the week’s finances with Petra and Tresor and going to the bank, Tresor, Peace and I went up to see the boys in Garuga. It was an opportunity to sit, listen and talk with them, they all have different concerns and issues and we wanted to know who wanted to go back to their villages for Christmas. There was a bit of a problem about Bethel, who the boys believe, being the youngest, gets more privileges and attention than others, I hope this was sorted out!
Tuesday I went to order the Christmas cake and a smaller cake for Benard’s birthday, the rain was so bad I had to stop at a garage until it had subsided, I also went and got sweets for the party which is today (Saturday).
‘Shalom I leave with you, my shalom I give to you’ John 14 v 27
James, my son who is now a Trustee, and Rebecca arrived on Wednesday morning and are staying in Uganda until Monday when they travel on to Zanzibar for Christmas. On Thursday I took James to the office and then on to meet the boys and staff in Garuga. The boys spent some time making New Year cards to send back to Class 3 at Forty Hill School as we had received handmade Christmas cards from them. We spent a happy few hours there.
On Friday James, Rebecca and I went to find the shoebills! We did see one, it was enormous and stood like a statue for most of the time, it was amongst the swamps and wetlands near Entebbe, a bit of an adventure!
Today, Saturday, we had the party. Some of our older boys returned yesterday, Shaffick, Asaph, Emma and Augustine are staying for a few days. We had representatives, from the school, Harvest Worship Church, our medical clinic, the Management Committee and Football Academy. Everything went well and the sun shone! Halima, her sisters and Gorette cooked an amazing amount of delicious food and everyone enjoyed the entertainment by the boys. Dennis was the MC and felt led to lead us in a few moments silence for Auntie Betty (Ken’s wife, who died during covid) there was dancing, Yusuf showed his art work, Kasita shared ‘did you know’ facts, there were testimonies from two of the older boys, Johnson recited a poem he had written, there were games for the young ones which included musical chairs and of course introductions and speeches. It was a lovely day. Of course the neighbours children came to enjoy the event.
Thank you for all your love, kindness and support, we would have loved you to have experienced our day. God has been blessing our work throughout the year and it was a real time of celebration.
With love and prayers
Jane x
