18th December, 2022
Dear friends,
It had seemed a quiet week until yesterday afternoon when Peace phoned and told me the KCCA (Kampala Capital City Authority) at City Hall had been in contact with her and wanted us to go to the Court there and collect some Congolese refugee boys who had been living on the streets. Of course I drove there with Petra in the middle of Friday afternoon traffic, where we met up with Peace and collected 4 young lads. Three brothers Ashier, Fofo and Herbert and another young lad, Bethel, who has a nasty scar right across the back of his neck, where some time ago he must have been badly attacked.
I called Jesse from the Court and he came to drive us back to George’s Place. Petra and Peace stay the other side of Kampala. The boys were all very hungry when they got in the car, having been given nothing to eat and we stopped to buy sodas, biscuits and bananas. Tresor has been away for a couple of days which was a shame as he comes from Congo; by the time we got to Garuga it was dark but the boys were welcomed, bathed and being given clothes, towels, sheets before I left. There was also a hot meal waiting for them. I am off to George’s Place early Saturday morning to see how they are settling in and to find out more information about them. I don’t think they will be staying with us for long but you never know!
Today they were taken by Benard to the clinic for checkups and I collected them. Dan has fallen sick but not I’m sure if he’s feeling a bit neglected.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9 v6
Diana left late Wednesday night for a wedding in Mauritius, it’s very quiet without her. On Monday we had gone with Christine to visit Maggie an American lady who is now Ugandan and lives near the MAF/EMI Airfield at Kajjansi, where she used to work. She is a lovely Christian and you feel blessed just being in her company. On our way home we went to AIM (African Institute of Music) run by a Korean couple and had Korean food for lunch. I really enjoyed the break.
- Tim has been unwell with a high fever and spent time at the clinic this week.
- Asaph started his Industrial training and moved into a room near the workshop today.
- Johnson (Musumba) is due to have his eye operation after Christmas.
- Dan’s family latrine has been finished, I had a call from a neighbour appreciating our help.
- Musa has returned- he only went to his mum’s for two weeks as he has not been with us long.
- Joseph will also be back in the next couple of days.
There are little signs of Christmas around but I went to a Carol Service Saturday evening at KIC. We have had plenty of rain in the mornings but the afternoons have been hot and sunny. I have still not been able to get a letter from the NGO board to submit for a work permit, they now want a meeting with me. I did manage to extend my visa though, so at least I’m here legally! Life is not always easy in Uganda!
Prayers please for these four new boys who are fine but want to be reunited with their parents.
Thank you for all the e-cards, love and support. We couldn’t do this work without you.
Love and prayers.
Jane x