30th October, 2022
Good morning friends,
I’m enjoying relaxing this morning in the gardens by my apartment. It feels like I’m on holiday!
This week Peace and I, (Jesse driving) took Joseph for home tracing in the Buikwe area near Lugazi. On arriving at the town we visited the Probation Officer, who was aware that we were coming and looking for the family, she spoke to Joseph in his local language and then accompanied us. We found the paternal great grandmother who had 20 family members living with her! These were mostly aunts, uncles and children. It was difficult to work out relationships. The P.O. felt Joseph should continue in our care and go for vocational training in the new year.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
As we were nearby, we then visited the boys at Hope International college, to check on them. Ivan has been trained in using a knitting machine and had produced a really good school jumper and scarf. There were a few moans about smaller portions of food and the ‘head’ agreed that food prices had gone up and this was true! They were given some pocket money and Tresor will call next week to deliver supplies of noodles, bread, Gnuts, etc. to compensate.
Whilst we were out all day Benard and Tresor took the other three new boys swimming as young Denis and Saidi need to practice. Then on Wednesday Tresor travelled to Kayunga to buy the materials for the latrine for Dan’s family. He stayed until Dan returned from school and Dan was happy to show him the pigeon he is looking after and has made a home for!
I went to see Nora this week and she is helping me with the work permit, I had forgotten that I needed a letter from the NGO Board to accompany my application and needed to submit another 15 documents! We have an appointment on Monday at Kingdom House.
Today, Saturday all the boys are attending a Fun Day at Maranatha Primary School, where Kasita and Musumba are preparing for their P7 exams. They will enjoy seeing their ‘old’ friends, playing on the bouncy castle, face painting, races and ice cream. I have just heard the band marching through Ggaba opening the event! Jesse has arrived here after taking the boys to the Fun Day, to take the car to be checked before we travel next week.
The local football academy in Garuga have sent us a photograph of one of their teams – we gave them a number of small T-shirts from ‘Spurs’ that most of our boys have grown out of. It’s good to share our blessings.
We’ve also invested in a new Ludo board – the new boys spend hours playing Ludo and are very happy. I called on Friday afternoon to George’s Place and there was great excitement as young Denis won the game!
Thank you for all your love and support of our work, we really appreciate your continued prayers.
With love and blessings.
Jane
