School Meetings for Musumba, Kasita, Denis and Saidi (next Saturday), Independence Day school celebrations, Yusuf back for the weekend

Good morning friends,

Gill left for the UK early last Sunday morning, and I made my way to Trinity School for the dedication service for the Senior 4 and Senior 6 candidates as Musumba’s guardian. These are important meetings, and I didn’t get home until 5 pm, exhausted from sitting! I bought and took KFC for him on the way! I had spoken to Kasita on the Saturday. They both started their exams on Thursday.

The boys at George’s Place attended a church meeting that day. They have also had to have new shorts and T-shirts for a school function – different colours for different classes – something to do with Independence Day which was on the 9th!

Last Monday Anton arrived in the office – I don’t think Peace recognised him at first with all his motorbike gear and helmet on. He sat and talked to us for about an hour, telling us about the last three years (he did come to the Anniversary service, but there wasn’t the opportunity to talk very much). Anton used to be very quiet and withdrawn but now chats away and is much more confident. He is doing well – still has his land in Ibanda and has a girlfriend. Griffin, Victor and Saviour arrived later in the morning and Anton gave them good advice about ‘growing up’ –
saving money, drugs/alcohol abuse and girls, etc. much better coming from him than Peace and I! (Petra and Tresor were not there that day).

Tuesday I went to the Ladies Fellowship, so I didn’t arrive at work until lunchtime.

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭33‬:‭27‬

On Wednesday, Peace and I went to visit Yusuf, who is working on a farm in Semuto. (Jessie drove). Norah and Sam, who own the farm, made us very welcome and provided a delicious lunch. Yusuf has settled well and is supervising three workers – all older than himself. (I’m so proud of our boys.) He came back to George’s Place later that day as he has a lump on his wrist and I wanted it checked out at the hospital. I had thought it might be a ganglion, but it isn’t, and he’s had a scan. I am going to send the results back to the UK to understand exactly what it is! He’s been looking for a dog whilst he’s been here, as there are so many monkeys – three different species- that are eating and destroying crops on the farm. He believes a dog will deter them; there are about 100 acres.

Thursday morning I went up to George’s Place and delivered the sugar cane and jackfruit Yusuf had given us; he then went off to the hospital. We found some T-shirts for his workers and, whilst we were there, gave them some of our knitted hats that everyone here appreciates. He’s taking back a football and might get the locals playing!

Tresor collected Saidi one afternoon from school this week, as he is having a church service and party on Saturday and needed a suit! After buying the suit, they called to see Brian at school.

Today, Saturday, I am going to Bombo for a parents’ meeting at Don Bosco Vocational College to see how Denis is progressing. It certainly seems to be a busy time with school meetings.

Many of the older boys have been phoning me: Ronald, Patrick, Augustine, Kodet, Omoding and Emma. Peace and I hope to be visiting some of the ones in the east shortly.

Many thanks for all your love and support.

Love and prayers.

Jane x