Sunday 19th May 2024
Dear friends,
Last Monday I went into work and then went up to George’s Place as it seemed such a long time since I had seen the boys. I collected T-shirts for the older boys we were planning to visit during the week and a mattress, sheets, towels and Jerry can for Robert.
Tuesday morning Jessie and I collected Tim from Kajjansi and then drove to collect Peace at her home – the traffic was terrible in Kampala with roadworks everywhere and it took us ages to get to Jinja.
We eventually arrived at Tim’s aunt’s village where he will be staying for the next few months in the hope that he will settle there. We spent about an hour with his family and were made very welcome. We arrived in Iganga at 5.30pm but unfortunately Derek had already left the garage where he works. First thing the next morning he came to the hotel where we were staying and had breakfast with us before we dropped him at work. He is doing really well and manages to earn enough money to visit a local cinema some evenings to watch films.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:10-11
After leaving Iganga we travelled to Bugiri and found Shaffick, who looked really well. He sometimes finds hairdressing work but also survives by buying and selling second hand clothing. After this we drove to Malaba near the Kenyan border and met Robert, working in a salon, we met his grandmother and saw the room where he is staying near to her. We bought him a bed and gave him the things to help him settle. We will help him to get the room painted. We then went across country and managed to find Omoding and his family near Tororo. He is home for the holidays and returns to college in a couple of weeks. We left some money for a shaving machine and he will look for work in a local salon during the holidays. Following this we travelled to Mbale and spent the night there.
Early on Thursday morning we made our way to Sironko to find Ivan and where he is working and staying. He told us that trade had slowed down but he was busy doing repairs to trousers. He had material, threads, zips etc. and uses even the small scraps of material to edge aprons and bags. We will send him a small solar panel so that he at least has some light in the house. Peace and I are so proud of all the boys, we hadn’t said that we were calling on them and yet they were all working, keeping themselves clean, neat and tidy and managing to feed and support themselves with a little help from Homes of Promise.
Before we left Mbale we called at the Cathedral offices and met the Mothers’ Union Diocesan President, MU worker and two of the Archdeaconry leaders. We handed over two laptops that had been donated by MU members in London and 20 badges that the London Diocese sent. They kindly provided an amazing lunch for us before we travelled back to Kampala. I arrived home at 8.30pm – a full day!
On Friday morning Peace and I met at George’s Place as a British Doctor, Alison and her friend Gill Anne, a teacher at a theological college here from USA came to talk with the boys about cleanliness, drug addiction, with a ‘message’ about God looking at the heart and not the outward appearance. The boys really responded, asked questions and enjoyed meeting our visitors. Some of the catering boys had made pinwheel biscuits served with tea for us and our visitors bought sodas, biscuits and sweets for the boys.
Today, Saturday, I visited George’s Place again, a lady called to collect information for the census that each of the boys answered and after lunch as a treat we walked to Banana Village as the swimming pool is deeper and the older boys can show off their diving skills! (Isaac has changed his name to Joseph – shame as we have 2 Joseph’s already!)
It’s been a busy week but so good to see some of our ‘independent’ boys well settled, working and reconciled with relatives. We give thanks and praise to The Lord for all He is doing in their lives. Thank you for all your love, kindness and support.
Love Jane x
