To pick up where we left off last week… Meg’s first outing and first Valentines was a blast. While our original plans to take Meg out for a picnic were washed away by rain, our day was memorable nonetheless. We picked Meg up and Sarah wrapped her snuggly in a baby sling to take her out of the babies home for the very first time. Prior to me meeting Sarah, Meg and Jill for lunch I picked up some flowers for the three of them because what is Valentines without flowers, especially ones first Valentines. From what I could decipher from Meg’s wide eyes, busy eyebrows and head that never sat still, I believe that she LOVED her first afternoon on the town. I hope that she will always remember that her first valentine was a 24-year-old white boy form Canada. Sarah was tremendously generous in sharing me for the afternoon.
Later in the week, while Sarah and I were deeply enjoying some much-needed sleep, as anyone would at 5:00 am, Sarah received a call from the babies home with shocking news; George was having trouble breathing. We quickly made our way down to the babies home to find out what was wrong. When we arrived George was being held tightly by Vicki (the night supervisor) wheezing and hooked up to an oxygen tank to help him breathe. Sarah quickly decided that he had to go into Kampala for some medical attention and called Annie to come pick him up. In record time, Annie made it out to Suubi and Sarah, George, Annie and Jill were off back to town. In the end, George was diagnosed with croup, given some much-needed medication and sent on his way to a speedy recovery. Needless to say, he managed to scare many people in a few short hours. We thank God for his speedy recovery and that he was surrounded by capable and loving individuals when everything happened.
In other babies home news, as of today, the Suubi babies home is officially open. The home was visited by roughly 150 people today to officially open it and dedicate it to the glory of God. The ceremony was complete with African dancing and drumming, speeches, prayers, tours, cake, and volunteers and babies in matchy smatchy t-shirts. A good time was had by all.
As for me and the production unit, life and work is crazy busy. This past week we managed to finish up many of the cabinets, railing and doors for the main floor at the Suubi babies home, build and ship cabinets for 2 units of 6 up to Gulu babies home, continue building furniture for both the schools and the homes at both villages and install a security system. The security system was a first for me, so far so good. Outside the shop this week I was able to spend some quality time with my friend, boss and mentor, Gerry Kimple. One of those times involved attending church on Sunday at a church deep in the rural bush. While I am incapable of spelling the name of the church my time there was memorable. Just to get there we drove down a dirt road full of potholes, goats, sheep and cattle for about 15 minutes until the road ended, from where we then had to proceed on foot another 10 minutes through a random village. The church building was no more than a few poles, some iron sheets, 6 benches, 2 chairs and a table. The congregation, that day, consisted of about 15 adults and 12 children. It was an absolutely interesting and refreshing worship experience. We worshiped through song, prayer and a message on how God is capable and willing to help us in our time of need, if we would simply give our problems to him. The music was not led by a well-outfitted band, but by 3 singers, two drummers, one of which couldn’t have been much older than 10, and our own rhythmic clapping. My time there made me realize that God is everywhere; he is in the mega churches of North America, he is in the house churches of China and he is most certainly in the simple churches of rural Africa.
I will end it there for this week but will ask you all to be in prayer for a few items. First and foremost, that God, and God alone, would be glorified through all of the efforts of Watoto. Secondly, for the health and well being of my Mentor, Gerry. Third, that Sarah and I would continue to see the “big picture” and serve with humble hearts. Fourth, for strength and energy to serve each and every day. And lastly, that those who do not know Jesus, whom we work with on a daily basis, would come to know him.
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