Sunrise Village Walks

Throughout the week on the farm, we got up early each am between 6 - 6:30 am and walked as the sun came up throughout the village areas. One day we went on the road to Katamarwa school (where the Love Covers and Love Packs blessed the nearly 1000 children and later the 1000 cups with bio sand water filters, learning with clean water and hygiene and sanitation outreach took place). The road is not well travelled at this hour, a few people out with their cows and goats. School is still out of session so there is few children around the school. We love these walks and it is a great way to start the day (unlike the lightening speed we start the day with in America!). The exercise and air felt good, even though it was going to be a hot and buggy day. One day, we went passed the school and walked through Katamarwa village. As we were walking back, a women called out to us in a very cheerful voice and beckoned us to come over and in. She was so friendly and animated so we all walked over and she introduced us into the church made of mud and sticks with a thatched roof. Pretty soon children started peering in. We all introduced ourselves and then she asked us to pray for them. Everyone looked at me, so we formed a circle holding hands and invited the many children in who also held hands with all of us in a large circle filling the space and I prayed for them all. It always touches my heart and God speaks to me mightily each time this happens. I still remember the first time the ladies on the farm sat me in the brick shell and dirt floor church on the farm and asked me to pray for them 5 years ago. This seems like a lifetime ago now as at that time they prayed for time pots to simply boil the muddy pond water in and blankets for their children who were sleeping the cold wet dirt floor as it rained and rained. 5 years later, the development and progress that has occurred is astonishing! Glory be to God! Hallelujah! This was also our first opportunity to invite everyone in the village to the "Jubilee" clinic celebration!! We knew this word of mouth will spread better than any internet or social network in this area!

Another morming also brought us through Rakayata village and many familiar sites. We take this opportunity to do some house visits also. This day we walked passed the village center and went to see John, a 17 year old boy living with hyrdrocephalus and basically floor ridden for years. We first met John in 2006 with the Calvary Chapel team and the village clinic. I have followed him since and even bought him a mattress and sheets to get him off the dirt floor. Also, when the container came over I brought him a hospital mattress with the thick vinyl protection. Far Reaching Ministries, Wes and Vicky have also helped this boy and paid for a shunt surgery in Mbale, a caregiver and a solar CD player. His mother also has another disabled child, a girl, Harriett. Keti tries hard and was told to through the kids away years ago, however she could not and did not. I know she has done the best she can do and rarely do I find any bad wounds or big sores on John when I visit, however, each time his mattress is gone!! We found him lying on the ground on a thin matt and dirty blanket, very cold, but with a huge huge smile! "Hello, How are you?", He says cheerfully! When asked what he needed or wanted, he said a "toy motor car". So we set about getting him his wish...a toy motor car with wheels! And now I am about the task of getting a 3rd mattress, this time a child mattress with a bed frame. It will be way too small for an adult to sleep on it and unfortunately too small for Harriet to sleep on it too (the other mattresses fit both kids and two big ones would not fit in the hut). Maybe, just maybe the adults will not take John's mattress now?! We had a stern talk when I brought back the hygiene supplies and scalp shampoo and clothes. I can only hope and pray they also give the boy the blanket we left at the farm when the bed is finished! This is Africa! Reminds me so much of how we used to find Rogers in Kayunga some years back! The needs are great for all! These kids are incredibly tough to survive against all odds! All are God's children...may he continue to protect them.

Nadine