December 19, 2013
The last few days have been a
whirlwind, and as I sit here in an overstuffed armchair, surrounded
by christmas decorations and the smell of cinammon, I am already
beginning to miss Uganda.... Wait, I'm still here! We are spending
the last two nights of our trip at John and Beth Musagala's house in
Jinja. John and Beth are a wonderful missionary couple who work for
Hope in the Land Ministry, bringing clean water, heathcare, and the
word of God to the people of Mayuge District, one of the poorest
regions in Uganda. They are taking us around Jinja today on a
"touristy" excursion to the Kitenda Falls, and to a
craft market in town.
Tuesday was our last day at the farm,
and we really had a blessed time. Nadine and I took a morning walk
with Geoffrey to see little John, a boy with severe disabilities who
is being supported by Far Reaching Ministries. He had a big smile on
his face when we showed up, and it was amazing to see how joyful and
Spirit-filled he is, even in the face of so many challenges. He
reminds me of Tiny Tim from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
After we walked back to the farm
and had lunch, we had another training session for the VHTs, this
time on maternal/child health and nutrition. As we trained them,
many community members started to arrive, so we repeated the lessons
a few times to ensure everyone understood. Judith, the new nurse at
Emmanuel Clinic, gave an engaging and informative lecture on the
importance of visiting the clinic for antenatal checkups.
We
climbed the ladder to the water tank-the view of the entire farm was
breath-taking. To view the school, Emmanuel Clinic, the
tukels (huts we sleep in,) the Nook where beyond delicious meals
were served and where many conversations took place, the diel ott
(goat house) and the fertile fields. The irrigation drip lines coil
like black snakes in the soil-symbolizing the potential for dry
season production and business opportunity for the villagers. It is
bittersweet to leave the Utopia of Canaan Farm. I say good-bye to
the Cockatieu that sang to me above my shower and to the lizards that
scampered about in our living thicket roof. I say a lingering
farewell to the Queen of the Night tree outside our tukel that
blessed us with its amazing aroma where its blossoms open only in the
evening to bless us. The hardest is to say good to our gracious hosts
Richard & Susan Angoma and their 3-year-old daughter Abby. To be
so openly welcomed in their home and hearts is humbling. Richard was
our chaperone, translator & negotiator with others for us at H2O
Life. We our forever indebted to them and I count them among my best
of friends. Wishing God's Blessings on their special family and all
the amazing workers/friends at Canaan Farm. Heather R.
It is always a bittersweet depature from Uganda back to the US for me, however so happy to see Kenny and kitty soon! I will be working all through Christmas and New Years and the adjustment is harder going back it seems. Yet, the teamwork on this trip is very satisfying and with one step closer the the dream of the end of poverty for a small remote region. God is good and I am grateful for all of the service and sacrifice of the team, Tom Osborne, Mariel and Heather Rieland. May you be richly blessed with treasures in heaven. Thank you with all my heart! Thank you all at home for the prayers that carry us safely and wisely.
In deep gratitude,
Nadine
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